Buyer's Guide To Spotting Designer Knock Offs

Bags have always been one of a woman's favorite accessories. Most women's closets would not be without a designer bag or two. In this time and age where the prices of necessities and basic goods are going nowhere but up, you can count that the value of designer bags are also going up the roof. This is possibly the reason why a lot of fake bags have been sprouting all over boutiques and shops and even on the sidewalks.

For people who would just like to have the feel of getting one even when it is a knock-off of the real thing, a fake is an acceptable and a good enough purchase with its lowered price. But for those who pay good deal, they expect that they are getting bonafide items and nothing else.

The problem with this is that a lot of swindlers do exist and if you are not careful enough, you might find yourself on the unfortunate end of the deal. Telling whether a designer back is a counterfeit or not, has become quite a challenge nowadays with crooks using all their sources to deceive you. It is even more risky if you plan to purchase online. That is why it is best for you to exercise prudence in shopping. Here are a few tips to get you ahead of these counterfeits.

* Check the supplier. It is always good to know who you are dealing with. Know the reputation of your supplier especially if he or she is an online vendor. You may want to read on the customer reviews and feedback which may be available on the vendor's website or in forums. You may also want to check with the manufacturer to see if the seller is listed as an authorized distributor or dealer. Their answer will obviously give you a definite idea on whether you are on your way to getting your genuine designer handbag or into getting swindled.

* Check the price. The price of an item is a very good indicator of whether it is fake or not. When a newly released designer bag is offered half-price off, you should be wary that something is wrong. A very big discount is highly suspicious. Sellers go into business for and to make profit and not for charity. Even if they were given the items at wholesale prices plus discounts from manufacturers, chances are slim that they can afford to get profit with such low prices.

* Look at the packaging. Misspellings, disparity of figures in the label, shoddy wrapping and different shades of the packaging can give you clues that you are getting a bogus item. Manufacturer's take time to make their products and their product's packaging pleasant and satisfactory enough for their customers. Designer bags, for one, are fashion items and fashion designers above all are meticulous when it comes to packaging. So shabby wrapped products are a definite no-no.

Keep these pointers in mind the next time you go designer bag shopping and get your money's worth!