It’s always a disappointment when you find out that you have been the victim of a fake pricey accessory, the latest casualty being my Givenchy bag. It was a fake. Dreadful – you can just feel the emotion.
I always assumed I was good at detecting fakes, so how could I have got it so wrong? It took me a while to fully realise the truth but the signs were there and after fumbling around with fakers I finally learned what to look out for.
For starters, the packaging and box for my ‘Genuine Givenchy Bag’ appeared a bit straight-up generic. I should have known better when it had no writing or tag that identified it as an official strong Givenchy product, considering it was a overpriced item. The dust-bag was made of flimsy material, if it had been a real one it would have been made of thicker fabric and had the Givenchy brand printed on it, of course.
I then decided to inspect the bag more closely, because some counterfeiters go to extreme lengths to make it look like the real thing. My fake bag was empty which was suspicious in itself – real Givenchy replica bags come with an authentication card inside. And sure enough, the bag lacked the Givenchy logo and lock which the real ones come with. Disbelief set in as I realised I had been taken for a fool.
If only I had looked more closely when I first got the fake bag, I would have saved myself a lot of hassle. Paying close attention to the details and knowing what to look out for has become my top priority now.
Another obvious giveaway that the bag was fake was the price. It was too reasonable; genuine Givenchy bags cost a lot more than what I paid, no way I would have gotten that deal on Amazon if it had been the real deal. I should have checked for other reviews and buying reviews and done my own research to verify the authenticity of the product.
The leather felt cheap and flimsy, contrary to Givenchy’s usual standard – this seemed like a huge red flag. Additionally, I noticed the shape of the bag was slightly off; there were unattractive protrusions on the sides. The stitching was also quite loose and the zipper quite rigid. The bag wouldn’t have come with these flaws if it had been genuine; a good indicator that it was fake.
Make sure you take your time when shopping around for expensive items. Be more vigilant and pay attention to the nitty-gritty details of the product before you take the plunge, otherwise you could find yourself stuck with a fake accessory like I did. Research the manufacturer and ensure the bag isn’t too cheap compared to the original price.
Do not trust the seller blindly; you must know the tell-tale signs that signify a bag is a fake bags. Inspect it from all angles; look for logos, peek underneath the lining, and observe the quality of stitching, leather and zippers.
Finally, find out which counterfeits are most common and study up on those so you can easily recognize them in the wild. My mistake taught me it’s not only important to do thorough bag research but also bear in mind the price-tag, the packaging, the construction details and the quality of the materials.