Easy Ways To Tell It’s a Fake
Whether you're purchasing online or off, there are some simple clues that can trigger your suspicion and tell you to stay away from a Gucci you might be considering. These are the “red flags” that should warn you about the Gucci purse, wallet, shoes, belt, etc. that you're looking at and possibly the person selling it to you as well.
First, where are you purchasing this Gucci? If it's from a “street vendor” or a badly-made, dubious website then that's your first clue that it's likely not the real thing.
Next, what is the price? If you're looking at a Gucci 102G watch for only $200, it's not the real thing. I don't care what kind of sob story or excuse the seller might have for why it's so cheap, a watch like that doesn't sell that low. My rule of thumb is that if the price is within 30% of retail, it's probably safe to consider the item. If it's lower than that, be wary.
Read the listing carefully. If the listing is at an auction or online somewhere, read every word in it. Watch for phrases like “inspired by” and “similar to” as clues that, while the sale itself might be legal (if it's not a direct knockoff, it's not illegal), the item isn't what you might think it is. This is common on online auction sites, especially if the seller is international.
We've talked about price, but what about the item itself? If it looks cheap, it probably is and therefore it's not a Gucci. That's not always obvious, though, because these counterfeiters are getting sophisticated. Often, they use the same leathers, hardware, etc. as the real thing, but maybe don't process them quite as well or put them together with as good a quality of workmanship. Even faux leather like some vinyls are getting so close to the real thing, it's almost impossible to tell without cutting out a sample. So be aware that cheap doesn't always look that way.
In my next installment, we'll talk about authenticating Gucci items—how to do it, what to insist on, etc. If you're a collector, then it's vitally important that you know what you're getting and have it authenticated so you can properly value it.
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US $449.50
Tags: Spotting Fake Gucci