How to spot a fake designer bag
No checklist replaces a professional, and good fakes fool plenty of people. These checks catch most of the bad listings, and they tell you when to walk away or insist on authentication.
In the listing
- Check the price against the going rate. Every model page here shows the typical price for that size and condition. We flag anything 40%+ below it.
- Read the seller's history. A long record of positive feedback for similar items counts for more than a high score earned on cheap things. A brand-new account selling a £3,000 bag is a warning sign.
- Look for real photos. You want your own view of the actual bag: the corners, the lining, the hardware close up and any stamp. Stock photos or only one blurry picture aren't enough, so ask for more.
- Watch the wording. "Inspired", "style", "look-alike" and "dupe" all mean it isn't the real thing, and we filter these out. "Unsure if genuine" means the seller won't stand behind it.
- Prefer the Authenticity Guarantee. An independent authenticator inspects the bag before it's sent to you. It's the strongest protection you can get on eBay.
In the photos
- Stitching. Luxury bags have even, straight, slightly slanted stitches. Wobbly lines, loose threads or uneven spacing are bad signs.
- Hardware. It should feel heavy and look crisp, with clean engraving. Peeling plating on a recent bag, or a logo that looks soft or uneven, is a warning.
- Logos and lettering. Compare the spacing, the proportions and the font with the brand's own photos of the same model. Patterns usually line up across seams on the better-made canvas bags.
- Lining and shape. A slack shape, a lining that looks cheap or a strong chemical smell don't fit a bag at this level.
Brand by brand
- Louis Vuitton. Bags made before 2021 usually carry a stamped date code inside, while newer ones have a chip instead of a code. The Monogram is usually symmetrical across the bag.
- Chanel. Older bags have a serial sticker inside, usually with a matching authenticity card, and newer ones have a metal plate with a microchip. On quilted flaps, the quilting should line up across the flap and the pocket.
- Hermès. Look for the blind stamp showing the year the bag was made. At these prices, always use authentication.
- Gucci. Look for the leather tag inside with a two-line serial number, and check the double-G hardware is crisp.
- Dior. Most bags have a date code stamped inside, and the cannage stitching should line up across the seams.
This is general guidance, and brands change their details over time. A serial or date code on its own proves nothing, because fakes copy those too.
Questions buyers ask
Can I get my money back if a bag turns out to be fake?
If you pay through eBay, its Money Back Guarantee is designed to cover items that aren't as described, including fakes. Never agree to pay outside eBay, however good the price is.
What is eBay's Authenticity Guarantee?
On eligible listings, an independent authenticator inspects the bag before it's sent to you. 16,071 of the 20,989 listings we track today carry the tag.
Is a date code or serial number proof a bag is real?
No. Fakes copy them too, and some genuine bags have worn stamps or none at all. A code is one clue among several, so look at it alongside the stitching, the hardware and the seller.
Is a low price always a bad sign?
Not always. A worn or older bag can be honestly cheap. But a recent, popular bag in good condition priced far below its going rate deserves a closer look, which is why we flag anything 40%+ under typical.