Wow....it happened to me. I bought a superfake

fashion16

fashion16

O.G.
Apr 15, 2007
5,301
1,258
#1
Ladies....I don't want to be over dramatic here but I want to provide a word of caution. I was careful. I did my research and I bought a saffiano lux tote 1801 from a reputable online dealer of luxury goods.....and I got a fake.

I will not disclose the name of the company here b/c it is still under investigation but what I will tell you is that something about the bag was bugging me. The lining was off. Not noticeable but it was a tactile difference. I decided to spend the $7.50 for authenticate4u.com to take a look at it. Here is where it gets scary. #1, their determination was inconclusive which scares me b/c now the experts can't give me a definitive answer but my rep is referring to their senior Prada specialist for review but she was pretty sure the bag was a superfake. I contacted the store I bought it from and b/c i have carried it, they are not wiling to return. They are "investigating" and had me send the pics I sent to authenticate4u.com in addition to researching authenticate4u as they state they have never heard of them and want to make sure they are registered w/ the better business bureau and they are legit. This is getting crazy...makes me wonder if buying Prada is even worth it anymore.

I want to give you ladies a word of caution, if authenticators are not sure....is it even worth the chance? Is it worth even buying from a reputable company? So frustrating.
 
#2
I am so sorry to hear about your experience. I can certainly understand your frustration. Prada has other handbags that are not as easily and abundantly (and accurately) faked as the saffianos. They also have other models that are dependable in quality and craftsmanship (the nylons, and the older models, come to mind. I am no Prada expert, so I am sure there are other models out there that fall under this category that I just do not know of). I would not cross Prada out just yet. I think that the saffiano bags are particularly problematic though, just because they are so popular and so in-demand -- and it is precisely that which has triggered all these so-called superfakes.


This is my personal philosophy, and I understand if this does not apply to all (but I found this has worked wonderfully for me): I buy all handbags still available in-store in the actual boutique. I only purchase online for the older/vintage models no longer available in-store --and I have them authenticated BEFORE I purchase. I got burned once with an online purchase, thinking I was saving a few hundred dollars versus buying in-store -- and that's what got me to apply my current philosophy. Again, my current philosophy has worked wonderfully for me. No stress about authenticity, I get to inspect the bags first-hand before purchase, I get the boutique experience.


I understand that you bought it from a reputable online dealer of luxury goods... but this would not be the first time even reputable online dealers have been duped into selling superfakes. This does not apply just to Prada, but especially to LV, possibly Chanel. For Prada, while there are other models that the experts have mentioned have been "superfaked" as well -- saffiano is still the primary target.


I hope you get your money back. Please do keep us updated. There are several great experts and authenticators here, as well as other members who are non-experts (such as myself), who will offer support and assistance when possible.


Best of luck!
 
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#3
thank you. I know the company i bought the bag from was insulted i would accuse them of such a thing and they pride themselves on not engaging in such practices but i tried to explain to the CSR on the phone that it doesn't matter, bait and switch can happen at any time...he was astonished that I would imply that they didn't "catch " it to which i replied that if authenticators could be fooled or confused at the very least, anyone could be.

I have a weird feeling this is going to be a fight to the death for me and i am not sure how it will turn out. Everything besides the lining looks convincing but when you look at the little details, it gives me a sinking feeling in my stomach.
ugh.


Maice said:
I am so sorry to hear about your experience. I can certainly understand your frustration. Prada has other handbags that are not as easily and abundantly (and accurately) faked as the saffianos. They also have other models that are dependable in quality and craftsmanship (the nylons, and the older models, come to mind. I am no Prada expert, so I am sure there are other models out there that fall under this category that I just do not know of). I would not cross Prada out just yet. I think that the saffiano bags are particularly problematic though, just because they are so popular and so in-demand -- and it is precisely that which has triggered all these so-called superfakes.


This is my personal philosophy, and I understand if this does not apply to all (but I found this has worked wonderfully for me): I buy all handbags still available in-store in the actual boutique. I only purchase online for those the older/vintage models no longer available in-store --and I have them authenticated BEFORE I purchase. I got burned once trying to purchase online, thinking I was saving a few hundred dollars versus buying in-store -- and that's what got me to apply my current philosophy. Again, my current philosophy has worked wonderfully for me. No stress about authenticity, I get to inspect the bags first-hand before purchase, I get the boutique experience.


I understand that you bought it from a reputable online dealer of luxury goods... but this would not be the first time even reputable online dealers have been duped into selling superfakes. This does not apply just to Prada, but especially to LV, possibly Chanel. For Prada, while there are other models that the experts have mentioned have been "superfaked" as well -- saffiano is still the primary target.


I hope you get your money back. Please do keep us updated. There are several great experts and authenticators here, as well as other members who are non-experts (such as myself), who will offer support and assistance when possible.


Best of luck!
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#4
Maice said:
I am so sorry to hear about your experience. I can certainly understand your frustration. Prada has other handbags that are not as easily and abundantly (and accurately) faked as the saffianos. They also have other models that are dependable in quality and craftsmanship (the nylons, and the older models, come to mind. I am no Prada expert, so I am sure there are other models out there that fall under this category that I just do not know of). I would not cross Prada out just yet. I think that the saffiano bags are particularly problematic though, just because they are so popular and so in-demand -- and it is precisely that which has triggered all these so-called superfakes.


This is my personal philosophy, and I understand if this does not apply to all (but I found this has worked wonderfully for me): I buy all handbags still available in-store in the actual boutique. I only purchase online for those the older/vintage models no longer available in-store --and I have them authenticated BEFORE I purchase. I got burned once trying to purchase online, thinking I was saving a few hundred dollars versus buying in-store -- and that's what got me to apply my current philosophy. Again, my current philosophy has worked wonderfully for me. No stress about authenticity, I get to inspect the bags first-hand before purchase, I get the boutique experience.


I understand that you bought it from a reputable online dealer of luxury goods... but this would not be the first time even reputable online dealers have been duped into selling superfakes. This does not apply just to Prada, but especially to LV, possibly Chanel. For Prada, while there are other models that the experts have mentioned have been "superfaked" as well -- saffiano is still the primary target.


I hope you get your money back. Please do keep us updated. There are several great experts and authenticators here, as well as other members who are non-experts (such as myself), who will offer support and assistance when possible.


Best of luck!
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ITA with the bolded. If a highly faked bag like these totes is still available directly from Prada then that would be the only place I would consider purchasing from.

Several yeras ago Bluefly was caught selling a glut of Bal and Gucci fakes in two separate incidences. There are threads in the Ebay forum discussing other retailers with so-called good reputations that have been caught numerous times selling fake bags. It irritates me when bags from these sources are posted in the AT threads and are given a pass because of who is selling them. No secondary source is 100% foolproof.
 
#6
lovieluvslux said:
Sorry to hear of this. I hope you can exchange or get your money back. Keep us posted, I'm curious to find out outcome/company.
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i will post the outcome & company once we reach a resolution.....they have already let me know that they are against policy offering a return at this point (it has only been 2 weeks but again, bag has been carried) so we'll see where this goes.
 
#7
ummmmmm.............if it is indeed fake then wtf does it matter whether it has been carried or not? What are they going to do-----relist it? :Pullhair:
 
#8
Can I point out that Authenticate4U.com are not located in the USA - and therefore the comment with regard to the 'Better Business Bureau' is 'moot'.

A web-search will bring up details of Authenticate4U.com - and any associated information.

It would be unlikely for the seller to know of Authentication Services, based on the proviso that most of them don't authenticate their items prior to sale.

The item in question COULD be sent to Prada in Italy for checking - but would be time consuming - but possible.
 
#9
Update ladies.
The A4U Prada Senior Specialist confirmed I have a fake. A very expensive fake. The $7.50 was so worth the peace of mind, I can't even explain and their communication has been wonderful. These super fakes are hard to determine but A4U validated it for me. Now the fight w/ the vendor begins. Please wish me luck, ladies.
 
#10
fashion16 said:
Update ladies.
The A4U Prada Senior Specialist confirmed I have a fake. A very expensive fake. The $7.50 was so worth the peace of mind, I can't even explain and their communication has been wonderful. These super fakes are hard to determine but A4U validated it for me. Now the fight w/ the vendor begins. Please wish me luck, ladies.
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I am happy for you, that this one step has been completed, and some peace of mind has been achieved! I am also happy to hear about the good feedback on Authenticate4U - I have not availed of their services yet personally, but I have heard that they are one of the few authentication services that can authenticate saffiano superfakes. Good luck to you on the rest of your fight! Keep us updated!


As I mentioned - lots of lovely ladies and gents here who can and will offer support and assistance when possible.


Best of luck!
 
#13
Oh my goodness, what an ordeal for you. These superfake issues are making me so angry. I just did an ebay search and there are so many fake saffiano totes on there. Prada have been hit so hard by this.
 
#14
If Prada Corporate would get as aggressive as Hermès, Chanel and Louis Vuitton with counterfeiters, this problem would NOT be as widespread. Prada Corp. seems content to rake in the billions from their own boutique sales and damn the torpedoes where counterfeiting is concerned. I find that most disappointing, to say the very least...
 
#15
I've learned the hard way too. When it comes to prada DO NOT BUY ANYWHERE BUT THE BOUTIQUE. You'll actually end up Saving yourself money, time and a big fat headache!!
 
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