Authenticate This Balenciaga

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#15,209
IMPORTANT READ-ME

Please see post #1 for complete Balenciaga authentication rules. All requests must be posted in this thread. Authentications are not done via private message or in any other thread.

See the link below for examples of the photos needed and the format they should be in (clear, close up, forward-facing, no angles, right way up, no bends in tags).

https://forum.purseblog.com/threads/required-pics-for-balenciaga-authentication.741442/

A link to the listing in question is required.

It is an authenticator’s right to ignore a request that is not in the proper format. If the listing you are interested in is missing photos it is your responsibility to request them from the seller prior to posting in this thread.

Thanks and be well!
 
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#1,684
I adamantly URGE all askers ITT to get a second AND third opinion...I asked for authentication ITT, and received one opinion telling me my bag color didn't even exist in its season. However, this was INCORRECT, and I only found this out because I did my own extensive research. To begin with, I did research for all the 'authenticity' hallmarks, but after I received my bag, I did even more...so it is not a simple or quick process to determine authenticity.

Granted, it's not any one's fault for incorrect conclusions, but every one ITT needs to realize authenticators are only human and volunteers, doing this out of their own accord & free time...so we must not only respect & appreciate them, but also take any opinion offered with a grain of salt and **always do our own research**. Had I taken one person at their word, and not done my own research, I would've returned an AUTHENTIC bag based on a sole opinion, not actual facts.

So be diligent! Always research, be persistent in your search for authenticity, and most of all, listen to your gut.
 
#1,685
sunshinesash said:
I adamantly URGE all askers ITT to get a second AND third opinion...I asked for authentication ITT, and received one opinion telling me my bag color didn't even exist in its season. However, this was INCORRECT, and I only found this out because I did my own extensive research. To begin with, I did research for all the 'authenticity' hallmarks, but after I received my bag, I did even more...so it is not a simple or quick process to determine authenticity.

Granted, it's not any one's fault for incorrect conclusions, but every one ITT needs to realize authenticators are only human and volunteers, doing this out of their own accord & free time...so we must not only respect & appreciate them, but also take any opinion offered with a grain of salt and **always do our own research**. Had I taken one person at their word, and not done my own research, I would've returned an AUTHENTIC bag based on a sole opinion, not actual facts.

So be diligent! Always research, be persistent in your search for authenticity, and most of all, listen to your gut.
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With all due respect, and I agree with you regarding the fact that posters should do their due diligence...I've been following your quest for authenticity and I'd like to point out that the the answer rec'd regarding authentication was that the colour wasn't found on the charts therefore the person was unable to authenticate. The authenticators here IMHO (and I am not an authenticator, waaay too much responsibility for me :eek:) would prefer not to authenticate unless absolutely sure. I didn't see anywhere where anyone said the bag wasn't authentic, just that they were unable to authenticate based on the criteria they used. I'm very happy for you that you've reached a satisfactory conclusion, wear her in good health!
 
#1,686
muchstuff said:
With all due respect, and I agree with you regarding the fact that posters should do their due diligence...I've been following your quest for authenticity and I'd like to point out that the the answer rec'd regarding authentication was that the colour wasn't found on the charts therefore the person was unable to authenticate. The authenticators here IMHO (and I am not an authenticator, waaay too much responsibility for me :eek:) would prefer not to authenticate unless absolutely sure. I didn't see anywhere where anyone said the bag wasn't authentic, just that they were unable to authenticate based on the criteria they used. I'm very happy for you that you've reached a satisfactory conclusion, wear her in good health!
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Yes, and I'm not throwing shade...I reiterated that we should always *respect authenticators as they are doing this of their own accord and on their own time*...

HOWEVER, it is VERY important for beginners to understand [as I am one of them] that they cannot solely rely on authenticators ITT, to be sure of their bag's legitimacy. They MUST do their own due diligence, and search not only this site, but also google all available information and even call Bal themselves if they need a last resort...to determine authenticity.

I am speaking from experience in that you should never approach this thread as 'bible', unless you have at least 3+ opinions PLUS your own research.

I understand the authenticator never said, 'unauthentic', but when I came to this thread, I assumed the authenticators were all super-experts who would already know that sometimes, neutral/classic color-swatches weren't included. Instead, I had to do my own research,create my own thread, to finally find out from other Bal experts all of the info...when I had orig believed it'd all be here. So my post is a word of fair warning to other posters that you can't assume someone is going to hand you an easy 'YES OR NO'. You have to go out on your own, study in depth, and not take things at word value.

Had I folded at the first 'doubt', I would've lost out on my dream bag...
 
#1,687
sunshinesash said:
Yes, and I'm not throwing shade...I reiterated that we should always *respect authenticators as they are doing this of their own accord and on their own time*...

HOWEVER, it is VERY important for beginners to understand [as I am one of them] that they cannot solely rely on authenticators ITT, to be sure of their bag's legitimacy. They MUST do their own due diligence, and search not only this site, but also google all available information and even call Bal themselves if they need a last resort...to determine authenticity.

I am speaking from experience in that you should never approach this thread as 'bible', unless you have at least 3+ opinions PLUS your own research.

I understand the authenticator never said, 'unauthentic', but when I came to this thread, I assumed the authenticators were all super-experts who would already know that sometimes, neutral/classic color-swatches weren't included. Instead, I had to do my own research,create my own thread, to finally find out from other Bal experts all of the info...when I had orig believed it'd all be here. So my post is a word of fair warning to other posters that you can't assume someone is going to hand you an easy 'YES OR NO'. You have to go out on your own, study in depth, and not take things at word value.

Had I folded at the first 'doubt', I would've lost out on my dream bag...
Click to expand...

Well nonetheless I'm glad it worked out for you...a reminder for other beginners that there are various paid authentication services that are out there as well. Just noticed you're a Canuck, greetings from Vancouver! :wave:
 
#1,689
muchstuff said:
Well nonetheless I'm glad it worked out for you...a reminder for other beginners that there are various paid authentication services that are out there as well. Just noticed you're a Canuck, greetings from Vancouver! :wave:
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I am glad as well! However, what is the need to pay for authentication services when you are a part of a purse forum that offers it for free? Free is good so long as it's accurate* !
I went into this TPF service thinking everyone was experts in the auth this bal thread, but I had to post a word of warning after I learned being naive was a huge downfall.
 
#1,690
jujubebe3 said:
I personally think the reply "unable to authenticate" itself means "need to make further research or send more photos", not "unauthentic".
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i think someone who calls themselves an 'authenticator/expert' should certainly know the colors OF the season, and also the classic/neutral colors that have been determined for years not to be listed. The fact that an expert wasn't aware of this, to the point of ques authenticity, shows me the person was never a solid source of authenticity to rely on.
 
#1,691
sunshinesash said:
i think someone who calls themselves an 'authenticator/expert' should certainly know the colors OF the season, and also the classic/neutral colors that have been determined for years not to be listed. The fact that an expert wasn't aware of this, to the point of ques authenticity, shows me the person never believed in themsleves to begin with.
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I assume u did not mention the colour of your bag as some colours appear differently in photos for example anthracite sometimes has green undertones to it and sometimes blue. We must remember authenticators examine photos here, not the bag itself. Cut some slack.
 
#1,692
jujubebe3 said:
I assume u did not mention the colour of your bag as some colours appear differently in photos for example anthracite sometimes has green undertones to it and sometimes blue. We must remember authenticators examine photos here, not the bag itself. Cut some slack.
Click to expand...
Lol I was and AM STILL a beginner. I had NO idea my bag was 'anthracite'. I thought my bag was black, based on the orig pics, that's how clueless I was. AND I had listed from the beginning front & back tags. So the authenticator made NO move to help me out...to assist me in authenticating my bag...yet here I should give some 'slack'?
AFTER having been told my bag 'couldn't be authenticated', no further discussion!, and on that notion alone, I should return it. NO HELP, no extra research, no nothing.
and yet this thread is supposed to be helpful? to who? I would've strongly believed authenticators did their own research, yet they don't...and BUYERS deserve to know so. Had the authenticator I ran into been legit, she would've known immediately 'anthracite' was made in f/w 2013. Instead, I had to go on my own instinct and search for authentication beyond the basics.
 
#1,693
sunshinesash said:
Lol I was and AM STILL a beginner. I had NO idea my bag was 'anthracite'. I thought my bag was black, based on the orig pics, that's how clueless I was. AND I had listed from the beginning front & back tags. So the authenticator made NO move to help me out...to assist me in authenticating my bag...yet here I should give some 'slack'?
AFTER having been told my bag 'couldn't be authenticated', no further discussion!, and on that notion alone, I should return it. NO HELP, no extra research, no nothing.
and yet this thread is supposed to be helpful? to who? I would've strongly believed authenticators did their own research, yet they don't...and BUYERS deserve to know so. Had the authenticator I ran into been legit, she would've known immediately 'anthracite' was made in f/w 2013. Instead, I had to go on my own instinct and search for authentication beyond the basics.
Click to expand...

OK, I'm going to add one more comment to the mix, as I hate conflict but feel the need. Sunshinesash, one of the biggest challenges for anyone to identify is colour based on photographs. Bals, as well as many other bags, are notoriously difficult to photograph accurately where colour is concerned. You yourself listed it as black, gris fossile, then anthra based on what info you ferreted out, and you actually had the bag in your possession. And yes, I understand that you're fairly new to the brand. But to state that the authenticators don't spend countless hours in research in incorrect and unkind. The authenticator in your scenario has a lot more knowledge than you give credit for, and to diss her because she didn't meet your level of expectation is very unfair. This forum is contributed to by people who have a huge passion for the brand, own many bags and often have way more knowledge than the average SA at a Bal boutique. plus they spend a part of almost every day trying to help answer questions for us poor slobs who have less knowledge, myself included. And yes, sometimes they may make a mistake, or their info may be less than a poster would like. But they're being true to themselves and will give the best answer they feel they can based on the info they're given. To suggest that they should spend hours looking into the back story of every question posted is unrealistic. Again, welcome to the forum, there's a ton of good info in all of the threads, and if you read enough of them you'll see that opinions do differ on all sorts of issues but everyone's trying to do their best.
 
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#1,694
sunshinesash said:
Lol I was and AM STILL a beginner. I had NO idea my bag was 'anthracite'. I thought my bag was black, based on the orig pics, that's how clueless I was. AND I had listed from the beginning front & back tags. So the authenticator made NO move to help me out...to assist me in authenticating my bag...yet here I should give some 'slack'?
AFTER having been told my bag 'couldn't be authenticated', no further discussion!, and on that notion alone, I should return it. NO HELP, no extra research, no nothing.
and yet this thread is supposed to be helpful? to who? I would've strongly believed authenticators did their own research, yet they don't...and BUYERS deserve to know so. Had the authenticator I ran into been legit, she would've known immediately 'anthracite' was made in f/w 2013. Instead, I had to go on my own instinct and search for authentication beyond the basics.
Click to expand...

A good part of the joy and intrigue of Balenciaga is that there are innumerable quirks and idiosyncrasies in the history of the brand... like the gris tarmac "hiccup" in the otherwise anthracite lineage of dark grays. It is much better that an authenticator have the wisdom to say they can't authenticate if they are not comfortable that all of their markers have been hit, than proceed in a careless or cavalier manner. I've seen many a case where one authenticator defers to another, because everyone has a different "basket" of knowledge or one person may know of a quirk that another does not know about. Some people know a particular color group very well, etc. etc. As you study Balenciaga more, these little gems become fun little forensic discoveries. Just six months ago myself and several bona-fide "Oldies" were convinced a work bag was a superfake until the seller pointed out to me/us, via a thread on this very forum, that in 2005 there were tags that were marked in a certain way that were totally out of character with the accepted norm for that year... and they were authentic. It takes a village of collective knowledge. The authenticators here volunteer their time for their love of the brand, but they can't be expected to take time out of what surely are their own busy lives to do independent research for each bag that is submitted to the authenticate thread. These ladies do a wonderful service but they certainly don't owe anyone anything... Ive always thought that independent research should be the FIRST line of authentication, and submitting here the second. That way, one can become comfortably self-reliant and confident when purchasing.
 
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#1,695
muchstuff said:
OK, I'm going to add one more comment to the mix, as I hate conflict but feel the need. Sunshinesash, one of the biggest challenges for anyone to identify is colour based on photographs. Bals, as well as many other bags, are notoriously difficult to photograph accurately where colour is concerned. You yourself listed it as black, gris fossile, then anthra based on what info you ferreted out, and you actually had the bag in your possession. And yes, I understand that you're fairly new to the brand. But to state that the authenticators don't spend countless hours in research in incorrect and unkind. The authenticator in your scenario has a lot more knowledge than you give credit for, and to diss her because she didn't meet your level of expectation is very unfair. This forum is contributed to by people who have a huge passion for the brand, own many bags and often have way more knowledge than the average SA at a Bal boutique. plus they spend a part of almost every day trying to help answer questions for us poor slobs who have less knowledge, myself included. And yes, sometimes they may make a mistake, or their info may be less than a poster would like. But they're being true to themselves and will give the best answer they feel they can based on the info they're given. To suggest that they should spend hours looking into the back story of every question posted is unrealistic. Again, welcome to the forum, there's a ton of good info in all of the threads, and if you read enough of them you'll see that opinions do differ on all sorts of issues but everyone's trying to do their best.
Click to expand...
Yes, you are right and I agree, as I had reiterated much of this in my first post. Objectively, I see how everything panned out, but subjectively, I took it personally. The main thing I stand by is to do your own research. Beyond that, I agree this thread and its posters are a great resource.
 
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