Have you ever had the store authenticate a pre-loved bag for you?

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M

Mangopuppy

O.G.
Jun 30, 2012
20
0
#1
I was wondering if the brick-and-mortar boutiques are willing / allowed to authenticate bags purchased from a 3rd party, ebay, etc. I am lucky enough to live nearby designer boutiques, but wouldn't know how to even go about asking them to authenticate a preloved bag. I for one would be willing to pay for authentication if it were done via or through the designer's store. I think it should be a service that they all offer, for example charging $150 or something so that they are not wasting their time.

So have any of you been successful having staff at a store authenticate your bags? If so, how did you ask them to do it?
 
#4
remainsilly said:
I don't believe boutiques offer this service. In fact, I believe they actively avoid doing this.
Most people use an authentication service.
Hope this helps.
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Agreed however, you could get around it by taking the bag in and showing it to one of the clerks. And maybe saying something like "I would like to know what kind of cleaner is safe for the bag, hardware, etc"....If the bag is fake they will most likely tell you right away and will not give a recommendation. I have seen this scenario happen in the Burberry store so its worth a shot.
 
#5
TIFFANI251 said:
Agreed however, you could get around it by taking the bag in and showing it to one of the clerks. And maybe saying something like "I would like to know what kind of cleaner is safe for the bag, hardware, etc"....If the bag is fake they will most likely tell you right away and will not give a recommendation. I have seen this scenario happen in the Burberry store so its worth a shot.
Click to expand...

+1

I had a friend do this, because she called a boutique, and they acted like she just killed all of their mothers when she asked them to authenticate. so she went to another boutique with the old "I want to send this for repairs" routine.
 
#6
Enquiring about repairs will possibly be the only way, but most SAs won't have a clue anyway. If your bag gets sent and they find it's a fake you most likely won't get it back though, it will just be destroyed (and then they have all your details :-s)

Not all stores will take in even authentic bags for repair let alone give you an opinion on it, in Prada I was asked for the receipt before they'd repair my bag
 
#7
TIFFANI251 said:
Agreed however, you could get around it by taking the bag in and showing it to one of the clerks. And maybe saying something like "I would like to know what kind of cleaner is safe for the bag, hardware, etc"....If the bag is fake they will most likely tell you right away and will not give a recommendation. I have seen this scenario happen in the Burberry store so its worth a shot.
Click to expand...

It won't work in most premium brand boutiques.
 
#8
Mangopuppy said:
What kind of authentication service? Where would I find one?
Click to expand...

There are many companies, some online. Just google search.
Agree that it helps to choose company with knowledge of handbag's particular brand.
Here's a thread from ebay forum to give ideas: http://forum.purseblog.com/ebay-forum/authentication-services-882676-3.html
That forum would be a great place to ask for recommendations about authentication services, imo.

It's your bag, so do what you think best.
However, spending high $£€ on it, or trying to sell as "authentic" elsewhere, would do well authenticated with written certificate, etc. by service.
Good luck. :)
 
#9
Mangopuppy said:
I was wondering if the brick-and-mortar boutiques are willing / allowed to authenticate bags purchased from a 3rd party, ebay, etc. I am lucky enough to live nearby designer boutiques, but wouldn't know how to even go about asking them to authenticate a preloved bag. I for one would be willing to pay for authentication if it were done via or through the designer's store. I think it should be a service that they all offer, for example charging $150 or something so that they are not wasting their time.

So have any of you been successful having staff at a store authenticate your bags? If so, how did you ask them to do it?
Click to expand...

I've actually had the Gucci boutique try to tell my mother that the bag she purchased at that very store 25 years before was a fake. :twitch:

Unless your SA has been with the company for several decades, the store has a high selection of merchandise, and the SA has the virtues of observation, good taste and discretion - I would recommend against it.
 
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