Oh Mooks - I don't know what to say. Contact the seller/auction house and tell them that you have learned that the item is a counterfeit. Start with the "very nice" tone, and be firmer as you go along. If you need to, contact the police. Selling counterfeit goods is a crime, after all. Remember that and be firm with whomever sold the fake. Selling counterfeit goods is never o.k., even if they sold it unknowingly. If someone sells it unknowingly, then the least they can do is apologize and refund.
But the rivets on this bag *aren't* exactly the same as current season bags -- if you compare them very closely you will see the little divot or cutout portion is shaped differently. You can use that as part of your "proof" if necessary. I'm very surprised that the difference between the bales wasn't more obvious when looking at them side by side. Any possibility you can take another closeup photo of a bale and post here?
Ok, the latest is this. I have called Balenciaga in Paris and spoken to a lovely girl there who has asked me to e-mail pics of the bag. I have e-mailed all that has been posted on here.
She has also said that if I wish to I can take the bag into Harvey Nichols for authentication with their brand specialist who can also send it direct to them for appraisal.
I feel incredibly stressed by this and need a little breather so will post again once I have more news.
As I've said before, thank you all for your help and hopefully I can get some way towards a conclusion. To be honest at this point I feel like I just want my money back so I can go and buy one from an authorized retailer.
Mooks...I'm so sorry about the stress; I know the feeling and have been through two similar situations w/fakes. I am so glad that the person at Balenciaga Paris is being so supportive & helpful. I think it's best for you to take a break from this...take care.
^^Mooks, that's great news! You can't get a better authentication than from Bal Paris direct! It's great that they have been so helpful. If you are still a little unsure or unhappy, maybe you could still return the bag and purchase one direct from Selfridges, HN, Browns or Koh Samui??
^ I have to agree with chigirl. I really think it is a fake. There are just too many little things that don't seem right. I hope, for your sake mooks, that I am wrong.
I just found this thread...
Honestly after so much going forth and back, I wouldn't know if it's real or not.
If I were you, I'd prefer to return it even if it is authentic, because I couldn't live with the doubt.
I hope you're doing ok and not stressing out too much... hugs
I know it seems strange that there are people who insist even after the Balenciaga email, but sometimes they don't scrutinize the details as much as some of the lovely girls here.
Good luck mooks!