Is this ArchieLuxury guy for real??

[montana_patina]

Search the WHOLE Purse Forum... You will find these mistakes... There are quite a few of them.





It comes down to the years of experience and time spent helping BUYERS get their money back

from being sold fake bags for the last 8 years...



I'm just curious, are you an authenticator?

or, do you spend some of your free time helping other buyers from ebay who have been sold fake bags or shoes?



I'm just asking, because the person you are addressing does BOTH of these things.

She spends her free time HELPING people. So, for you to come here and question her expertise is a bit stunning.





Just because somebody opens a business as an authenticator, does not make them GOOD at what they do.

This comes from years of having a good reputation, word of mouth... Something that

neither ******************, or Carol Diva have... the only people who suggest these 2 authentication services, are people who are NOT really well versed on this subject.

All right, so according to you I am "NOT really well versed on this subject". AF has always been great for me and I wanted to help OP out, you know, spread the love!

Seems like anyone can make a mistake with authenticity, whether it's online consignment or so-called authenticators. I feel confident in myself to know the difference once the item is in my hands, and I haven't been burned yet.

 

[JustAgUrL]

All right, so according to you I am "NOT really well versed on this subject". AF has always been great for me and I wanted to help OP out, you know, spread the love!

Seems like anyone can make a mistake with authenticity, whether it's online consignment or so-called authenticators. I feel confident in myself to know the difference once the item is in my hands, and I haven't been burned yet.

So, because they were Right about YOUR items, You now feel
they are the BEST?

Perhaps you should check around the Forum...

here... This is just for starters..

http://forum.purseblog.com/ebay-forum/tpf-authenticator-discussion-899195-46.html

This information comes from being on this forum for MANY years..

So, now at least 2 people in this thread have informed you that Authenticate
First is NOT a reliable Authentication service,
a few MORE people in the thread that I just posted also feel this way,
NOTICE please, that these are NOT NEWBE's who are saying this.

This is a collection of people who have been on this forum
for OVER 5 years EACH... and you think YOU know more than these people?

More than people who are authenticators?
MORE than members here who spend their time helping buyers get their money back when they have been sold a fake bag?

I stand by my statement, ONLY people who recommend ******************,
and Carol Diva are people who are NOT well versed in this subject.

By the way, I used ****************** once as well,
it is just that when I found out that they had made some major errors
I decided that they were NO LONGER a service that I would recommend.
I didn't take it personally, I didn't get upset and pitch a hissy fit, I didn't argue with the people who informed me of those errors.
I just decided that if I am going to recommend a service to somebody,
I want to make sure it is the BEST service I can suggest. ****************** is
just NOT that service, and that is a WIDELY held consensus among people
who know a LOT about this subject.

 

[montana_patina]

So, because they were Right about YOUR items, You now feel

they are the BEST?



Perhaps you should check around the Forum...



here... This is just for starters..



http://forum.purseblog.com/ebay-forum/tpf-authenticator-discussion-899195-46.html



This information comes from being on this forum for MANY years..



So, now at least 2 people in this thread have informed you that Authenticate

First is NOT a reliable Authentication service,

a few MORE people in the thread that I just posted also feel this way,

NOTICE please, that these are NOT NEWBE's who are saying this.



This is a collection of people who have been on this forum

for OVER 5 years EACH... and you think YOU know more than these people?



More than people who are authenticators?

MORE than members here who spend their time helping buyers get their money back when they have been sold a fake bag?



I stand by my statement, ONLY people who recommend ******************,

and Carol Diva are people who are NOT well versed in this subject.



By the way, I used ****************** once as well,

it is just that when I found out that they had made some major errors

I decided that they were NO LONGER a service that I would recommend.

I didn't take it personally, I didn't get upset and pitch a hissy fit, I didn't argue with the people who informed me of those errors.

I just decided that if I am going to recommend a service to somebody,

I want to make sure it is the BEST service I can suggest. ****************** is

just NOT that service, and that is a WIDELY held consensus among people

who know a LOT about this subject.

I didn't argue with anyone - just shared what worked for me. I get the feeling that you might be reading a bit too far into my post(s).

 

[missbanff]

But how do you know for sure? Isn't the whole deal with the superfakes that they are SO accurate, you're pretty much not going to be able to tell unless it's sent in for repairs from LV? If there are fakes THAT accurate in existence, the best that anyone can really offer based on photos is "no red flags".

This is a business that can generate tons of money. Why wouldn't the people producing the superfakes be able to manufacture an exact copy? And why wouldn't they have people as well versed in all the details of the bags as an authenticator?

The overall assumption on here seems to be there's truly no "superfakes", there's just "really close, but not quite" fakes.

I don't know for sure of course. I'm just afraid enough because I've heard of superfakes. - And I find it highly suspicious there's always a LOT of white watercolor speedies available from the popular Japan sellers.

Personally, I'm with you. I absolutely DO believe there are LV super fakes. In fact, I authenticated what IMHO was one for someone on this thread. The bag, a NF, had a couple things to me that stood out as being not quite right, things I really couldn't attribute to poor quality control (a complaint about LV bags in recent years). There are a lot of LV styles from japan because they're so readily available over there. I once heard someone say that the Japanese don't like to purchase things that are pre-owned because of ancient superstition, spirits and all that. So once they are done with their items, they sell them.

Am I absolutely SURE it was a super fake? Without having it in hand, no. Do I THINK it was? Yes. And I wouldn't have touched that bag with a 10 foot pole, personally.

Now, do I think there are artificially aged vintage super fakes? I'm really leaning towards no, given that Archie is a bit of a nut and Mis- authenticated a horribly fake Mulltipli Cite. If someone I had a lot of respect for said it, I'd be more inclined to believe it.

 

[JustAgUrL]

Personally, I'm with you. I absolutely DO believe there are LV super fakes. In fact, I authenticated what IMHO was one for someone on this thread. The bag, a NF, had a couple things to me that stood out as being not quite right, things I really couldn't attribute to poor quality control (a complaint about LV bags in recent years). There are a lot of LV styles from japan because they're so readily available over there. I once heard someone say that the Japanese don't like to purchase things that are pre-owned because of ancient superstition, spirits and all that. So once they are done with their items, they sell them.

Am I absolutely SURE it was a super fake? Without having it in hand, no. Do I THINK it was? Yes. And I wouldn't have touched that bag with a 10 foot pole, personally.

Now, do I think there are artificially aged vintage super fakes? I'm really leaning towards no, given that Archie is a bit of a nut and Mis- authenticated a horribly fake Mulltipli Cite. If someone I had a lot of respect for said it, I'd be more inclined to believe it.

There are a lot of LV styles from japan because they're so readily available over there. I once heard someone say that the Japanese don't like to purchase things that are pre-owned because of ancient superstition, spirits and all that. So once they are done with their items, they sell them.


This is what I have read as well.

Their secondary market is AMAZING because of this.
What I would GIVE to go Thrift and Consignment shopping in Japan for ONE week...

Of course because they have so many bags, for really low prices, a
lot of people assume they are selling Fakes...
Personally, I'm kinda OK with that...
MORE bags for me..
I like OLDER LV's.... like the way they age, I love the way they look
and after being so old, I won't worry so much about the canvas cracking...
Which I rarely see on Older LV's, but, have been seeing more and more on the newer LV's.

OF course, like I said, I' have seen a few fake Prada bags from Japanese sellers,
Though, it is far and few between. But, again, No more so than American sellers.

BUT... as always, NO matter who I buy from, I make sure to have the bags
authenticated.

 

[deacc]

But how do you know for sure? Isn't the whole deal with the superfakes that they are SO accurate, you're pretty much not going to be able to tell unless it's sent in for repairs from LV? If there are fakes THAT accurate in existence, the best that anyone can really offer based on photos is "no red flags".

This is a business that can generate tons of money. Why wouldn't the people producing the superfakes be able to manufacture an exact copy? And why wouldn't they have people as well versed in all the details of the bags as an authenticator?

The overall assumption on here seems to be there's truly no "superfakes", there's just "really close, but not quite" fakes.

I don't know for sure of course. I'm just afraid enough because I've heard of superfakes. - And I find it highly suspicious there's always a LOT of white watercolor speedies available from the popular Japan sellers.

I do think "superfakes" exist but IMO, the more scary matter is whether there are people who buy a real bag at the store and then return a super fake. There is no way, unless you are ordering mon monogram, for an innocent buyer to be protected against this as opposed to the pre-loved market (just don't buy pre-loved). I think LV should makes conscious steps to prevent this. Some possibilities:
1. No return/exchange permitted unless a protected stamp tag (which is issued when SA wrap the bag up) is still attached to the bag. (There will be some marking which only special machines at LV can read.)
2. If there are issues with a bag that was recently purchased but tag removed, if SA deemed it as a defect then it will be sent out for repair. (Then the repair expert can see if it is real or not. If it is not, LV should definitely notify the police.)

 

[QueenLouis]

I do think "superfakes" exist but IMO, the more scary matter is whether there are people who buy a real bag at the store and then return a super fake. There is no way, unless you are ordering mon monogram, for an innocent buyer to be protected against this as opposed to the pre-loved market (just don't buy pre-loved). I think LV should makes conscious steps to prevent this. Some possibilities:

1. No return/exchange permitted unless a protected stamp tag (which is issued when SA wrap the bag up) is still attached to the bag. (There will be some marking which only special machines at LV can read.)

2. If there are issues with a bag that was recently purchased but tag removed, if SA deemed it as a defect then it will be sent out for repair. (Then the repair expert can see if it is real or not. If it is not, LV should definitely notify the police.)

I've actually thought why don't they microchip expensive bags like we do pets.

 

[SheikhaLVOE]

Recommendations on the best authentication service? Do I just send pics? Also, if I go past the 14-day return period with the seller, do I still have recourse with eBay and PayPal?

Thank you!!

I am currently going through this situation right now ive ended up with a horrible fake mc speedy. Everytime i try to open a case with ebay i receive some "error code" im pretty sure because the seller does not accept returns. I have opened a case with paypal and escalated it to a claim, they are still waiting for her to respond and its been 5 days now, she has until the 15th. Just be careful and do try to avoid this situation if you can at all. Ill let u know the outcome.

 

[SheikhaLVOE]

There are a lot of LV styles from japan because they're so readily available over there. I once heard someone say that the Japanese don't like to purchase things that are pre-owned because of ancient superstition, spirits and all that. So once they are done with their items, they sell them.


This is what I have read as well.

Their secondary market is AMAZING because of this.
What I would GIVE to go Thrift and Consignment shopping in Japan for ONE week...

Of course because they have so many bags, for really low prices, a
lot of people assume they are selling Fakes...
Personally, I'm kinda OK with that...
MORE bags for me..
I like OLDER LV's.... like the way they age, I love the way they look
and after being so old, I won't worry so much about the canvas cracking...
Which I rarely see on Older LV's, but, have been seeing more and more on the newer LV's.

OF course, like I said, I' have seen a few fake Prada bags from Japanese sellers,
Though, it is far and few between. But, again, No more so than American sellers.

BUT... as always, NO matter who I buy from, I make sure to have the bags
authenticated.

I have to agree with you ive bought a keepall 55, cabas alto and a sac flanerie all from japanese sellers in really beautiful condition.

 

[JustAgUrL]

I am currently going through this situation right now ive ended up with a horrible fake mc speedy. Everytime i try to open a case with ebay i receive some "error code" im pretty sure because the seller does not accept returns. I have opened a case with paypal and escalated it to a claim, they are still waiting for her to respond and its been 5 days now, she has until the 15th. Just be careful and do try to avoid this situation if you can at all. Ill let u know the outcome.

Hi SheikhaLVOE... Welcome to tPF...

You mentioned that you are NOT able to open a case with ebay?

If you have a case open with Paypal, you will not be able to open a
case with ebay. That might be why you are getting that Error Message.

Also, I just want to make sure, did you have a 3rd Party Authentication Letter?

If now, you should still do this, because Paypal will most likely want PROOF
that the bag is counterfeit.

You might want to call Paypal and ask them if they will need a letter of proof.

If so, I would recommend Authenticate4U, as they are the most reputable,
and they best prices..

If you have any problems with your case, please feel free to start a thread
in the ebay Sub-forum.
here is a link for you.

http://forum.purseblog.com/ebay-forum/


Good Luck, I hope you get your money back ASAP...

 

[SheikhaLVOE]

Thank you

I tried to open the ebay case first, also my mother tried from her laptop to no avail. After that I decided to open a paypal case and its under "missing parts, not as described" aswell as the fact it is a clear replica. Its an absolute mess, all squashed ripped handles broken lock! All cleverly hidden from the pics, i guess i got caught up in the moment and raced in to bid. Lesson learned just hoping it wont turn out to be a costly one.

 

[JustAgUrL]

Thank you

I tried to open the ebay case first, also my mother tried from her laptop to no avail. After that I decided to open a paypal case and its under "missing parts, not as described" aswell as the fact it is a clear replica. Its an absolute mess, all squashed ripped handles broken lock! All cleverly hidden from the pics, i guess i got caught up in the moment and raced in to bid. Lesson learned just hoping it wont turn out to be a costly one.

Hi SheikhaLVOE,

Do you have a link to the ebay Listing so we can take a look at it?

Also, did you contact the seller BEFORE trying to open a case?

It's possible that your seller would just accept the return of the bag?


Did you have the bag authenticated via a 3rd Part Authentication Service?
Authenticate4U is a good one with a very good reputation.

I ask because Paypal MIGHT want a letter on the authenticity of the bag.
If so, that will cost you about $40 and take about 3-5 days to receive
once you send payment and photos.