Loewe Paid Authentication Services

[totally]

Hello,

My apologies if this is the incorrect place to ask my question. If it is so, please let me know where I may redirect my query!

I’ve just received a Puzzle Small Wine and Garnet Bag purchased from Fashionphile. It’s my second purchase of the same bag - but in a different colour - from my first (Tan) Small Puzzle Bag.

I’ve searched everywhere for the leather serial number tag that is usually inside the interior of the main compartment. It simply isn’t there. There are no loose threads, or needle-pricked lines to indicate that such a label was ever sewn into, then cut or unpicked from the seam of the lining of the bag.

There is also just the one additional cloth interior I pocket within the main compartment, rather than the two smaller cloth pockets that are in either side of my other Tan Small Puzzle.

The inside of the cloth pocket also has about 3mm of exposed raw edge that has still slightly sticky glue all along it. My other Tan Small Puzzle bag has no such raw edges sticking out on the inside of either of its two pockets.

The bag arrived with what appears to be original shop tags of the bag with its serial number, the colour description (Vino and Grenat) and size details all correct. There is also a small (fits in the palm of my hand) guarantee booklet that has the instructions in various languages. And although I cannot read the Japanese, the Italian part has words in it that I recognise and correlate with its English section that reads prefect grammatically (most fake leaflets have weird mistyped errors and grammatical mistakes).

I’ve just emailed Fashionphile, but am terribly worried I will get no help from them. After reading the horror stories here of people who’ve bought bags from them and who’ve not been refunded return shipping or taxes paid, I am feeling sick in the stomach.

I’ve paid an additional, unforeseen AUD$140 for a (previously unmentioned on Fashionphile’s website) fee for the UPS courier, and all up AUD$510 extra in additional fees.
I am very concerned how this is going to turn out. And am wondering if any Loewe Puzzle owners here know if any of the Small Puzzle bags were/are ever sold without their little Lester serial number tags inside the bag’s main compartment?

(1) Newer Puzzles do not have a leather tag with the serial code in it, you have to look at the leather underneath the flap exactly as shown in LillianIm's photo. I think this change was implemented some time in 2019 or 2020. Replicas have kept up with this change.
(2) This was updated in 2019 or 2020, it is now one big pocket instead of two smaller pockets. Replicas have kept up with this change.
(3) That's a quality issue uncharacteristic of Loewe.
(4) Fakes also come with tags.

Hello! Thank you so much for jumping on this thread to help me. Okay, got it — tags and booklets are possibly real and from another same style and coloured bag.

I followed your sound suggestions and
1) checked the stitching against the one I have (they look almost identical)
2) the stamping seems to my very-new-to-Loewe eye to look good, but the, “MADE IN SPAIN” under the, “LOEWE”, seems pretty squishy / deeper than my Tan one. However, I’m unsure if that is because the Wine and Garnet leather tag is so dark and a different colour from the Tan that it looks different
3) yes, that exposed seam glue is a red flag for me, too
4) I haven’t felt the leather of other Loewe patch work colour bags before (I only have the Tan grained leather in Small and Mini, both of which is divinely soft and supple). And the only smooth leather on both bags is the handle and strap. Howeve, the Wine and Garnet leather bag from Fashionphile - despite being the smooth leather on all its patches, feels like it’s a bit dry.

And, the inside flap leather when I gently pushed it back to look for a serial number stamp, wrinkled a little bit like a fake Loewe I once handled in person.

Thank you so much for the authentication advice - I’ll shoot them my photos and ask for their confirmation either way!

Loewe changed the leather on the smooth Puzzles some time in 2017 or 2018. The leather on newer smooth Puzzles are slightly thinner, more structured. They're a tad drier than before but still a very nice leather.

A lot of these details are in the now closed Authentication Thread (via people sharing photos of their Puzzles) but I can understand it takes a lot of time and energy to go through that thread. If you want peace of mind I suggest using Legit Grails as mentioned multiple times in this thread. They cost $15 USD (which is not a lot compared to the cost of the bag) and also offer a service for recovering your money if your item is deemed fake by them.

 

[SkyBlueDay108]

A lot of superfakes for Loewe Puzzles still have issues with the branding on the metal parts of the bag so try checking the Loewe on the strap alligator clips and also the metal Anagram logo on the ends of the zipper teeth and the strap.

Thank you for this! Following your advice, I’ve checked the metal stamping of the anagram and, “LOEWE”, on all the metal fixtures. To my eye (and blown up using my mobile phone since I don’t posses a magnifying glass) they do look identical to my Tan Puzzle’s, including on the zipper on the little back leather slide pocket. If I could only see the serial number on the inside somewhere - even on the leather strip (unless I’m looking at the wrong leather strip), and the exposed seams and glue weren’t there!

 

[SkyBlueDay108]

(1) Newer Puzzles do not have a leather tag with the serial code in it, you have to look at the leather underneath the flap exactly as shown in LillianIm's photo. I think this change was implemented some time in 2019 or 2020. Replicas have kept up with this change.
(2) This was updated in 2019 or 2020, it is now one big pocket instead of two smaller pockets. Replicas have kept up with this change.
(3) That's a quality issue uncharacteristic of Loewe.
(4) Fakes also come with tags.



Loewe changed the leather on the smooth Puzzles some time in 2017 or 2018. The leather on newer smooth Puzzles are slightly thinner, more structured. They're a tad drier than before but still a very nice leather.

A lot of these details are in the now closed Authentication Thread (via people sharing photos of their Puzzles) but I can understand it takes a lot of time and energy to go through that thread. If you want peace of mind I suggest using Legit Grails as mentioned multiple times in this thread. They cost $15 USD (which is not a lot compared to the cost of the bag) and also offer a service for recovering your money if your item is deemed fake by them.

Really appreciate your detailed explanation!
It’s been so helpful, and with everyone else’s replies I am so touched and feel so much better - regardless of the outcome of the authenticity of this Wine and Garnet purchase I’ve just received.
Interesting hearing about the recently slightly thinner and drier leather hand-feel of the newer bags, too; I thought it was just in my head/hands. Because, I remember the first and last time I held a smooth-ish leather Puzzle was for a very short while in a retail outwit carrying Loewe at the time, a good five - maybe six - years ago. And it was indescribable- almost like butter in my hands!
And yes, I will use Legit Grails to assist me.
Many thanks for your help and for sharing valuable experience. Yours and everyone’s assistance here has been invaluable.
Wishing you and everyone who’s been so kind and swift with their advice a peaceful, healthy festive season and a really good 2022!

 

[jsmdesign]

This is a long shot but my puzzle and other puzzles I’ve seen on resell sites have a “C” above the stamped code. Does anyone know what that means?

 

[Lillianlm]

Really appreciate your detailed explanation!
It’s been so helpful, and with everyone else’s replies I am so touched and feel so much better - regardless of the outcome of the authenticity of this Wine and Garnet purchase I’ve just received.
Interesting hearing about the recently slightly thinner and drier leather hand-feel of the newer bags, too; I thought it was just in my head/hands. Because, I remember the first and last time I held a smooth-ish leather Puzzle was for a very short while in a retail outwit carrying Loewe at the time, a good five - maybe six - years ago. And it was indescribable- almost like butter in my hands!
And yes, I will use Legit Grails to assist me.
Many thanks for your help and for sharing valuable experience. Yours and everyone’s assistance here has been invaluable.
Wishing you and everyone who’s been so kind and swift with their advice a peaceful, healthy festive season and a really good 2022!

Just wondering what happened with the authentication of your bag?

 

[Eurasia.2020]

Hello Everyone!

I just want to ask for more details as I am just slowly getting into the Loewe brand. There's this hammock purse that I like, but when I had it authenticated, I was told that it is not authentic due to issues with the hardware and stamping. I was hoping someone here can let me know or at least point me to a direction to help me become more familiar about the hardware and stamping too? For reference, here are some photos I've shared with the authenticator.

Thank you so much!

 

[despair]

Hello Everyone!

I just want to ask for more details as I am just slowly getting into the Loewe brand. There's this hammock purse that I like, but when I had it authenticated, I was told that it is not authentic due to issues with the hardware and stamping. I was hoping someone here can let me know or at least point me to a direction to help me become more familiar about the hardware and stamping too? For reference, here are some photos I've shared with the authenticator.

Thank you so much!

https://legitgrails.com/blogs/loewe-authentication-guides/real-vs-fake-loewe-hammock-bag-legit-check

Legitgrails posted up an authentication guide for Loewe hammocks. I think the Loewe hotstamps inside the bag could possibly be one of the red flags for the bag you had authenticated. Hope that helps!

 

[hello762]

Really struggling with a mini puzzle I bought off SSENSE. I got it authenticated twice, first was via Legit Grails (took my own photos so was a little concerned about whether the results are as reliable) and it came back as authentic. However, the second time I went through a consignment store whom worked with Authenticate Firs*t (so more high resolution photos) but it came back as counterfeit. Now I am uncertain if I should go for a third authentication and if yes, are there any recommendations? Regardless would be frustrated to have to authenticate it three times!

 

[pinkrose398]

Really struggling with a mini puzzle I bought off SSENSE. I got it authenticated twice, first was via Legit Grails (took my own photos so was a little concerned about whether the results are as reliable) and it came back as authentic. However, the second time I went through a consignment store whom worked with Authenticate Firs*t (so more high resolution photos) but it came back as counterfeit. Now I am uncertain if I should go for a third authentication and if yes, are there any recommendations? Regardless would be frustrated to have to authenticate it three times!

SSENSE is a legit retailer based in Canada. They have a physical store in Montreal so I don't think they would be selling counterfeits. What made you feel like the bag you bought was not authentic?

 

[hello762]

SSENSE is a legit retailer based in Canada. They have a physical store in Montreal so I don't think they would be selling counterfeits. What made you feel like the bag you bought was not authentic?

Yeah thought that would be the case too but was concerned as saw that some people encountered fakes (likely due to returned counterfeit items). Main reason is because of slight hardware differences between another mini puzzle I got subsequently direct from the Loewe store so got it authenticated for the peace of mind.

 

[pinkrose398]

Yeah thought that would be the case too but was concerned as saw that some people encountered fakes (likely due to returned counterfeit items). Main reason is because of slight hardware differences between another mini puzzle I got subsequently direct from the Loewe store so got it authenticated for the peace of mind.

Oh where did you see that people encountered fakes? That's really interesting. I've definitely thought of that too when I was shopping online but I tried not to think about it too much because otherwise it'd just give me too much anxiety.

What were the hardware differences?

 

[hello762]

Oh where did you see that people encountered fakes? That's really interesting. I've definitely thought of that too when I was shopping online but I tried not to think about it too much because otherwise it'd just give me too much anxiety.

What were the hardware differences?

So I was reading this thread here: https://forum.purseblog.com/threads...uthorized-retailer-advice-appreciated.966951/.

Here's a picture of the main hardware difference, whereby the top one is the mini puzzle in question and the one on the bottom is from the one bought directly from the Loewe site. The zipper pull is also a bit smoother on the one direct from Loewe. But yes I really hope that I am just overthinking and fingers crossed the bag is not counterfeit!

 

[SpaceCadet]

Hello,
I have been reading on various websites how to spot a fake Puzzle bag but despite this and all the great information here, fear I may have purchased a fake off eBay. I know, I know (slaps forehead)! May I bother you ladies to do a quick look at some of the seller’s photos? It so new woot tags but comes with an Authenricatw First certificate and they guarantee authenticity. The seller has 100% rating and only sells luxury brand bags (mainly Burberry but also a few Loewe etc.) Thank you for your generous time and experience.

 

[SpaceCadet]

Hello,
I have been reading on various websites how to spot a fake Puzzle bag but despite this and all the great information here, fear I may have purchased a fake off eBay. I know, I know (slaps forehead)! May I bother you ladies to do a quick look at some of the seller’s photos? It so new woot tags but comes with an Authenricatw First certificate and they guarantee authenticity. The seller has 100% rating and only sells luxury brand bags (mainly Burberry but also a few Loewe etc.) Thank you for your generous time and experience.
View attachment 5390226View attachment 5390227View attachment 5390228View attachment 5390229View attachment 5390230

*is new without tags* not sure what my autocorrect is up to

 

[SpaceCadet]

One more photo, thank you so much!