Second hand: things to know (absolutely) to avoid buying counterfeit fashion

How to recognize a fraudulent advert? How to avoid coming across scams on second-hand sites? Can we spot super fake luxury bags, collectible sneakers or even big name brand clothing? What are the peer-to-peer resale platforms to avoid and which ones to favor depending on what you are looking for? What details do you need to pay attention to to recognize a counterfeit? Here are the key tips so you don’t get fooled when you love second-hand fashion and second-hand luxury.

Choose the right platform for the right product

If you’re looking for an authentic Chanel bag on LeBoncCoin, for example, you’re clearly taking a lot of risks. Depending on the type of product you are looking for, it is in your interest to turn to certain platforms rather than others.

For second-hand luxuryIt’s best to use sites that have their own authentication service, such as Vestiaire Collective (remember to set alerts on items you’re tracking), CollectorSquare, Vintega, or even Resee.

Vinted has recently also offered an authentication service, but perhaps it is better to turn to this very mainstream platform for mainstream brands, even premium ones, rather than luxury ones. The best time to find good deals would be on Sunday morning, between 6am and 9am.

For first-hand luxury, in addition to the brand sites directly, some multi-brand stores can also offer interesting items, sometimes on promotion. Examples include My Theresa, Luisa via Roma, Yoox, Net-à-Porter, Farfetch, Zalando Privé and Veepee.

Riskier but also the place where you can get the best deals is eBay. Here luxury items are often offered at auction. Those from Japan can be particularly interesting, provided you know how to recognize credible ads. Also anticipate any customs fees and know that a won auction requires a purchase.

Be careful of too-good-to-be-true ads

“ When there is doubt, there is no doubt “, goes the popular saying. This also applies when searching for nice second-hand fashion pieces on online platforms. So, if you come across a luxury or premium piece at a price too low to be honest, there is probably a wolf out there. Unless it’s a platform that offers an authentication service that often has a first filter, and to which you can send the part for authentication.

At garage sales or flea markets, it is more difficult to easily assess whether it is a counterfeit or a well-made authentic item. But the rest of the booth can be a good indicator: someone who sells several luxury items will seem more credible than someone who only has one of the more traditional brands.

Ask for signs of good faith such as proof of purchase

On online platforms like Vinted and company, as well as at physical garage sales and flea markets, you can ask for proof of purchase as a sign of good faith. Cash receipts, invoices, labels, certificates of authenticity, storage boxes and other dust bags are often stored by people who know about them. There is also talk of “ complete set » when all packaging is supplied. It is not always presented, for fear that the seller could steal the photos and resell them as counterfeits, but it is possible to request the photos for example via private messages.

Also keep in mind that dishonest people can purchase authentic packaging elements to sell counterfeit products. But they also steal photos of authentic packaging elements, certificates of authenticity, serial numbers, etc. Therefore it is important to recheck compliance once you have received the item (and you will still be able to request a return or refund).

Check the critical points on the item in question

In addition to checking the packaging and billing elements if available, it is obviously the item itself that must be studied in every respect. If it is on an online platform it is possible to request further photos of the critical points. And/or ask for it to be delivered in person, right in front of a store of the brand in question, so that it can be authenticated by the sales staff if they accept. At a garage sale or flea market, also take the time to examine everything.

The elements that can betray a potential counterfeit are the care labels, the regularity of the internal stitching, the characters, the consistency of the serial number with respect to the year and country of production.

Remember to smell the objects: a bad smell can betray low-end production conditions, not consistent with an authentic object.

But when you don’t know much about it, it’s difficult to authenticate an item on your own. You can use dedicated authentication services, independent of second-hand sales platforms. Let’s mention Entrupy, a quite practical mobile authentication application.

Follow influencers who are expert in counterfeiting to sharpen your eyes

Finally, several influencers offer educational content on luxury and the recognition of counterfeiting.

We are obviously thinking of Emmanuelle Sits, who also made a whole series of videos on Instagram. Video 1 is about Louis Vuitton’s Speedy, 2 about Hermès boxes, 3 about Chanel bags, 4 about Vinted advertisements, 5 about the best investments in luxury bags. Number 6 on fake serial numbers, number 7 on how to negotiate a luxury item, number 8 on the most WTF luxury bags, number 9 on fashion week. Video 10 explains how to buy luxury goods for -€100 (an attractive title to refer to the good deals found on Vinted, Vestiaire Collective and eBay). Video 11 explains how to decipher Louis Vuitton invoices and verify their authenticity. Video 12 describes how to get a refund if you believe you have been scammed or counterfeited.

We also think of May Berthelot, an expert in renovations, markets and the fight against counterfeiting. She also became senior director of quality issues and anti-counterfeiting at Vinted. On her Instagram account she gives lots of good advice on the points to pay attention to in order to recognize a potential counterfeit, but also to renew a bag, as well as on the models that would or would not be a good investment.