AuthenticationFirst.com - Fraud/Legit

For those who have brought LV must have used some sort of authenticating service at one point or another.   One company came to mind, namely AuthenticateFirst.com.   It was actually quite sad sorry of how I know about them.   I heard it from a client who sold her Hermes Birkin on Ebay only to have the buyer scam her.   How did the buyer her you ask?  The buyer will  have an authentication service "authenticate" her bag and the result will come back as a "Fake".  Then the buyer files SND with paypal and they return the item back to the seller.  (if you are lucky they send you back the bag/ebay sometimes ask them to distroy the counterfeit)

Awhen buyers buy an expensive item and they want to return the item they have to motivations:
1.  Buyers Remores
2.  Questionable Authenticity
3.  Scam You

Scenario 1

Most authentication companies will work on the biase that the item is fake.   If the buyer believes its fake, the authenticator will most like side with the buyers opinion just so that they can have repeat business.

Scenario 2

Don't know if its real but brough it anyways because it was cheap.   The authenticator will look for all the markings of a fake from internet sources- NOT EXACTLY promising.    Real experts draw from experience and have their way to tell.

For example;   I have an Louis Vuitton Zippy wallet for over 7 years and this wallet still looks great to this day.   However,  the date code is rubbed off-  So...to the casual observer its a fake.   Even my friends who have worked for LV things its fake.   The only person that can tell was expert-  he is pawnshop owner from Fort Lauderdale.   He is in the business for 20 years and I buy stuff bags from him.  He is literally THE AUTHENTICATOR

Scenario 3
The Bait and Switch
Scammer buys a real bag and Files SND with Ebay.  Authenticate fake bag as proof.  The scammer gets the bag for FREE

Here is an article on AUTHENTICATEFIRST.com

http://thedirty.com/2014/04/authenticate-first-fraud-company/

Authenticating Damier Inventeur Belt

This belt is probably one of the hardest belt to authenticate.   Fakes are not as common with this belt  where as  the signature belt is probably the most counterfeit belt.   

One of the better authenticating articles online more comprehensive than the EBAY guide:

http://yourauthenticator.blogspot.ca/2014/06/how-to-authenticate-louis-vuitton.html

In addition to Anna Larik post, the inventeur belt has the following:

1. Made in Spain

2. The serial is written not by the buckle and not in the middle of the belt.

3. The buckle is screwed on and not clipped on 

Final thought: 

1.  If the belt is not on the website.  ITS A FAKE NO EXCEPTION.  

2. If this belt is less than 300, there is a good chance its a fake...as this belt is over 700 retail with taxes in.   

3. Authentication services that say they can authenticate this belt by pictures they are full of shit!  You have to feel the quality and craftsmanship to determine the authenticity.

Authenticating Louis Vuitton Michael's bag

How to Authenticate LV Michael's Bag

I searched on the internet on how to authenticate this bag.  There is not one single guide out there! This  bag is not heavily counterfeited and unlike the LV handbags ( speed 30, 40)  There is often a lot of misconception about this bag that I like to clear up.

Here is the only example of a fake bag that i have found :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGp1iixR3PA

1. PATTERN

1.  There are 2 Version of this bag!   

Version 1:  louis vutton wording  by the corners of the bag.   (from the offical website)

Version 2:  louis vutton wording  is at  center of the bag.(Miley Cyrus)

Placement:  10 squares should display the Louis Vuitton wording.



2.  Date Stamp

Check for heat stamp inside the bag.    There should always be one - No exception


3. Packaging

I focus on the bag and not too much about the packaging.    The bag should come with a dust bag and Box.   I can't stress enough - FOCUS on the bag not the external packaging.    People can give you a real packaging but a fake bag.    Most people don't keep the box.  I personally never keep boxes.  I just keep the dust bag.

Final thought:

COMMON SENSE:   Anything below 900 - you should question the authenticity of the bag.   This bag is 2400 dollars.   Used/pre-own goes for 1100-1800 depending on condition.   If the bag is brand new be very carful!  NO ONE in the right mind will let this bag go brand new for anything less than 200 retail.

Coming Soon - side by side comparison between the real and the fake

Authenticate Gucci Interlock G Belt

For those who want to authenticate Interlock G belt from Gucci model: 223891

Link:

http://yourauthenticator.blogspot.ca/2013/07/how-to-spot-fake-gucci-interlocking-g.html

Correction for the above link: 
Newer belts after 2014 have 6 screws not 8
Receipt from different part of the world have a slightly different format.

Update: 
There is dumb idiot by the name of beltschicago on youtube claiming to have "Authentic" Belts of all sorts.  here is his instagram:  http://instagram.com/beltschicago

Authenticating Fendi Belts!

Do you know how to authenticate Fendi Zucca Belts by looking at photos before bidding on eBay? 

I have helped many buyers to authenticate designer items.  For your protection, we offer free tips on buying authentic Fendi Zucca Belts.  

1. Serial Number The belts should have a serial behind the belt by belt buckle.  If there is no serial then its a fake and if the serial tag don't match the color of the tag...you guessed it -FAKE

FAKE

FAKE

Real

2. Back of the belt
The back of the belt should also be canvas material matched with the front of the belt.  The Patterns can deviate. A lot of the fakes have cheap lambskin leather.

Fake

3.  Craftsmanship

Stitching is perfectly hand stitched and proportionally aligned.  Sloppy light color and uneven stitching is sign of a fake.   In the real  pre-owned belt,  the signs of wear and tear should be minimum.  This belt literally last forever.   I have a white Zucca Belt for 4 years and the belt looks amazing still.  The only wear is by the buckle.  if you see a really beatup belt STAY AWAY!

FAKE: Look at the uneven stitching by the buckle

4. Packaging.  

The boxing is a hit and miss to determine whether is fake or real.  They have 3 types of boxes it can come with the belt.

Rectangular/Square box(magnetic):   If you buy this at the non-outlet Fendi store you will this box.  Inside it has nicely decorate silk clothes

 

Real

Square box(non magnetic):   If you buy the belt before Dec 2011 at the Premium outlet Fendi store you will get this box.   Then Fendi switched to the magnet boxes for ALL outlets.   Alot of fakes still imitate the box below, but its only real if  the purchase was made before Dec 2011.  Check with the seller when they brought it.   

real

Here are ways to tell if the box is fake.

 Fake:  The wording FENDI should be bolded

Fake:  This box is realbox,  If there is no Silk cloth attached-ITS A FAKE, NO EXCEPTIONS.  Fendi will never put belts in this box.   This box is reserve for jewellery.  After Dec 2011, all belts come with Boxes that have silk cloth attached.

5.  Receipt

Real: On yellow paper, and its printed on an 8x8 paper.

1.  Fendi Logo is near the right bottom or at the top corner of the page

2. Spacing the margin are tight and there shouldn't be alot of spaces

3.  Fakes usually have typos  

FAKE:  

1. Color is off - some greenish yellow color

2 . Logo is in the right place or can be at the top right hand corner

3. too much spacing at the bottom

4. Typo: Canvellations at the bottom

5. Visa transaction Records are always attached with the receipt.  If there is none,  Authenticity is questionable.

6.  Belt Loop
Should always have the fendi symbol to complete the loop

Real:  99.9 of the fakes dont have this.

7.  Dust Bags:  The main color of your belt should be given a dust bag with the same color.  White zucca comes with white dustbag. brown zucca comes with a dark brown Dustbag.  If the main color of the belt dont match,  there is a good chance the belt if fake.

Real

Real

Real

Fake : Dust bag never have the Fendi Symbol at the lower corner

8 FINAL THOUGHTS
I've been buy authentic stuff on craigslist and Ebay for years.   If you know what to look for YOU WILL find a good bargain.    However alot of people put too much emphasis on receipts.  which is  a shame, because most fakes produce BETTER receipts then the belt itself.  So I always ask for the VISA/MC transaction.   I see  people missed out on bargains because they watch  youtube with self proclaim experts compare the difference.   

Source:  I worked at Fendi Premium Outlet in Orlando, Florida for 5 years as a 3 years as store manager and 2 years as a Sales Associate.