How to Ensure You're Listing Authentic Designer Goods
As the digital age continues to grow, so do scammers. Just like digital marketplaces have created new opportunities for sellers to make money selling products, it has also given rise to counterfeit goods.
Designer goods are always in high demand. Unfortunately, this can attract many counterfeiters that want to sell fake copies of these items. One of the most confusing aspects of selling luxury items is knowing how to ensure what you’re listing is authentic. Here are six things to look for when considering whether to list your authentic designer goods.
Check the Stitching
Most knockoffs use cheap materials and less-expensive manufacturing processes, so look closely at the stitching on a garment or purse. Authentic goods are constructed with care, so check if the stitching lines are straight and even. A high-end designer item will have impeccable, minimally visible stitching that appears as straight as possible.
Copies often use less stitching, resulting in a more visible and jagged-looking appearance. Counterfeit merchandise often has crooked or messy stitching and stray threads hanging off the item. Likewise, it might be fake if the stitching color differs from the material.
Examine the Metals
Many copies of designer items will use cheaper, lighter metals or metallic-colored plastics in their place. Zippers usually don't work correctly on counterfeit products and often come off track when pulled. Before listing your authentic designer goods, make sure zippers close firmly, clasps are sturdy, and buttons feel secure. Examine the metals to determine whether they are genuine or fake.
Logo Quality
Designers only put their names on the highest-quality goods possible. The logos on authentic designer goods are often made from quality materials like leather or a more expensive metal, which is not something a cheap counterfeit will do. Make sure you look at everything on your items, such as tags, labels, and hardware, if applicable. If any of these items don't seem top-notch quality, then that's a huge red flag!
You can evaluate the logo quality by feeling the weight of the logo. For example, Burberry logos have a heavier weight with sharp edges. If it feels light and cheap, then it probably is. Also, look at the lettering font. It should be bold with clean lines and no trailing or dripping paint. Look for any spelling errors in the brand name on the logo for telltale signs of a knockoff.
For Leather Goods, Make Sure it is Real Leather
Genuine leather will have a strong smell, while fake leather will have a very weak smell. Real leather also has pores and wrinkles that are much more visible than fake leather.
Unlike imitation leather, genuine leather will have a slightly rougher and less-even texture. Some artificial leathers will also have a slightly stretchy quality that does not match genuine leather's tougher consistency. You can determine whether a leather good is authentic by smelling the product and feeling the touch of the leather.
Look Closely at the Lining and Labels
Counterfeit bags or clothing with a fabric lining will often be made with a cheap and readily available material like nylon which can lack the softness and aesthetic of the authentic lining. Look for designer logos on the lining and look at the information on the inner label for any information that seems not genuine. For example, a designer logo might be printed on a cheaper sweatshirt brand.
Prices for New Goods
Finally, you can check out the current prices for new goods and compare them. Typically, counterfeit designer goods are sold as new for far less than a genuine article. If an authentic bag from that designer would range from $800-1000 new, but the bag is listed at $200, this could be an important red flag to keep in mind.
Sell Your Authentic Designer Goods on Consignment Today
The resale market for designer goods is massive, but it also can be difficult to navigate. Anyone can go online and list counterfeit designer goods as authentic, often without differentiating between the two. It's up to you, the buyer, to be smart and do your homework before making a purchase.
OnQue is a luxury consignment site where you can trade-in your designer items for cash or shop others' authentic designer items at reduced prices. Our unique system can get you a reasonable price for your items quickly and easily. Shopping with OnQue is easy to upgrade your wardrobe without breaking the bank.
Take a look at our current inventory of shoes, dresses, handbags, and more—or list your own luxury items for sale.