There's so much to know when looking for an authentic Hermes bag on eBay.

Luckily, there's many fine and reputable eBay resellers - and quite a few reference guides for consumers as well.  But I've noticed that there's a common misperception about authenticating a bag and wanted to share my experience.

The bottom line is that there is no way for a consumer to get their newly acquired Hermes bag officially "authenticated" at the Hermes boutique.

If a seller states that you can - or states something to the effect of "100% refund if, within XXX days, you have proof of it being fake from the Hermes store" - um, they're full of bologna!

With all of the fakes being manufactured and sold as the real deal, Hermes will no longer allow their SAs (sales assistants) to authenticate products purchased outside of the Hermes store.

The ONLY way to get Hermes to officially authenticate a bag?  Send it in to Hermes for cleaning and/or repair.  The master craftsmen are the folks who handle cleaning and/or repair, and WILL NOT work on anything non-Hermes.

That's the good news. 

The bad news?  Sending a bag to Hermes for cleaning can take WEEKS, if not months, to accomplish.

By then, you may miss whatever deadline the seller has set for refunds - or worse yet, come back to find that the seller has left eBay.

So what's a girl to do? 

My advice?  First and foremost - educate yourself.

Learn as much as possible about Hermes bags - and what to look for to ensure authenticity (I believe there's a ton of guides on eBay that can help).

Ask to see pictures from ALL angles.  Inside, outside, closeups of the handles, zippers, blindstamps.

If a seller is that interested in selling their bag, they'll have no problem supplying as many pictures as possible to "show" their bag.

Ask the seller where they acquired the bag.  Learn it's history.  I have to tell you that few, if any, people are willing to "give away" their pricey bags because they were gifts from an ex-boyfriend, etc.  I'm not saying that it doesn't happen but come on?!  If you spent upwards of $6000 on a leather bag, would you REALLY be willing to just let it go on eBay for $500????

Anyway, I digress...

Join some of the popular purse forums online.  Do a google search - there's a ton out there that can help educate you on what's good, what's not so good, who's reliable, etc.

And of course, check eBay feedback.  Talk to the seller - make sure they are as knowledgable as you are about Hermes products.

Hermes makes wonderful products - and fortunately there are many, Many, MANY awesome and trustworthy sellers on eBay.

Safe and Happy Shopping and I hope you find this mini-guide helpful!