Recently I purchased a fake Gucci Pelham and am still feeling the pain of losing $400.00  She posted only two photos, which were blurry and could not be enlarged.  Lusting for the bag, I took the leap and am now taking a bath.  This bag is such a bad fake, I wouldn't even take it to the gym! The Seller refused to take the bag back and paypal is investigating...even if I win, she's only covered for $200,00 -- so I'm out the rest of the charge.

Some tips I've read before, but worth repeating:

1) Don't buy from someone who has just started selling.  Some people buy a lot of "little" things before they start selling.  Look at their feedback and see if they are buying or selling.  Sure, new sellers could be selling good bags, but is that a chance you really want to take?

2) Be careful about "new with tags" and low prices.  You're more likely to get an authentic bag if it's used.  Control cards can be fake as well - they mean very little.  Same applies for receipts.  One seller I've been watching has been listing the same bag, with the same photos and serial numbers ever month or so (it's a Chloe). 

3) If they only show a stock photo - ask for more.  I recently asked for more photos for a bag (Mulberry), and the seller actually took photos from another current listing!  If the photos are blurry, ask for clear ones - don't be impulsive, there will always be another Pelham coming up.

4) Check how much your "covered" for by Paypal.  If it's only $200.00 - pass.  It's not worth the chance of losing as you will be bidding far more than that for this bag.  Don't be lulled into a fake sense of security by Paypal insurance.  So far, they have not asked me for any information or photos to back up my claim that the bag is fake - I'm not getting a warm and fuzzy feeling here.  It's my job, I realize now, to be vigilant - and yours too!

The Good Stuff

Okay, the things to look for:

1) The strap should be as thick as the leather that the "horsebit" is attached to (same piece that the strap starts at)  If the braided strap is  noticeably thinner than that leather piece - pass (and report)

2) On the medium bag, below the horsebit piece, there is a thin leather piece with 3 small holes.  Only 3.  Count them.  If there are more, pass (and report)

3) On the Guccisima brown bag the stitching is brown.  If it's white - pass (and report)

4) The Gucci tag inside has a slight curve on both sides.  If the tag is square - pass (and report)

5) The top seam of the bag, at the opening, NEVER starts mid GG pattern.  NEVER starts just above the GG.  NEVER starts at the GG.  NEVER starts through the GG.  The top seam  ALWAYS starts on the short lines that lead to the GG.  Check out Gucci's website and take a look.

There are just a few, I hope it's helpful to you.  Also, anyone who says they buy from a wholesaler is not telling you the truth.  There is no such thing for Gucci.  I recently came across a website that was selling fakes and giving advice to buyers on how to list their purses on e-bay (tell 'em it's flawed, or a store floor model, etc., how to list so that ebay doesn't pull, etc - this is an industry!)

When in doubt, don't do it!  There will always be another bag, and if you do your research, you'll be able to spot a fake immediately (the straps are the biggest tell).