The purpose of this guide is to better inform Ebay members of certain truths regarding the design, manufacture, and buying of designer handbags both on and off Ebay. After reading many reviews and guides written about buying designer handbags, I decided that the real truth about these bags must finally be told. Although this guide is sure to stir up some criticism from retailers and those on Ebay who like to consider themselves as "chic sellers" of designer handbags, the truth about these items needs to be told to the everyday consumer that wishes to purchase high end items.

I have been a major importer of retail goods for many years. I have had business dealings in many second and third world countries which produce and manufacture  most retail goods available for sale in the United States.

First point to note is that 99% of all designer handbags are made in second and third world countries. Places like Taiwan, China, and Mexico produce the majority of goods for sale in the USA, that includes designers such as Coach, Gucci, Fendi, Juicy Couture, Jimmy Choo, and almost just about everyone else with the exception of Louis Vuitton which excercises the strictest controls of any company. Even the companies who dont manufacture designer handbags in second and third world companies get the raw materials in them.  Most designers realize that in order to produce goods at pricing that is profitable, someone must pay. Who pays? The manufacturing company's workers, and you, the retail buyer.  

Most companies who produced or manufactured goods in the USA realized they couldn't compete and left many years ago, leaving only satellite offices here. Companies have found manufacturing goods and raw materials in the country's of origin are much less expensive and realized a greater profit could be made. Everyday you pick up the paper or read the internet you find more things "outsourced".

What that has to do with designer bags is quite simple. First of all, we must realize that the American Dollar is still a very valuable commodity to countries like China and Taiwan.  When these top name designers enter into agreements with companies in Second and Third world countries, they enter into agreements with manufacturing companies who are not regulated by any industry standards or ethics outside of the company's owners. Take for example Coach, which is manufactured in at least 56 countries, ( thats right 56 different countries). Once these factories have fulfilled the orders for Authentic Coach Bags which go to the Coach Stores, do you really believe that these factories which sell to wholesalers, retailers, and small businesses all over the world  are going to stop making authentic bags? Of course not, they keep producing them, they even sell the designs to other factories in China, and Taiwan, and produce more, and more. Coach will not even authenticate bags except if they cost the consumer over $300.00. Why is that? Could it be because they dont even know their own merchandise anymore? Sure is. The contracts not to produce more original bags are never honored to the fullest. Why? Because things dont work like that in coutries where the average worker who makes these bags cant afford to buy one. The very second the order for these "authentic bags" is filled, another shipment of authentic bags is going to a wholesaler out the backdoor.

All factories which make goods have a grading system, especially in China. Handbags also have a grading system. Depending on the factory, there are AAA, AA, A and even less quality controlled bags. These AAA bags made to the designers specifications- same material, same quality, same design, same workmanship. These bags are exacting according to the designers specs. There is NO difference in this type bag and the one you see in a highline department store such as Saks, Bloomingdale's, Macy's,etc , except the price. When the factory decides to go into production, they may even buy original handbags, tear them apart, reproduce the design, and start sewing using the same exact materials right down to the right color threads. Remembering that the materials came from these places in the first place, it isnt that hard to see why it is so easy to do and to do well. There are literally thousands of factories in China that produce designer handbags. When looking at the number of factories, it is mind blowing.

There are also other poorly designed imitations of originals that have flooded the market. I in no way support buying goods for which the designer gets no payment for. But by writing this guide I want to make the consumer aware that there are bags on the market that no one for sure knows if it is an original or not. Anyone who says otherwise is probably trying to sell you some high priced designer bag. The same Chinese companies who make handbags, make authenticity cards, care books, dustbags, date codes, microchips, invoices, receipts, hanging tags,  etc When you read a listing on Ebay that says "authentic" ,  it should say "authentic, as far as I know". Of course Ebay will not let you advertise that way, you must know with certainty that your item is authentic. How you come to that conclusion is a way only you know.   

The irony of the situation is that these designers have set up shop in third world countries, paid workers meager earnings while working them unmercilessly, exploited everyone in the deal and now want the consumer to make sure to buy only authentic goods or goods for which they will be paid for.

I have friends in China who work in these factories. They have provided a greater insight into how these deals with designers work. They have also showed me how they live, work, and play.  One such friend told me she pays 30 dollars a month to live in a rooming house where other factory workers live. She is 21 years old, and to poor for medical insurance. Another told me her typical day starts at 6am and she works until 12 noon, only to come back again at 6pm and work till midnight. She explained to me that the second shift was when it was business hours in the USA and they process most of their orders. They do this 6 days a week!

The average cost to produce these designer bags is around $6.00. Imagine spending 100-300 dollars a bag for something that cost 6 dollars to produce! 

Most of the information included in this guide can easily be checked out on Google or by calling designer companies such as Coach. They may not tell you how much it costs to produce a Coach bag, but they will tell you where the factories are, and about their "authenticity policy".

The funny thing is Ebay having a VERO agreement with companies that cant even verify their own goods with a 100% certainty, but expecting sellers to "know with certainty" that what we sell is "guaranteed authentic". I have had listings removed because I refuse to say "guaranteed authentic". For  me it is more of a political statement not to use the words "guaranteed authentic". Sure there are now people on Ebay who you can pay to check an items authenticity. Feel free to add yet more money into an out of control industry to get an "opinion". I sincerely hope that I have opened at least one set of eyes, even in the face of making some enemies.