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Remember, one main thing when looking to purchase an AUTHENTIC LOUIS VUITTON piece. LOUIS VUITTON is all about perfection, if you ever see anything less than perfection 99% of the time it is probably a counterfiet bag. THE TOP WAYS TO SPOT A FAKE:
1. Semmetry: Always make sure the Monograms line up
2. LOUIS VUITTON NEVER cuts off their 'LV' logo (only-some vintage items have cut off 'LV's', so make sure to check the age of the bag) Speedy bags logos are cut, but look for symettry, the are cut at the same place so bot sides of a seem will match.
3. Always make sure that the leather is vachetta cowhide leather and NOT VINYL! The really bad fakes have the vinyl, but the good fakes that are coming out now, have leather handles, but it isn't the cowhide vachetta leather. The fake bags that have leather, the leather won't patina correctly, as the real vachetta cowhide leather will turn a beautiful honey color with time. The way that I see if the leather is true cowhide leather, is make sure that leather isn't white, most fakes that I have seen have extremely light leather, which AUTHENTIC LOUIS VUITTON's leather doesn't come out that white, even if it is brand new from the store. If the bag's leather has already started the patina process, I look around the handles and other areas of the leather. There is a red glue (not sticky) substance to keep the handles together and used around all leather pieces. On the fake bags that have leather, the glue is usually an orangy color and is usually sticky. Also if you can't tell, make sure that there is an embossed line paralled with the yellow stitching, as this is the sewing line, which is found on all leather pieces.
4. I look at the embossed stamp that usually reads, 'LOUIS VUITTON PARIS made in France/Germany/Italy/Spain or U.S.A'. Make sure that the two 'TT's' don't touch in the word 'VUITTON', and also make sure that that 'o's' are round 'O' and not like '0'. These are basic guides but there are exceptions. For example, Each factory uses its own stamp; like a Mint. There are subtle differences from factory to factory. For example most of the logos from the BA factory in France the TT's do touch while most others from other factories do not touch. The following is a listing of all of the two letter codes designations for LV factories. I keep a copy of all logo stamps from these factories, by comparing them, I can id proper fonts to correct factories.
France: A0, A1, A2, AA, AN, AR, AS, BA, BJ, CT, DU, ET, FL, MB, MI, NO, RA, RI, SD, SL, SN, SP, SR, TH, VI, SA(discontinued 1984-2010)
USA: FC, FH, LA, OS, SD
Spain: CA, LO, LB, LM, LW
Italy: CE
Germany: LP
5. Look at the date code, if you know how to decifer the date code (not called a serial number). There should be 2 letters followed by 4 numbers. The new fakes, have date codes as well. • Vintage Louis Vuitton- No Date Codes • Vintage French Company pieces- No Date Codes • Early 80's: Three or Four Numbers • Late 80's: Three or Four Numbers Followed by Two Letters • Very early 1990's: Two Letters followed by Four Numbers • January 2007: Date Code changes to weekly format.
6. Make sure that the item you are looking at is correct, as interior. In brown Monogram canvas it is brown textile lining (in most cases, some have different lining-Manhattan, Viva Cite, Trouville, Bucket, cosmetic pouches, luggage, vanity cases), black multicolor is grey alcantara lining, white multicolor is red alcantara lining, damier canvas is red alcantara lining (in older models it was a light brown alcantara lining, so check age of bag), Vernis is textile lining that usually is the same color as the exterior of the bag, Epi leather is usually alcantara lining that matches the exterior color of the bag (some bags have bare interior-speedy-keepall).
7. Take a look at the hardware, as they all have different hardware, so make sure the bag you are looking at has the correct hardware. If you aren't sure you can go to LOUIS VUITTON's website and look at their manufacturing pictures to compare.
8. Make sure the bag that you are looking at, was even made. This is hard for limited edition, rare, and VIP items, as they aren't on the website (not often)and catalogues. If you aren't sure if that style wasn't made consult a professional so you can make sure.
9. If the bag that you are looking at, has a required padlock, make sure that the brass is shiny and not a brushed finish. All LOUIS VUITTON locks that I have seen are a brushed finished brass and really cheap looking. There should be an 'LV' embossed on the front of the lock, and read, 'LOUIS VUITTON PARIS MADE IN FRANCE' on the back, and have the lock number embossed on the bottom beside the keyhole.
10. Look at the canvas (if looking at the collection), make sure that it isn't plastic looking, as most fakes are made from it, and see if the quality looks cheap. LOUIS VUITTON items are very expensive, and wouldn't put out a cheap looking product, so don't forget what I said about PERFECTION!! If you are to have any information that you would like to include to this, please let me know, and I will be more than happy to add this information. If you see anything that might be inaccurate, let me know, and I can consult another LV professional. This guide is built only on my knowledge and personal experiences. iwatchjapan
11. Remember to read feedback scores. Not only that but who is writing them. I would lend more credence to a buyer with a feedback score of 20 to a buyer with a feedback score of 2. Both are important, but some may be more knowledgeable tan others.
12. I would also give more credence to a power seller than a non power seller, not much, but some.
13. Does the seller have a store homepage ? These cost money and can be traced. Chances are you can trust what they say.
14. Due diligence is the buyers responsibility, learn as much as you can and ask questions of the seller. Begin with ' Is this an authentic Louis Vuitton Bag, and will you refund me if it isn't ?' If the answer is not positive or quick then move on, don't buy it. If it seems to good to be true, then it is.
15. Lastly, if you buy a fake bag then you will be getting a piece of junk that will fall apart soon. Real Louis Vuitton Bags last a life time and retain their value. If you buy a used bag and take care of it, you can sell it at any time for what you paid.

Louis Vuitton
Contrary to popular belief, Louis Vuitton handbags (excluding luggage and rare limited edition pieces) do not have serial numbers. Rather, Louis Vuitton handbags have 'date codes' stamped either on interior tags or directly on the interior linings. These date codes simply serve to identify the manufacturing location and date for a Louis Vuitton handbag, not to verify it's authenticity. With the exception of early handbags (early 1980s and older), date codes can be found on all Louis Vuitton handbags and other items made by the luxury brand (e.g. sunglasses).
Most date codes are a combination of letters and numbers. The letters indicated the country in which the item was made while the numbers indicate the month/year of the production date. The format of the date codes are as follows:
• Prior to early 1980s. No date codes.
• Early 1980s. Three or four numbers with the first two numbers representing the year and last number(s) representing the month. E.g. '836' would indicate a manufacturing date of June, 1983.
• Early to late 1980s. Three or four numbers followed by two letters with the first two numbers representing the year, the next number(s) representing the month and the last two letters representing the country (see right sidebar for factory location codes). E.g. '874VX' would indicate a manufacturing date of May, 1987 and factory location in France. Late in the 1980s, the letters representing the factory location came before the three or four numbers representing the manufacturing date.
• 1990 to 2006. Two letters followed by four numbers with the first two letters representing the factory location, the first and third numbers representing the month and the second and forth numbers representing the year. For example, “VI1025” would indicate a factory location in France and a manufacturing date of December, 2005.
• 2007 and newer. Two letters followed by four numbers with the first two letters representing the factory location, the first and third numbers representing the week of the year, and the second and forth numbers representing the year. For example, “SD2057” would indicate a factory location of USA and a manufacturing date of the 25 week (or May) of 2007
Keep in mind that the fact that an item has a date code does not guarantee that it's authentic since many counterfeit items have date codes. A valid and properly stamped date code is just one many parameters that are checked to guarantee the authenticity of a Louis Vuitton handbag.

I've heard this many times. Remember that LV often changes some details of a popular line. Older Speedy 40's do not have an inside flap pocket while newer ones do. Older Noe straps are very different from newer ones. The bags that are in the LV shop are the latest design and have many differences than bags made 10 or 20 years ago. LV is like a car company that frequently makes changes to designs to keep them new and more desirable. Just because they different, does not mean they are fake.
I often get asked if a certain bag is a fake because it does not match one that the buyer is familiar with, yet the bag is obviously old, you can tell just by the level of oxidation, or as you ladies say: Patina. If the bag appears to be older than say 5 yrs, then there is no way it is a fake !!!!! Fake bags only last a year or two. And from what I've seen in over ten years of looking at this, I have never seen a used, oxidized fake bag, they are all new. I have inspected, by hand, well over ten thousand bags. I know what I'm talking about. Stick with ebay top rated sellers like , and you will never go wrong. If its seems too good to be true then it is !!