Shopping for a second-hand Louis Vuitton online is a luxury pastime only the savviest fashionistas and deal seekers can afford. The unwavering resale value and high market demand for pre-loved Louis Vuitton handbags are two reasons the brand has a rising counterfeit market. Whether you are looking to buy a contemporary LV Palm Springs backpack or a classic LV Alma, it is vital to do your research. How would you feel if you paid over $500 for a fake Louis Vuitton? Not too ecstatic, we imagine.
To protect you and your hard-earned money from a scammer, Biltmore Loan and Jewelry shares seven mistakes to avoid when buying a used Louis Vuitton online.
Error #1: Buying a Louis Vuitton handbag even when the price is too good to be true.
When a client asks our appraisal experts in Phoenix, AZ to authenticate a designer handbag, 9 out of 10 times, they open up about where it was purchased and for how much. A red flag we often encounter is a Louis Vuitton bought for a price that was “too good to be true.”
“A great bargain actually causes a chemical reaction in our brains,” says Shawn Graham, a blogger centered on small business marketing. A good deal can be blinding. For example, if you see a Pochette Metis on The Relux for $1,800 and find one on eBay for $1,000 — your desire to save money may kick in and cloud your judgment.
Error #2: Believing a bag is authentic because the vendor presented an “original” receipt.
Forging paperwork is a common tactic that swindlers use to sell fake Louis Vuitton products. Naturally, seeing a receipt gives shoppers a sense of security. But faking any “proof of purchase” is relatively simple, more so than replicating the handbag itself. There are also cases when a receipt is authentic, but the bag is fake. Do not fall for this horror story.
Error #3: Thinking that a stamped serial number inside a Louis Vuitton bag is proof of its authenticity.
Like how some people assume that a “receipt” makes a Louis Vuitton real, some buyers also think that a bunch of numbers and letters jumbled together makes a Louis Vuitton genuine. The truth is, a counterfeit Louis Vuitton can have a serial code while a real Louis Vuitton can have no visible date or serial codes stamped on the bag.
Error #4: Clicking “check out” without requesting for more photos.
Unless you are purchasing from a known and trusted e-commerce website, never bid on a pre-loved designer handbag without asking the seller for additional images. And, even if they have ten shots of the bag posted, always request at least one more photo to check if the image they take on short notice matches the handbag in the listing.
Some warning signs to consider are: 
- The images are blurry
- The seller did not take photos of the bag’s details
- The seller completely refuses to take a new photo
- The seller sends back an image that is different from the one in the listing
Sometimes, a vendor might use photos of an authentic Louis Vuitton to attract customers. But in reality, the item they are selling is a knock off.
Error #5: Not reviewing the return policy or buying from a seller who does not accept returns.
Never invest your money in a Louis Vuitton you cannot return. Unless, of course, losing hundreds or thousands of dollars is something that will let you sleep at night. That said, be sure to know your options once the bag arrives. For example, The Relux has a 14-day inspection period on all items — including LV pieces — for customers to verify a bag’s condition and authenticity. If you are not happy with your purchase, you have the option to return it within two weeks.
Error #6: Believing that the seller never used the bag.
There are many lightly used pre-owned Louis Vuitton bags on the market. But one that was never used and is ON SALE is almost never unheard of.
If you ever come across an advertisement of a brand new and never-been-used Louis Vuitton for an unbelievably good price — especially if the design is a new release — the chances are that the item is fake. Because even if a seller is in desperate need of cash, he or she will not sell a new and authentic LV at a low price. After all, thousands of people would be willing to pay along the lines of its original cost.
Error #7: Not getting an expert appraisal before it’s too late. 
You would be surprised to know the percentage of people toting a fake Louis Vuitton in the United States and around the world. Sadly, many of these proud owners are not even aware. Don’t want this to happen to you? A foolproof way to avoid falling victim to buying counterfeit Louis Vuitton online is by having the bag authenticated before or immediately after you make the purchase.
The Bottom Line
Louis Vuitton handbags are among the world’s most popular and desired designer pieces. As a result, many counterfeiters are mass-producing replicas. And with so many Hollywood celebrities wearing LV — not to mention the dozens of influencers showing off their Louis Vuitton collections on Youtube and Instagram — the demand for knock offs is higher than ever.
If you are looking to buy a pre-owned Louis Vuitton, make sure to follow our tips above to avoid wasting money on a fake.
Need help authenticating a Louis Vuitton purse?
Here at Biltmore Loan and Jewelry, we have broken some awful news to a handful of customers. We have come across reproductions that look vintage or brand new, while some were the best replicas of a Louis Vuitton our team has ever seen. Trust us, several fakes come with receipts, dust bags, and complete tags.
For some customers, it was too late because they have had the bag for years. For many others, they were able to avoid blowing off hundreds or even thousands of dollars by requesting a FREE market appraisal from our experts.
Save yourself from the disappointment of having a fake Louis Vuitton. For handbag authentication services from a team with a combined experience of 75 years, call us at 480-991-5626 (Scottsdale).