I’m such an avid collector of vintage designer handbags — especially Mulberry! I’ve scored so many great deals on eBay over the years, but recently, I’ve been getting a bit nervous. How can you trust a bag is authentic when it’s not in its original packaging?
It all began this past weekend when I went to check out a seemingly perfect Mulberry bag on eBay. It was a classic style, recently retired from their flagship store, and it cost a fraction of the original price — too good to be true! Of course, I went ahead and bought it — then I did some research.
It turns out, fake Mulberry items are no joke. There are knockoffs everywhere, and spotting them isn’t always easy. Everyone who collects designer bags needs to know what signs to look out for.
For starters, it’s a good idea to look into the seller’s ratings. If they’re untrustworthy, they’re probably selling replicas. It’s also important to look closely at the details. Real Mulberry bags usually have a serial number and a small leather label stitched onto the interior. They also often come with a booklet, dust bag, and/or an authenticity card. If any of these items are missing, proceed with caution.
It’s important to note that Mulberry does not sell items on eBay. If you find a bag that was listed as being sold by the company itself, it’s a surefire indication of a fake.
The best way to spot a fake Mulberry bag is to compare it with an authentic one. Ask the seller for close-up photos of the bag’s hardware and leather. Read up on the differences between real and counterfeit items. If you feel confident enough, even visit the seller to see the item before buying. That’s the simplest way to be sure you get a genuine bag.
The stitching is another great indicator. Genuine Mulberry bags are sewn with special attention to detail. If the stitching looks wonky — or if there are any corrections or extra stitching — suspect a knockoff. Check the quality of the hardware, too. Real Mulberry accessories are made of high-quality metals, while fake ones might be made of plastic or cheap metals.
Inspect the logos, too. Fake Mulberry bags will have stickers or tags, while authentic ones are actually stamped into the leather. Lastly, smell the bag! Real Mulberry items smell like leather, while fakes often have a chemically aroma.
It takes a few extra minutes to properly vet a bag on eBay, but it’s well worth it— nothing’s better than a great deal on an actual timeless piece. I’m so glad I did my research before dropping a ton of cash on a fake — Otherwise, I wouldn’t be walking around with my new Mulberry bag now!