First, know the product you wish to buy. Go to the brand’s website and look at what’s available. Counterfeiters sometimes put out a bag that is not actually made by the brand it is copying. For instance, bags can be patterned incorrectly. This is an easy sign to catch. Going to the respective brand’s website will help you avoid such bags as well as easier to spot replica discrepancies.

Look at the quality of the bag. Designer bags command the big bucks due to the higher quality of the materials as well as the higher quality of the workmanship that forms them. Some replica handbags will have messy stitching. Some fakes have good stitching on the exterior of the bag, but will be messy inside in harder to spot areas. Also, look for any visible glue. Authentic designer bags will not have any messy glue or out of place stitches.

Inspect the actual materials in the bag. Some fakes will not have the same quality leather or hardware; some replace leather with an altogether different material which is a sure sign of a fake.

Steer clear of any bags with misspelled logos or monogramming. It is hard to believe this would happen, but it does and it is easily avoidable.

It is a good idea to get to know the general availability of a brand. For instance, it is very rare if not impossible to purchase new and unused Louis Vuitton anywhere else than Louis Vuitton. Coach is another brand that tightly limits the availability of their brand outside their own distribution. Be very wary if you come across an unauthorized seller with these brands. That is not to say you can not get great deals on slightly used items.

A common ploy that dishonest sellers will throw at you is the “factory seconds” bit; something like “I am able to give you these great deals because my bags are factory seconds”. No they are not. No high-end designers release lower quality products.

Some sellers state that they purchase their bags from authorized dealers of the brands they carry. In most cases, this is unlikely, especially if it is an eBay seller. The capital it would require to buy out overstock from an authorized seller of designer bags (which are usually large high-end department stores) is staggering. Furthermore, it would be a waste of that connection to sell those products on eBay where everything is devalued. Now, I don’t pretend to know everything about everyone’s sources, but be wary if anyone makes such a claim.