First off, and this is kinda obvious but people *still* fall for it, is the price. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. Gucci ain’t exactly giving stuff away, are they? A seriously discounted price is a HUGE red flag. Like, flashing neon sign red flag. Think about it, if they were selling it for dirt cheap, why wouldn’t Gucci just sell it instead of them?
Now, let’s get down to the nitty-gritty. The craftsmanship, right? Real Gucci is all about the details. The stitching should be impeccable. No loose threads, no wonky lines, nothing that looks like it was sewn by a five-year-old. Fake bags often skimp on this, because, well, labour is cheaper, isn’t it? Plus they don’t care about quality. I’d say that’s a pretty good way to spot one.
Also, that little tag inside the bag? The “® GUCCI made in italy” one? That’s your friend. Check the font. Is it consistent? Are all the letters the same thickness? Fakes often mess this up. And on the back, there should be a serial number. Give that bad boy a Google. If it comes up with a picture of a goat wearing a tutu, you know something’s up. (Okay, maybe not a goat in a tutu, but you get my drift – it should be a real Gucci serial number!)
The material! Oh my god, the material. Real Gucci uses high-quality stuff, like, seriously high-quality. It should feel luxurious, substantial. A fake might feel plasticky, thin, or just generally… cheap. It’s a feel thing, ya know? It’s hard to explain, but you’ll know it when you feel it.
And while we’re on that topic, don’t forget the dust bag! Gucci *never* wraps their bags in plastic. If it comes wrapped in plastic, run for the hills, seriously. Also, the dust bag itself should be good quality, not some thin, scratchy thing. This is where the sellers can be lazy.
Okay, so here’s a slightly controversial opinion: sometimes, even the best fakes are *really* good. Like, scary good. So, if you’re still unsure, consider getting it authenticated by a professional. There are services online that can do this for you, usually for a fee. It’s better than wasting your money on a fake, right? Plus, it’s just good practice. I am not going to tell you where to get it authenticated, because I don’t know.
One last thing (and this is based on personal experience, so take it with a grain of salt): be wary of sellers who are overly eager to sell. I had one guy practically begging me to buy this “vintage” Gucci backpack. Alarm bells started ringing, let me tell ya.
