First things first, don’t think just because you’re buying from a bougie-looking shop in Collins Street that you’re guaranteed authenticity. Nope. Scammers are clever. They set up shop, look all legit, and BAM! Fake Chanel staring back at ya.
Okay, I’m not an expert, but I’ve heard some stuff. Like, apparently, the stitching is a big giveaway. Real Chanel? The stitching is immaculate. Like, perfect. Fake Chanel? It’s gonna be wonky. You know, like someone rushed it after a long shift or something. Also, the leather. Feel it. Does it feel like butter? Soft? Or does it feel… plastic-y? That’s a huge red flag, obviously.
And then there’s the hardware. The clasps, the chains, all that jazz. Apparently, the weight is important. Real Chanel hardware has some heft to it. It feels expensive. Fake Chanel hardware? It’ll feel like something you pulled off a kid’s toy. Cheap and nasty. I once saw a fake one where the CC logo was, like, uneven. Seriously!
Oh, and the serial number! This is where things get *really* tricky. They’re supposed to match the year the bag was made. But honestly, even the fakers are getting that right these days. And some *new* Chanel bags, like from after 2021, apparently have microchips instead of serial numbers which like, WHOA, that’s next level. I mean, who would even check for that?
Look, the easiest way to avoid getting ripped off is to go to a reputable reseller, but even then, DO YOUR RESEARCH! There are luxury consignment stores in Melbourne that specialize in authentication. They know their stuff. Pay them the money to check it out. It’s better than spending thousands on a fake, yeah? Think of it as an investment in your peace of mind.
My personal opinion? Just save up and buy a real one from the Chanel boutique. You know it’s legit, you get the experience, and you won’t be constantly paranoid that someone’s gonna call you out on your fake. Plus, then you don’t have to worry about some dodgy authentication process. I mean, who wants to deal with that stress, right?
