Handbag Buying Help

heyimbren

So I found this bag (click) and I love it. It's exactly the style I've been looking for, and the price isn't too bad.

The problem is she claims it's a Neiman Marcus vintage bag. And I'm not sure I'm buying into that. It looks like a knock off to me (the tag particularly). But I'm not convinced that my suspicion is right either.

I don't like buying knock off items. I don't care if it isn't a brand name, but I don't like buying them when they're given a name that they don't belong to. I just do not like that market and I don't wish to give money to it.

So what would you do? I need shopping advice! It isn't like I need a new bag, I just like the chain strap shoulder bags and this one caught my eye.

loves2shop4shoes

Ask the seller how she acquired it.  If she sounds full of it, there's your answer.  If you're still unsure, ask her for an authenticity guarantee and what her return policy is.

[Deleted User]

Bren - That's a tough one. There are some qualities that seem to show the bag could be genuine (or at least not a cheapie) - there is different white fabric on the inside of the flap, the toggles on the chain are not inexpensive looking and the stitching appears uniform. I am no expert on brand names, but this bag does not look like a typical knock-off to me. I agree with Shoes, maybe you can ask her how she came across this bag.

Here's a website that describes some ways to tell a fake apart from the real deal: clicky.

SKP82

Happy Friday, Bren!

That is a really cute bag.  I can understand your hesitation to purchase it if you feel it's a knock off.  After looking at the pictures and seeing the seller's feedback and what other items she offers, I do not feel that this is a knock off bag (and I have an eye for this).

First, the bag is a "Neiman Marcus collection" bag.  I'm not an expert, but I don't think this is a brand that someone would produce knock offs of.  Neiman Marcus is a wonderful store and produces quality products, but I don't think it's an in-demand brand, at least not enough to make fakes profitable. 

Second, this seller lists many "vintage" items and has positive feedback.  I would take shoe's suggestion and ask her how she acquired it.  I would also ask for a better picture of the logo plate and what her return policy is.

Third, the bag looks to be a quality product and, from what I can see, the logo looks like Neiman Marcus's. 

I haven't purchased anything from Etsy yet, but I would imagine that you would be able to return it if it was a knock off.

Good luck and let us know if you do buy it!

hannahnola

Ok so yeah you do have some things to consider. I tried to look on ebay to see if there was one like the one you like, the only similar one was this,

http://cgi.ebay.com/Neiman-Marcus-White-Off-Leather-Handbag-Purse-2307-/160481670495?pt=US_CSA_WH_Handbags&hash=item255d73f55f

I do not know how to attatch the link like you do. I am new to this sorry. In the one on Ebay the tag is different, not sure which is original, if either though.

But I personally think no one will know if this is a knock off or not since it is not a Coach, or a Louis Vuitton, or something very known. I never thought of Neiman Marcus for purse brands before.

One other thing you may want to do besides contact her is see about the return policy if you do not like it. I personally think it is a cute purse, a style I never would think of having. Very trendy and classic though.

heyimbren

Thank you so much.

It does look like a well made bag at least. The main thing that tipped me off is that it says Neiman Marcus Collection... and I can't find anything on the "Collection" bit. Most Neiman Marcus tags just say "Neiman Marcus".

While she does have other vintage items, I haven't seen any other well-known brands. And she's only had 78 feedback which makes me hesitate too.

But it can't hurt to talk to her, like you suggested Shoes.

SeaTea02

I have many real bags and a few fake. Knock-offs are nothing like they used to be. They look better and have better stitching than in the past, and are almost impossible to differentiate. 

You really have no way of knowing if this bag is real or not. That is why whenever you buy off Amazon, Etsy, or any online dealer you can't be sure. Heck, you can't even be sure in a vintage store. Once you get it you should be able to tell by the smell. sounds weird, but if it is vintage, it will smell vintage. If it was recently made it will smell new. 

heyimbren

That's true, Sea. The vintage part really does make it tricky.

But I did some more looking around, and I found a similar bag I like better... and promo codes knocked it down to a third of the price. So I'm happy

But thank you again for the help!

hannahnola

Yeah 78% is not a good rating at all. For that reason alone I probably would not buy it. Although the quality of the bag does look nice. The only concern would be sometimes when bags get older and not such good quality the thread starts to come out on the sides, looks horrible, then becomes a waste. But its ashame bc it is cute. I guess I am no help lol

heyimbren

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_handbag-buying?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:aabf5c41-88fb-4ecc-8778-6c200c711f54Post:a0efab4a-6808-4e47-b36d-2eeec8f0a3ce">Re: Handbag Buying Help</a>:
[QUOTE]Yeah 78% is not a good rating at all. For that reason alone I probably would not buy it. Although the quality of the bag does look nice. The only concern would be sometimes when bags get older and not such good quality the thread starts to come out on the sides, looks horrible, then becomes a waste. But its ashame bc it is cute. I guess I am no help lol
Posted by hannahnola[/QUOTE]

She has 100%, but that's only from 78 people. That's what I meant, just to clarify.

marleylikeair

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_handbag-buying?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:aabf5c41-88fb-4ecc-8778-6c200c711f54Post:15aee2f3-5891-4956-965f-5cbd49d7fae5">Re: Handbag Buying Help</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Handbag Buying Help : She has 100%, but that's only from 78 people. That's what I meant, just to clarify.
Posted by heyimbren[/QUOTE]

I dunno, I wouldn't be that worried. I feel like 78 people who all have had good experiences isn't a bad record! Maybe her business is just newer. BF's eBay seller profile only has 25 feedback items. All positive, of course. <img src="http://cdn.cl9.vanillaforums.com/downloaded/ver1.0/content/scripts/tinymce/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-wink.gif" border="0" alt="Wink" title="Wink" />

heyimbren

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_handbag-buying?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:aabf5c41-88fb-4ecc-8778-6c200c711f54Post:0a11b966-20ba-4307-a8a9-f4f4683703e2">Re: Handbag Buying Help</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Handbag Buying Help : I dunno, I wouldn't be that worried. I feel like 78 people who all have had good experiences isn't a bad record! Maybe her business is just newer. BF's eBay seller profile only has 25 feedback items. All positive, of course.
Posted by marleylikeair[/QUOTE]

It could just be newer, but that still doesn't ease my suspicion that it isn't an authentic bag, KWIM?

I'm just picky like this haha. But I like the one I found now better, it looks softer. :)

marleylikeair

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_handbag-buying?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:aabf5c41-88fb-4ecc-8778-6c200c711f54Post:5a108141-1118-45b0-ad91-5d64546aacda">Re: Handbag Buying Help</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Handbag Buying Help : It could just be newer, but that still doesn't ease my suspicion that it isn't an authentic bag, KWIM? I'm just picky like this haha. But I like the one I found now better, it looks softer. :)
Posted by heyimbren[/QUOTE]

Totally understand. I think you'd be fine, but it sounds like you found something you liked better anyway! Now I wanna see a pic of the one you decided to go with. <img src="http://cdn.cl9.vanillaforums.com/downloaded/ver1.0/content/scripts/tinymce/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-cool.gif" border="0" alt="Cool" title="Cool" />

heyimbren

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_handbag-buying?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:aabf5c41-88fb-4ecc-8778-6c200c711f54Post:bc9f15b9-e104-4975-b73c-a4e5cfe0f753">Re: Handbag Buying Help</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Handbag Buying Help : Totally understand. I think you'd be fine, but it sounds like you found something you liked better anyway! Now I wanna see a pic of the one you decided to go with.
Posted by marleylikeair[/QUOTE]

Ask and you shall receive...

<a href="http://cdn.cl9.vanillaforums.com/downloaded/ver1.0/content/images/store/10/10/caec9f2a-28ee-48ab-9a4b-8e2ba130dbf2.large.jpg" title="Click to view a larger photo" onclick="return gSiteLife.LoadForumPage('ForumImage', 'plckPhotoId', 'caec9f2a-28ee-48ab-9a4b-8e2ba130dbf2', 'plckRedirectUrl', gSiteLife.EscapeValue(window.location.href));" class="PhotoLink"><img src="http://cdn.cl9.vanillaforums.com/downloaded/ver1.0/content/images/store/10/10/caec9f2a-28ee-48ab-9a4b-8e2ba130dbf2.medium.jpg" alt="" /></a>

marleylikeair

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_handbag-buying?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:aabf5c41-88fb-4ecc-8778-6c200c711f54Post:615d58f5-7ab5-4feb-a130-887807da1034">Re: Handbag Buying Help</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Handbag Buying Help : Ask and you shall receive...
Posted by heyimbren[/QUOTE]

Yay, I like it! Super cute.