Selling a fake designer bag is not just bad for your reputation — in Australia, it is illegal under the Australian Consumer Law and can result in fines up to $500,000 for individuals. If you are in the luxury resale game, authentication is not optional.
Here is how to get it right.
Why Authentication Matters More Than Ever
The global counterfeit market is worth over $500 billion annually. Luxury goods are the most counterfeited category, and the fakes are getting better. Even experienced resellers get caught out.
In Australia, the ACCC takes a dim view of selling counterfeit goods, even unintentionally. “I did not know it was fake” is not a defence if you should have known — and if you are selling luxury goods commercially, you should know.
The Red Flags
Stitching and Construction
Authentic luxury goods have perfect, even stitching. Fakes often have:
- Uneven stitch length
- Loose threads
- Stitching that does not follow the pattern line exactly
- Wrong thread colour (authentic pieces use specific thread colours)
Hardware
Zips, clasps, and chains are expensive to replicate properly:
- Authentic hardware has weight and feels solid
- Engravings are crisp and consistent
- Zippers glide smoothly (YKK, Lampo, riri are common authentic brands)
- Gold plating on fakes wears off quickly
Leather and Materials
- Authentic leather has a distinct smell — chemical, not plastic
- Monogram patterns align at seams on genuine pieces
- Canvas should be stiff, not floppy
- Coated canvas has a specific texture that is hard to replicate
Date Codes and Serial Numbers
Most luxury brands have date codes or serial numbers:
- Louis Vuitton: Date codes (not serial numbers) indicate factory and date
- Chanel: Serial numbers on authenticity cards (post-2021: microchips)
- Hermes: Blind stamps with year and craftsman codes
- Gucci: Serial numbers inside the bag
Learn the format for each brand and verify against known databases.
Professional Authentication Services
When in doubt, use a professional service:
Entrupy
AI-powered authentication via smartphone app. Snap photos, get results in minutes. Widely accepted by resale platforms. Costs approximately $10-20 per item.
Real Authentication
Human expert authentication with certificates. More expensive but accepted by insurance companies and auction houses.
Authenticate First
Australian-based service. Good for local resellers who want a domestic option.
Building Authentication Into Your Workflow
If you are running a consignment store or regular resale business, authentication should be part of your intake process:
- Photograph every detail at intake — hardware, stitching, date codes, tags
- Check the serial/date code against brand databases
- Compare against known authentic examples (The RealReal, Vestiaire Collective listings)
- Verify with a professional service for anything over $500
- Document your authentication process — this protects you legally
The Cost of Getting It Wrong
Beyond legal risks, selling a fake destroys trust with your customers and consignors. In the Australian luxury resale community, reputation spreads fast. One fake can cost you years of goodwill.
Invest in authentication. It is not a cost — it is insurance.
How TurnGoods Helps
TurnGoods includes inventory tracking with authentication status fields, so you can tag items as authenticated, pending, or unchecked. Combined with photo storage and consignor records, you have a complete chain of custody for every item.
Selling luxury goods in Australia? Try TurnGoods — inventory management with authentication tracking built in.