As buyers of pre-loved (aka secondhand) luxury items, it is important to know how to verify the authenticity of the items we purchase. Jessy Mendiola proved that she's an informed buyer in a recent exchange with a netizen.
Jessy shared her happiness over securing a pre-loved vintage Chanel Square Mini bag on her Instagram account. She uploaded an unboxing video of the bag, which arrived complete with the black paper bag and iconic white camellia flower, the dustbag, and more! Jessy also thanked the shop who helped her source it.
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However, the good vibes coming from her post were interrupted by a comment from a netizen: "Looks fake to me. Bought from HK?" While it may have been a harmless question, it read as rude to some of Jessy's followers, who read the comment as well.
Jessy chose to respond in a calm and informative manner. "It was authenticated by a sales associate who checked the item's serial code in Chanel's system. No need to hate and spread negativity," the celebrity wrote. She also replied to another netizen, informing her that the bag was "preloved! It’s vintage."
Ann Beltran-Shimomura, owner of Japan Luxe Direct in Ginza, Tokyo, also chimed in on the comments section. The sales associate—who bought the luxury item for Jessy—explained that it was sourced from Japan and defended its authenticity. Her comment read, "Dear, I'm from Japan. Every shop here has their own in-house professional authenticators. We don't sell fake items 'cos bawal. They would close down your shop if caught."
Jessy Mendiola further explains how to check the authenticity of a Chanel bag
Another netizen noted that stitches in a Chanel item (in Jessy's case: a bag) would be an efficient indicator if the item is fake or not.
"Stitching can be a very evident indicator of authenticity. A genuine Chanel purse contains panels with up to 11 stitches each, matching the length of one side of the diamond design," the netizen told Jessy.
The actress-mom also replied to the comment, which proves that she really looks into the items she purchases. "It depends if it's a seasonal piece or a classic one. it also depends on the size of the bag. The only way to authenticate a piece is to have the serial code/microchip checked in Chanel's system," Jessy said in her reply.
Guidelines to check a Chanel item's authenticity
Chanel highly stressed their battle against counterfeit items through their websites. While the luxury brand did not provide a detailed walkthrough on how to detect fake items, they have shared several reminders for buyers to keep in mind before purchasing their dream Chanel items.
- Chanel encourages consumers to purchase from authorized Chanel distributors. If possible, one should refrain from checking out so-called Chanel products from flea markets or unauthorized websites.
- It doesn't hurt to compare prices. Be vigilant when a seller offers you what seems like a steal compared to the price of the item indicated on the official Chanel website. You may think you're scoring a good deal, but the truth is you might end up with a counterfeit product.
- Look at the details. Poor stitching, misspellings, or even mistakes in the logo are the common signs that the product is fake. Chanel also emphasized that there are no "second quality" or factory defects being sold in any market.
Whether it's a Chanel or not, if you have decided to purchase a luxury item, remain vigilant and know the real price and worth of your desired item. Always do your research first!
