Emily Haggart, owner of Avalilly's in Cornelius (Frugal Fashionista, May/June 2008), began her business selling surplus merchandise from her favorite boutiques. Of course, Haggart's products are authentic, but how do you know what is, and isn't the real thing while shopping online for your favorite brands? Here are some tips for smart online shopping.
Beware of bulk sellers. If the seller has 100 of the same bags, it is unlikely that they are real.
The more photos, the better. Ask for multiple photos to check out the inside tag authenticity and the quality of the bag.
Do your research. Check out the brand's Web site for the same bag. If it isn't on the Web site or catalog, it may be fake.
Check out these other Web sites. In addition to Ebay, other Web sites sell reduced-price handbags. Search Eluxury.com and Net-a-porter.com for some great steals.
