I’ve been spotlighting especially good “Ask Seller a Question” emails that we’ve been asked by our buyers.  This is a good one.  It’s one that we get quite a bit, and one that we read mis-information on in some of the guides that are floating around out there on the WWW.

Dear fashionphile,

I thought LV never stitched over the initials. I am not trying to second guess you I am just curious. Is it because it is vintage?

This is the back side of that wallet.  (You can see where the LV monogram referenced in the email has been stitched through…)

It’s true that the designers and creative forces dreaming up each Louis Vuitton piece are not only thoughtful in the the physical shape and practicality of each piece… but they are very particular about the way that the Louis Vuitton monogram aligns and is showcased in relation to that shape.

Take a look at the front of any Louis Vuitton monogram piece.  The placement of the monogram (the LV’s, pointed fleurs and quatrefoils) is very deliberate.  The monogram is symetrical from left to right and often from top to bottom.

Not only that… but the pattern is obviously strategically laid out in such a way that seams, or cuts aren’t made to go “through” the LVs in the monogram.

However, there are exceptions to this general rule.

1)  In small leather goods.  Like wallets, or pochettes- anything that is a small shape, and that uses one continual piece of monogram.  Sometimes, the size of the object doesn’t allow for symetry on both sides.  And in fact, the size often requires a seam to “go through the LV’s” in the monogram.  This will not be the case on the FRONT VIEW of the item.  So look at the front of the wallet, the front of the pochette- and you’ll see no cut LVs.  The story is different on the back.

2)  In physical designs that aren’t condusive.  For whatever reason, the physical shape of an object will require that the LV’s be slightly cut through.  This is true, for example on many of the Elllipse styles and sizes.  Like this Louis Vuitton Ellipse MM:

3. In some vintage pieces.  For whatever reason, historically, this rule hasn’t been as important with Louis Vuitton.  You’ll find pieces all the way up through the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s with seams through the LV’s and can find hard cases and trunks that go back farther than that with the same effect.  Take a look at this piece of early 80’s French Company for Louis Vuitton luggage- the corners of the front flap, in particular:

Anyway- what I’m saying here is that there is not a “hard and fast” rule about seams or cuts going through the monogram placement.  There’s a general rule of symetry- but you have to keep in mind the intent of the design (symetry in the front view, may require a cut on the back, for example.)

You asked!

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With eBay facing lawsuits from Louis Vuitton, Hermes, Tiffany & Company etc. and having them come up on both sides of the win-lose column, I thought I should write a little mini guide to help my blog readers who are looking to buy authentic luxury goods on eBay.

They are there.  Yes, you can find amazing, authentic pre-owned and brand new Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Hermes, Gucci, Marc Jacobs, Coach (who else do you love? yep, them too…).  You know, we’d prefer it if you bought all of your bags from us :)  But it’s equally important to us that the bags you get elsewhere are at least authentic.  So here are a few basic hints to keep you safe from fakes and fraud:

1.  Buy from trustworthy sellers.  What kind of feedback does the seller have?  Don’t just look at numbers.  They may have just bought a bunch of junk to pump up their feedback score… Actually read responses.  What have they sold and bought in the past?  How long have they been selling?

2.  Get to know your bag.  Go to your local boutique and “try the bag on”.  Take note of the details.  If you’re looking fro Louis Vuitton, check our Photophile, for good, clear pictures of authentic bags for comparison.   You can also search eBay for similar items sold by reputable sellers.  They say, “the devil’s in the details” and this is so true with the “better” fakes.

Check online for a good buying guide for the brand or line that you are interested in.  Study our free Louis Vuitton buying guides.   (They have all kinds of interesting information on release dates and colors, etc.  ie:  If White Epi wasn’t released until 2007, a white epi bag with a 2002 date code must be fake.)  You’d be surprised how many good guides are available on eBay’s Reviews and Guides.

3.  Are there good clear pictures?  If there aren’t enough pictures- ask for them.  If  you don’t get them, move on.  You’ll need a picture of the interior, some hardware, the embossing and any special markings (date code, registration number, creed etc)  You can’t make an informed decision on whether or not a bag is authentic based on one or two pictures.

4.  Watch out for red flag wording.  Get out quick if you see words like “final sale”, “got this from rich neighbor, aunt, collegue, etc- she’s a doctor’s wife” (for whatever reason, these are never real :), “it’s real- don’t ask”, “this was a gift, but it looks real”,  etc.

5.  Communicate with your buyer.  This is an expensive purchase that you are making.  Go ahead, ask questions.  Pay attention to the content and tone of the emails that you get in response.  In fact, if you are buying an expensive bag, and would feel more comfortable talking to the seller- ask if you can give her/him a call.  We get calls from potential buyers all the time.  We recognize that it makes people feel more comfortable to talk to us ear to ear.

6.  Make sure they take refunds for authenticity.  Even if the buyer has a hard core no refunds policy for condition, etc. if there is no refund available for authenticity… just don’t chance it.  This goes for sellers who say, “I know this is real, so I won’t take a refund for authenticity.”

7. Don’t be afraid to get it authenticated.  There are all types of paid services, from My Poupette to Carol Diva- and the experts on The Purse Forum and eBay’s Purse Board will actually authenticate for free!

8.  Is the price, “too good to be true?”  It probably is.  You just won’t find a Louis Vuitton Neverfull Gm in great condition for $250 Buy it Now.  Be careful about this.  Sure, there are bargains to be found- but these are relative bargains.  Like finding that Neverfull for $550 BIN.  You just aren’t going to find great condition, authentic, luxury bags for 25% retail.

9. Pay by Credit Card-  Preferably buy PayPal,  but at the very least… only pay with a credit card.  You will have the Credit Card behind you if you get in an authenticity dispute with your seller.  If you pay by PayPal, you have an additional level of security.  Even if their buyer protection is weak, it freaks out sellers when you file a claim.

And finally, number 10.  Buy from FASHIONPHILE!   Honestly- we take the worry out.  If there are ever any issues at all- we’ll work them out.  We do our best to make sure that you have a great experience with us.  If you don’t for whatever reason, let us know.  We’ll make it right.  So go ahead, and check our current weekly eBay auctions and all the fabulous items on our www.fashionphile.com website!

Good luck in finding the authentic bag you’ve been searching for at a great price!

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OK… So the Louis Vuitton Cabas Piano has change throughout the years- and you’ve just seen pictures of what the Cabas Piano looked like when it was first introduced- as well as pictures as it appears today, in June of 2008.

But those changes didn’t all happen at once… and so I’m going to show you the order in which they came about.

From 2000- December of 2001, the Cabas Piano came with the seams on the base, the zipper pocket and the date code on a riveted d-ring.

(We have seen a few authentic bags with the date code representing a March, 2001 “Made in France” (VI) production, where there have been no seams on the base. There’s no explanation for why the change occurred- but we’ve seen it several times. Here is an example: 2001 Cabas Piano, no seams)

In early 2002, French made (”Made in France”- with the date code VI mostly, also DU) Cabas bags dropped the rivet. They still have the seams on the base and zippered pocket. The date code is still on the d-ring tab, but there is no rivet. The American made, “Made in USA” Cabas bags continued to use the rivet. Here’s an example:

In January of 2004, the French made Cabas bags began to be constructed with the solid base. No seams. I have seen Made in USA bags where the base still has seams in early 2004, but the American bags were also quick to replace the seamed base with a solid leather one.

The Cabas bags still had the zippered pocket, and the date code was on the d-ring. (French bags still had no rivet, USA bags did).

In October of 2004, the Made in USA Cabas bags lost their rivet as well. At this point all Cabas bags had one solid leather base, zippered pockets, date code on the d-ring… but no rivets on the dring. This carried on until Spring 2005.

(February 2005 Cabas Piano- Made in USA- no rivet)

In Spring 2005 (about May), Louis Vuitton Cabas bags lost their zippered pockets. A new, slot pocket replaced the zipper. Instead of the date code being on the D-ring, it is now on a leather tab inside the slot pocket.

(Current stlye interior in Cabas Piano)

(Current location of Date Code in Cabas Piano)

Notice that since 2007, the actual order of the numbers of the date code have changed… (read my Louis Vuitton date code guide for more historical and current date code information).

Hopefully you will find this information helpful in your quest to buy an authentic pre-owned Louis Vuitton Cabas Piano (from us- or anyone else!)

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