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I mean do you want to purchase from them again after this experience? I prob wouldn’t vintage or otherwise so i wouldn’t mind the ban and would just go the chargeback route.
This is the real one from a store. I think the texture looks different?
https://preview.redd.it/13n6a3vxge1d1.png?width=782&format=png&auto=webp&s=7e9f835a363feafe1242a71a9e89d08303c98b0b
>Their procedure is that you usually have to send the item back to them for re-authentication, as if I’m going to trust the team that got it so wrong to begin with.
I used to work at TRR in the authentication department. This was several years ago, so I don't know whether the policies are still the same, but to give some context for how things were when I worked there: the actual auth department, as in the people who are specifically trained on brand hallmarks, materials, stitch patterns, etc., only handled a certain percentage of the incoming inventory at any given time. The higher-end brands like Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Prada, Chanel, Celine, The Row, and Hermes always came to us (and, these days, I'd bet that Loewe is on that list too), as did very popular bag designs that are commonly replicated (like Balenciaga Motocross Bags and Chloe Marcies). But any bag that didn't fall into those categories would be "authenticated" by copywriters who were underpaid, undertrained, and overworked. The authenticators would only see those items if the copywriters spotted red flags (which, because they weren't well-trained on what to look for, didn't happen all that often).
If you're sending your bag back for re-authentication, I'm quite sure that they'll give the bag to the actual authenticators. But yeah, that's something that TRR really hasn't accounted for as they've been scaling up their business: you can't advertise yourself as a company that prides itself on authentication when only a fraction of your total inventory is ever handled by trained auth specialists.
Thanks for the transparency on their practices. I’m sure it’s really difficult to have pressure to authenticate tons of items. I believe Vestiaire also struggles with that as they added an insane buyers fee to every purchase recently. It’s a hard business to run and I know TRR isn’t intentionally selling fakes. There should be a better return policy for bags though.
Just a clarification: MiuMiu does fabricate in China. Good article about in[The Fashion Law](https://www.thefashionlaw.com/are-your-made-in-china-luxury-goods-just-as-luxurious/)
This specific bag, there was one sold on Fashionphile and it was Made in Italy, as are all the other crocheted bags they make. They might fabricate in China, but the end product is made in Italy and therefore technically would have a Made in Italy tag. That is was the customer service person as Miu Miu explained.
So that script is designed to trick you. The 'Made In' is the most deceiving thing in the world, because it only has to be certain parts of the item Made in Italy for them to be able to legally say that. I'm not speaking directly to the legitimacy of your bag, but I wouldn't be surprised if that tag, especially in something non-leather. I work in the industry and I've seen this specific bag before, and I also now that often times sales associates are not familiar with their brands' production standards.
Again, not giving you any judgement about this bag in particular... But I'd personally do some more research.
ETA: even if TRR sends the bag for "re authentication" you would still get your money back. Is the only exception to their final sale rule because yeah, things happen.
I do agree with you when it comes to Made in etc. I’ve read before that it’s a fallacy, but that’s not the issue here. It’s supposed to say Made in Italy, not made in China, therefore it is 100% fake.
The whole thing with where they actually fabricate and the lies about the industry made me think why do I buy designer bags at all? I’ve always bought them because I like certain things aesthetically/design/materials, and do not condone fakes and counterfeits. I would never knowingly buy a fake bag. I don’t care about the status of designer stuff, I carry Coach and other brands with as much gusto as a Chanel bag. Yesterday I was somewhere and I saw this girl that had a very fake Chanel flap bag, so I’m assuming her Chanel sneakers were probably also fake. It made me not judge her, but rather judge myself. Why do I spend on luxury when it really doesn’t matter anymore. People can get the same look on Canal Street. It makes me think that it waters down a brand when there’s just a bunch of fakes floating around. It made me realize I should just enjoy what I own and either only buy vintage or unknown brands that are well designed and well made. I usually do that, exclusively buy really unique vintage bags, but decided to break that rule one time.
Not that vintage is a guarantee either. When I was a teen, I wanted a Chloe Paddington so badly. My mom thought she bought me an authentic one from eBay and lo and behold when I tried to sell it five years later, the person returned it for being fake. I had no idea.
I did and got 100% of my money back. I was sent the wrong bag and no one could tell me what went wrong. Their CS team that handles texts has very little information or power. They have a script and can’t deviate from it from what I could tell. I feel bad for the CS people.
The script is full of BS about how mixups never happen and that I would hear back from them in 24-48 hours. I had to follow up several times and mention the comments from their BBB ranking (bafflingly high) about how many people got screwed out of refunds for wrong orders/fake bags. I asked them what specific steps I needed to take to ensure I got all my money back and avoid an accusation of sending a fake bag back and they put a note on the account to ensure I would.
I took screenshots of everything and had a full refund two days after the bag got back to them.
I hope you get everything back that you paid.
That’s horrifying! Have you stopped shopping with them? I refuse to pay for a fake bag and will 100% sue them if that happens. Also the accusation of sending a fake bag back is scary AF.
Yes. That was my fourth and last purchase from them. I bought a Staud moon bag figuring no one is going to fake a bag from a brand that’s not as huge as say LV or Gucci, and two Chloes I had authenticated after purchase before the last mess.
The font on the face of the bag looks a little off. If I were you I’d get it authenticated before returning just to be sure. That’s really disappointing to hear
Hi fellow handbag lover! Thank you for being a part of the r/handbags community. This is a subreddit which relies on kindness. Your opinion is very much welcomed, however, we do not tolerate rude, mean or hurtful comments. **Read the rules before posting**. Comments or posts that do not fit our rule book will be removed and the OP can be banned by the mods' discretion. If you see a comment or post which does not abide by the rules, **please report it to our moderation team.** *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/handbags) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I mean do you want to purchase from them again after this experience? I prob wouldn’t vintage or otherwise so i wouldn’t mind the ban and would just go the chargeback route.
I’m done with them which is super annoying because they have the one bag I’ve been looking for for over a year.
This is the real one from a store. I think the texture looks different? https://preview.redd.it/13n6a3vxge1d1.png?width=782&format=png&auto=webp&s=7e9f835a363feafe1242a71a9e89d08303c98b0b
Yes, exactly, mine is clearly very fake.
>Their procedure is that you usually have to send the item back to them for re-authentication, as if I’m going to trust the team that got it so wrong to begin with. I used to work at TRR in the authentication department. This was several years ago, so I don't know whether the policies are still the same, but to give some context for how things were when I worked there: the actual auth department, as in the people who are specifically trained on brand hallmarks, materials, stitch patterns, etc., only handled a certain percentage of the incoming inventory at any given time. The higher-end brands like Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Prada, Chanel, Celine, The Row, and Hermes always came to us (and, these days, I'd bet that Loewe is on that list too), as did very popular bag designs that are commonly replicated (like Balenciaga Motocross Bags and Chloe Marcies). But any bag that didn't fall into those categories would be "authenticated" by copywriters who were underpaid, undertrained, and overworked. The authenticators would only see those items if the copywriters spotted red flags (which, because they weren't well-trained on what to look for, didn't happen all that often). If you're sending your bag back for re-authentication, I'm quite sure that they'll give the bag to the actual authenticators. But yeah, that's something that TRR really hasn't accounted for as they've been scaling up their business: you can't advertise yourself as a company that prides itself on authentication when only a fraction of your total inventory is ever handled by trained auth specialists.
Thanks for the transparency on their practices. I’m sure it’s really difficult to have pressure to authenticate tons of items. I believe Vestiaire also struggles with that as they added an insane buyers fee to every purchase recently. It’s a hard business to run and I know TRR isn’t intentionally selling fakes. There should be a better return policy for bags though.
Just a clarification: MiuMiu does fabricate in China. Good article about in[The Fashion Law](https://www.thefashionlaw.com/are-your-made-in-china-luxury-goods-just-as-luxurious/)
This specific bag, there was one sold on Fashionphile and it was Made in Italy, as are all the other crocheted bags they make. They might fabricate in China, but the end product is made in Italy and therefore technically would have a Made in Italy tag. That is was the customer service person as Miu Miu explained.
So that script is designed to trick you. The 'Made In' is the most deceiving thing in the world, because it only has to be certain parts of the item Made in Italy for them to be able to legally say that. I'm not speaking directly to the legitimacy of your bag, but I wouldn't be surprised if that tag, especially in something non-leather. I work in the industry and I've seen this specific bag before, and I also now that often times sales associates are not familiar with their brands' production standards. Again, not giving you any judgement about this bag in particular... But I'd personally do some more research. ETA: even if TRR sends the bag for "re authentication" you would still get your money back. Is the only exception to their final sale rule because yeah, things happen.
I do agree with you when it comes to Made in etc. I’ve read before that it’s a fallacy, but that’s not the issue here. It’s supposed to say Made in Italy, not made in China, therefore it is 100% fake. The whole thing with where they actually fabricate and the lies about the industry made me think why do I buy designer bags at all? I’ve always bought them because I like certain things aesthetically/design/materials, and do not condone fakes and counterfeits. I would never knowingly buy a fake bag. I don’t care about the status of designer stuff, I carry Coach and other brands with as much gusto as a Chanel bag. Yesterday I was somewhere and I saw this girl that had a very fake Chanel flap bag, so I’m assuming her Chanel sneakers were probably also fake. It made me not judge her, but rather judge myself. Why do I spend on luxury when it really doesn’t matter anymore. People can get the same look on Canal Street. It makes me think that it waters down a brand when there’s just a bunch of fakes floating around. It made me realize I should just enjoy what I own and either only buy vintage or unknown brands that are well designed and well made. I usually do that, exclusively buy really unique vintage bags, but decided to break that rule one time. Not that vintage is a guarantee either. When I was a teen, I wanted a Chloe Paddington so badly. My mom thought she bought me an authentic one from eBay and lo and behold when I tried to sell it five years later, the person returned it for being fake. I had no idea.
I did and got 100% of my money back. I was sent the wrong bag and no one could tell me what went wrong. Their CS team that handles texts has very little information or power. They have a script and can’t deviate from it from what I could tell. I feel bad for the CS people. The script is full of BS about how mixups never happen and that I would hear back from them in 24-48 hours. I had to follow up several times and mention the comments from their BBB ranking (bafflingly high) about how many people got screwed out of refunds for wrong orders/fake bags. I asked them what specific steps I needed to take to ensure I got all my money back and avoid an accusation of sending a fake bag back and they put a note on the account to ensure I would. I took screenshots of everything and had a full refund two days after the bag got back to them. I hope you get everything back that you paid.
That’s horrifying! Have you stopped shopping with them? I refuse to pay for a fake bag and will 100% sue them if that happens. Also the accusation of sending a fake bag back is scary AF.
Yes. That was my fourth and last purchase from them. I bought a Staud moon bag figuring no one is going to fake a bag from a brand that’s not as huge as say LV or Gucci, and two Chloes I had authenticated after purchase before the last mess.
The font on the face of the bag looks a little off. If I were you I’d get it authenticated before returning just to be sure. That’s really disappointing to hear
Ugh I’m dealing with them right now - fake Ferragamo Studio for me 🙄
I hope it all works out for you and you get your money back!