Buyer can tell $348 bag is 'fake at first glance', but seller insists it looks different in every country

Update on Dec 3:

The seller has changed her username to queenie_chalet.

Original article:

Seeing that a Carousell user had multiple five-star ratings and positive reviews, Stomper J decided to purchase a Burberry bag from her.

User @guinea_89, whose account was created five years and nine months ago, has 3,819 listings that mostly consist of luxury bags from Burberry, Coach and Prada.

Her profile states: "Bought from (factory) outlets hence selling low. Authentic luxury goods at affordable price."

As such, J paid $348 for a Burberry bag from the seller on October 24.

However, she was dismayed when she received the item on Friday (Nov 27) as she "knew the bag was fake at first glance".

J told Stomp: "The bag came with a horrible stench. The inner Burberry lining says 'b u r berry' and the metal embossing can't even be seen properly.

"For an old model from perhaps three to four years ago, the bag also came with a box and paper bag that Burberry started using only in 2019.

"Not only that, the font and material of the bag also left me speechless."

J subsequently messaged the seller again but was denied a refund.

Instead, the seller said that Burberry products and their packaging would look different in every country and "not all same one".

When questioned about the poor quality of the bag that J had received, the seller claimed that "retail staff will definitely not admit" how Burberry products are supposedly being sold online at factory outlet prices.

The Stomper added: "This is not a case of 'too good to be true so cannot be true' because I know that USA outlet prices are around $300ish and I paid around that price too.

"I made a police report. However, the police require a certificate to prove that the item is indeed fake for action to be taken against the seller.

"Hence, I am looking for a professional who is able to provide a certificate of authentication to prove that this bag is fake urgently. Thank you in advance."

In response to a Stomp query, the police confirm that a report was lodged.

According to The Luxury Closet, here are three things to help you differentiate a Burberry product from a knock-off:

1. Pattern

2. Stitching

3. Logo

The website said: "From the handle to the lining inside the bag, the stitching should be straight, neat, even and clean with with no loose threads. If anything looks messy or not quite right, you could be looking at a fake."

The bag should also have either a metal plaque or a leather tag.

The metal plaque should match the colour of the bag's hardware, plus an engraving reading ‘Burberry – London’ in the brand’s signature font.

"Whether it’s metal or leather, the font of the logo on the stamp or engraving is very distinctive," said The Luxury Closet.

"The left side of the U and the Y are slightly wider, and the R’s have small tails."

View more photos in the gallery.