Spotting Fakes: A Beginner’s Checklist
Mar 11, 2025
When you first step into the world of reselling, one of the biggest challenges is telling apart authentic items from counterfeits. Counterfeit goods are increasingly sophisticated, making it much harder to spot them at a glance. However, there are several reliable markers you can use—branding, weight, stitching, serial numbers, and of course keeping rigorous records for each item you audit.
1. Branding and Logos
Authentic products generally maintain high consistency in branding. Here are a few checks:
Logo accuracy: Compare the logo font, spacing, and color with the official branding from the manufacturer. Even slight differences often expose a fake.
Emblem placement: Look at where logos are printed or stitched. Counterfeits often misalign placements.
Packaging clues: Official packaging typically feels premium. Off-color printing or blurry text is a red flag.
2. Weight and Materials
Manufacturers use specific materials that create a recognizable weight and feel. Some checks include:
Heft test: Authentic luxury bags, watches, and electronics usually feel heavier than counterfeits due to dense metals or premium fabrics.
Texture consistency: Real leather, for example, has slight imperfections and won’t feel overly smooth or plastic-like.
Balance: In shoes or electronics, weight is usually distributed evenly. If something feels ‘off-balance,’ that’s suspicious.
3. Stitching and Build Quality
This is where patience pays off. Authentic products maintain an incredibly high standard of construction:
Thread work: Look for even, straight stitches. Counterfeits often show rushed or sloppy sewing.
Seam reinforcement: Premium brands reinforce high-stress points (like bag handles or shoe laces). Check those spots carefully.
Symmetry: Uneven panels, crooked labels, or loose threads are immediate warnings.
4. Serial Numbers and Codes
Many brands include unique identifiers to protect against fraud:
Serial consistency: Verify the style of numbering used by the brand. Counterfeits may include random or repeating codes.
Database cross-checks: Some brands allow you to enter serial numbers for authenticity checks.
Hidden placements: Learn where brands normally place tags or RFID chips. Fakes often skip these entirely or replicate them poorly.
5. Record Everything in One Place
The checks themselves lose value if you don’t record them consistently. A single record per item will prevent confusion and help you prove due diligence to buyers.
Why keep records? It creates an audit trail and increases buyer confidence. If challenged, you can show the documented steps you took to confirm authenticity.
What to record? Notes on branding, weight, stitching, and serials. Add photos wherever possible.
How to store? Some resellers use spreadsheets, but dedicated solutions save time. For example, Gavelbase lets you keep all your inspection details in one record per item, so you never lose track of what’s checked and what’s pending.
6. Practical Workflow for Beginners
Here’s a simple step-by-step process you can reuse:
Start with photos of the item as it arrived.
Check branding and packaging against official references.
Weigh the item (compare with listed official product weights if available).
Inspect stitching, seams, and construction.
Record the serial number (and verify with manufacturer tools, if possible).
Document findings in your chosen system (spreadsheet, note-taking tool, or inventory software like Gavelbase).
Decide: authentic, questionable, or reject. Mark the status clearly in your records.
7. Final Thoughts
Spotting fakes isn’t just about avoiding bad purchases—it’s about building trust with buyers. By sticking to the basics of branding, weight, stitching, serial verification, and maintaining one comprehensive record per item, you establish a reliable process. Over time, your eye sharpens and your efficiency improves. The habit of documenting each detail creates not only peace of mind but also a stronger reputation as a professional reseller.
Consistency, attention to detail, and disciplined documentation are the most effective counterfeit defense systems any reseller can implement.