‘I see fake Coach on there almost daily’: Los Angeles woman buys $630 Marc Jacobs bag for $155 on The RealReal. Then she realizes it’s fake

A Los Angeles woman found out the hard way that even seasoned bag collectors can be fooled by counterfeits. That’s because she purchased a $155 Marc Jacobs purse from The RealReal, and it allegedly turned out to be fake.

TikTok creator Esme (@thriftkitten) posted a video about her dilemma. “The RealReal sold me a fake purse,” she says to start the video. 

The RealReal is an online resale platform where shoppers can purchase used designer goods like handbags.

“Last week, I purchased this beautiful blue bag from RealReal,” Esme says. “It is a Marc Jacobs large multipocket in the color seafoam.”

Is This Marc Jacobs Bag From the RealReal Fake?

Esme explains that she purchased the large multipocket bag for her sister’s birthday. “And now I’m filled with regrets,” she says. 

But Esme still wants to take the opportunity to show her followers she was able to tell the bag from a genuine Marc Jacobs. “First things first,” she says. “The shape is so bad.”

Although she acknowledges that the bag she purchased is older, Esme says it still shouldn’t be as stiff as it is.

“This bag should not look like this,” she says. “In comparison, I’m going to show you a real multipocket. And do you see how slouchy and perfect she is? This is what it should look like.”

There are other signs that the bag is not authentic, she says. Those signs include the fact that the hardware is double stamped, which Esme says is an error that would not have made it past quality control. “Another thing to keep in mind when searching for vintage Marc Jacobs bags is to check the zipper,” she says.

How Else Can You Tell If a Marc Jacob Bag Is Fake?

In this case, the zipper on the bag is blank. “Typically, the zippers will have Lampo or Riri stamped on the bag,” she says. “And not having a stamp is immediate counterfeit.”

Another clue is the interior lining being the incorrect color, which Esme says she should’ve caught when reviewing the listing. The authentic bag would have an orange-y liner, and this one is green. 

The final clue is that the Marc Jacobs name plate is the wrong font, Esme says. In conclusion, she is extremely disappointed by the purchase. 

“I have reached out to RealReal, but they told me the authentication team will reach out in the next 24-48 hours,” she says to end the video.

In the comments section of the video, The RealReal wrote, “We understand your concern. Please DM us so we can take a closer look and assist.”

@thriftkitten @The RealReal ♬ Dust Collector – ybg lucas

A History of Fake Bags on the RealReal

While the RealReal emphasizes its commitment to keep fakes out of its marketplace, the company has struggled in the past to make good on that promise. According to this CNBC article from 2019, the platform defended itself against accusations that it wasn’t properly authenticating bags.

In 2021, the company settled a lawsuit filed against it by investors who claimed it wasn’t doing enough to authenticate merchandise. Three years later, The RealReal said that it had started using AI to help process and authenticate merchandise.

As with most internet complaints, the RealReal authenticity scandal reached Reddit. A user posted to r/handbags two years ago to complain about receiving a Miu Miu bag with a “Made in China” sticker. The shopper complained about the company’s no return on bags policy and said that it’s ridiculous to be asked to send a bag in for re-authentification if the team got it wrong the first time. 

One person who claimed to previously have worked in the company’s authentication department said that there is a team of authenticators who are trained in specific high-end brands. However, many other brands are reviewed by a team of less experienced copywriters. Those copywriters are supposed to flag inconsistencies for the authentication team. That could lead to fakes falling through the cracks, the person said.

“If you’re sending your bag for re-authentication, I’m quite sure that they’ll give the bag to the actual authenticators,” the person wrote. 

The Mary Sue contacted Esme via TikTok comment and direct message for comment. We also contacted the RealReal via email for comment.

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