There are so many replica gucci handbags being sold online every single day. The consumers are unaware most of the time and they're paying large amounts for these high quality fakes. So how do you avoid becoming part of this crowd?

First step is education! Learn the brand inside and out. Go to your nearest  boutique and careflly inspect all the Gucci bags inside and out. Pay attention to the details. For example; stitching detail like color, hardware color and engraving, zippers, texture of the canvas, the way the canvas looks, the texture of the leather and the color, the lining.

A good example of these details would be to use the Horsebit hobo. You can buy the black canvas wih silver hardware the other canvas bags all have light gold hardware. The stitching on certain years was the same color as the leather and then newer seasons have contrast stitching. The zippers usually have gucci inscribed on the underside. A few of the abbey styles had gucci heat stamps on the zippers and others did not. The leather comes from real animals and is not hand made by humans. There should never be a perfect checkered pattern on the leather. As you look closely at the texure you can almost see where the hair follicles are on the leather. Your bag should smell like a leather shop if its brand new. What a lovely smell!  If your bag smells like plastic or spray paint its most likely a replica. Plastic on the handles is a dead give away also!

If you see a Gucci bag that is brand new selling for $110 on ebay that retails for over $800 its a replica. Even the boutiques down't buy the from the factories at those prices. The boutiques generally buy at 40% off retail prices and mark it up that 40%. They can sale them at a discount when they are no longer in season. This is one way to buy authentic designer bags with proof of authenticity at a discounted price. If you can wait for the season change often times you can get that hot bag at a great sale price.

There are good sites out there that sell genuine Gucci handbags at a discount of retail prices. The key is that they have actual photos not just stock photos. If you contact them for additional pictures they should be able to take some for you. If you can't get in touch with someone before purchasing on the site it may be a red flag also. Part of the business after all is providing customer service. The ability to produce a store receipt and still having the store tags on the bag is also a good way to ensure authenticity.

It is harder to find truly authentc Gucci bags online but its not impossible and its worth it to carry the real thing!