How to Tell a Fake Hermes Kelly

A real Hermes Kelly bag is a thing of beauty, but even the best of fakes is just a waste of your hard-earned cash. With a little knowledge, you can make sure you're getting an authentic bag, not an overpriced knock-off.1Note the price. Older Hermes bags, even if they have some minor damage, cost between $3,000 and $8,000, while upscale fakes can be found at around $1,000. If you find a deal that looks too good to be true, it probably is.
2Check out the quantity the dealer has in stock. These Hermes Birkinbags are pretty rare, so if he has dozens, the odds are high that they're all fakes.
3Examine the quality, presentation, and style of the bag. Make sure it doesn't have a paper tag anywhere on it; real Hermes bags never do. The front panel should be stamped with "Hermes Paris, Made in France." Check for misspellings of any of these words; knockoff designers often write things like "Harmes" to avoid copyright infringement. There should be no metal brand marker on the interior of the bag. Make sure the leather is real and high-quality and that the stitching is even.
4Ask the dealer what year the bag is. If he's dealing real designer bags, he will know. Also, the dustbags in the bags made after 2007 are orange, while bags produced earlier have tan dustbags. If the year the dealer claims the bag was made doesn't match the color of the dustbag, it's probably a fake.The "Birkin" bag is a hand-built purse from Hermès. It is named after actress and singer Jane Birkin. Bags are currently around $9,000, particularly when using exotic skin. A bag may take 48 manhours to make. They are distributed to Hermès boutiques on unpredictable schedules and limited quantities, creating scarcity and exclusivity.
The outside bag is of various leathers. One of the most expensive is saltwater crocodile skin. Bags with smaller scales cost more than those with larger scales. Typically, a Birkin Handbag lining is goat skin. The color matches the exterior. Hermès discontinues products without notice.
The metallic hardware (the lock, keys, buckle hardware and feet studs) is plated with gold or other non-tarnishing precious metals, such as palladium. The metal lock may be covered with leather as a custom option. Diamonds are another custom addition.