7 Warning Signs of a Fake Vintage Hermes Bag on Ruby Lane

Fake Certificate of Authenticity: Be wary of sellers who provide certificates of authenticity that appear generic or are not from a reputable, independent authentication service. Scammers can easily create convincing-looking fake certificates. Always verify the authenticity through trusted third-party services.

Stolen Collector Photos: Sellers may use high-quality images of genuine bags that they've found online, often from other collectors or reputable dealers. If the photos seem too perfect or are inconsistently presented, perform a reverse image search to see if they appear elsewhere online.

Exaggerated Grading Claims: While sellers should describe condition accurately, be suspicious of overly enthusiastic or vague descriptions. Authentic Hermes bags have specific quality markers; look for detailed descriptions of materials, stitching, hardware, and stamps, rather than just broad claims of 'excellent condition'.

Hidden Damage Omission: Sellers might intentionally omit details about damage, wear, or repairs. Carefully examine all provided photos, especially close-ups of stitching, corners, handles, and hardware. If photos are blurry or deliberately obscure certain areas, it's a major red flag.

Wire Transfer 'Discount' Bait: Be extremely cautious of any seller who insists on payment via wire transfer, especially if they offer a significant discount for doing so. Ruby Lane primarily uses PayPal for secure transactions.. Wire transfers offer no buyer protection.

Off-Platform Private Sale: Legitimate sellers on Ruby Lane will conduct transactions through the platform for security and record-keeping. If a seller suggests moving the conversation or transaction off-platform to a 'private sale,' this is a significant scam indicator.

Phishing 'Shop Owner' Alert: Be alert for suspicious messages claiming to be from Ruby Lane or a shop owner, requesting personal information or directing you to fake login pages. Always verify the sender's identity and navigate directly to the Ruby Lane website.