buying tips

about me

date stamp

fakes

items I've
received

recommended
sellers

Questions:  Please be brief & specific.  I cannot answer general questions, such as "could you tell me what to look for when buying a used Looping?", or "what do I look for when looking at a Cabas Piano?".  I would have to write a book for each model in order to answer those questions, so please ask me specific questions, such as "What is the material of the lining of Babylone?  I'm thinking about buying one from a friend, and the date code is ___".   I do not share what's considered "Louis Vuitton's internal information", and I do not even reveal how to read date codes although it's no secret among collectors.  Many questions can be answered by calling a Louis Vuitton retail store or eLuxury, such as "is there a D-ring inside Alma"?  I repeat: the traditional monogram line only!  All other questions would be ignored.

Auction Items: If you want me to take a look at auctions that you may be interested in, please do your homework first and ask the sellers detailed questions, such as "Where did you purchase this?" or "How do you know it's authentic if you are not the original purchaser?".  It just may answer your question on authenticity.  If you don't hear back from the seller within 24 hours, you don't need that item.  Please see the "buying tips" page so that you know what to ask.  If you still have questions, please be sure to include either the auction number or the URL to the auction page, or your question will not be answered.  Many sellers are offering fakes with 100% confidence on authenticity (intentional or out of ignorance, I don't know), so I'll be happy to take a look.  However, I am NOT your personal shopper.  Also an email subject line such as "Urgent Help Requested!" won't get your answer in a hurry as it's your problem, not mine.  If the auction is closing within 48 hours, you have a less chance of getting my answer.  I repeat: the traditional monogram line only!  All other questions would be ignored

Item in your possession: If you've received an auction item that you're not sure about, please include the auction number.  It may require additional  *very* large & detailed pictures for me to tell you its authenticity, unless something is obviously wrong.  If you have a Louis Vuitton retail store in town, please show it to the store manager before sending me an email.  You may be saving driving time and embarrassment by sending me an email, but you're taking up my time by emailing me.  After the item is pronounced "not authentic" by a Louis Vuitton store manager, *I'll be happy to write a letter that you may need to send to the seller or eBay's Insurance Claim Adjuster or to your credit card company, but it's up to me to decide whether I can afford the time or whether I like you!!! Many people don't even have a Louis Vuitton boutique in town (or in the entire state), and I need to help them FIRST.  I'm not the eBay customer service, so please do your own homework and know how to go about filing your claim. http://pages.ebay.com/help/tp/isgw-fraud-protection.html When sending photos, you don't need my permission.  My computer is well protected, and I have a cable connection, so go ahead and send me photos without adding an email to ask for my permission!  I always welcome emails from sellers who want to be sure of authenticity before listing on eBay.   I repeat: the traditional monogram line only!  All other questions would be ignored

I'm looking for....: If you want to know if I have a certain model for sale, please know the following:  99% of my items are Louis Vuitton's "classic monogram canvas" in a used condition.  Some may be in a "mint/unused" condition, which is different from "brand new" in my dictionary.  I may have other fabrics now and then, but it's outside my expertise.  So unless I know exactly where the items are from or I have them authenticated, I do not get Epi, Damier, Vernis, etc. in my inventory.  I definitely do NOT deal with special editions such as Cherry Blossom or Multi Color, except for VERY RARE circumstances.  Most of the models I handle are Vuitton's "classic models", such as Noe, St. Cloud, Trocadero, Bucket, etc., and vintage items.  Relatively new models (Looping, Mussette, Cabas series, etc.) are hard to come by since used ones are still expensive.  Even with classic models, I usually have a few people on my waiting list.  So there is no guarantee that I can supply your desired model in the next couple of weeks.  No obligation or pressure to purchase when the item arrives, so if you're in no hurry for a specific model, I'll put you on my waiting list.  I'll be happy to tell you what I have available immediately, but I show my items to one person at a time.

Wow, this site is COOL:  I love to read your comments and suggestions!  Please don't hate me if I don't write you back "you're welcome, and thank you for visiting!".

Gee, look at this auction!:  Ewww, no thanks, I'm very aware of "authenticity guaranteed" very strange fakes on eBay.  Don't contact me but report to eBay please!  I'm neither eBay nor Louis Vuitton, much less the FBI, so please don't ask me how they get away with it.

What about the web sites selling Vuitton?:  There are many web sites offering Louis Vuitton items.  Many claim to sell authentic Vuitton, even with a money-back policy.  If they offer brand new Louis Vuitton products for less than retail prices, they're selling 100000% fake Vuitton.  Now you know what I think about those web sites, so no need to ask.

Where do I get such "high-quality" fakes you claim to have seen?:  I have ZERO tolerance for these emails, so if you're lucky enough to receive a reply from me, don't expect a nice one.  It is ILLEGAL even to carry them.  Just imagine....you ask a police officer (or a pastor/priest at your church), "Could you tell me where I can get cocaine of high purity?".  What kind of reaction do you expect?

I've memorized your entire web site, and I've spotted your writing being used (or sold) by somebody else!: Okay, you got my attention.  Please make it clear in the subject line if possible so your email has my first priority!  My deepest appreciation to those report "thieves" to me!  I've got to think of a "reward" program.......

 *No, I do not charge you a penny, and send a donation ONLY if you wish to show appreciation or respect for my time & effort.  Or if you simply believe in what I do.  I thank you very much for your support.

*I'm seriously getting tired of people with zero common sense.  You have 30 days to work with the seller, 60 days to notify eBay of fraud, and 90 days to file a claim.  Please do NOT ask me to alter my schedule to volunteer my time for you if you have less than 2 weeks before the filing deadline date.  In a BAD month, I fax two letters to eBay or a credit card company every week.  NOBODY but TWO victims so far had the courtesy to even let me know that they received a refund, unless I sent a follow up email.  NOBODY but ONE victim who offered to "compensate" for my time has actually acted upon it.  So if you are a type who easily forgets to notify the outcome as courtesy or who offers a compensation to get somebody to work but never meant it anyway, please do not ask for my time.  What I require is "common sense" and "courtesy", not money.  Those who initially say, "I'll send a donation IF I recover my money" won't send a penny anyway.  I am here to help.  If you've been defrauded, I feel you do not need extra expenses to get your money back.  However, please do NOT abuse me if you didn't like your seller(s) ripping you off.  My time is volunteered, but that does NOT mean you can take advantage of my kindness like others did to you.  Phone bill to fax my letters is negligible (even my world-wide faxing that I do often to credit card companies!), and I do this often enough that I don't spend hours writing them, but I am NOT your servant.  My time has a value too.  If I quit my service (may happen any day), that would be due to those who don't even send me an email after everything is settled or questions answered.  Please remember I do not answer your questions because I have nothing better to do with my time.

Everybody please read the below before sending me emails.  You're asking for my time, and here are my requirements.

  1. No questions about items other than the traditional monogram canvas line! No Multi Color or Cherry Blossom or Theda, or anything else!  Your question concerning non traditional monogram canvas line will be deleted immediately, no matter how simple the question is.   If unsure, you need to visit www.louisvuitton.com to see the collection.
  2. Remember, I don't volunteer my time for "nameless" people (first name is sufficient).  If I do not see your name in the body or the bottom of your email, I immediately delete it or the email filter puts it in the Trash folder for me.  It doesn't matter if your full name is used in the email address.  SIGN YOUR EMAIL.
  3. BLANK SUBJECT FIELD ("No Subject" or "N/A") is rude, and my spam filter is more likely to delete it on my behalf.
  4.  I really don't mind questions, but at lease send me an email of "Thanks for your time, that makes sense!" as a closure of our correspondence (as your Mom taught you).  Or I will not accept further questions from you or decide to quit answering questions entirely. 
  5.  If you send me ANY group mail (as in junk mail), your email address would be
permanently blocked.  Please do NOT enter it into your address book (this is to avoid group mail and unprotected computers sending virus emails with our address).  My email address will be changed from time to time to ensure you read this page, so please be sure to check this page when you send questions next time.
  6.  It is your responsibility that your spam filters do not accidentally put my reply in the "junk" or "spam" folder.
  7.  If you do not receive my reply, you need to re-visit this page which should explain why.
  8.  I answer every email.  So do NOT wait for my reply then send me "oh, one more question".  Do NOT add another mail to my already heavy mail load please.
  9.  Again, I change my email address constantly because of people adding my email address to their address book that makes my address exposed to spammers and your virus infected computer sending emails with my address.  Outlook's default set up is to add everybody's email address in the address book unless you've changed its setting.  So you need to check this page if your email bounces back, and see what you have as my address hasn't been changed.  Don't bother to email me again out of your address book.....it's liable to be changed next month.
  10.  Please do NOT send me your life story.  I have no time to read it.  I completely understand it's super upsetting to receive a fake.  But please do not take it out on my time.
  11.  Do NOT paste or forward me your seller's emails!  And do NOT forward my email to your seller.  I have no patience for those who put me in a position to deal with irresponsible sellers.
  12.  NEVER TYPE IN ALL CAPS!!  IT IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO READ, AND IT IS CONSIDERED YELLING.  I WILL NOT SPEND THE TIME TO READ IT.
  13.  Call 1866VUITTON for product information!!!!  I'm not their sales rep.

Yes, the above 13  requirements and the specific question category section has been read.
Email

AOL users:  It's quite irritating that my reply bounces back because your email setup is to receive emails from "AOL members only" or "from this list only".  Please check your mail setting to be sure you can correspond.

AOL users:  If you only hit the "Reply" button when you answer emails, it does NOT include the
content of the previous email.  I "must" have the original message included when I'm corresponding with you, as I delete your email as soon as I reply.  So highlight the whole email then hit "Reply" or check the box to include the previous message.  Please write your new message starting on top.  Again, if I don't quickly see your name or "no subject" or "N/A", your mail will be deleted immediately.