How to Buy Authentic pre-owned Louis Vuitton?
While buying a pre-owned Louis Vuitton bag, it is a must that you get your money’s worth and that the product you buy is genuine. If you want to know how to buy authentic pre-owned Louis Vuitton, here are a few tips on how to identify whether the pre-owned Louis Vuitton that you are about to buy is a genuine one.
Monogram Placement: Check for the symmetry in the monogram placement. This is a very important indicator of an authentic Louis Vuitton piece. Most Louis Vuitton monogram bags and wallets, regardless of the style, have a side to side symmetry except for few very old vintage bags.

Side to side symmetry in the monogram placement
Countries Manufactured: Louis Vuitton has many factories outside France. Based on the model, LV bags are currently being manufactured out of France, in countries such as USA, Germany, Italy, Spain and Switzerland other than the obvious France. So, do not think that your Louis Vuitton bag is a non genuine one just because it is manufactured outside France.

Louis Vuitton bag made in Spain
Eye for Details: Louis Vuitton is very particular about their stitching and lining. The stitched would be even and regular and there will be the same number of stitches in different bags of the same model. The lining material would invariably be made of cotton canvas material and never suede. The color of the canvas is often brown.

LV speedy bags have 5 stitches going cross the handle tab.
Fonts: Louis Vuitton uses a particular type of font with a well rounded O. Verify this to check for the authenticity of your bag.

Note the even and regular stitches and round “O”.
Tags: When a brand new Louis Vuitton is purchased from a store, there are usually two tags that are supplied along with the bag but provided separately. The first tag would have “Louis Vuitton” and the material of the bag. The second one would have the model number, the bar code and the bag’s name in French. The tags are never attached to the bag. Sometimes you get a care booklet. However, there is no authenticity card that accompanies a Louis Vuitton bag, and if someone offers you a LV bag with such a card, then it is in all probability a non genuine one.
Receipts: Some non genuine sellers may try to convince you by saying “comes with the original receipt”. A pre-owned bag with receipt doesn’t guarantee you buy authentic pre-owned louis Vuitton. Remember that a receipt can easily be counterfeited and the presence or absence of one does not in any way tell you whether the bag is genuine or not. A genuine LV receipt would be on watermark paper and the size would be smaller than an A4 paper. You can also verify whether the store address given in the receipt actually exists. It should also have the name of the sales person who sold the bag as well as the complete contact details of the buyer.
Dust bag: The earlier dust bags were made of soft cotton flannel material with a very tiny LV embossed on it. The later versions are more yellowish and are made of thicker linen like material with LOUIS VUITTON more prominently displayed across the front. But any further advertisement or writing on the dust bag – and you should know that it is not genuine.
Date Codes: It is very important to understand the meaning Louis Vuitton date code in order to buy authentic pre-owned Louis Vuitton. Louis Vuitton bags manufactured after 1980 would have a date code, but you can get genuine older models without the date code as well.
Can u help me plz !!! I want to knw if Saumur 35 messenger bag louis vuitton is authentic ? Date code is AR9001..
Date code format is ok. But apart from date code, there are a lot other factors you need to check to see if it’s authentic. This article may help you more: http://www.lakediary.com/how-to-buy-authentic-pre-owned-louis-vuitton/
I have some sort of Louis Vuitton bag but I think it is a fake due to the stitching not being perfect in all places on the purse. The date code is RA-178003. Thank you.
Yeah, it is fake.
Trying to figure out if this code sounds legit.. TH0965… I think it does?
Date code is in the right format Val.
How would you know its october its very confusing
Hi! Just bought a preloved papillon 30 that comes with a mini. The date code of the bag is SP0056 but the mini doesn’t have one. Is it authentic? The rest of the hardware looks fine. Just not sure about the date codes.
Hi Joyce, Date code is in right format.But by looking date code combination alone doesn’t guarantee it’s authentic.
Thanks Yvonne! Do you have any idea if the mini papillon doesn’t really have a date code? I saw in one article posted by someone who claims to be a LV expert as well that the mini that came with the papillon 30 doesn’t really have a date code. Also the bag is around 7 years old so the leather strap is tanning on the darker side. Does it indicate that it’s authentic leather?
Hi Joyce! I don’t claim myself as a LV expert:)I just love handbags!
As to your questions about the pouch without date code, I’ve never seen a LV Pap pouch with a date code, the pouches of LV bucket bags have date code though.
Hard to tell if the leather is authentic unless seeing and touching it in real life:).
Hope this helps!
Hei yvonne. Can you please check this for me… I wanted to make sure if my thought’s right.it seems fake to me the way i look at the handbag and the code. But in your own opinion please:
Lv keepall bandouliere 55: serial code: VI 0932
Whats thw code mean in this number?
Hey Mary,
Need to see the bag itself or clear, detailed pics to determine if it’s authentic or not. This post tells you exactly what the code means:
http://www.lakediary.com/louis-vuitton-date-code-interpretation/
March, 1992 made in France
Bought one and the date code is as follows its a pre loved speedy 35
MB
8909
Is this correct?
Hi Alex, sounds ok but need to see a clear picture of the date code to be sure.
https://www.therealreal.com/products/women/handbags/handle-bags/louis-vuitton-speedy-35-63
It’s this one
Hi could you help w an authentication question. About to buy an LV neverfull. The code is SA 0079. Is this a legit code? Also bag says made in France. Thanks!!
Hello! please help me: a LOUIS VUITTON Saint Cloud PM Monogram Shoulder Bag with the code 874V.I. is legit?
TKS!
Where can I find the date code on my White Multicolor Keepall 45?
It’s on the lining.
Hello Yvonne…. I need help with authentication of this vintage speedy I brought….it’s date code 824 SA? Also it does not have an inside pocket the hardware looks good but I’m not sure could you please help with this please…. Thank you
I bought a Damier, date code FL 3170 , I am not sure if it is authentic.
Yvonne I recently purchased a Louis Vuitton Speedy with code V.I.882 the letters are actually above the numbers, is this authentic?
I was wondering if neverfull bag date code
Mp1026 is authentic
Hi, i purchased a saumur 30 and i dont know if it is legit or not, the date code is MB0016.
RA-1780-008 With a separate tag that has M92055 . Real or Fake? It also has a small piece of leather attached with purse pattern on it.
Hi Angela,
It’s fake. This blog post will help you with LV date code: http://www.lakediary.com/louis-vuitton-date-code-interpretation/
Please help. I saw a very cheap LV bandouliere bag pre-owned but almost new. Date stamp is OTO124. Is this real? Thank you!
Hi Guia,
It’s fake. This blog post will help you with LV date code: http://www.lakediary.com/louis-vuitton-date-code-interpretation/
Hi I purchase a secondhand bag there is a small code inside A-1780-003 is real or fake can you please help me
Hi Christina,
It’s fake. It’s fake. This blog post will help you with LV date code: http://www.lakediary.com/louis-vuitton-date-code-interpretation/
I purchased a Keepall 60 with a code of TH0067. All of the registered trade marks are there and everything seems flaws. I purchased it in France at Consignment Shop. Is it Real?
I purchased a Keepall 60 with a code of TH0067. All of the registered trade marks are there and everything seems flawless. I purchased it in France at Consignment Shop. Is it Real?
Sorry to bother you but I have a LV bag not sure if it’s authentic. Could you please help? Stitching looks great and so do the handles but I still have my doubt, I don’t have the greatest luck, lol. The zipper and some of the the nail heads say Louis Vuitton wasn’t sure if authentic bags had that. The date code for this bag is FL0067. Thanx so much
I can’t really tell without seeing the bag Tammy.
Hi Yvonne i lurchase lv speedy 30 with date code SP 0016 is this real
Hi there! Bought a LV AZUR SPEEDY 30 with Date code SP1016. It looks really good but I’m not sure on the date code. It does have 30 under the little tab on the side. Thanks!!
Hi Yah!! Help please! I just bought a pre owned Saumar 30. It has a date code of AR0990 and underneath it says Made in France. Check all the stitching and the monogram it all check what an authentic LV should be. But when I check the label it only say “LOUIS VUITTON” with the R (encircled on top of it) there’s no Made in France written on it. Although the “O” is well rounded. Is this bag a fake or authentic? Your help is greatly appreciated. Thanks.
I have a multicolor bag with a code MB0013 on a leather inside the bag.
Hello,
I’ve learned so much from reading your blogs.
Today is my birthday and I Jpurchased LV bag from eBay as my gift to me from me…
Artsy MM SD4155, embossed in pocket. Looks good otherwise, however I would appreciate your take on it.
Can I send u a few pics to get your feedback?
I want to put my nerves at ease.
Thank you,
Lavette
Hey. Would this code be genuine; AA3161? Made in France
Hi Yvon, is there any authentic Tivoli GM damier?
hi. can you please help me check if it is authentic -lv montaigne TH1016.
thank you
Hi there ,
Could you help me please, bought a LV trocadero bag with code
Inside top corner MB 1926 .. Well used but looks genuine.
I could send a photo if you want .
Mrs Hemingway .
I just bought this bag with code FL 0036 , is this a legit code?
hi, do you know when the pochette accessories were first sold
Hello!
Is 8905 V.I. authentic code?
Thank you!
Hi I’m sorry I bought a bumbag from someone online and my date code is SA2159. Is this authentic?
I have found a LV deep red patten leather w/ code TT345Q. Is it authentic or fake?
Thank you for helping me. I am very new to buy used bags, and am a bit frightened.