It's gaining suppleness, leather trims are starting to age and patina, going that gorgeous golden honey color that indicates quality leather. The bag has a used and loved look about it without any of nasty signs of wear and tear that an inferior version will have.

And this is one of biggest reasons for price being what it is.

Quality.

Quality of build and quality of materials used.

Authentic designer handbags are built to last -- sometimes they'll last a lifetime and beyond, making it a family heirloom that's passed down from daughter to daughter.

It is very common for Hermes Birkin and Kelly bags to be in a family for decades -- being used and loved all time.

Some of newer Louis Vuitton lines, such as Suhali, can be expected to outlast just about anything else.

It's quality of leather you see!

Another good reason for buying authentic and not a fake?

You.

Yes -- you! You're important. You don't think so?

(Well, I think you are, even if no one else tells you so!)

You deserve something to be proud of, something that stands you out in a crowd and says "Hey -- Look at me, I've got taste AND class!" That's what an authentic designer handbag will shout for you -- no need for you to get a sore throat all time.

I wonder what a fake shouts out about you?

Careful now - it might be rather rude!!!

Copyright :: Rufus Steele -- 2005

Rufus Steele is the author and creator of the Louis Vuitton website, a site dedicated to all things Louis Vuitton

I believe that they refuse to allow this valuation to be recorded in any form in case it is wrong. Because they expect it to be wrong on occassion.

Too tall an idea to be believeable?

Well, how about if I told you about a lady I know who had a hilarious experience in an LV store.

She was lucky owner of a Gold Suhali bag. Now, these are rare, seriously rare. It's type of bag that only celebs get to own because of A) Price and B) Exclusivity! I cannot remember where she had got hers from -- but I do know it was without a doubt authentic!

She went into an LV store and proceeded to look around. She did notice what seemed to be a frosty reception from sales assistants but assumed it was directed somewhere else. Imagine her surprise when she discovered it was aimed at her. Both of sales assistants in store thought she was a fugly lover -- because they believed Gold Suhali was a fake! Not only didn't they know that one had been released, they didn't even know they'd be made in first place!

And before you leap from your seat in defence of beleagured sales assistants with a shout of "Well, that 's not strange if bag is so rare!" let me temper this by saying that bag was rare in same way as Mona Lisa is rare. Rare -- but everyone knows about it!

With increase in number of bags in a range and number of ranges as well, it will always be an ever expanding job for LV and other designer labels to ensure all their staff are up to speed on all bags available and their particular differences.

However much training they receive - they'll always be behind times on one or two ranges or items at least. No amount of store training will be able to overcome simple dynamics of time available for training v number of staff requiring training v people available to do training divided by time available across all people required to be involved in training.

Sadly, no one knows all answers.

Now, if you're lucky enough to find a store assistant with whom you can strike up a "rapport" then you should be able to trust their answers more than most. If they don't know real answer, it's in their best interests to find out for you.

But should you trust an SA without question?

No, I don't think so. You should temper their answer with information that you glean from other sources as well, such as forums, chat groups of like minded designer lovers and from press and magazine articles.

Balance these sources of answers together -- and you'll always have best answer possible -- and not a potential bad guess!

Copyright:: Rufus Steele 2005

Rufus Steele is the author and creator of the Louis Vuitton website, a site dedicated to all things Louis Vuitton