10 years ago, I purchased a Chanel black caviar medium classic double flap for $1600 on EBay. Now, that same bag, is valued at a cool $6500 on the same marketplace. Outside of the stock market, I have never made such a good investment.

I kick myself for all of the Chanel handbags I have sold over the years. I would have undoubtedly made many thousands of dollars if I had just held onto those pieces.

Unlike my investment portfolio as of recent, my collection of Chanel bags have only increased in value.

Get this. Chanel increased its prices THREE times last year and SIX times since early 2020! When they do this, the resale market naturally hikes up their prices as well.

Now there is a rumor that prices will again hike sometime in early July 2022.

Do you think Chanel can keep up with price hikes when their classic flap is nearing the price of a Hermes Constance flap, which undoubtedly is higher quality?

Only time will tell.

Counterfeit sellers can be an unscrupulous bunch. Many of them (we actually believe most) knowingly sell fakes for ridiculous amounts of money. This is straight up stealing.

And, unfortunately, some of them will resort to trickery to get away with it.

Authentication services can be valuable to many purchasing in the resale market, but there is a new issue that has become extremely rampant: FALSIFIED documents.

For a long time, we did not want to bring attention to this problem fearing that it would only cause more fake sellers to implement this strategy. However, the issue has become very widespread, and it is more beneficial to alert buyers than to keep fake sellers from knowing.

Swapping Photos to Acquire a Certificate

Counterfeit sellers have submitted authentic close-up photos mixed with a couple fake images to acquire a certificate. Unfortunately, many people do not double check if the images actually match up. Above is an example.

It is imperative to ensure that your item actually matches the images on the certificate.

Counterfeit sellers will also sometimes submit the authentic version to get an email certificate, and then turn around and sell the fake version citing our email authentication. Please double check with us if you see a claim on EBay or elsewhere.

Lollipuff authenticity certificates can be verified HERE. Do not depend on an image of a certificate when it can be verified.

We hope that this helps, and it is so unfortunate that people have to watch out for stuff like this!

Many of the recent Chanel bags (starting early 2021) do not come with a serial sticker.

Chanel is doing away with serial stickers and replacing them with a microchip embedded inside a metal block.

Lettering on the block has been blurred for our client's privacy and safety for their handbag.

If you have recently purchased a Chanel in stores only to find that it is missing a serial sticker, don't fret. It's just a recent change. Louis Vuitton has also made this change, going from datecodes to microchips (read more here).

For more about Chanel serial numbers (check it out here).

Fake Chanel jewelry varies greatly. One of the most important authenticity inspection points is its stamp. ***While most Chanel jewelry have stamps, not all pieces have stamping.***

Here are a few examples of fake Chanel stamping for observation.

As you can see, the quality of the stamping greatly varies. Some fakes are definitely better than others.

When Lollipuff inspects for authenticity, we look at all features along with its stamping. For stamping, the font, time code in relation to the style, placement, shape, and thickness all must be scrutinized.

For more information, check out a more comprehensive guide on stamping here, and a step-by-step authentication of a Chanel brooch here.

Trying to determine if a designer item is counterfeit or authentic can be tricky. We worked with our brand experts to build this fun, interactive "authentication quiz." Do you have an eye for designer items? Can you spot the fakes?

The best prices on the most desirable designers are almost always found on secondhand sites. But there's always that nagging question: "Is it really authentic?" It's so difficult to tell if you're getting an amazing deal or if you're getting ripped off with a fake... for hundreds or even thousands of dollars!

** We expect that some of you will do really well.... This quiz was created for a general audience and had very few "hard" fakes.

Answers: 1. Yes 2. Red one 3. Fake 4. Authentic 5. Fake 6. Left 7. Right 8. Authentic 9. Right 10. Left 11. Fake 12. Right 13. Both

I often see people wearing counterfeit bags, shoes or dresses. Do you think you can spot a fake from afar? We took a picture of 8 authentic Chanel bags and 1 fake one. Test your fake radar!

So, what do you think? Which one is the fake?

The counterfeit is #2.

Can you wear Chanel and Christian Louboutin to the office? I say, "Absolutely yes!" Come look at my work outfit that incorporates a gorgeous large lambskin Chanel tote, and black Christian Louboutin simple pumps!

Ultimately, it's up to you to decide if designer clothing and handbags are too pretentious for the workplace. And, it depends on your job!

But, this post just demonstrates how professional and elegant Christian Louboutin and Chanel can be in the office.

wearing: Black Halo Jackie O mini dress (here), Chanel Tote bag, and Christian Louboutin Simple pumps (here)

So, would you wear Chanel or Christian Louboutin to your workplace? Keep in mind that even powerful Marissa Mayer (CEO of Yahoo!) has been seen in her attention-grabbing Louboutins at work!

The Chanel 2.55 classic double flap in small / medium (9-10 inches) is probably the most counterfeited bag in the world! We've put together 6 quick tips that may help you avoid a fake!

Above is an authentic Chanel! Gorgeous, right?

TIP 1: Look at the CC Clasp.

The CC logo clasp on the 2.55 should look like the one on the top. Sometimes, it will be in silver, and sometimes it will be in gold. When it is in gold, it may have a hallmark to represent the gold plating on the hardware.

Fake CC logo clasps can be too skinny or too squat like the ones shown.

TIP 2: Quilting should be symmetrical and line up.

Craftsmanship on Chanel is impeccable. Quilting is always symmetrical, and quilting will always or very closely line up. See how the quilting on the pocket on the left (authentic) Chanel is aligned to the rest of the bag.

TIP 3: Inside leather should be structured.

The inside will be made of leather that perfectly fits inside the bag. This means no wrinkling.

TIP 4: Sticker on the inside left corner.

All late 1980's and newer Chanel 2.55 double classic flap will always have a sticker on the left inside corner. Sometimes, stickers can be lost over time, but a sticky residue spot usually remains in this spot when this occurs. Please note that some fakes will have stickers as well.

TIP 5: Hardware color always matches stamp color.

If the hardware is gold, the inside Chanel stamp will be gold. If the hardware is silver, the inside Chanel stamp will be silver.

TIP 6: Chanel serial card does not have a rainbow reflection.

An authentic Chanel serial card will never have a rainbow reflection on the border or number.

**Please note that these are quick tips and would be considered a beginner's authentication guide. While this will help weed out poor counterfeits, more in-depth knowledge is utilized by experts to weed out the more convincing fakes.

Please note that this authentication guide is in reference to the classic double flap in small/medium (9 inch length) and medium/large (10 inch length). Most of the public oftentimes refers to this iconic bag as the 2.55. However, some only think of the 2.55 as the reissue bag.

There is a lot of information online about how to take care of your Chanel bag. With so much advice floating around, it can get really confusing. Today, we're sharing with you what Chanel says in their care pamphlet.

As so many Chanel out there is vintage, it may be difficult to come across one with its care booklet. For this reason, we'll let you know what it says inside about how to care for your Chanel bag.

Always put it away upright, in the original felt case. Pad it with tissue paper to keep the shape. Make sure that the chains are not in contact with the outside, as they might mark the leather. The simplest thing is to put them inside the handbag, in the tissue paper.

Do not over-fill your handbag, as this might spoil the shape irreparably, and strain the chain-fastners, zips and clasps.

The metal parts of your handbag are gilded with an alloy containing 24-carat gold, which is sometimes sensitive to sea air and the acidity of the skin, and may eventually wear off. Clasps, chains and other metal parts can be re-gilded. Ask your CHANEL boutique for an estimate.

The tanning methods used by CHANEL keep the leather soft so that the surface remains alive and permeable. Avoid contact with water, grease, perfume and makeup.

Do not clean with products intended for other purposes, such as polish, turpentine, oil, spot removers, spirit or solvents.

Light-coloured handbags, particularly white and beige, are very vulnerable to dust and marks. Bad stains are practically impossible to remove.

White handbags are extremely sensitive to light, and the leather will turn yellow if it is exposed for too long to spotlights, flourescent lamps, etc.

You can polish the leather gently with a natural-coloured soft woollen cloth. Do not rub with rough or abrasive materials.

If your handbag gets wet, do not wipe it but absorb the water by patting gently with a fine woollen cloth.

Greasy marks can be removed with unscented talcum. Sprinkle on the mark, leave overnight and brush off gently with a perfectly clean makeup brush.

Minor scratches can be rubbed off with a clean, dry finger. Press gently, with a circular movement. The finger should be free of any grease or moisture.

Do not attempt to repair more serious damage yourself. Consult a CHANEL boutique or a good leatherCHANEL bags are mostly made of leather; however, a large number of other materials are available, the most common being jersey and fabrics.

For an extended life, the same care should be taken of these natural (wool, cotton, silk, etc) or synthetic (polyester, polyamide, etc) textiles as that already described for leather items.

It is also recommended that their maintenance be entrusted to a specialist.There is a particular point relating to light-coloured vinyl and patent leather bags: avoid prolonged contact with other dark-coloured materials. Over time, a phenomenon known as "migration" can occur, in which the dark pigments irreversibly colour the light vinyl or patent leather.

This all sounds really serious, but in my experience with Chanel, the bags are quite easy to care for.

People ask us all the time about how well lambskin leather ages throughout the years. Being an avid Chanel fan and a founder of Lollipuff, I've had the fortune of handling many beautiful Chanel bags. To answer our lovely user's question, we'll show you one of our oldest Chanel bags!

Can you tell which Chanel bag is older?

Maybe, if we take a peek inside the bag, we'll know which one is older.

If you're really familiar with Chanel, you'll know that the bag on the left is the older bag. The CC embroidery gives away that this bag was produced prior to 1986, when they started serial stickers for Chanel bags. The bag on the right was produced after Chanel started adding serial stickers to their handbags.

The bag on the left was made in the early 1980's, while the bag on the right was made more than 10 years later. Amazing, right?

Black lambskin ages majestically. Have you noticed that pre-owned black Chanel sometimes have this magical sheen to it? It makes the leather look like a mix between satin and leather, and the effect is ridiculously luxurious. That magical sheen is actually developed over use. The more you use a black caviar or lambskin bag, the more it will shine! Wonderful reason why Chanel should be used rather than kept in storage!

I'm sure some of you are wondering if there are any differences to note between these bags. One of the amazing things about Chanel is just how consistent the quality is! The leather on both is soft, smooth and regal looking. I must note that there is one notable difference. While the structure of the newer Chanel is strong, the very old piece from the early 80's is really rigid. Aside from this, there is really no difference.

Please note that the quilting on black lambskin will flatten over the years. If proper storage is practiced, the puffiness will last longer.