If you are going to pay good money to buy a real Chanel designer handbag, then the last thing you want to do is get caught up in buying a fake or knockoff bag and not know it. By knowing what to look for, you can be sure to get an authentic Chanel handbag every time.

This is most important:

Gold or silver CHANEL stamp on the interior leather . There is a gold stamp if the hardware is gold, and a silver stamp if the hardware is silver. The CHANEL stamp is in front of the interior open pocket, above the interior open pocket, or in the lower portion of the interior flap. The MADE IN FRANCE or MADE IN ITALY stamp is either gold or silver, depending on the hardware, and is directly under the CHANEL stamp or at the opposite side of the CHANEL stamp.

All handbags and accessories (wallets, palm pilot cases, key holders and agendas) made in the late 1990′s to present have a small white rectangular sticker with two gold circle cc logos. Below the logos is a black 7-digit serial number. For 2005 and beyond, the serial number is 8 digits. The sticker is covered with a sticky clear tape. The white sticker is divided into four separate sections (4 triangles) and can be peeled off. The left side of the sticker is a thick light black/purple line (you will not see this line if the interior is black, brown or navy). The right side has CHANEL, CC, CHANEL, CC (don’t worry if CHANEL is cut off and you will not see this if the interior is black, brown or navy). The 7-digit or 8-digit serial number on the sticker must match the serial number on the authenticity card.

anyone who says these things is probably selling a fake:
# cannot guarantee authenticity
# no guarantees of authenticity
# Chanel Style
# Chanel Knockoff
# Chanel Look-A-Like
# Chanel Copy

Also – you can get your handbag authenticated in the eBay Purse Discussion Forums by someone knowledgable.

Other helpful pages to educate you on fake Chanel designer handbags:
eBay Review: How to spot fake Chanel
burberry_princess’ guide to fake Chanel wallets, purses, and designer handbags

Now check out these Chanel handbags to see if you spot any fakes:

Authentic Chanel Shoulder Purse Tassel Houndstooth w/ Protector Bag
	USD / 400.00 (0 Bid) | Buy It Now End time: 2012-02-08 00:23:39

Auth CHANEL 2.55 Blk Lambskin Jumbo Maxi Handbag, NEW
	USD 3199.00 (0 Bid) | Buy It Now End time: 2012-02-14 05:33:35

Authentic Chanel Multicolor Wool Shoulder Bag
	USD 810.00 (9 Bids) | Buy It Now End time: 2012-02-08 00:42:04

AUTH Chanel Glazed Caviar Silver CC Hobo On The Road Leather Tote Bag 11A!!!
	USD 1899.00 (0 Bid) | Buy It Now End time: 2012-02-08 00:51:11

CHANEL AUTH NEW Classic Black Caviar Leather Jumbo 13" Timeless Bag
	USD 4499.00 (0 Bid) | Buy It Now End time: 2012-02-12 01:47:38

CHANEL Navy Blue Quilted Leather Cosmetic Clutch Handbag
	USD 366.00 (12 Bids) | Buy It Now End time: 2012-02-08 01:15:51

2DIE4 CHANEL BROWN LEATHER LARGE TOTE BAG WITH SIGNATURE CC LOGO IN THE FRONT
	USD 2895.00 (0 Bid) | Buy It Now End time: 2012-02-08 01:23:15

100% AUTH CHANEL QUILTED LEATHER SHOULDER BAG
	USD 780.00 (0 Bid) | Buy It Now End time: 2012-02-12 01:07:04

Chanel tweed Handbag
	USD 2399.00 (0 Bid) | Buy It Now End time: 2012-02-08 01:26:13

Chanel Travel Ligne Yellow Nylon & Leather Trim Bowler Bag
	USD / 71.51 (17 Bids) | Buy It Now End time: 2012-02-08 01:59:56