First off, let’s be real, why are you even looking at a zipper pull? Is it for a repair? Or are you just trying to bling out somethin’ random? No judgement here, just curious. Because honestly, that kinda matters. If you’re fixing a vintage bag, you’re gonna look for different things than if you’re just slapping one on a keyring.
Okay, so the first thing everyone says is “check the date code!” Yeah, okay. That’s great for the bag itself, but a zipper pull? Not so much help. What you *really* need to look at is the *quality*. Real LV hardware is substantial. It’s got some weight to it. It ain’t flimsy, and it definitely doesn’t look like it came from a gumball machine. Think “expensive” when you look at it. If it’s light, shiny, and feels cheap? Big red flag.
And speaking of vintage… This is important! Older bags? Forget the LV pulls! You’re looking for “Talon” or “Eclair.” These are name brands that LV used back in the day. If someone’s trying to sell you a vintage bag with a modern LV pull, walk away. It’s a Franken-bag. (That’s my term, stealing it if you like it!)
Now, I’ve seen some say look at the size of the vachetta pull (if there *is* vachetta), and honestly, that can be helpful, but it requires you to have something to compare it to. Like, side-by-side. Otherwise, you’re just guessing. And guessing gets you scammed.
Then there’s the fading issue. Yeah, LV hardware can fade. It’s normal wear and tear. But, and this is a big BUT, it should fade *gracefully*. Cheap hardware just peels and looks nasty. Real hardware kinda develops a patina. It’s a subtle difference, but once you see it, you know it.
And finally, this is just my opinion but I think it is important to mention: is the price too good to be true? Come on, people! If someone’s selling you a “Louis Vuitton zipper pull authentic” for $10 on eBay, it’s probably fake. Use your common sense. Quality costs money. Unless you’re getting it from a super reputable seller, be very cautious.