Discreet Luxury Goods Still Favoured in Financial Crisis?

Financial crisis? What financial crisis? Are we still happy to pay big money for luxury handbags It was only the middle of last year that due to the recession customers were spending up on logo free handbags. Luxury lovers are rejecting signature prints and other heavily branded bags for more subtle designs.Lana Marks handmade leather alligator Positano bag

Remember when designers such as American Lana Marks, whose hand made leather Alligator Positano bag sold for £15,000 showed us we were still prepared to splash the cash, albeit, more discreetly.

Lana Marks handmade leather Alligator Positano Bag

So with the rise in VAT, fuel and endless others no doubt on the way are we still spending money on less obvious lines?  The weaker pound had enticed shoppers from Asia and the rest of Europe. 

The handbag market then exceeded £500 million in the United Kingdom for the first time last year, but market researcher Mintel still predicted a slump then due to the recession.

Will the January sales figures be buried conveniently as the UK brace themselves for government cuts? So I ask the question, are we still spending but less obviously??

See my own blog on Luxury And The Cuts In Spending Love Mimi

Delortae Agency on Always Authentic Disappearing Act

Where has UK based Always Authentic really gone!
As we prepare to put the finishing touches on our soon to be launched luxury authentic new and pre owned e-store, it seems that Manchester's Always Authentic have simply disappeared!

In a world where we are continually fighting the counterfeiters, owners Emma and Darren were selling authentic pre owned designer products in their Manchester Store, on eBay and through their website.  Then almost overnight the couple simply shut up shop. Since October 2010 no one seems to have been able to find them.

We have photo authenticated a great many of their items over the years and never found a fake.  This gave the consumer confidence that they could buy authentic items and have a resource for consigning their items.  This kind of activity is an unwelcome slight to our industry and a great shame for all of us authentic lovers in the UK.

Industry rumours are already circulating on this being a long planned scam and we would definitely not want to add credence to this only to say that trust in online trading is already a cautious activity and this really does not help.

Great shame to hear of this dubious dilemma and as we launch our own luxury authentic only website hope that their disgruntled clients and potential new ones, will not let this unhappy and frankly disappointing situation prevent them from buying and selling through legitimate authentic online platforms.

For more information on the disappearing duo, click HERE

Delortae Agency Authentication Team
www.delortaeagency.co.uk

SCAM-Auction Site Alert from Delortae Agency Authentication Team

Hoping your New Year started well and with the thrill of securing that terrific January Sale item we felt it only fair to warn you of a prolific scam, unfortunately on the increase. As the UK's leading designer authentication and appraisal specialists, we enjoy a bargain as much as anyone else.

Due to the alarming rise in enquiries to Delortae Agency, we have noticed there is a new fraudulent activity that is on the increase, we have dubbed it 'Scam In A Box'.

When Royal Mail and other postal services recently imposed heavy penalties for their services being used by counterfeiters for transporting their 'wares' they have implemented a new scam.

Scammers will post pictures of the item they have for 'sale' and advise buyers due to the value of the item they will send by mail with signed delivery to ensure safe receipt.  Some may also add they have been a victim of buyers who have falsely claimed they have not received items before and this will protect both parties.

The buyer then pays for the item and awaits delivery of their new 'purchase'.  After considerable delay the buyer will indeed receive their parcel, which they will duly sign for, only to discover once opened that there is something completely different in the box of considerably lower value, most times nothing at all!

Once the buyer signs for the item it is then their word against the seller's that they have not received the item they had paid for as the seller can show that the item was signed for and will of course insist they sent the correct item and the buyer is the liar.

Disputes that run like this usually means the auction site will no longer wish to be involved and advise the buyer that the dispute will have to be settled in small claims court and will remove themselves from the situation and responsibility.

Please be very cautious as steps are taken to tighten up on counterfeit activity the 'thieves' will come up with even more elaborate schemes to separate us from our hard earned cash!

If you have an item that you would like to buy, our Auction Online Photo Opinion Service will help to establish if the item is authentic.  What it cannot do of course, is tell you if the item is indeed in the seller's possession, often stock pictures are posted or if they even intend to send it! (Many of the advertised items are posted several times, same pictures, same seller)

If you need further help or advice please contact authentication@delortaeagency.co.uk.  We have an Auction Online Photo opinion service and provide written statements for refunds on counterfeit purchases. Delortae Agency have written guides on safe buying on auction sites that may prove helpful and one is available for download below.
Safe and Happy Bidding!
Delortae Agency Authentication Team

What To Do If You Have Won A Counterfeit Item FREE DOWNLOAD
www.delortaeagency.co.uk