When shopping at a Prada retail store or authorized resellers, you can always be sure of the authenticity of the products you are buying. However, it is a different story when buying from an online marketplace or secondhand shops.
If you are buying from unauthorized resellers of Prada products, there’s always a risk of these products being counterfeit.
So how can you be sure that these products are real? Can they be authenticated?
Can You Have Prada Authenticate A Product?
Prada has started using NFC tags so that products can be easily authenticated by the customer with the use of their smartphone. Older products do not have this system yet, but you can still have a product authenticated by Prada. Get the serial number and contact Prada to authenticate it.
What is the Process for Having a Prada Product Authenticated?
In most cases, it can be easy to authenticate a Prada product. Of course, the process is different and can be based on where you purchased it.
If the product was purchased directly from a Prada retail store or a trusted and authorized reseller, you can authenticate the product yourself.
However, it is different if you purchased a pre-owned Prada bag from an individual or an online marketplace.
Purchased from Prada or Luxury Store:
When a product is bought at a Prada store, it comes with two cards in an envelope.
One of these cards is made of hard plastic while the other one is made of cardboard or similar material. These cards are called “authenticity cards” and they come with all real Prada products upon purchase.
The same goes for when you buy a Prada product from an authorized reseller or luxury department store like Saks Fifth Avenue, Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, and the like. Prada products purchased from these stores also come with authenticity cards.
Authenticity cards bear the Prada logo and contain important information about the product, such as the style code, serial number, purchase location, and purchase date.
Pre-Owned or Purchased from an Online Marketplace:
Buying a pre-owned Prada product or purchasing from an online marketplace is typically cheaper, but there’s always the risk of ending up with a fake item.
An online marketplace is an e-commerce store where consumers can put up an item for sale to fellow consumers. While these platforms are often being moderated, not all items posted there are being checked for authenticity.
Nowadays, even some fake Prada products come with a fake authenticity cards. So how can you tell the difference?
One way is by authenticating the product yourself through thorough checking. Even if the fake Prada product was well-made, there are still some tell-tale signs that would indicate that it’s not authentic.
If a Prada product is fake, you would notice some inconsistencies in the Prada logo and the stitching. Especially if you would compare it with a real Prada item.
Plus the material would feel and look cheap overall.
An easy way to check is by closely looking at the “R” on the PRADA letter logo. The “R” on the logo has a distinct curve that no other manufacturer could replicate.
Fake authenticity cards would have a different font on the Prada logo, like if the spacing of the letters is uneven. The printing would have low quality and the fake authenticity card itself would be made from a type of flimsy material.
If you what a more thorough authentication, you can contact Prada through email and provide the serial number so they can check.
Prada is capable of checking product serial numbers for validity. It may take a few days but you will definitely get a response.
What is the Fee for Having a Prada Product Authenticated?
The best way to contact Prada for product authentication is by email. Once you have obtained the serial number of the product, you can simply write an email.
This process is free of charge.
Make sure to put something like “Please check the serial number of my Prada item,” and include the actual serial number of the product in the email body.
The Prada team will check the serial number and get back to you after a few days.
What Is the Turnaround Time for Having a Prada Product Authenticated?
Since the process of authenticating a serial number is done through email, it may take some time before you get a response from the Prada team.
The usual turnaround time is 5 to 10 days.
While this may seem like a long time, you can be sure that you will get a response, thanks to Prada’s commitment to providing good customer service.
This process applies to older Prada products. Newer releases will soon have an embedded NFC tag that can be scanned with a mobile device for faster authentication.
How Can I Submit a Prada Product for Authentication?
If you purchased a pre-owned Prada product, you would want to make sure that it is indeed authentic.
Here is how you can submit it for authentication:
- Look for the serial number of the product.
- The placement of the serial number varies depending on the product type.
- Send an email to the Prada team requesting verification.
- Make sure to include the serial number in the email.
- Wait for their response.
It’s an easy process but it may take a few days to get a response from the Prada team. You just have to be patient.
Will Other Stores Authenticate a Prada Product for You?
If you don’t want to wait for several days to have your Prada product authenticated, you can always go to a third-party store.
There are several third-party companies, that are experts in luxury goods, who have the means and resources to authenticate Prada products by inspecting the item thoroughly.
Here are some trusted third-party companies that can authenticate Prada products:
- Entrupy
- Zeko
- Bagaholic 101
- Real Authentication
These stores can authenticate your Prada product by checking every detail of it including the logo, tags, hardware, zippers, stitching, and everything that could indicate whether it is real or fake.
They don’t just authenticate bags – they can also authenticate shoes, clothing, and other accessories.
This is a great option especially if you bought a pre-owned item with a missing authenticity card. These stores will also issue a certificate stating that the Product is authentic.
Of course, there is a fee for these services, but it is worth it. Prada products can be worth a lot even after several years because they have a good resale value, so it is always good to have documentation that certifies their authenticity.
Sources:
How To Spot A Fake Prada Purse