My Poupette Interview

My Poupette: The Concept

LTK: Can you tell us a little about why you decided to start MyPoupette.com?

Angie Houston (AH): I started My Poupette almost ten years ago, when I saw the need for people to have a resource for information about authentic Louis Vuitton. This was during a time when Ebay was just becoming popular for sales of designer bags that people wanted to get off their closet shelves. Some people believed they were selling authentic merchandise, but many of their items were counterfeits. I wrote to tell them that their items were not authentic. Some were happy for the information and others told me to get lost. After about a year, I decided to start a web site that would provide information for avid purchasers of Louis Vuitton. Since that time, we have expanded to authenticate other designers as well.

Avoiding Fakes: How to Tell If a Designer Handbag is Authentic

LTK:There are so many stories of people who have purchased purses online and even in person, only to find out later they've paid way too much for a shoddy fake. What is your advice to anyone thinking about buying a designer purse from a secondary source?

AH: The best advice I can give is that the purchaser know how the item should look. Go to the retailer and get a good look and feel for the item. Also, get a few reference photos from trusted sources (such as the designer's web site or from department store sites) so there is a way to compare the contemplated purchase with the real thing.

LTK: You authenticate items by sellers. Tell us a little about this process and why your visitors can trust that the items are genuine...

AH: We take regular trips to major retailers so we know how the product should look and feel, we check stitching, materials and workmanship. We also rely on our many years of expertise, as well as a database of more than 10 million images of various bags. We may need to have the person send us the bag to inspect in person. With that, we could end up taking the bag to the retailer to do our own side by side inspection. If we are still in doubt, we inform the customer that we are unable to authenticate the item.

Most of our authentications are done by photo, no matter the designer. However, there are cases where we absolutely have to see the item in person. We need to see the item in person when something appears just off, or if we need to see views that cannot be captured by photo. This might include hard to reach labels, stitching inside pockets, or simply to touch and smell the materials.

Protecting Yourself as a Handbag Buyer

LTK: What is the best way to protect yourself when purchasing an item? What are the specific steps you would take as a purchaser?

AH: Besides knowing how the item should look, try to purchase from a reputable seller. If purchasing on Ebay, check out the seller's feedback. If you are unfamiliar with the item, have someone who is knowledgeable give you a second opinion and ask questions of the seller, such as where the bag came from and how he/she knows it is authentic. The answers should be something that makes you as a buyer feel comfortable. Also, purchase using a method that gives you recourse for a refund in case anything goes wrong. This would include Paypal or a credit card. Paying by check, wire or money order to a seller that you are uncertain about can leave you without recourse.

LTK: There are some fake "My Poupette" logos and letters floating around. How can readers know if the authentication is fake?

AH: There is always a confirmation page for people to check to see whether the person or an item has been authenticated. Specifically, when a seller has an item authenticated, if they have provided their item number, we list it here (www.mypoupette.com/confirm.html). If the person is using the MPRS (My Poupette Recommended Seller) logo, their name should appear here (www.mypoupette.com/mprs.php) or here (www.mypoupetters.com/page2.html). The My PoupetteRS web site was created for sellers who were hassled by Ebay about referencing a site that "competed" with Ebay. By the way, the "RS" at the end of My Poupette means "Recommended Seller."

Angie Loves Louis Vuitton

LTK: Okay, dish. What is your absolutely favorite designer handbag? I'm assuming it is in the Louis Vuitton line.

Angie Houston's personal Louis Vuitton collection.

AH: The bags I tend to carry most are larger Louis Vuitton styles such as the Noe and the Damier Chelsea. Since My Poupette has turned from a hobby to a business, I look at bags differently and I am no longer an addict. I use bags that will hold everything I need (or think I need) to carry. I also love vintage styles that are not commonly seen on the streets. These include everything from the LV Chantilly to unnamed French Co. designs.

LTK: Have you always had an interest in fashion? What handbag are you carrying right now?

AH: I am not a fashionista and frankly do not follow trends. I am truly a non-conformist. My goal is to follow handbags, specifically, so I can help in my consumer protection efforts. Right now I am carrying a Trocadero. I wear it across my body since the strap is long enough, and it makes me feel more secure. It is also small enough that I don't lose things in it.

Future Plans for My Poupette

LTK: Any plans for expanding My Poupette?

AH: Yes! My Poupette is already exceeding capacity to adequately service our clients. We are definitely working on expansion so that we have more authenticators and more locations where people can drop off their items for authentication. There are other plans as well, but I am not at liberty to discuss them at this time.

LTK: You also have a sister site where you sell designer purses via a designer auction site. Can you tell us a little more about Image Chic and the types of items available?

AH: Image Chic is my answer to Ebay for people who don't want to worry whether the items are authentic. Every designer item is guaranteed authentic and all sellers must be pre-approved. The site is monitored daily and nothing can get listed by a random seller. ImageChic was formerly called Poupetteluxe when it opened about four years ago, but we changed the name about a year ago.

AH: Obviously, since the success of My Poupette, there have been many other "experts" and authentication sites. I believe that all of these people mean well, but not all of their information is accurate. Designers change materials, practices and designs frequently, so what was true two years ago, may not be true today. Even those who have purchased our Louis Vuitton buying guide should use it only as a guide. Do as much research as you can before purchasing online. When in doubt, buy from the retailer. It is not worth the headache to receive a fake, which includes bait and switch, from unknown or unproven sellers.