If you register a genuine handbag purchased from Brahmin, a family-owned handbag company started in 1982 by Joan and Bill Martin, you get a warranty against workmanship and structural defects for two full years from the date of purchase.
On the other hand, when you invest in a knockoff or fake bag, you have no guarantee that the bag will last.
Luckily, when shopping online, it’s quite easy to tell if a bag is real or not. Just check out the following points to learn how to spot fake handbags and purses.
1. Buy from authorized retailers
Authentic products are exclusively sold through a network of directly operated Brahmin boutiques, a small number of authorized franchisees, department and specialty stores like Macy’s and Nordstrom, and of course Brahmin’s official website.
Brahmin’s retail store on 796 Town and Country Boulevard in Houston, Texas
The American luxury handbag brand has stores in Atlanta (Georgia), Birmingham (Alabama), Charlotte (North Carolina), Dallas (Texas), Houston (Texas), Memphis (Tennessee), and Newport (Rhode Island).
2. Inspect the registration card
All genuine handbags come with a registration card that you can use to register your handbag on Brahmin’s website. The company offers a one year warranty that is extended to two years if you self-register online.
Make sure the Brahmin registration card isn’t missing
3. Inspect the leather
Handcrafted in Fairhaven, Massachusetts, and overseas, each handbag is made from some of the finest leathers from Italy and all around the world. The intricate design process takes more than 24 artisans over 100 steps to handcraft each stylish bag.
Counterfeiters have gotten really good at mimicking the outside of the bag, but real leather has an inconsistent pattern with minor imperfections. Fake leather is typically uniform with evenly spread pores.
4. Study the hardware
Genuine hardware should be sturdy and feel secure with the logo or Brahmin name engraved. However, fake hardware made from cheaper material is usually flimsy with too yellow or too shiny plating.
5. Examine the stitching
Genuine Brahmin bags have tight, even stitches. Counterfeiters look for quick and cheaper ways to make replica bags. Uneven or slanted stitching is a sign of a poorly made bag.
Brahmin’s sophisticated clutch bags and handbags
6. Check the price
Clutches start from $75 and small shoulder bags from $125. The most expensive handbags cost around $600. If a price you find online sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Don’t miss our guide showing how to identify fake websites.
While Brahmin bags are not discounted online, the company has a loyalty program. By joining the Brahmin Rewards Program, you earn one point for every dollar you spend. The points can be redeemed for exclusive products.
Brahmin Questions and Answers
What does Brahmin mean?
While originally a Sanskrit word for one of the four Hindu castes, in the 1880s, the name Brahmin was used in Boston to describe a cultured person from an established upper-class family.
When establishing the company in 1982, the name was chosen by the Martin family because they aspired to create a handbag to meet the discerning taste of a Brahmin.
Is Brahmin made in China?
All Brahmin products are designed in Fairhaven, Massachusetts, using luxury leathers from Italy and around the globe.
While some handbags are produced in the United States, the company says in a statement that “due to the size of our facility and the excessive demand of our products, we have employed additional manufacturing overseas.”
Since 1982, Brahmin has crafted quality leather handbags in Fairhaven, Massachusetts
“We do maintain all of our design, development, and operations in-house in Fairhaven, MA. Please rest assured that all of our products are manufactured with the same quality and care wherever they are produced,” the company adds.
Some authentic Brahmin bags and purses are made in China. Unfortunately, the company does not make it easy to see where its products are being manufactured.
Does Brahmin have an outlet store?
Yes, there are outlet stores located in San Marcos (Texas), Orlando (Florida), West Palm Beach (Florida), and Fairhaven (Massachusetts). In addition to purses on sale and clearance, they sell discontinued handbags.
Is Brahmin a luxury brand?
Yes, like Michael Kors and Coach, it is an entry-level luxury brand known for handbags that are of good quality, fashionable and versatile.