cost
If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Most Chanel sunglasses retail for around £200 (some significantly more, some a little less). If you see them advertised for much less than this, you should be wary of that particular store. Think beyond that store, where did these sunglasses come from? They were bought from the wholesaler, who has little room to change the price. If the wholesaler gives them to one store at a very low price, other stores will complain.
Certificate of authenticity
This can only really be verified if you have the sunglasses (and certificate of authenticity) to hand. If you’re buying on eBay, it’s pretty simple to use a picture of a genuine Chanel pair and send in a fake pair. However, to be sure when receiving your sunglasses, each authentic Chanel model must come with the following items:
the sunglasses itself
A microfiber bag
a hard case
A Chanel guarantee card
A certificate of authenticity
A cardboard box with the Chanel brand.
Serial number
Genuine Chanel sunglasses will have a serial number visible on the left lens, near the rim. It will be written vertically and will be in the form “xx1234567”. Sunglasses temples must contain model and color code (eg 5205 7143), temple length and nosepiece size. Looking online for that model number is a good idea, look for the same model and color combination on a reputable eyewear website.
overall quality
You can learn a lot about the authenticity of your Chanel sunglasses just by looking at them. Check the logo: the detail of the consecutive ‘C’ must be clear, symmetrical and perfectly uniform. The arm of the glasses must indicate “Made in Italy” and display the European safety mark ‘CE’. You can also feel the overall quality of the sunglasses – does the plastic feel ‘cheap’ and brittle? Do the hinges fit perfectly or do they give a lot?
Other things to consider
Has the photo of the glasses (if purchased online) been taken by the seller (or store) or is it generic from another website? You can verify this with a quick Google image search of the model number and color code. If you buy from a website, does the site have a physical address that is listed on the site? Less reputable sites will not list your address, or will hide behind the security of a post office box.
Hopefully these guidelines will prevent you from buying fake Chanel sunglasses. To be sure you’ve purchased the genuine item, take it to any reputable optician and they’ll usually be more than happy to verify its authenticity.
