What Are Some Red Flags to Avoid When Buying Handbags?

As a brand owner, you need to spot quality issues during the sampling phase before you commit to a bulk order. What are some red flags to avoid when buying handbags? Here are the tell-tale signs of cheap hardware:

1. The Magnet Test

Bring a strong magnet to your supplier meeting.

• The Test: Touch the magnet to the “brass” or “zinc” hardware.
• The Red Flag: If it sticks strongly, it is likely iron or steel, not brass or zinc. Iron is cheap and will rust. (Note: The spring inside a trigger clip will always be magnetic steel, which is normal. The body of the clip should not be).

2. “Orange Peel” Surface

Look closely at the reflection on the metal.

• The Red Flag: If the reflection is wavy, bumpy, or looks like the skin of an orange, the base metal was not polished well before plating. High-quality hardware should be polished to a mirror finish before the gold layer is added.

3. Rough Parting Lines

Check the sides of D-rings or the inside of buckles.

• The Red Flag: A sharp, raised line running down the side is a “parting line” from the mold that wasn’t sanded down. It makes the bag look cheap and can even scratch the customer’s skin or snag their clothing.

4. Color Inconsistency

• The Red Flag: Compare the zipper puller to the D-ring. Do they match? Often, factories buy zippers from one supplier and D-rings from another. A “Gold” finish varies wildly between factories. The best metal hardware for handbags requires a “batch match,” where all components are plated in the same tank at the same time.