Vera Bradley knockoffs are everywhere these days and spotting fakes can be hard sometimes. Lots of careful work has gone into duplicating Vera Bradley bags because they are pricey and loved by many women. We have gathered these six steps to help determine fake from real Vera Bradley products.

* You can look for the item on the Vera Bradley Website. If the design isn't found in either Current or Retired patterns, then it's undeniably a fake. Auction sellers try to pass off Vera Bradley knockoffs as retired, authentic bags all the time, so check it out at the official site first.

* Knock offs have an out-of-place strap, pocket, or zipper. Again double check the official site for correct placement for pockets, zippers, and straps.

* Look at the zipper. An official Vera Bradley scripted signature should be seen on the zipper pull. Sometimes the pull could also be fake, you know for sure it's a knockoff if a bag's zipper pull doesn't have the Vera Bradley scripted signature.

* If the item is new, look for the green Vera Bradley tag that's usually tucked inside a purse pocket with a green string.

* If you can, take a close look at the stitching. Vera Bradley is a high quality product so the stitching will be close and tight. Knockoff stitchings are generally wider apart.

* If the deal is too good to be true, then it probably is. If you find a Vera Bradley diaper bag on eBay going for 10 dollars, then you can almost be assured it's a knockoff.

Vera Bradley is very active in their efforts to curb 'New' items being sold on eBay. Sellers on eBay are forbidden to use the term 'New' in their titles and description. Many auctions have been closed due to the seller putting New in their listing. People are only legal to post Secondary market products for sale. These are used products that were made by Vera Bradley or originally sold by a Vera Bradley Authorized Retailer, but are not available anymore.