I am wondering where to go to get designer items authenticated.  I
bought a fake handbag on Ebay and the seller says I must include a
signed note from a qualified authenticator.  I know I could go to the
brand's store (such as Gucci, Hermes, etc) and ask a manager to do it
but as there is nothing in it for the store I would rather not go that
route.  I would like to know if there are independant "authenticators"
who charge a fee for their expertise and are qualified/certified to
authenticate brand name items? I am in the New York City area and
prefer finding someone local if possible.

Elenafox --

Why don't you take it into FISCH FOR THE HIP, the designer consigment store
at 153 W. 18th Street (between 6th & 7th Aves.)  212 633-9053

The owner Terriann Fischer is considered an expert on high-end bags (the store 
sells and buys Hermes, Gucci, etc., including the Kellys going for $12,000 and up).
Better call first to see when she'll be there before you go to the
trouble to go in.  The sales people are nice, but she's the one with
the knowledge.

Also -- you say you don't want to deal with the stores themselves,
"because there's nothing in it for them."  But it's not a bad
experience.   I took a small vintage clutch I inherited into Hermes
last year -- not to see if it was real -- but to get a sense of what
it was worth and what the name of the style was.   I was very nervous,
because I figured, why would they want to talk to me since I wasn't
buying  But the craftsman/technician couldn't have been nicer.  These
guys have seen it all, nothing phases them.  We had a good chat and he
even fixed the clasp free of charge.   If you have a fake, there
actually is something in it for them by authenticatinig that.

He also recommended William Doyle, the auction house, which he said
has a yearly auction of high-end bags and they have bag experts on
staff.   He said you can take bags in for a free appraisal on -- I
think it's Mondays.  All the New York auction houses have a Free
Appraisal Day.  Check their websites.