@billy: true.
It's just quite confusing. Just to share, last night, my friend went to Gateway again last night and had their Cabas authenticated. This time, the salesperson said it was authentic (contrary to what was told when she went to Gateway a week back -- the salesperson from the previous encounter and last night were 2 different girls)! The SP even showed her all other stocks of LC (le pliage and cabas) and saw that each one is different in terms of the 'shine' and the tag.
When she told me this, I was in major confusion. I really do get mixed reactions from the bag. For her, she was convinced about her cabas. But the Le Pliage, I am still doubtful.