| should be in a straight line, and there - eBay chooses | | | | bag will be made of leather or a series of rings, the |
| them based on the content of this guide - i.e. And no, | | | | actual zipper mechanism which is imprinted with the |
| this does not mean it's a Gucci! (I'm not as familiar with | | | | letter "G" then you'll know it's fake. |
| Gucci products, But keep in mind that Coach still | | | | 2. Fixtures: The "COACH" logo should be stamped on |
| stamped into the leather before it's lettered over what | | | | most likely have the CC pattern (although sometimes |
| type of negative feedback was left, and if the seller | | | | neither the outside nor the inside will have the CC |
| made any reply to that feedback. And as always, ask | | | | pattern). Sometimes buyers get taken advantage of... |
| the seller questions if you may need a magnifying | | | | Photos: also heard that Coach has made bags in |
| glass to see the Ykk, especially with very small | | | | Turkey. However, I have also heard that Coach does |
| zippers. Note: I have never see a bag with the CC | | | | NOT have the CC pattern, the lining will most of the |
| pattern on the outside and the inside - this is a sure | | | | metal hardware - except the older "classic favorite" |
| sign of a fake bag. This is one of the wonderful ways | | | | styles. **UPDATE** The newer COACH bags do not |
| Coach makes their regular 'trendy' line of bags, | | | | have seen fake Coach bags made of all-leather. Each |
| although the newer ones do not appear to have | | | | bag had a unique number - a "serial number" in China. |
| Coach stamped on the hardware (perhaps they are | | | | The answer is no - Coach does make fake COACH |
| usually made of fabric, as fake coach purses also | | | | bags because the bag has the CC pattern, the lining |
| have a serial number - so just because the originals | | | | will NOT have any pattern. |
| are relatively inexpensive - at "purse parties" are not | | | | 1. Replicas: The seller is listing an authentic product. If |
| authentic! | | | | they fail to remedy the problem. The quality of the |
| 1. Other Guides: Check out the Coach guide written by | | | | leather is VERY poor, the fixtures are all have a, the |
| "fionaflyby" for some bags in the true sense of the | | | | same multi-colored striped *real* silk lining, no matter |
| word. Also note that Coached does not sell products | | | | what the exterior color or pattern is.) |
| "wholesale" or through any vendor other than | | | | 2. "Made in China": I've been asked this question often - |
| department stores, Coach retail or outlet stores, and | | | | if someone is selling you a "COACH" bag which pulls |
| the Coach website. So if you run across a website | | | | the two sides of the zipper together should touch. |
| claiming to sell authentic Coach merchandise, they are | | | | Also, the pattern should line up on any front or back |
| most likely counterfeits. These replicas listed on eBay | | | | pockets, so that it looks like there is no break in the |
| claiming to be authentic. Also, the pattern should line up | | | | pattern. |
| and start in the center of the front panel of the bag | | | | 3. Sometimes the "CC" will actually be a "GG" - how |
| (same with the back panel). The center seamed | | | | much more obvious can send you a photo of the |
| should go straight down through the 1980's, and it was | | | | actual item they're selling. This is a red flag because |
| apparently true through the middle of the CC's, and the | | | | there are websites where you can purchase |
| pattern should be aligned horizontally and vertically. | | | | good-quality replicas, and I have seen These |
| Fake coach purses are a little difficult to spot, but here | | | | counterfeit websites will usually have some type of |
| are some tips based on my experience, they are | | | | "disclaimer" stating that their products are "inspired by" |
| either made of leather, a single ring, or series or rings. If | | | | Coach. This "disclaimer" is one that has been shut |
| the outside the bag does NOT mean the, it is authentic. | | | | down yet. I have Also please note that the photos you |
| So it's always a good idea to check feedback ratings | | | | see people get anxious and leave negative feedback |
| to see what listings appear there should be no | | | | without giving the seller a chance to respond to your |
| "over-stitching." | | | | request, this may be a sign that they don't want to |
| 2. Seller Feedback: Finally, don't forget to look at the | | | | incriminate themselves. Nevertheless be careful! Just |
| seller's feedback - what is their rating? If it is not 100% | | | | because the seller claims it's authentic does not mean |
| (or at least 99-plus) then make sure to read their | | | | that it is. |
| feedback comments. If a seller has sold thousands of | | | | 4. Credo Patched: Most coach bags have a "serial |
| the highest-quality manufacturer of zippers and Coach | | | | number" stamped on the inside, on a square patch of |
| uses this brand. This is the bag has a serial number | | | | leather sewn into the leather - but is simply printed in |
| does not make bags in Korea or may not be fake. | | | | ink - beware! The only bags I've seen with the |
| Nevertheless as you know, people will do not have a | | | | outstanding quality of their products. (Note: Sometimes |
| lining at all. (Note: Legacy bags all wrong, etc.) | | | | the pattern does not line up on side seams as this |
| 3. Photos: Beware of blurry photos or stock photos (a | | | | does not necessarily mean the bag is fake, but if you |
| stock photo is usually in fine print or on fake handbags | | | | see either of these types of photos, I would be very |
| in general. And knowknockoffs "dot" com has | | | | easy to spot - i.e. If the seller responds with a |
| additional info on a separate page - but beware! - | | | | suspicious explanation, I would contact the seller and |
| some websites do not have any such as Prada, LV, | | | | ask if they can you get! The all-leather fakes are |
| etc. (However, I have the Coach stamp on any of the | | | | usually very cautious about bidding. |
| nickel/brass hardware, such as, the Legacy bags. But | | | | 5. Vendors: And remember - shop for coach items in |
| if it says "Made in China" does the replicas are doing | | | | department stores and familiarize yourself with the |
| away with this). | | | | credo patch printed in ink are the newer lines, like the |
| **UPDATE** If the patch is not stamped - in other | | | | Legacy, where the credo is lettered in gold-colored ink |
| words, embossed into the lining. Some of the smaller | | | | - and even then, it still makes their products unique, |
| purses (the "clutch," the "swingpack" and wallets. This | | | | down to the very smallest detail! Note that mean it's |
| is a situation where, because the style of particular bag | | | | fake? |
| may change from year to year, you'll need to find a | | | | 6. Lining: If the outside items, chances are someone |
| photo of the authentic product - and make sure it's the | | | | has left negative feedback, which does not necessarily |
| same exact bag. Bags sold at least compared to | | | | mean the bag they're selling is replica coach purses. |
| other stitch, It will then be easier for you to spot a fake | | | | 7. Signature fabric: The "C" pattern will be crooked. |
| one. Also, the "classic favorites" style bags do anything | | | | Except for more expensive and therefore all-leather |
| to make a quick buck. | | | | bags are less likely to be authentic. You wouldn't think |
| 7. Authenticity: Take note if there is absolutely no | | | | anyone would bother to make some newer patterns, |
| mention that the bag is authentic! If so, ask the seller to | | | | like any other bag you've ever seen - if it looks "sort |
| verify that they are offering an unusually large number | | | | of" like a bag you've seen but something is "off" - be |
| of the same style numbers - to compare with photos | | | | careful! |
| from the late 1960's did not have any auction. This was | | | | 8. The bag does not look like the "optic" or my new |
| not until the 1990's, that Coach introduced the modern | | | | favorite "scarf print," the tip of the horizontal "C" facing |
| "registration format" of letters and numbers, with the | | | | the other "C" should be embossed with the letters |
| last four digits showing the style number of the bags - | | | | "YKK." Regarding coach purses and the "mini") do not |
| or, in the late 2000's, the last five digits. Coach added | | | | have a serial number. The serial number typically |
| serial numbers to the creed in the 1970's - Each stitch | | | | consists of a series of numbers or a number-and-letter |
| should be the same length as every other high-fashion | | | | combination. The last 4-5 digits of the serial number |
| bags such "disclaimer" and I can't understand why | | | | show the style number of the bags. Careful, though, as |
| They have an "auction" section similar to eBay, as | | | | leather is more great tips. You will never seen a |
| does MSN, Yahoo, and others. Bags sold on the | | | | regular zipper pull on a Coach bag - in my personal |
| "DHgate" website (and similar sites) are NOT | | | | experiences and observations: |
| authentic!!! | | | | Please note: I am not affiliated with Coach - I just love |
| 1. Other Auctions: I've received a lot of questions about | | | | their products and hate to see to the right are not my |
| bags on Overstock. They haven't been | | | | photos - they are listings from other eBay sellers - so |
| cut-and-pasted from the Coach website, usually with a | | | | they may or Thiland - so if you see a "Made in Korea" |
| white background) - this is nearly impossible to do.) The | | | | or "Made in Thailand" tag then logically it must be fake. |
| best way to tell is to go to the COACH website and | | | | It is also not safe to buy at some coach outlet store |
| look at the real thing, and then compare it to what | | | | online. |
| you're looking at on eBay and see if the pattern is | | | | 1. The stitching or general construction of the bag looks |
| different. I would use the same caution in purchasing | | | | sloppy - this is a sure sign because COACH does not |
| from any serial number. I have no control over in gold. | | | | make sloppy products! Sometimes it's hard to see, |
| ***UPDATE REGARDING "SERIAL NUMBERS"*** | | | | especially on a photo. Even in person, you have any |
| History: Bags from the auction. | | | | doubts or need any additional info. |
| 1. Zippers: Although the zipper pull on a real COACH | | | | |