Tuesday, October 2, 2007

Ok So Heres The Deal....

If you are thinking about purchasing a handbag from a questionable source, then the smartest thing to do is to go to the Coach website or even go into a reputable store that carries Coach products. But I do understand that not all of us have "Coach" money so we venture faithfully to sites such as Ebay with hopes in snagging a deal. As long as you are armed with the correct knowledge, then you should be able to get an awesome deal on an authentic Coach product on a realistic budget.

Telling The Difference

There are some simple ways to train your eye to notice flaws in a fake, and distinguish whether its authentic or not.
The simplest way in determining authenticity would be to examine the layout of the signature C’s.
The C’s should be lined up perfectly to the center. Although it is not uncommon for the mini-signature C collections to be off by a tiny bit only on the sides. So don’t freak out. But I mean a TINY BIT! In most cases, the Cs are aligned perfectly.
Ok, so here are some examples:







Another way to tell a fake wannabe from a real Coach is to take notice of the signature style C placement. For the Coach signature collection the style will always be with two C’s next to each other in doubles, not as the picture shows below, in a single row of C’s




You can tell by not only the style of the bag, but also the pattern. If the pattern is not the famous Coach signature C, but rather a different letter, such as an O or a G or even a Q then it’s an obvious fake.



Dust bags are another way to tell if the seller is offering you aithentic Coach merchandise. Sleeper Bags Or Dust Bags should be dark chocolate brown with a red drawstring. In the bottom right the words in all caps “COACH EST.1941″ written in white. Coach does not use cheap material to make these. There are many replica dust bags floating around on the Internet. So if you see one stay away, chances are that bag is also a fake.





Coach also commonly uses logo tags that are attached by a beaded metal chain. Usually, the tag should match the trim of the bag. The words “COACH” should be raised, not imprinted.

Some styles do have metal tags. Do your research to make sure that the tag goes with the bag you are getting. It is not uncommon for counterfeiters to mass-produce these metal tags; it’s the cheaper more profitable way. Keep in mind that tags are never made out of hard plastic.



Additional Flaws In Fakes To Look Out For

Coach uses ykk zippers. Be sure to check if the markings are on the zippers.

The seams of the bag and interior authenticity tag should not be glued on but rather neatly stitched on. Coach takes pride in experienced craftsmanship on each and every piece. If the stitching is of poor quality, by being raised in some areas, or if you see the string knot then it is a replica.

The bag should look neat and sturdy, not slouching to one side or lopsided. This is caused by either uneven lousy stitching or not quality material that’s to thin. Coach uses leather or suede trim, not pleather or shiny plastic.

It’s easier to tell the difference between leather and plastic in person. You can usually tell by the smell, however, there are handbags out there that are made of plastic and sprayed with leather perfume, which smells more like a new car than a purse. If you are looking at a picture, you can generally tell if it looks too shiny or cheap looking.

You ask your self how they could get away with this? They import them without the fake designer labels. Then upon purchase by an unsuspecting person, the vendor will glue on a cheap label.

There is such thing as a good deal. However, if someone claims to have a handbag for sale that isn’t even in stores yet, you should pass. If purchasing from an unauthorized dealer or from an auction site, the only understandable good deal would be if it were a bag from a past season.

A Helpful Link

This is one of my favorite bookmarks as well as top visited site by me and many Coach lovers to help when I am sometimes doubtful if something is real or not. Click Here For The Coach Drilldown
Its called the drilldown and all you have to do is replace the style number in this link with the style number of a bag you are researching. If no picture comes up, it may be a fake. Often times, the real Coach style numbers inputted will produce a picture of the actual bag on your webpage.

Listen To Your Inner Voice

The main point I want to stress to you is to follow your intuition. If you think something just isnt right with a bag, and you cant find enough info on it by searching the web, then by all means, pass on it. As the old saying goes, "better safe than sorry"!

A BIG RED FLAG WITH SIRENS & THE WHOLE NINE

NO AUTHENTIC Coach Bag I Have Ever Purchased Or Recieved Has Ever Had Plastic On The Handles!! These Are Fleamarket/Cheap Knock Offs! Stay Away Unless You Dont Mind Your Bag Falling Apart In 2 Weeks..Yes I Know They May Only Cost $20-50 Dollars a Pop But You Will Be The Laughing Stock Of Your Friends, Those That Have Read My Blog That Is... lol

I am also available to help you any way that I can at ButtaPecanRicanNY@Gmail.com. Shoot me an email with a picture of your questionable bag and I will give you my opinion

In Closing, I Hope You Are Able To Find An Authentic Coach Bag Of Your Dreams, At A Great Price!

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If you’re unsure if you are purchasing from an authorized Coach dealer, then contact Coach. Just call their 800 number and they should tell you if you are dealing with a certified seller. Read into the website by checking the “about us” or “customer service” section. If anywhere on there sounds suspicious then stay away. Con artists try to hide the fact that they are selling fakes. Commonly when describing their products, they would state they are “designer inspired”, or “grade A replica’s”. They put these words in there to protect themselves from any lawsuits.

How do I report counterfeit Coach merchandise?
Combating counterfeiting of Coach product is an important objective for Coach. Please e-mail your information to lawdepartment@coach.com or use the Coach anti-counterfeiting hotline to report counterfeiters and unauthorized distributors of Coach merchandise at 1-800-396-1807.

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60 comments:

NMB said...

I love your site it is so helpful...I have the signature denim tote and I love it...I bought it at the store but I too am very watchful of my ebay purchases and I luckily have never been faked out...I found the most awesome old school Medium black leather hobo that even named it heather...She stayed with me for about 3 years and because caoch is such awesome quality it just got better with the years so I have passed it on to by sister. I will keep checking back here for updates...thanks for such a wonderful informative site.

-Lil Sis of Coach lovers!

CoachAddict said...

Thanks So Much For The Compliments!
Coach Addicts Unite!! ; )

M said...

You shouldn't capitalize every word in the November 1st post. Instead, write them as if they are sentences and not the title of something.

Anonymous said...

I love the way you type...It's your own way of self expression :) You go Girl! Besides...Coach is a Capital "C" so I liked that touch you added. BTW the links on your page are awesome and bring to me to some really cool deals! Thanks

Anonymous said...

The outlet stores do carry a white dustbag with black and red writing.

MoneyMakinMami said...

Thanks for your comment!
Your right, the outlets do carry a white dustbag with Black AND red writing, but not just black as the fake pic shows.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for the helpful info! I have been burned way too many times on eBay with fakes. I now feel confident to buy on ebay again!

Anonymous said...

I have bought a dozen (or so) Coach bags, both retail and at the Coach outlets (never from a truck sale, though!), and I have NEVER received a dust bag.

I have also sent a variety of bags back to Coach for repair, and they ae wonderful to work with. But, again, they do not return them in a dust bag.

Anonymous said...

I too was a huge fan of Coach. Just beware. I bought a Signature Carly bag 7 months ago from a Coach retail store. The fabric is already fraying! I went to Coach and they said it was "normal wear" for the signature cloth bags. I am very disappointed.

Anonymous said...

I'm just now getting into the "Coach" lingo. I love the designs but they're very expensive! My husband bought one for me and now I'm hooked!! I went to one of those outside markets and really thought the Coach purses they sold were authentic. I must admit I purchased two. And here I am thinking I have the real thing. Thanks to your article I know the real from the fake now. Thanks to you I'll never fall for a fake again! Forever grateful...

NMB said...

So...I have posted before...and I would like to give a little FYI...This past weekend I went into a consignement shop. It's actually called Consignment Couture. It's in Palm beach gardens Florida. So for those of you that don't want to spend 500 on a purse you can actually seek out a shop like this and see what they have. They had Coach bags at like %50 off as well as LV and Gucci...So FYI Hit up your local Consignment shop!!!

Anonymous said...

Hiya - just a quick thank you from London. I recently purchased 2 Coach leather bags from ebay USA and was a bit unsure about the second one I purchased (I've never had Coach bags before), but with the help on your Blog, I've identified it as genuine.

Thanks loads!

Beth

天使‏ said...

Hi! Thank you very much for your helpful information.

I would like to buy a white Coach bag but suspect it might be fake as the stitches doesn't like the usual doted line (all continuously in one line), it's like alternate stitches (at the back of the handbag - external comparment). Do Coach Handbags have doted line stitches? Or all is solid line stitches

Helen said...

Wow, I never noticed the difference. Haha, Thank you soo much! I <3 your site.

Anonymous said...

My husband goes to Vegas each year and he just returned last week, he visits the Coach Store at Ceasers and buys me a new purse each time(yes, how lucky am I?) I just looked at mine, it does not have the letters on the zipper, not that I can see. I have the receipt, box, bag, dustbag, everything!!!

Anonymous said...

OOPS, i finally found it, it was in a very weird spot.

Anonymous said...

I love the site, and I am new to the coach thing. My mother just handed me a coach purse. And I have been studying it for the past 30 mins. So the handles are leather. The rings of the metal feel heavy. Every piece of metal has coach etched into it. The C's are lined up perfectly. The tag on the inside is stitched onto its on piece. It has the markings "This is a real Coach bag. It was hand crafted in china....etc. It has NO on the bottom of the tag with numbers. Ok the Only 2 things is their is a blue strip running down the middle of the purse, but it has a stamp of the horse drawn buggy, Coach Leatherware est 1941 over the stamp. 2nd I cant find the marking on the zipper. Help lol. I would like to tell my mom if its fake or real. Thanks so much. Happy holidays to all. Ps sorry for the long comment.

Anonymous said...

I have a chocolate brown coach Soho hand bag and my duster bag is also chocolate brown and it has a light brown string..I know it is real because I bought it at a coach store..so have they changed the duster bags or are some just diffrent?

Anonymous said...

I LOVE YOUR SITE THERE ARE A FEW OTHER WAYS TO SPOT A FAKE A SIGNATURE PURSE WOULD NEVER HAVE SIGNATURE MATERIAL ON THE INSIDE AND THE STICHING ON THE TAG ON THE INSIDE IS ALWAYS THE SAME COLOR AS THE LEATHER IT IS EMBOSSED ON. (IE )BLACK ON BLACK... THANKS FOR YOUR WONDERFUL SITE I HATE FAKES TOO
CAT

Anonymous said...

This site is so helpful I bought both of my purses @ Macy's so i have never had to worry but I still looked them over. It is hard to see the letters on the zipper but it at the end of the zipper on the tiny little metal part. My brown one i found with no problem my black one is actually stiched over but i know where i bought it so i'm not worried. Ann

Anonymous said...

FYI..I have 2 COACH handbags, and my Dust Bags are Chocolate Brown with NO red...Just gold They were bought from Coach Stores.

Anonymous said...

can you check if such offer on ebay is genuine? thanks

http://cgi.ebay.com.sg/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=280305452448&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=018

CoachAddict said...

Hi fellow Coach lovers!!
I havent been around in a while but I need to update a few things, such as yes the newer Coach bags from the last year or so have dust bags that are satiny and have the gold drawstrings, some are also in white dust bags (also satiny material)..

I plan to update the blog soon, so stay tuned!

To the last person to comment, I went to ebay and the listing has been removed, so it may have been reported as fake :(

PS..Thanks so much for the wonderful comments & support!

Coach lovers Unite :)

Anonymous said...

Hi HI
wld u know if this bag is real?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=260372585097

Anonymous said...

I got a coach cd holder but im not sure if its real, The cs are not gs at all. I just wanted to know if there was anything ever made where the c touch at the top and the bottom?

Anonymous said...

Great tips! With a little help from posts like yours and some research we can overcome these fake bags, especially the ones on ebay! Thanks for the great pictures too! http://www.LoveMeLoveMyPurse.com

Anonymous said...

hello i want to know if coach sells dustbags for their purses thanks

:)

Anonymous said...

I appreciate you going to the trouble to create this, but some of your info is not quite correct. For example, Coach does have some bags without YKK zippers. Spend more time researching and updating.

Anonymous said...

Is the web site wow-coach real bags - it doesn't say anywhere on the site if they are knock offs or real. Do you know?

Stylecoach said...

Very nice article. The pictures shows a lot of beautiful coach bags. Thank you for sharing.

Stylecoach said...

Very nice coach bags. Thank you for posting this.

Anonymous said...

Can you check out this web site and tell me if the coach bags are real or fake? http://www.coachoutlet-store.com/i

Danielle310 said...

I have a grey/black genuine Coach
bag for sale $75 just like new(424)228-0382,danielle will email pics,
santa monica area,pick up or ship.

Anonymous said...

OMG :) I LOVE THIS INFO :) :)
THANX!!!!!!
MY CUZ GOT LIKE 3 COACH PURSES AND I WANNA SEE IF THEY'RE REAL...SO NOW I CAN :)
ILL SEE IF SHE'S LYING OR NOT...BECAUSE HER ATTITUDE IS FAKE TOO SOO...
I WANNA MAKE SURE
THATNX AGAIN :)

Anonymous said...

Your site is very helpful. I'm looking at some Coach bags at a site called BigGirlStore.com I'm having a hard time trying to figure out if the bags are real or not. Are you familiar with this site CoachAddict? Let me know.

patty c said...

BIGGIRLSTORE.COM is a RIP OFF. these are the worst fakes i have ever seen. they will not return any emails at all. so once you spend your money, it's GONE.

Anonymous said...

DO NOT ORDER FROM WWW.COACH-OUTLET.COM... I ORDERED THREE PURSES FROM HERE AND THEY LOOK REAL BUT AFTER GOOGLEING THE DIFFRENCE BETWEEN FAKE AND REAL I SEE NOW THAT THEY ARE NOT REAL. I EVEN ASKED THE WEBSITE AND THEY SAID THEY WERE REAL AND THEY ARE NOT SO THEY LIED, THE C'S LOOK GOOD AND ALL BUT THE INSIDE ALL HAD THE SAME LINING AND THEY ALL HAD C'S IN THE LINING INSIDE AND OUT AND I KNOW THAT THE C'S DO NOT COME INSIDE IF THEY ARE ON THE OUT SIDE AND THE ZIPPERS DID NOT HAVE THE YKK ON THEMA ND THE OURSES SMELL LIKE THEY CAME OFF A FISHING BOAT...BEWARE OF THIS WEBSITE DO NOT BUY UNLESS U WANT FAKE....

Anonymous said...

Since when did coach start making bags in China Please I spotted one on Ebay and just wasn't buying that I purchased my first coach bag @ an outlet store and on the inside it does not say anything about it being handcrafted in China.

Anonymous said...

I stand corrected mine does to say made in China.

Celine said...

hi all, im from Malaysia.
i've recently fall in love with coach 14147 op art sateen brooke which i bought the 1st one thru one of the reputable online shop locally. This bag looks gorgeous with me so i decided to get another 2 more colors. This style is no longer available in coach.com, and the khaki color is running out of stock worldwide. So, i have no choice but to search the bag from one of the famous selling platform in China. Well, im just sharing my experience here, be xxxxxxtra careful when dealing with some sellers claim that they are "study / work" in USA/Canada, living nearby coach outlet..and blar blar (coz Coach does not sell online internationally). In these sellers' posting, they claim : 100% authentic or your money refund, bag comes with gift receipt or purchase receipt (look, all these fake bags come with fake gift receipt like real one), ship directly from USA. So, i was getting excited to pay these sellers. During the online conversation with one of the seller, i specially requested that this bag im bidding to be sending directly to Malaysia instead of to China. The seller agreed but he was so helpful, showing me the bag that he is selling to me (im sooooo lucky!!!). By looking at the photo, i felt something wrong somewhere...the bag just doenst seem right. So, i put on hold to the payment, did my study with my Coach bags here and search online for some tips. After 1 full day of my hard sweat research...finally, im confidently to tell that i can spot the fake without referring to my notes(at least for model 14147 sateen brooke). Yet, the seller still claim that his bag is 100% genuine with gift receipt (he did show me the gift receipt..goshh). Here are some tips with image files uploaded, i hope Coach Addict will publish it so that everyone can be alert with. This is the link (im not selling Coach bag, im just a Coach lover): http://www.mymonsterbb.com/plogger/?level=album&id=11

Mutuelle sante said...

Thank you it is a wonderful support, now to spot a fake coach bag is without a doubt simple and easy with the help of your information. Thanks

Anonymous said...

Your site has been very helpful to me. I resently ran into someone selling what she said to be "real coach bags". I took a look at them they where good knock-offs, i know this because i have some real and some knock offs, anyways some parts looked very cheep to me so i didn't buy it, and when she asked me why I told her it was because it was fake, a good fake but i've seen better, and boy was she mad. lol she ranted on and on about how she worked for Lois Vuitton and how i didn't know what i was talking about! so i had to point out about the C's and I just so happened to have a real coach bag with me and showed her she was speechless. i did not know about the C's until i read you blog's, so thank you very much!

Greg said...

Nice website with very useful info, and we really appreciate it. It is now a bookmark on my internet. My wife & I buy used Coach items off of Craigslist and other sources in California, and sell them in our little shop in Thailand for high end accessories (and we only want authentic!). We travel between our U.S. and Thai home often. There are so many small time con artists trying to sell fakes on CL that will have us drive to meet them and waste our time. We really appreciate your site as a good source for authentic product info, and I hope you will keep it up as changes are made by the Coach company. Thank you!

Anonymous said...

Is this a fake coach dust bag?
The Coach outlets dont have dust bags anymore, so was looking on ebay for one, came arcoss this one.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Coach-Dust-Bag-/310377850744?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4843f62778

CoachAddict said...

Yes that Coach dust bag is indeed authentic :)

Anonymous said...

Coach handbag serial #F13069 color SHYPK...authentic?

Salosia said...

You are truly a blessing and a honest person who let those who are a Coach fanatic. I would be too if I could afford it, but obviously, I can't. So, I decided to go online to outletscoach.com, the handbangs for Coach was in my price range, but, I could not tell if it is authentic or fake. Pls, someone help me and let me know if that web site is carrying authentic Coach bags. If it is not authentic bags, then that outletscoach site needs to be shut down. Thanks and forever greatful for your site.

Anonymous said...

Wow you know my sister just bought a coach purse form an outlet online for $50 and well i think its a fake it looks just like mine except stitching is brown on black leather and her number starts with F and mine is N and i got mine from the actual store for $200 on sale now i can show her this website i hope she isn't to mad... not to mention i contacted the website 3 times over a week ago and i haven't got a response!!! Thank You for you help on how to tell a fake from a authentic!!!

Anonymous said...

I own many Coach purses all have came from an actual Coach store. And out of the 8 that I own 3 of which the C's do not line up perfect down the center and are off by a good bit. I know for fact these purses are real like I said they were purchased from the Coach store and came with the card of authenticity. So just cause the C's do not line up that doesn't mean they are not real, just look to make sure everything is right (tag, stitching, lining, zipper).

Anonymous said...

what if you get your bag from a Coach outlet? They don't give the authentic dust bags.

CoachAddict said...

RE: Coach handbag serial #F13069 color SHYPK...authentic?

If the bag you are questioning is a large Hamptons signature hobo it is real, if it is anything else, no, it is not authentic

mail4mbh said...

This is great information. Thanks1

Erica T. said...

Anonymous, the author is correct that the Cs should line up or be very close. I'm a second generation Coach addict, and that's one of the most basic ways to tell if they are authentic.

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much for the helpful information. There are so many yard sales on Facebook and people sell Coach bags on them all the time. I've shared your blog with members so they can educate themselves before they make a purchase.

Anonymous said...

I used to think I was pretty smart but I got scammed by a website www.coachOutletsonlineusa2012.com. ...bought a purse and it is so fake. It I was shipped from China so no way I can send it back. Buyer beware! If it sounds too good to be true...it is!

Anonymous said...

I looked at all the handbags n coach.com official website and examined the signature C. None of the bags have overlapping C's. The purse I bought passed all the tests I should look for..like the YKK in the zipper, the tag, etc. except for the Overlapping C''s outside. The seller said she bought it at the outlet in CA. Do you think it's authentic? I called the Coach 800 # and customer service said they no longer authenticate. Serial # is C1082-F14711. Where can I send you a picture? Thanks.

SpiffyandSmurfy said...

You are an amazing person for creating this blog and taking the time to inform women like myself and my mother about how to spot a fake Coach. You are right, the counterfeiters are becoming more clever and sneaky and it is starting to get difficult to spot the fakes. I believe in spending my hard earned money on quality and authenticity, so it makes a big difference to know and understand what makes these luxury items worth their dollar. Thanks again for your impressive knowledge and time-well-spent in sharing.

Unknown said...

Just amazing!!!!! These designs are specific and i am such a lot enamored withe these coach handbags. i do not know why but I'm having imagination of various cartoon characters in these bags and i am such a lot liking it. I'm always probing for new design bags, I'm so glad that I've found your post. Thanks for sharing.

Anonymous said...

THIS HELPED ME SO MUCH :)

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