There's some very INACCURATE information in that post you quoted. That post, first on this thread is from February, 2007 and whether or not the poster is still active here, I don't know.
Much of the info is misleading and much is downright wrong!!
See my comments in
red:
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Originally Posted by
kallison 
(note: if there is something i missed, or that needs to be elaborated on, please correct me!)
Alright, I figured we could use a thread to condense our knowledge of how to determine a fake.
First, NO style is exempt from being faked. Please don’t assume that, just because it is a new style, that it cannot be faked.
Correct!
Second, as a generality, all-leather bags are not faked. They just are not cost efficient for the fakers. And you can usually tell real leather and the fake stuff when it’s on the entire bag (as opposed to trims, etc).
VERY wrong! In fact, some of the all-leather classics are among the "better" fakes and it takes expert eyes and expert knowledge of what to look for to authenticate them.
Now the little details…for signature.
The signature c’s are ALWAYS symmetrical. If there is a seam down the middle of the bag, each side is an exact mirror image of the other side. *there is a SMALL exception for the mini signature pieces, but that is only a small difference.
Wrong! There's hardly anything with Coach that is "always" or "never." Just about every single "rule" has exceptions.
This is just one example of a bag where the bag was designed such that one side had what we'd consider "properly" matched and aligned patterns and the other side was not "properly" centered. (Style number 10483.)
SIDE 1:
SIDE 2:
The double c’s should touch, making what looks like a broken infinity sign. (it ends up being, basically, every other set of c’s).
authentic:
The c’s have a little “hook” to them. If they’re all completely a curve, it’s fake. (this goes for mini signature as well).
Wrong! Depending on the signature pattern style, some are serif and some are sans serif.
The signature is NEVER crooked or slanting. (I think there was one exception to this, that I know of, where it was at an angle…I think it was a holiday bag?)
There are many exceptions where items have bias prints.
One such example:
Other stuff…
Check
Coach.com or the drilldown for pictures of how the bags are supposed to look. Familiarize yourself with authentic bags.
Wrong! In fact, some of Coach's stock pictures are NOT indicative of the final production item and often helps in identifying fakes. (The counterfeiters didn't know that Coach changed the item from how it was originally shown.)
Coach's stock picture is on the left and an authentic version that they made is on the right:
It’s difficult to tell in auctions, but the hardware is NOT cheap and light. It is substantial and has weight to it. The hardware is usually stamped, but that varies with each bag.
Wrong! In fact, usually, the more stamping on hardware, the more likely the item is to be fake.
When looking at patchwork bags, there is NO variation. If there is supposed to be a pink patch by the handle, it is ALWAYS supposed to be there. They are not individual patchworks.
Wrong! Sometimes backs and fronts differ, sometimes back and front will be a mirror image of the other.
Hangtags match the leather on the bag (ie, no vachetta and a red hangtag). Just having a hangtag is NOT proof of authenticity. These are very easy to swipe…and you can easily get replacements from coach.
Wrong! Hangtags don't necessarily match the leather of the bag.
Dustbags come in two main looks. The outlet bag is white with red lettering, while the full-price one is brown with red lettering. Both say “COACH est. 1941” and have a red drawstring. (It is notable that the outlet bags are much thinner than the ones you get at a full-price store). There are special edition dustbags out there for certain bags, but they do NOT look cheap.
Wrong! There are different colors, different styles and different fabrics of dustbags, depending on the style of the bag, the collection it came from, etc.
And there are cases where authentic dustbags might be included with a fake by a seller either knowingly or not trying to fool a buyer. And the corollary also happens where a seller has a genuine bag with a fake dust bag.
All BAGS have a serial number. Smaller items, like wristlets, do not. the creed is never crooked and the words are always spaced evenly.
Partially correct: Smaller items may or may not have creeds. Those with creeds may or may not have a serial number.
As for the statement she posted that words are always evenly spaced, that's incorrect.
Signature bags do NOT have signature linings.
Partially correct: There are a number of patchwork styles that have patches with signature prints on the outside and signature lining.
The auction itself…
How is the sellers feedback? Do they have negatives for selling fakes?
Wrong!
- There are sellers who have never sold an authentic item yet they have 100% feedback.
- There are sellers who claim ignorance when "caught" and issue refunds to buyers who got a fake from them. Buyer is so happy to get a refund that they leave positive feedback for the seller -- who often relists and scams another buyer
- There are sellers who sell lots of Coach but don't authenticate their item and often mix genuine and fakes. Those sellers are (IMO) the most dangerous because they've earned the trust of buyers who believe that they only sell authentic.
I'd love to see some of the posts with bad advice removed from this thread because it's confusing to those who don't know which posters they can trust, who posts accurate information and who posts inaccurate and/or incomplete info.
Unfortunately, posts like post #1 of this thread have caused heartache for honest sellers who sold items to buyers who believe the drivel they read online and falsely accuse them. And additionally, sadly, there are buyers who believe the fakes they received are authentic because they read it here.
