answers to AUTHENTICITY questions!!!

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#1,141
whateve said:
wow, mine looks exactly like the authentic ones, same spacing and same cartouche. My number starts with 026, which is in between your two examples if they were done in numerical order by any chance.

Now I'm just wondering about the pewter ring, but I think I have seen pewter parts on authentic bags. I remember seeing them on the inside zipper pulls. I can't remember if I've seen them on the rings of exterior zippers.

The leather wrapping around the wristlet strap of this basic bag appears to be over a piece of metal. You can see some of the metal where the covering has worn away. I don't know if it should have worn away on an authentic bag, but my known authentic basic bag feels like metal in the same place.

I remember leaving behind at least one bag with a bean bag creed in a thrift store.
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Wow! Aren't you glad you kept it?
 
#1,142
And for sh!ts and giggles, here are a couple of pictures I saved of obvious fake bean bag creeds:
 

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#1,143
BeenBurned said:
And for sh!ts and giggles, here are a couple of pictures I saved of obvious fake bean bag creeds:
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Thanks! And there are others that have the same type of serial number mistakes. Usually if the creed stamp is wrong, something else will be wrong too, like these gems:
 

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#1,145
kallison said:
(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.

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).


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.
The symmetry is usually the most reliable way to determine a fake signature bag.
authentic:
coach133.jpg


fake:
fake1.jpg


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:
coach139.jpg


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).

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?)

If you are looking at a signature stripe piece, the part below the stripe should continue the part that was cut off above. (so if you take away the stripe, the two parts will fit together as a perfect c).
authentic: Coach - SIGNATURE STRIPE REVERSIBLE TOTE


Other stuff…

Check coach.com or the drilldown for pictures of how the bags are supposed to look. Familiarize yourself with authentic bags.

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.

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.

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.
authentic:
coach134.jpg


There are some bags that do not have leather hangtags, but are metal. These are NOT cheap feeling, either. It isn’t enough to determine authenticity by just looking at a hangtag.
authentic:
coach143.jpg


The stitching is even and neat. Coach does NOT make sloppy bags with uneven stitching or send out sloppily made bags.

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.
authentic:
coach142.jpg



All BAGS have a serial number. Smaller items, like wristlets, do not. the creed is never crooked and the words are always spaced evenly.
authentic:
coach135.jpg


authentic:
coach137.jpg


Signature bags do NOT have signature linings.

Coach does indeed have outlets (bags purchased there will have factory tags- and, usually, the bullseye stamp on the creed or somewhere else). These are NOT seconds- they are the same quality as full-price stores. If a seller is claiming to sell seconds, or that they were purchased wholesale, it's a 99.9% chance they are fake.

Factory stores do sell bags that are occasionally a bit “beat up” (like floor models), but these are at a greater discount. As a whole, these are not available often.


The auction itself…

If you are looking on ioffer, just assume it's fake. While there ARE authentic bags there, the fakes outnumber them BIG TIME!

Look at the price. Is it a BIN for less than $100 on a brand new bag? Chances are it’s fake (or someone is pretty desperate for money, but that’s doubtful!)

Is it a “one day only” auction? Chances are it’s a fake.

How is the sellers feedback? Do they have negatives for selling fakes?

How are the pictures? If they are blurry, not detailed, or stock pictures, be cautious. Ask the seller for additional, clear pictures- if they do not respond, it’s best to stay away.

Are there large quantities of the bag/wallet/key fob available? Coach (full-price and factory) usually limit quantities- so the chance of a seller having 40 of the same bag is pretty unlikely.

As always, if you are not sure, PLEASE post in our AUTHENTICATE THIS! sticky at the top of the page. Better to be safe than sorry!!!
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ty great information
 
#1,149
Hello

I would like to ask whether it is possible for authentic bag to not have any number on creed?
I am fairly sure the bag authentic as it is recent style (legacy 2012) and I own it in different color.
It has identical creed but there arent any numbers printed.
Has there been any cases like this?
I am thinking it is a factory error?
Is it possible?
 
#1,150
Zahrah said:
Hello

I would like to ask whether it is possible for authentic bag to not have any number on creed?
I am fairly sure the bag authentic as it is recent style (legacy 2012) and I own it in different color.
It has identical creed but there arent any numbers printed.
Has there been any cases like this?
I am thinking it is a factory error?
Is it possible?
Click to expand...


It depends on the bag. Please post photos and measurements and comparison photos of the bag you own in the Authenticate This Coach thread. Read the first post in the thread for the information we need you to include for us to authenticate it.
http://forum.purseblog.com/coach-shopping/authenticate-this-coach-855067.html

And yes, it's possible. Smaller Coach bags and accessories don't follow ANY rules about which ones get creeds or serial numbers and which ones don't, not even for the same styles.
 
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#1,153
Steffie_Shaun said:
please help me to check if the coach bag serial number K04S-1417 is an authentic one.
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This thread is for authentications:
http://forum.purseblog.com/coach-shopping/authenticate-this-coach-855067.html#post26197404

I will say that although no item can be authenticated without pictures, the serial number you've posted (although possibly legit) is commonly seen on fakes.

Please go to the Authenticate this Coach thread and post in accordance with the link above.
 
#1,155
I have 1 general question and 1 more specific one.

I've attached a pic of a creed with an "N" stamped on it? I've seen the bullseye {obviously} and have seen "X" but never an "N". What does that mean....assuming the bag is authentic.

2nd, I'm considering purchasing a bag with a Z as part of the creed. I have a 2008 version of this bag that doesn't have a Z. This Z bag is IDENTICAL in every way to the one I currently have except the production year was 2010, it's got the Z and the style # is different.

Is it possible that Coach made a full price bag in 2008 then made it again in 2010 for a different market?

TIA!!
 

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