answers to AUTHENTICITY questions!!!

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#1,321
OK, happy to report that the remaining three packages contained authentic items. Now to go track which account was used to purchase these fake items. I understand people make knock offs and designer "inspired" looks, and there have been times when I bought some of these, like when I was in college. My problem is when they try to charge designer prices for the knock off items! :cursing: :rant:

Will let you know soon (when I find it, lol) the listing where I purchased these fakes and the outcome on returning my money.
 
#1,322
Question regarding prefix on serial numbers.

I had always thought the prefix codes started with a letter rather than a number, the middle was a number usually one digit or a zero before the digit and the prefix ends with another letter. But as authenticated by Hyacinth earlier, this Sonoma flap 4935 seems to break that rule since it runs 5FM-4935 (assuming last # is a 5) with the prefix starting with a number followed by 2 letters. In this case are the first 2 reversed for year and month? and the final M stand for the plant code M?

Does this variation only apply to Sonomas, esp those made in Costa Rica?
 

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#1,323
petite_chic said:
Question regarding prefix on serial numbers.

I had always thought the prefix codes started with a letter rather than a number, the middle was a number usually one digit or a zero before the digit and the prefix ends with another letter. But as authenticated by Hyacinth earlier, this Sonoma flap 4935 seems to break that rule since it runs 5FM-4935 (assuming last # is a 5) with the prefix starting with a number followed by 2 letters. In this case are the first 2 reversed for year and month? and the final M stand for the plant code M?

Does this variation only apply to Sonomas, esp those made in Costa Rica?
Click to expand...
On some Sonomas, the month and year codes were reversed.

It's mentioned in Hyacinth's post here:
http://forum.purseblog.com/showpost.php?p=23950842&postcount=6106

The letter is the code for MONTH of manufacture (A=Jan, B=Feb, etc. "I" is always skipped and there should never be a letter after "M" for Dec). I is usually skipped, but there have been some bags with legitimate I month codes. There have also been a few genuine bags with N for the month.
And as already mentioned, sometimes especially on mid-90s Sonoma and Sheridan bags the first 3 digits can get scrambled and the serial start with a number or with the wrong letter.
 
#1,324
petite_chic said:
Question regarding prefix on serial numbers.

I had always thought the prefix codes started with a letter rather than a number, the middle was a number usually one digit or a zero before the digit and the prefix ends with another letter. But as authenticated by Hyacinth earlier, this Sonoma flap 4935 seems to break that rule since it runs 5FM-4935 (assuming last # is a 5) with the prefix starting with a number followed by 2 letters. In this case are the first 2 reversed for year and month? and the final M stand for the plant code M?

Does this variation only apply to Sonomas, esp those made in Costa Rica?
Click to expand...

Along with the posts BeenBurned mentioned, please read all six Salearea Coach Guides.

And no, it wasn't just Costa Rica. It usually would be from a country where English wasn't the primary language but it sometimes could happen on US bags too. There's no geographical limit as to what country's plant employees can make mistakes.
 
#1,326
I've been meaning to post this awhile now, keep forgetting:

ImageUploadedByPurseForum1433698792.398312.jpg
ImageUploadedByPurseForum1433698809.931683.jpg

These came out in 2012 I think? Anyway it shows Coach was at least contracting out work in the U.S. if they don't have an active factory.
 
#1,327
ledobe said:
I've been meaning to post this awhile now, keep forgetting:

View attachment 3023550
View attachment 3023551

These came out in 2012 I think? Anyway it shows Coach was at least contracting out work in the U.S. if they don't have an active factory.
Click to expand...

Interesting! I don't remember the exact year but you're probably right. And they wouldn't have needed to set up a plant just for that kind of embellishment.
 
#1,330
#1,331
BeenBurned said:
C6C-8963

C6C 8963

I can't find any evidence that this number has been posted on the thread.

I came across several listings of varying styles of (non)Coach bags with this serial number. (There were a few other styles including backpacks and bucket type bags that have been removed.)

http://www.ebay.com/dsc/Handbags-Purses-/63852/i.html?_from=R40&LH_TitleDesc=1&_nkw=coach+8963

http://www.ebay.com/dsc/Handbags-Pu...63&LH_Complete=1&rt=nc&_trksid=p2045573.m1684
Click to expand...


Thanks, BB. I can't find the actual style 8963 but it might be a wristlet or Mini Skinny.
 
#1,332
BeenBurned said:
C6C-8963

C6C 8963

I can't find any evidence that this number has been posted on the thread.

I came across several listings of varying styles of (non)Coach bags with this serial number. (There were a few other styles including backpacks and bucket type bags that have been removed.)

http://www.ebay.com/dsc/Handbags-Purses-/63852/i.html?_from=R40&LH_TitleDesc=1&_nkw=coach+8963

http://www.ebay.com/dsc/Handbags-Pu...63&LH_Complete=1&rt=nc&_trksid=p2045573.m1684
Click to expand...
Leather Wars!:laugh:

It looks like they stamped it upside down first, and then turned it around and stamped it again on top.
 

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#1,333
Another addition to the Fakes List:

D2J- serial number prefixes
whenever they're part of a creed stamp that says the bag was made in the US.

That code sequence was ONLY used for bags made in a Chinese plant, never an American one. And ALL serial prefixes with J as the third digit and a "Made in the US" creed need to be carefully authenticated, since the "J" plant in the US originally made only clothing items.

Since early 1999 the J plant code (the last digit in the first half of the serial number) was ONLY used for a Chinese plant and should never be found in any bags with creeds saying they were made in the USA.

See this post at the ATCoach thread for more info, and here's a photo of a GENUINE D2J- creed:
http://forum.purseblog.com/coach-sh...e-before-posting-889527-521.html#post28865122
 

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#1,334
I was reading Hyacinth pg 37 March 30, 2011 input on the No. UOJ-7785 serial number for Coach bags because I acquired one from Suited for Success here in OKC, Ok for free. (its a place that helps people with clothes and accessories to interview for work when you don't have the means)
Anyhow, I have had the bag for about six months and I was admiring it and wandering how much it was worth. So I got on the internet and plugged the number in yahoo and you guys came up and I found out it was a fake. I was devastated. I thought it was at least $500 but looking to see how close it was to $2000. It's very big and beautiful - black.
Well I had to get a second opinion so I called the official site COACH phone number I found on the internet and asked the lady if it was a fake and low and behold she said they DID use to use that number for their purses but it was an older number and that she could not authenticate it because I did not buy it at an outlet.


I wanted to let you know that. I'm so pleased that my purse is back!!!






Thank you so much.
Angie Bailey
 
#1,335
angiebailey said:
I was reading Hyacinth pg 37 March 30, 2011 input on the No. UOJ-7785 serial number for Coach bags because I acquired one from Suited for Success here in OKC, Ok for free. (its a place that helps people with clothes and accessories to interview for work when you don't have the means)
Anyhow, I have had the bag for about six months and I was admiring it and wandering how much it was worth. So I got on the internet and plugged the number in yahoo and you guys came up and I found out it was a fake. I was devastated. I thought it was at least $500 but looking to see how close it was to $2000. It's very big and beautiful - black.
Well I had to get a second opinion so I called the official site COACH phone number I found on the internet and asked the lady if it was a fake and low and behold she said they DID use to use that number for their purses but it was an older number and that she could not authenticate it because I did not buy it at an outlet.


I wanted to let you know that. I'm so pleased that my purse is back!!!






Thank you so much.
Angie Bailey
Click to expand...
No one can authenticate a bag over the phone. The phone reps have no knowledge of how serial numbers are formatted and no knowledge of older Coach styles. All they can do is enter the style number in their system to see if they made that style. The rep ignored that the number you gave started with a U, which is always invalid. What she was checking was that Coach made a bag with the style number 7785, which they did, but none of them would have a prefix of UOJ ever.

If you want a real second opinion, post pictures of your bag and creed in our authenticate thread here: http://forum.purseblog.com/coach-sh...oach-read-1st-page-before-posting-889527.html

ETA: this page shows what style # 7785 has sold for recently on ebay: http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fro...lete=1&LH_Sold=1&rt=nc&_trksid=p2045573.m1684
 
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