Authenticate This COACH - **see first post for format**

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#47,869
IMPORTANT READ-ME

Please post authenticity questions related to COACH in this thread. No PMs please.
For further information, please refer to the first post on page 1 of this thread.

Please follow the following requests:
  • Before you submit a request for authentication, please search this thread to make sure that the item has not previously been authenticated by searching the seller ID and/or item number. This is not a thread to ask general questions about COACH, please refer to our main Coach forum for such information.
  • Note that authenticators have the right to refuse any requests. This is a free service, but it is imperative that you help our authenticators by using the following format:
  • FOR ITEMS LISTED ONLINE:
    Item:
    Listing number:
    Seller and site where listed
    Link:
    Comments:

  • FOR ITEMS NOT LISTED ONLINE:
    Item:
    Where purchased or how obtained
    Comments:
BASIC PICTURES REQUIRED (but more may be requested): If necessary pictures are in the listing, it's not necessary to upload and duplicate them.
  • Front of item
  • Back of item
  • Full clear and legible creed text and serial number
  • Made in tags (when available)
  • Measurements
  • For bags with turnlock closures, show pictures of back of female side of turnlock
  • For bags with magnetic snaps, show pictures of the male part of the snap so that the numbers and letters on it can be read
  • If applicable, search interior of bag and/or pockets for small white tag with production information and include a picture of that.
Thank you and be safe!
 
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#21,061
Canter said:
Here are a couple of bags in my "project pile" that I'd appreciate having authenticated:
1) Binocular Bag
Dimensions: 9" x 9" x 3.5" with a 16" strap drop
Comments: The hardware is odd - the turnlock is brass, but the rings attaching the straps to the bag are nickel-colored. The buckle looks nickle-colored with an overlay of brass coloring that is rubbing off. Is this a red flag, or could there be some reasonable explanation for this?
Also, the creed is difficult to read, so I've tried adjusting the contrast in my photo editor to help the stamping stand out more.

2) Lunch Box
Dimensions: 7" x 9" x 3.5" with a 25" strap drop
Click to expand...

The first one is probably fake.
I'd like to see a better photo of the creed stamp and serial number of the "Binocular Bag" - from a little farther away, and straight on, not angled. The third digit isn't what it should be and I can't read the first 2 at all. There's at least one more problem besides the hardware problems you already mentioned. When and where did you buy it, and do you still have the link for the original selling site or auction?
 
#21,063
Hyacinth said:
The first one is probably fake.
I'd like to see a better photo of the creed stamp and serial number of the "Binocular Bag" - from a little farther away, and straight on, not angled. The third digit isn't what it should be and I can't read the first 2 at all. There's at least one more problem besides the hardware problems you already mentioned. When and where did you buy it, and do you still have the link for the original selling site or auction?
Click to expand...
Many thanks, Hyacinth and Whateve for your help! Well, this is just getting embarrassing - when I went to take a photo of the creed straight-on, I realized that the creed itself is angled! Nonetheless, I tried getting better photos of it by angling the camera, and am attaching them. I'm wondering if another thing wrong with it is the color of the stitching as well as the overall shape? I purchased the bag recently from someone on eBay from whom I had received a very nice bag before that was authenticated here, and expected to receive another one of the same quality. When I go back to look at the listing more carefully, it's evident that the strap rings are a different color than the turnlock. Here is the link: http://www.ebay.com/itm/vintage-coa...D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

I've been careless lately; as long as I'm embarrassing myself I should say I also recently purchased another bag without seeing the creed because I wanted to get it before the auction ended. I've already contacted the seller and we have made arrangements for me to return it. There was no need to ask you to look at that one! I'm attaching a photo of the creed so you can see why. :)
 

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#21,064
Canter said:
Many thanks, Hyacinth and Whateve for your help! Well, this is just getting embarrassing - when I went to take a photo of the creed straight-on, I realized that the creed itself is angled! Nonetheless, I tried getting better photos of it by angling the camera, and am attaching them. I'm wondering if another thing wrong with it is the color of the stitching as well as the overall shape? I purchased the bag recently from someone on eBay from whom I had received a very nice bag before that was authenticated here, and expected to receive another one of the same quality. When I go back to look at the listing more carefully, it's evident that the strap rings are a different color than the turnlock. Here is the link: http://www.ebay.com/itm/vintage-coach-bucket-bag-/112334723494?hash=item1a27abd9a6:g:pwEAAOSw4A5YnJff&nma=true&si=lHBmeTZjnDQ49e8kasF7hStDE3U%3D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

I've been careless lately; as long as I'm embarrassing myself I should say I also recently purchased another bag without seeing the creed because I wanted to get it before the auction ended. I've already contacted the seller and we have made arrangements for me to return it. There was no need to ask you to look at that one! I'm attaching a photo of the creed so you can see why. :smile:
Click to expand...

Now do you understand why we keep telling posters over and over to NEVER buy a Coach without seeing a clear photo of the creed and serial number? And why they should always authenticate them here first before buying? Just because a seller has one (possibly) genuine bag doesn't mean that all of them are.

ETA - Here's what I mean. Your seller steviewandersvintage just had a Completed listing for "Black Vintage Coach Mini-messenger Bag" again with no creed photo. The seller claims the serial number is J4D-9715 which belongs to a Legacy Turnlock Companion Flap. Trouble is, the date code in the serial number is for September 1994 and that 9715 style wasn't even introduced until late 2001.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Black-Vinta...D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

DON'T EVER JUST TRUST A SELLER. TRUST YOUR EYES AND TRUST OUR EXPERIENCE.
 
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#21,068
Canter said:
Many thanks, Hyacinth and Whateve for your help! Well, this is just getting embarrassing - when I went to take a photo of the creed straight-on, I realized that the creed itself is angled! Nonetheless, I tried getting better photos of it by angling the camera, and am attaching them. I'm wondering if another thing wrong with it is the color of the stitching as well as the overall shape? I purchased the bag recently from someone on eBay from whom I had received a very nice bag before that was authenticated here, and expected to receive another one of the same quality. When I go back to look at the listing more carefully, it's evident that the strap rings are a different color than the turnlock. Here is the link: http://www.ebay.com/itm/vintage-coach-bucket-bag-/112334723494?hash=item1a27abd9a6:g:pwEAAOSw4A5YnJff&nma=true&si=lHBmeTZjnDQ49e8kasF7hStDE3U%3D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

I've been careless lately; as long as I'm embarrassing myself I should say I also recently purchased another bag without seeing the creed because I wanted to get it before the auction ended. I've already contacted the seller and we have made arrangements for me to return it. There was no need to ask you to look at that one! I'm attaching a photo of the creed so you can see why. :smile:
Click to expand...

BTW, sorry I didn't already say it, but be sure to GET YOUR MONEY BACK FOR BOTH BAGS. And because it bears repeating, NEVER buy a Coach unless the seller shows a clear READABLE photo of the creed stamp and serial number. NEVER. Ebay allows a seller 12 free photos in each listing, if the seller you're looking at can't be bothered to take photos of all the important details, find a seller who does.
 
#21,070
lauriebelle said:
Can anyone tell me whether these bags are authentic? The seller is on a Facebook group and I'd like an idea of whether the bags are genuine before I message her to see if they're still available. Thank you! I'm sorry, since they're on FB I don't have the measurements. I'm pretty sure the first is a (wannabe?) Willis, I don't know what the others are.

Link: https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/permalink/258132584640719

[GALLERY=media, 2246]Willis I think? by lauriebelle posted Mar 19, 2017 at 10:06 AM[/GALLERY]

[GALLERY=media, 2244]Willis side view by lauriebelle posted Mar 19, 2017 at 10:04 AM[/GALLERY]

[GALLERY=media, 2242]Willis creed by lauriebelle posted Mar 19, 2017 at 10:02 AM[/GALLERY]

[GALLERY=media, 2239]Mystery bag from FB by lauriebelle posted Mar 19, 2017 at 10:00 AM[/GALLERY]

[GALLERY=media, 2243]Coach bag? From FB by lauriebelle posted Mar 19, 2017 at 10:03 AM[/GALLERY]

[GALLERY=media, 2247]Brown bag creed by lauriebelle posted Mar 19, 2017 at 10:07 AM[/GALLERY]

[GALLERY=media, 2241]View of FB bag by lauriebelle posted Mar 19, 2017 at 10:01 AM[/GALLERY]

[GALLERY=media, 2240]Another bag from FB by lauriebelle posted Mar 19, 2017 at 10:01 AM[/GALLERY]

[GALLERY=media, 2245]Black bag creed by lauriebelle posted Mar 19, 2017 at 10:05 AM[/GALLERY]

Thank you so much for your time and expertise! I hope this is not too many pictures/bags at once!
Click to expand...

whateve said:
All three look good. The second is probably a Brighton bag and the third probably a Crosby bag. All are from the early 90s.
Click to expand...
Perhaps I'm off-base here and if so, I apologize but with a poster and a Facebook seller with such similar IDs, I can't help but assume you're posting your own listings.

While here on Coach, I appreciate sellers who try to do their due diligence and will help authenticate their items, TPF rules disallow the posting of your own items.

In the future, if you have items for which you need authentications, please just post pictures and not links to where the items are being sold.
 
#21,071
Canter said:
Many thanks, Hyacinth and Whateve for your help! Well, this is just getting embarrassing - when I went to take a photo of the creed straight-on, I realized that the creed itself is angled! Nonetheless, I tried getting better photos of it by angling the camera, and am attaching them. I'm wondering if another thing wrong with it is the color of the stitching as well as the overall shape? I purchased the bag recently from someone on eBay from whom I had received a very nice bag before that was authenticated here, and expected to receive another one of the same quality. When I go back to look at the listing more carefully, it's evident that the strap rings are a different color than the turnlock. Here is the link: http://www.ebay.com/itm/vintage-coach-bucket-bag-/112334723494?hash=item1a27abd9a6:g:PwEAAOSw4A5YnJff&nma=true&si=lHBmeTZjnDQ49e8kasF7hStDE3U%3D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

I've been careless lately; as long as I'm embarrassing myself I should say I also recently purchased another bag without seeing the creed because I wanted to get it before the auction ended. I've already contacted the seller and we have made arrangements for me to return it. There was no need to ask you to look at that one! I'm attaching a photo of the creed so you can see why. :smile:
Click to expand...

Hyacinth said:
Now do you understand why we keep telling posters over and over to NEVER buy a Coach without seeing a clear photo of the creed and serial number? And why they should always authenticate them here first before buying? Just because a seller has one (possibly) genuine bag doesn't mean that all of them are.

ETA - Here's what I mean. Your seller steviewandersvintage just had a Completed listing for "Black Vintage Coach Mini-messenger Bag" again with no creed photo. The seller claims the serial number is J4D-9715 which belongs to a Legacy Turnlock Companion Flap. Trouble is, the date code in the serial number is for September 1994 and that 9715 style wasn't even introduced until late 2001.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Black-Vintage-Coach-Mini-messenger-Bag-/112306079437?hash=item1a25f6c6cd:g:f3MAAOSw2gxYpiiz&nma=true&si=N55b8RX3Pl5UUsyd2JIEYGsHE5o%3D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

DON'T EVER JUST TRUST A SELLER. TRUST YOUR EYES AND TRUST OUR EXPERIENCE.
Click to expand...
It's also why the first post of the thread shows the posting format and information we need and why we want to see links to listings and seller IDs.
 
#21,072
Hyacinth said:
Often someone who's KNOWINGLY selling a fake Coach will claim that the bag was a gift from a boyfriend / boss / relative or if it's a guy, claim that his GF left the purse(es) at his home when they broke up. That's more common with newer styles. Older known fakes are usually "inherited" from relatives.

As for the backpack, I'm not familiar with the style, and that patch on the outside in the first picture isn't an actual creed patch. Creed patches for a backpack should be on the INSIDE and include a serial number with production codes. Coach sometimes puts a secondary creed patch like this one on the outside front panel of a few styles but it's useless for authentication purposes, but if that one was made before mid-2014 it should have an inside patch with a serial number. I'm not familiar with backpacks made after mid-2014 or how those creeds are formatted - the patch in the third pic looks like it's from inside the pack but that's all I can say.

Do you actually have the case in your possession? There should be 2 tiny white tags buried in 2 different places along inside seams and pockets with the codes we need, one with the country of manufacture and one with 2 lines of alpha-numeric production codes. If you can find those and get clear pictures, we can try to authenticate it. The one tag buried usually in one of the inside zip pockets can be a real PITA to find but we need the information.

Are you one of the authenticators at the tPF Watch forums? Or do you post at more than one watch forum?
Click to expand...


Thank you. I should get the bag in the next few days. Your information is very helpful. And I will follow up.

I mainly am at one watch form, and while we do not have authenticators, we generally will point out the specific issues we see on a watch and why it is incorrect. I am only able to assist with one specific brand, as the knowledge base for more than one brand would be too difficult/time consuming for me. There are a large number of us, so we have also had success reporting the fakes we see on eBay so that they get removed. However, it seems that scammers are always trying new things. So we also try an educate new message board members on the number of different scams these folks try. All almost identical to what you are doing here.
 
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#21,075
watch_collector said:
Thank you. I should get the bag in the next few days. Your information is very helpful. And I will follow up.

I mainly am at one watch form, and while we do not have authenticators, we generally will point out the specific issues we see on a watch and why it is incorrect. I am only able to assist with one specific brand, as the knowledge base for more than one brand would be too difficult/time consuming for me. There are a large number of us, so we have also had success reporting the fakes we see on eBay so that they get removed. However, it seems that scammers are always trying new things. So we also try an educate new message board members on the number of different scams these folks try. All almost identical to what you are doing here.
Click to expand...

It's good to hear that forums dedicated to other highly-faked items and brands are trying to do the same thing we are. Please feel free to give us a plug if any of your posters need help with handbags. We DO report fakes and will keep reporting as long as our patience holds out or until it's obvious that the seller is one of Ebay's Special Snowflakes and chances of getting any of their listings removed is about the same as me being the next Queen of England.

Sometimes we can be a little tight-lipped when pointing out exact details and why they're incorrect, since going back more than 10 years to the old Ebay forums we found that Surprise! - counterfeiters and their distributors read the same forums and were usually pretty quick to correct red flag-type mistakes in their fakes once they were publicized on the Ebay boards.

We'll be hoping to see more photos of the backpack once you receive it - post here if you have any questions.
 
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