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

[Vlad]

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!

 

[LaVisioneer]

There are missing pictures. See post 1, page 1 for the pictures that are needed, paying particular attention to the part boldfaced text above the red. The bag you're looking at doesn't have a "serial number" that indicates the actual style of the bag.

@BeenBurned - thanks for the response, but I am confused; are you saying the serial number in the creed photo (SD-20115) is incorrect or that I need to ask the seller for a photo of a fabric "made in" tag?

I had read that the first 1941 bags did not follow the X####-##### format for the serial number here:
Creed Questions - letters, codes, etc. . .

I checked through the 2016 saddle bag club and found a creed photo that looks similar:
2016 Saddle Bag Club!

While this first generation saddle bag has a completely different creed:
2016 Saddle Bag Club!

Thanks!

 

[504Crystal]

Ok, so I’m new to purchasing vintage bags from ebay. This bag was listed at a fair price ($35) and I knew to ask about the style number. It’s hard to see here, but I sent a message and they sent a few clearer (not by much) pics of the creed. But after joining and reading....I think I got got y’all

Here’s the original listing. The funny thing is...it cleaned up BEAUTIFULLY after I soaked and conditioned it! What can I do?

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/153274356668

 

[504Crystal]

Here are some before and afters

The creed/serial number is W5S-9927. The picture of the creed is what the seller sent me when I asked for a clearer pic. I didn’t question the worn letters of the creed considering the bag is 24yrs old. I own other authentic vintage bags and some of the creeds are pretty worn as well. When I googled that creed number, 2 things came up. A post on this forum about a fake bag and an estate sale came up with a different color vintage Willis bag but the same number. I’ve only had the bag for about a week, but of course there’s no returns accepted. Everything about the bag checks out when I compare it to an authentic Willis bag that my friend owns. I feel like I’m pretty much stuck with this bag, but any advice and/or suggestions are welcomed!

 

[Lake Effect]

Long time, no post! Trigger happy and looking for confirmation...

Item: Small Tote-wannabe
Listing number: n/a
Seller: sgb626
Link: https://bnc.lt/focc/r7IBq38EvT
Comments: no inside zippers, handles attach too low, feet, measures about 8 x 7.75 x 3.5

Hi Ravvie! Hope all is well. Gorgeous find.

 

[colorguardjames]

I'm late to this particular discussion but I have a comment directed @colorguardjames.

I haven't see a single other bag with a 9016 creed that isn't a backpack and if a Coach mistake, it's unlikely that there was just one bag made with the error.

You mentioned using it yourself and that's fine as long as you're okay with it. And although whether it's genuine or fake can't be determined, we've seen fakes where the materials and construction are good enough for use and as someone who has handled genuine vintage bags, you are probably correct about the quality.

However as a seller, you shouldn't sell it. By law (and as such, by the policy of all legitimate websites) sellers have to know items are authentic before listing. And if they don't know for sure, they have to find out, as you tried to do by asking here.

That it can't be authenticated here is the least of your problems. If you sell the bag to a buyer who disputes it, either because the serial number doesn't match the style of bag or for some other reason, either the buyer or you could be required to supply a professional documentation either proving, disproving or stating that authenticity can't be determined.

And if that authenticator/company is knowledgeable of Coach, you will like lose the case since no one can positively state that the bag is genuine.

Personally, I wouldn't purchase such a bag since I like to resell my items when I'm done using them and wouldn't be able to sell it. And I wouldn't gift or donate it since that would keep a questionable item in circulation.

I know this isn't what you want to hear but you seem to want to do the right thing and I am pointing out the problems you might encounter.

BeenBurned - thank you for that insight, I really appreciate it! I may go back to the vintage store where I purchased it and ask for a refund, but they have a big "All Sales Final" sign above the register, but the worst they can say is "NO". I found another bag posted to the forum that's the exact same as the one I have, I'm including the link to the post below:

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

 

[Catbird9]

Ok, so I’m new to purchasing vintage bags from ebay. This bag was listed at a fair price ($35) and I knew to ask about the style number. It’s hard to see here, but I sent a message and they sent a few clearer (not by much) pics of the creed. But after joining and reading....I think I got got y’all

Here’s the original listing. The funny thing is...it cleaned up BEAUTIFULLY after I soaked and conditioned it! What can I do?

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/153274356668

Here are some before and afters

The creed/serial number is W5S-9927. The picture of the creed is what the seller sent me when I asked for a clearer pic. I didn’t question the worn letters of the creed considering the bag is 24yrs old. I own other authentic vintage bags and some of the creeds are pretty worn as well. When I googled that creed number, 2 things came up. A post on this forum about a fake bag and an estate sale came up with a different color vintage Willis bag but the same number. I’ve only had the bag for about a week, but of course there’s no returns accepted. Everything about the bag checks out when I compare it to an authentic Willis bag that my friend owns. I feel like I’m pretty much stuck with this bag, but any advice and/or suggestions are welcomed!

I'm sorry, but the bag is fake. You can request a return and choose the reason "Doesn't seem authentic." You are entitled to a full refund including shipping. If the seller wants the bag back they will have to send you a prepaid return label. It's illegal to sell it.

(Nice job on the rehab, though. Next time, make sure your bag is authentic first! )

 

[BeenBurned]

Ok, so I’m new to purchasing vintage bags from ebay. This bag was listed at a fair price ($35) and I knew to ask about the style number. It’s hard to see here, but I sent a message and they sent a few clearer (not by much) pics of the creed. But after joining and reading....I think I got got y’all

Here’s the original listing. The funny thing is...it cleaned up BEAUTIFULLY after I soaked and conditioned it! What can I do?

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/153274356668

Here are some before and afters

The creed/serial number is W5S-9927. The picture of the creed is what the seller sent me when I asked for a clearer pic. I didn’t question the worn letters of the creed considering the bag is 24yrs old. I own other authentic vintage bags and some of the creeds are pretty worn as well. When I googled that creed number, 2 things came up. A post on this forum about a fake bag and an estate sale came up with a different color vintage Willis bag but the same number. I’ve only had the bag for about a week, but of course there’s no returns accepted. Everything about the bag checks out when I compare it to an authentic Willis bag that my friend owns. I feel like I’m pretty much stuck with this bag, but any advice and/or suggestions are welcomed!

Seller keitblacksto-0

I'm sorry but you got a fake. In looking at the picture, I immediately noticed the incorrect padding on the front tab (with the female part of the turnlock) and crossed my fingers as I scrolled......

But W5S is never a valid serial prefix for a couple of reasons.
1. W is never a valid month code
2. S is a code for a factory in China (that wasn't in operation in 1995) and that S (Chinese) code contradicts with the creed text describing a bag made in the US.

Now that you've bathed the bag, the seller may give you a hard time if you ask for a return and refund but it's worth a try. Open a dispute for a counterfeit item.

ETA: Catbird beat me!

Note that items are supposed to be returned in the same condition and even though you improved it, the seller has a legit complaint that it's not in the same condition. DO NOT mention that you washed it in the dispute.

 

[BeenBurned]

BeenBurned - thank you for that insight, I really appreciate it! I may go back to the vintage store where I purchased it and ask for a refund, but they have a big "All Sales Final" sign above the register, but the worst they can say is "NO". I found another bag posted to the forum that's the exact same as the one I have, I'm including the link to the post below:

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

And the answers were similar to what you got.

https://forum.purseblog.com/threads...post-for-format.889527/page-424#post-28621197
and
https://forum.purseblog.com/threads...post-for-format.889527/page-424#post-28621573

 

[Catbird9]

Seller keitblacksto-0

I'm sorry but you got a fake. In looking at the picture, I immediately noticed the incorrect padding on the front tab (with the female part of the turnlock) and crossed my fingers as I scrolled......

But W5S is never a valid serial prefix for a couple of reasons.
1. W is never a valid month code
2. S is a code for a factory in China (that wasn't in operation in 1995) and that S (Chinese) code contradicts with the creed text describing a bag made in the US.

Now that you've bathed the bag, the seller may give you a hard time if you ask for a return and refund but it's worth a try. Open a dispute for a counterfeit item.

ETA: Catbird beat me!

Note that items are supposed to be returned in the same condition and even though you improved it, the seller has a legit complaint that it's not in the same condition. DO NOT mention that you washed it in the dispute.

That occurred to me too. I agree, it would be wise not to mention it. Hopefully the seller will realize she can't sell a fake bag and won't want to spend the money to have it returned to her. And even if she wants it back, she'd have a hard time denying the refund just because the fake bag has been cleaned and conditioned. It is still fake.

 

[BeenBurned]

Hi authenticators

Could anyone authenticate this purple 1941 saddle bag? Not really sure what to look for with new bags. I wish they still made this color...

Name: 1941 saddle 23
Seller: eBay, aperfectool
Listing no: 362532950591
Link: https://www.ebay.com/itm/NWT-Coach-...950591?hash=item5468a5d23f:g:QgcAAOSwjolcDvC-

There are missing pictures. See post 1, page 1 for the pictures that are needed, paying particular attention to the part boldfaced text above the red. The bag you're looking at doesn't have a "serial number" that indicates the actual style of the bag.

@BeenBurned - thanks for the response, but I am confused; are you saying the serial number in the creed photo (SD-20115) is incorrect or that I need to ask the seller for a photo of a fabric "made in" tag?

I had read that the first 1941 bags did not follow the X####-##### format for the serial number here:
Creed Questions - letters, codes, etc. . .

I checked through the 2016 saddle bag club and found a creed photo that looks similar:
2016 Saddle Bag Club!

While this first generation saddle bag has a completely different creed:
2016 Saddle Bag Club!

Thanks!

Coach has made changes over the years, many of them not so good!

In the case of the 1941 collection bags, they put numbers at the bottom of the creed that mean absolutely nothing.

On saddle bags, the "prefix" was SD for saddle.
On saddle bags, the "suffix" was 20115 - which means nothing!
On rogue bags, the "prefix" was RG for rogue.
On rogue bags, the "suffix" was 20315 - which means nothing!

There were many different styles within the saddle style and each of those bags has the non-serial serial number and hidden inside an inner pocket is a white tag with the type of numbering that would have been on the creed.

You'll need to post a picture of that white label.

 

[colorguardjames]

And the answers were similar to what you got.

https://forum.purseblog.com/threads...post-for-format.889527/page-424#post-28621197
and
https://forum.purseblog.com/threads...post-for-format.889527/page-424#post-28621573

Thanks for finding those posts, BeenBurned! I'm going to keep doing some digging on this bag - this is the first time I haven't been able to get a definitive answer regarding authenticity. Thank you all for your input, I really appreciate it!!

 

[whateve]

BeenBurned - thank you for that insight, I really appreciate it! I may go back to the vintage store where I purchased it and ask for a refund, but they have a big "All Sales Final" sign above the register, but the worst they can say is "NO". I found another bag posted to the forum that's the exact same as the one I have, I'm including the link to the post below:

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

And the answers were similar to what you got.

https://forum.purseblog.com/threads...post-for-format.889527/page-424#post-28621197
and
https://forum.purseblog.com/threads...post-for-format.889527/page-424#post-28621573

I knew I had seen that before!

 

[BeenBurned]

Ok, so I’m new to purchasing vintage bags from ebay. This bag was listed at a fair price ($35) and I knew to ask about the style number. It’s hard to see here, but I sent a message and they sent a few clearer (not by much) pics of the creed. But after joining and reading....I think I got got y’all

Here’s the original listing. The funny thing is...it cleaned up BEAUTIFULLY after I soaked and conditioned it! What can I do?

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/153274356668

Here are some before and afters

The creed/serial number is W5S-9927. The picture of the creed is what the seller sent me when I asked for a clearer pic. I didn’t question the worn letters of the creed considering the bag is 24yrs old. I own other authentic vintage bags and some of the creeds are pretty worn as well. When I googled that creed number, 2 things came up. A post on this forum about a fake bag and an estate sale came up with a different color vintage Willis bag but the same number. I’ve only had the bag for about a week, but of course there’s no returns accepted. Everything about the bag checks out when I compare it to an authentic Willis bag that my friend owns. I feel like I’m pretty much stuck with this bag, but any advice and/or suggestions are welcomed!

I'm sorry, but the bag is fake. You can request a return and choose the reason "Doesn't seem authentic." You are entitled to a full refund including shipping. If the seller wants the bag back they will have to send you a prepaid return label. It's illegal to sell it.

(Nice job on the rehab, though. Next time, make sure your bag is authentic first! )

Seller keitblacksto-0

I'm sorry but you got a fake. In looking at the picture, I immediately noticed the incorrect padding on the front tab (with the female part of the turnlock) and crossed my fingers as I scrolled......

But W5S is never a valid serial prefix for a couple of reasons.
1. W is never a valid month code
2. S is a code for a factory in China (that wasn't in operation in 1995) and that S (Chinese) code contradicts with the creed text describing a bag made in the US.

Now that you've bathed the bag, the seller may give you a hard time if you ask for a return and refund but it's worth a try. Open a dispute for a counterfeit item.

ETA: Catbird beat me!

Note that items are supposed to be returned in the same condition and even though you improved it, the seller has a legit complaint that it's not in the same condition. DO NOT mention that you washed it in the dispute.

I wanted to add that keitblacksto-0 also sold this fake. (I'm not sure where he got "Gramercy" for both fakes but neither is even copying a Gramercy!)

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Coach-doub...=true&nordt=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

This is the other fake (in case the listing poofs):

 

[504Crystal]

Thank you all! I’m going to reach out to the seller and ebay to see if I can get my money back!

 

[BeenBurned]

Thank you all! I’m going to reach out to the seller and ebay to see if I can get my money back!

It's too bad you left feedback before verifying authenticity.