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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#36,181
Ava_13579 said:
This is going to be a bit long, but in the interests of fairness, I'll tell you the full story.

Here’s what happened.

I could be in the wrong. I only started using eBay last year, and have bought under 10 items, so I’m not the most seasoned buyer. It’s been very positive so far!

(I did get one bag that was counterfeit, and one bag that didn't really look like the listing photos, but I've never complained or anything like that. The counterfeit item was refunded graciously by the seller.)

For every purchase I’ve made in the past, I’ve gotten all the info in advance of the purchase or bid, and the sellers I've interacted with have been so nice.

I reached out to this seller in advance of the auction with initial questions about overall condition, nothing detailed. The seller responded a couple of days later with the info. The seller's message explained that the seller works two jobs, and that’s why the response was delayed.

I remembered whateve’s signature, and figured maybe some details might help with authentication. I also wanted to make sure there wasn't anything very wrong, like if the strap had been shortened.

However, I felt bad for the seller working two jobs.

I figured that if I asked more information from the seller, and didn't win the auction, I would be wasting the seller's time, which would be very limited for someone working two jobs.

I debated about whether to ask before or after the action (and Googled to get a sense of what's typical and what's best for sellers).

So I figured I'd wait and see if I won the auction. Then the seller likely wouldn't mind just providing some info (especially since this is a seller that even accepts returns). I was very committed to the purchase, and excited about it. As long as it was even approximately, sort of as described.

So I won the auction, and immediately sent a follow-up message. I explained that I thought waiting was the most considerate option. I was admittedly being detailed by requesting some close-ups of things. I figured that since the seller is ok with returns, this would be way more convenient for them compared with that. In my mind, they'd send some close-ups, I'd see everything is good to go, I'd pay and receive the bag, and the seller would have a positive selling experience.

In their reply, the seller was clearly very annoyed. The message said that they're not a new seller, and sold 5,000 bags in the past on eBay, using a different account. The seller said that if I didn't want the item, they would cancel.

Before I replied, the seller cancelled.

The reason provided was that there was an issue with my shipping address. I live in Canada, which the seller already knew; I mentioned it in advance of the auction. The cancellation was due to the questions I asked, but the reason provided was address.

I understand that a seller could become nervous if they think that someone could be a problematic buyer.

Though the fact that the seller said they're using a different account after such a long run on eBay, and that the seller reacted so strongly, seems a little bit odd?

Anyways, as I say, I'm pretty new to eBay. I'll try to learn from this. (And any advice is warmly welcomed!)
Click to expand...
Ugh! Unfortunately, both sides made mistakes.

1. However many jobs the seller has is irrelevant. If the seller is running listings, she should expect to answer questions and realize that good buyers do ask questions to make sure they know what to expect.

You weren't wrong in asking questions prior to the end of the listing. You were responsible.

2. You shouldn't have felt guilty about intruding on the seller's time. Again, she has listings and presumably wants happy buyers so she should be willing to answer questions that are sent during the course of the listing.

3. Your mistake was in waiting until after you won to go back and request more pictures and/or info. Although the timing wasn't the way it should be done, I guess the seller thought you were either too high-maintenance or that you were having remorse.

4. The number of bags she's sold on whatever other account she has has nothing to do with this transaction. There are plenty of high feedback and high volume sellers whose pictures and descriptions are seriously lacking. She should have been cordial in her replies.

5. Canceling and blaming the cancellation on an address problem was wrong and dishonest. Because she would have gotten a defect (a ding to her account) had she been honest in her reason for cancellation, she blamed you. THAT was wrong!

The best advice I can offer is to ask and wait for answers to any questions before bidding or buying. If the seller doesn't get back to you or if the listing gets sold or ends before you get a reply, that's okay. Very few items are so rare that you'll not find another.

And if the seller never responds, you probably shouldn't want to do business with her. Give your hard-earned money to someone who deserves it and appreciates your business.
 
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#36,182
Quick question, is it ever only 2 digits before the style number? I found a Court bag, from what I believe is around 1999, the seller claims she cannot take a good photo of the creed inside and says it has 9P-9870 as the numbers inside. I asked if perhaps there is a lighter letter or number in front but she insists it's just a 9P...it looks legit to me, I'll post a link to the item, but with Coach being so INconsistent, it throws me off at times, and wanted to know if seasoned knowledgeable people have seen that before. Thank you!
 
#36,183
CoachMaven said:
Quick question, is it ever only 2 digits before the style number? I found a Court bag, from what I believe is around 1999, the seller claims she cannot take a good photo of the creed inside and says it has 9P-9870 as the numbers inside. I asked if perhaps there is a lighter letter or number in front but she insists it's just a 9P...it looks legit to me, I'll post a link to the item, but with Coach being so INconsistent, it throws me off at times, and wanted to know if seasoned knowledgeable people have seen that before. Thank you!
Click to expand...
There shouldn't be. Occasionally a letter or number can be worn down so much you can't see it, and I think in very rare circumstances, there could have been something blocking the stamping mechanism when it was made. Also, there are some nonsense creeds from a more recent era that have 2 letters as a prefix, but those creeds have no relation to the style. We really need to see the creed and the bag to make an informed opinion on this particular bag.
 
#36,184
whateve said:
I had one of these a long time ago before I kept better records. I can't recall if there were any Coach markings that possibly weren't visible, such as inside the pocket, maybe a "made in" stamp. I don't see any in the pictures I saved. Mine looks very close to yours except the front pocket didn't start as low. Yours is missing the keychain. Mine was the exact same color as the Coach item it came with. Based on the zipper color and the leather color, mine was made in the mid 90s. I don't recall seeing a catalog page for it. I believe yours is probably authentic but you might have trouble selling it as Coach. In later times these were called mini skinnies. I don't know when Coach started using that term.
Click to expand...
Thank you whateve. I seem to recall finding a ring loose and not know what it belonged to. I'll have to look around. I'll look again to see if I can find a stamp. I know there isn't one in the pocket. A similar one I had a while ago had a small Coach cartouche on the outside near the bottom corner, but this doesn't seem to have that either. I just wasn't sure if Coach made items without some kind of stamp.
 
#36,185
whateve said:
There shouldn't be. Occasionally a letter or number can be worn down so much you can't see it, and I think in very rare circumstances, there could have been something blocking the stamping mechanism when it was made. Also, there are some nonsense creeds from a more recent era that have 2 letters as a prefix, but those creeds have no relation to the style. We really need to see the creed and the bag to make an informed opinion on this particular bag.
Click to expand...
That's what I figured. My guess was is it worn down or not imprinted as hard into the leather, and asked if she could attempt another photo, she insisted it was not 3 digits, She wouldn't attempt another photo. It's not on Ebay, so I don't believe I'd have any recourse if it was in fact counterfeit.
 
#36,186
Here is the listing I am referring to, @whateve
Item: Court Bag
Listing number: N/A
Seller: The Magnificent Mix
Link: https://www.etsy.com/listing/693626427/vintage-black-coach-purse-no-9p-9870?ref=user_profile&cns=1
Comments: Seller is claiming there are only two digits in front of the 9870, that's why I wondered if it was not as imprinted as hard and asked if she could reattempt. She insisted it was only 2 and that the price is consistent with age, etc. I feel she thinks I am concerned about the scratches and wear, but really I am concerned with it being authentic.
 
#36,188
CoachMaven said:
Here is the listing I am referring to, @whateve
Item: Court Bag
Listing number: N/A
Seller: The Magnificent Mix
Link: https://www.etsy.com/listing/693626427/vintage-black-coach-purse-no-9p-9870?ref=user_profile&cns=1
Comments: Seller is claiming there are only two digits in front of the 9870, that's why I wondered if it was not as imprinted as hard and asked if she could reattempt. She insisted it was only 2 and that the price is consistent with age, etc. I feel she thinks I am concerned about the scratches and wear, but really I am concerned with it being authentic.
Click to expand...
If the seller won't provide a picture of the creed, I would not buy the bag.

There are some light colored spots on the front of the flap in some of the pictures, which are not present in the other pictures. I wonder if the bag was painted or shoe-polished.
 
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#36,189
Bcollins22 said:
Item- Station bag
Listing number - n/a
Seller - gennaglasser
Link- https://www.mercari.com/us/item/m59889310937/?ref=search_results
Click to expand...

It's very hard for most of us to do Mercari items because their tiny thumbnails can'[t be enlarged unless you're a member and some of us including me won't register with sites that demand our personal information just to see decent size pics of what they're selling. Please wait for an authenticator who might be a member, or enlarge the photos from the listing and post them here, I'd especially like to see the first, second, and the creed photo.
 
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#36,190
Catbird9 said:
If the seller won't provide a picture of the creed, I would not buy the bag.

There are some light colored spots on the front of the flap in some of the pictures, which are not present in the other pictures. I wonder if the bag was painted or shoe-polished.
Click to expand...
I asked her about that and she claimed it was lighting and sent me in our conversation an additional face forward photo. But I agree, I am not going to purchase if she cannot provide me a creed.
 
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#36,191
D2D7F432-BBDA-4B35-AF22-0BE2116245FD.png 79CFB76F-8829-4776-95E4-FD73D57B4080.png 62D0D7D2-86FB-43B5-BEE2-6134B768899D.png
Hyacinth said:
It's very hard for most of us to do Mercari items because their tiny thumbnails can'[t be enlarged unless you're a member and some of us including me won't register with sites that demand our personal information. Please wait for an authenticator who might be a member, or enlarge the photos from the listing and post them here, I'd especially like to see the first, second, and the creed photo.
Click to expand...
Hopefully these can help.
 
#36,193
CoachMaven said:
Quick question, is it ever only 2 digits before the style number? I found a Court bag, from what I believe is around 1999, the seller claims she cannot take a good photo of the creed inside and says it has 9P-9870 as the numbers inside. I asked if perhaps there is a lighter letter or number in front but she insists it's just a 9P...it looks legit to me, I'll post a link to the item, but with Coach being so INconsistent, it throws me off at times, and wanted to know if seasoned knowledgeable people have seen that before. Thank you!
Click to expand...

whateve said:
There shouldn't be. Occasionally a letter or number can be worn down so much you can't see it, and I think in very rare circumstances, there could have been something blocking the stamping mechanism when it was made. Also, there are some nonsense creeds from a more recent era that have 2 letters as a prefix, but those creeds have no relation to the style. We really need to see the creed and the bag to make an informed opinion on this particular bag.
Click to expand...

CoachMaven said:
That's what I figured. My guess was is it worn down or not imprinted as hard into the leather, and asked if she could attempt another photo, she insisted it was not 3 digits, She wouldn't attempt another photo. It's not on Ebay, so I don't believe I'd have any recourse if it was in fact counterfeit.
Click to expand...

CoachMaven said:
Here is the listing I am referring to, @whateve
Item: Court Bag
Listing number: N/A
Seller: The Magnificent Mix
Link: https://www.etsy.com/listing/693626427/vintage-black-coach-purse-no-9p-9870?ref=user_profile&cns=1
Comments: Seller is claiming there are only two digits in front of the 9870, that's why I wondered if it was not as imprinted as hard and asked if she could reattempt. She insisted it was only 2 and that the price is consistent with age, etc. I feel she thinks I am concerned about the scratches and wear, but really I am concerned with it being authentic.
Click to expand...

Catbird9 said:
If the seller won't provide a picture of the creed, I would not buy the bag.

There are some light colored spots on the front of the flap in some of the pictures, which are not present in the other pictures. I wonder if the bag was painted or shoe-polished.
Click to expand...
I agree with @Catbird9.

If TheMagnificentMix isn't willing to even try to give a prospective buyer the picture that is reasonably requested, she doesn't deserve your money. There are enough black court bags for you to find one from a better seller.

In fact, the same thing happened a couple of days ago in this post where the seller claimed there was no serial number. I posted that I could see a portion of the number here and after the poster went back to the seller with my information, the seller DID find the supposedly "non-existent" serial number in this post.

Sometimes we are so familiar with seeing certain details that we can determine authenticity if the seller is compliant enough to supply what is asked for.
 
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