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!

 

[Hyacinth]

Some hangtags are difficult to authenticate because it's pretty easy to copy.

I can't say for sure whether yours is genuine or not but it looks a bit off to me. The end with the hole is shaped differently than I believe it should.

With that said, I wouldn't hesitate to use it on my bag.

Other opinions are welcome!

Compare:
View attachment 5432401

The one on the left looks off. I didn't read the original question so I don't know which one is being questioned and I don't keep any files on hangtags, but the black one is the one I would question. The shape isn't quite right.

My own EXTREMELY personal opinion is that I don't care if a hangtag is original to a bag or not, unless it's a special tag of some kind or a unique color. As long as it matches and I'm sure it's genuine, that's all I'm concerned with. Being overly concerned with hangtags just isn't something I do. They can't be used for authentication so unless someone wants an absolutely 100 percent original bag, there's no reason to be too upset if the tag is not the same exact one that came with the bag. I have several bags that only have the free metal hangtags Coach used to send out when requested, and they look fine. JMO, YMMV.

 

[DL Harper]

Can someone take a look at this bag for authenticity? Thank you!
Item: Coach - Gray Pocket Shopper Sonoma #4920 textured pebbled leather over the shoulder large messenger crossbody travel bag
Listing number: n/a
Seller: KrissykatVintage
Link: https://www.etsy.com/listing/511691205/coach-gray-pocket-shopper-sonoma-4920

 

[DL Harper]

The one on the left looks off. I didn't read the original question so I don't know which one is being questioned and I don't keep any files on hangtags, but the black one is the one I would question. The shape isn't quite right.

My own EXTREMELY personal opinion is that I don't care if a hangtag is original to a bag or not, unless it's a special tag of some kind or a unique color. As long as it matches and I'm sure it's genuine, that's all I'm concerned with. Being overly concerned with hangtags just isn't something I do. They can't be used for authentication so unless someone wants an absolutely 100 percent original bag, there's no reason to be too upset if the tag is not the same exact one that came with the bag. I have several bags that only have the free metal hangtags Coach used to send out when requested, and they look fine. JMO, YMMV.

Thanks to both you for your input. I'm not generally concerned about a hangtag unless it is blatantly fake and then it becomes a throw away item. The feel and look of this hangtag is very nice, but then the counterfeiters have found a way to fool many with the quality of their fake bags and other items.

 

[BeenBurned]

The style number on the creed doesn't match the bag style. Am I wrong?

Used Vintage Coach Women's Black Leather Purse With COA

shopgoodwill.com

The color of the grommets on the strap don't match the color of the buckles either, did you notice that? BOTH of those are red flags. The "L" plant code is invalid since the last L code being used by ANY plant located in the US was in early Spring 1999. The L plant code was then apparently discontinued until 2000 when it was re-assigned to a plant in Thailand making business and travel items and stayed there until 2003.

There have been a few FAKE bags with L plant codes, often with 2002 year codes and either China or US creeds, but none of them have proven conclusively to be genuine and are assumed fake.

And ONCE AGAIN, LADIES AND GENTS, ENTRUPY BLOWS AN AUTHENTICATION!!!!! Let's give the great Poobah "AI" a big round of applause!
View attachment 5432530

This message is for those of you (buyers/lurkers) who have a Goodwill account:

Goodwill, in combination with Entrupy, has sold dozens (if not hundreds or thousands) of fakes to buyers who may not even realize they've been fooled.

In order for Goodwill and Entrupy to be accurate, they need to update the database so the same mistakes aren't repeated and the algorithms are corrected (or at least, adjusted). But for them to do those fixes, they need to be informed that the software is making mistakes.

I don't have a goodwill account and as such, can't contact them without opening one so I can't inform them nor can I send records of my images of the mistakes I've collected.

But those who do have Goodwill accounts can and should enlighten them. You'd be doing them AND YOURSELVES a huge service.

 

[BeenBurned]

The one on the left looks off. I didn't read the original question so I don't know which one is being questioned and I don't keep any files on hangtags, but the black one is the one I would question. The shape isn't quite right.

It's the one on the left (black) that was being questioned.

 

[Hyacinth]

This message is for those of you (buyers/lurkers) who have a Goodwill account:

Goodwill, in combination with Entrupy, has sold dozens (if not hundreds or thousands) of fakes to buyers who may not even realize they've been fooled.

In order for Goodwill and Entrupy to be accurate, they need to update the database so the same mistakes aren't repeated and the algorithms are corrected (or at least, adjusted). But for them to do those fixes, they need to be informed that the software is making mistakes.

I don't have a goodwill account and as such, can't contact them without opening one so I can't inform them nor can I send records of my images of the mistakes I've collected.

But those who do have Goodwill accounts can and should enlighten them. You'd be doing them AND YOURSELVES a huge service.

Of course, the 64 Thousand Dollar Question is - Do they really G.A.S?

 

[Hyacinth]

It's the one on the left (black) that was being questioned.

Thank you, BB. And Thank you, Caffeine.

 

[Hyacinth]

Thanks to both you for your input. I'm not generally concerned about a hangtag unless it is blatantly fake and then it becomes a throw away item. The feel and look of this hangtag is very nice, but then the counterfeiters have found a way to fool many with the quality of their fake bags and other items.

Exactly. And I'm not a rehabber or restorer either, and have a lot of respect for most members who are and who make every effort to match hangtags to bags that are being restored and sold. I just want a nice hangtag on my Coaches and since I remove the hangtags from bags I donate (if I don't do it, someone in the thrift shop they end up in probably will), I have a decent supply of spares available.

Hangtags, just like bags, have been faked for decades. And Coach has made so many different versions with so many small variations in shape, size, construction, stamping, etc that it's sometimes hard even for experts to tell the difference. (The crooks seemed to have copied the genuine "separated" two-layer vintage hangtags so enthusiastically that there's a good chance that at 25 percent of the ones in circulation are actually counterfeit.)

 

[Hyacinth]

Can someone take a look at this bag for authenticity? Thank you!
Item: Coach - Gray Pocket Shopper Sonoma #4920 textured pebbled leather over the shoulder large messenger crossbody travel bag
Listing number: n/a
Seller: KrissykatVintage
Link: https://www.etsy.com/listing/511691205/coach-gray-pocket-shopper-sonoma-4920

Genuine Sonoma Pocket Shopper from 1996, NOT from the 1980s as the seller claims.

 

[DL Harper]

Genuine Sonoma Pocket Shopper from 1996, NOT from the 1980s as the seller claims.

Thank you! Nor is it likely to be Gray as stated, but "Sea" instead. Sure wish "Sea" bags could retain their hangtags!!

 

[Hyacinth]

Thank you! Nor is it likely to be Gray as stated, but "Sea" instead. Sure wish "Sea" bags could retain their hangtags!!

You're correct, Slate (light gray) was a Spring 1995 color and apparently discontinued by Fall of that same year. Sea was a Spring 1996 color, "B6B-" is the serial prefix of that Pocket Shopper.

 

[PuccaTchou]

Hi everyone!
Bumping in case it was missed. Or, please advise if the has no place in this thread. Thank you!!!

Hi everyone !
Thank you all for your help and general advices here for noobies like me .
I am looking for a specific model of the Disney Dark Fairytale collection and came accros this listing below. I really appreciate your help on authenticating it!


FOR ITEMS LISTED ONLINE:
Item: Dinky A Dark Fairytale - Purple
Listing number: JdNgQ37A4qb
Seller and site where listed: x0sam on Poshmark
Link: https://posh.mk/JdNgQ37A4qb

Thank you so much!

 

[JJK250]

Of course, the 64 Thousand Dollar Question is - Do they really G.A.S?

That's a hard no in my book.

 

[whateve]

Hi everyone!
Bumping in case it was missed. Or, please advise if the has no place in this thread. Thank you!!!

I don't do newer items unless I happen to own the item. Please wait for someone familiar with this style.

 

[JJK250]

This message is for those of you (buyers/lurkers) who have a Goodwill account:

Goodwill, in combination with Entrupy, has sold dozens (if not hundreds or thousands) of fakes to buyers who may not even realize they've been fooled.

In order for Goodwill and Entrupy to be accurate, they need to update the database so the same mistakes aren't repeated and the algorithms are corrected (or at least, adjusted). But for them to do those fixes, they need to be informed that the software is making mistakes.

I don't have a goodwill account and as such, can't contact them without opening one so I can't inform them nor can I send records of my images of the mistakes I've collected.

But those who do have Goodwill accounts can and should enlighten them. You'd be doing them AND YOURSELVES a huge service.

But the thing is, each "Goodwill" is an independent nonprofit. They feed money into "Goodwill Industries" but they operate under their own rules. It's not clear to me the details of the relationship between the two (thrift stores and GWI). Does GWI have the contract with Entrupy or does each store have contracts disconnected from GWI? I see no incentive for a single GW to address any incorrect authentication by Entrupy. I think they use it simply as a way to get higher bids on items. What role does GWI have, if any? I've notified multiple different GW stores of the fake items. (Made in Korea or reviewed here) Since late April there have been 5 that I have personally asked about and notified the selling GW store. When I notified them (all different locations) that the bag listed was fake this was the response, Bag 1: "Thank you for pointing this out. We have a new processor that we be coached further on Coach items." Bag 2: "Yes we have forwarded this to our manager so they can look into this and reach out to the buyer." Bag 3: "Thank you, we appreciate your information. We will remove the listing." Bag 4: "Thank you for contacting us. We are sorry for the delay. We have pulled the listing and will confirm with Entrupy on the purse's authenticity. Thank you again for letting us know about the mistake!" Bag 5: no creed or info on the Entrupy cert was visible, so I asked. They refused saying it was intellectual property (it is not) and that they "can assure you the COA is valid.... Each Goodwill location operates independently and is free to provide such information as they wish. We have only had one instance in 4 years which that happened and Entrupy backed up the error and assumed in writing the error was theirs and not ours." However, they listed 2 fake bags within 7 days of each other. I received no response when I notified them of that fact. It is clear that some take Entrupy's word as unequivocally true regardless of the facts. Both bags remained listed and were sold to unsuspecting buyers. These bags were clearly stamped "made in Korea". Entrupy has been around long enough for its algorithm to determine "Korea"="fake". It would be interesting to see what Entrupy's contracts say. Has anyone seen one? Some GWs seem to be pretty conscientious, others not so much. There are about 3,500 GW stores. Let's assume each store contracts with Entrupy, and each has 1 fake bag every 3 months, that's 4 authenticated, but fake, bags a year per store. Now let's say that each store is notified for 1 out of the 4 bags. We are at 3,500 times Entrupy is notified of its mistake. That's 3,500 opportunities to fix its algorithm per year. I don't think this is a case where if Entrupy is told of the error, it will fix it. Additionally, the number of buyers who are unknowingly getting fake bags is obscene. Sorry, long rant.