AUTHENTICATE this COACH

[thecollector629]

"You can post a link to an auction you are interested in, or one that you have purchased from. Without seeing the bag I can't tell you if it is authentic. However, the creed you posted appears authentic for a vintage Coach bag made between 1989 and 1993. The style number for a station bag is 5130 but that number will only appear in the creed on bags made after 1994. This link will explain more about Coach creeds: http://www.ebay.com/gds/Coach-Serial-Numbers-the-Basic-Facts-/10000000034886433/g.html"

Thank you, Whateve, I think this is what she needed to know.


I just stumbled upon this listing, and I'd like to hear from the pros how credible does it look to you. I know very little about fake Coach bags, and it looks suspicious even to me. But this seller has a 5 year long 100% positive reputation, should it still be questioned? And she says no returns which doesn't sound right to me...


http://www.ebay.com/itm/Authentic-V...043?pt=US_CSA_WH_Handbags&hash=item417ba67e03

LOL - Did you read the creed?

"THIS IS A GENUINE LEATHER BAG THIS GOODS MADE OF NATURAL COWHIDE AMERICA IS MANUFACTURED BY GENUINE LEATHER UNIQUE SYSTEM"

That's all you need to know it's garbage....and I thought the TPF "lurkers" would get a kick out of reading it!

 

[BeenBurned]

Looks very good to me, but still being somewhat of a newbie in the buying and selling of Coach bags i would love some expert feedback

eBay item number:
25143007122

Seller: fashionpro2010

Link: http://www.ebay.com/itm/251430071226?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

thumbs3.ebaystatic.com/d/l180/pict/251430071226_1.jpg


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NWT COACH Sig Stitch Pat Leather ROSE Baby Multi-Function 16977 $358 DUST BAG



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It looks okay.

 

[BeenBurned]

Interestingly enough, of the 4 "Coaches" in Ebay's Current listings with that prefix, two are obvious fakes with Signature fabric
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=251430201596
and
http://www.ebay.com/itm/COACH-Signa...910?pt=US_CSA_WH_Handbags&hash=item3389fe8cee
one is a Beekman Brief that we've seen a lot of fake and questionable examples of recently (and we may have even looked at this one already), and the fourth has an incorrectly-copied serial number in the listing. The creed stamping on the Beekman looks fuzzy and the more I look at it the more I question it.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw...ct=&LH_SALE_CURRENCY=0&_sop=12&_dmd=1&_ipg=50

ETA - checking J8y_ in Completeds:

One Chelsea style 6003, the lining on other Chelseas from the same time period used the Lozenge fabric. This one is plain. The magnetic snap isn;t completely readable but doesn't "feel" right.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-Coach-Black-Leather-Handbag-No-J8Y-6003-CROSS-BODY-MESSENGER-EUC-/370958527645?pt=US_CSA_WH_Handbags&hash=item565ed9ec9d&nma=true&si=F%252BT%252BkWj0bK1FV9mQUwb73HJuD54%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

-9966 Legacy Zip with what look like silver strap grommets and brass buckles
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-COA...D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

and the Sig fabric fake was sold at least once before and re-listed multiple times. This one REALLY needs to be reported:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=251430201596
seller - SILVERKISHAN

251430201596

For those who are so inclined to report the current and completed fakes that silverkishan listed, here's another bag that was sold. Although some versions of this style are "better" fakes, this is NOT one of the "good" ones.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/COACH-SIGNA...D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

silverkishan may be a "top rated seller" but I don't recommend her!

 

[BeenBurned]

One Chelsea style 6003, the lining on other Chelseas from the same time period used the Lozenge fabric. This one is plain. The magnetic snap isn;t completely readable but doesn't "feel" right.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-Coach-Black-Leather-Handbag-No-J8Y-6003-CROSS-BODY-MESSENGER-EUC-/370958527645?pt=US_CSA_WH_Handbags&hash=item565ed9ec9d&nma=true&si=F%252BT%252BkWj0bK1FV9mQUwb73HJuD54%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

In this listing from 989lindap, did you notice the sloppy stitching on the zipper trim? I don't think I can recall ever seeing "magnet" engraved on a magnetic snap.

I agree that this listing doesn't feel right!

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

It's very different from this same style (different plant) made a month earlier.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Coa...488?pt=US_CSA_WH_Handbags&hash=item1e85fbcc78

 

[whateve]

Thank you all for the help with the REGINA .. Its not a big deal, but if I can sell her cheap..I'm happy!
I hated the idea that I spent sooo much time cleaning her, only to have to trash her...Now..I'll go back to my pile of bags that need to be conditioned!! OOOH, I'm AWASH in COACH bags...
Till Next time Ladies!! Take Care & Be Well!! SHERI

It's definitely a 5 on the end. But maybe the mistake in the style number was why it was sent to the outlet. We've seen that happen often with older bags that had stamping mistakes. There aren't any other problems so I'm sure it's genuine.

Thanks Hyacinth, whateve and BeenBurned. You all are amazing!

Maybe that answers why there was no strap when it was purchased too. The only other thing that I thought was suspicious is that the leather on the sides has that "elephant skin" look, but I chalked it up to dryness, as the bag was sitting in a closet in humid, musty Florida for 15 years. I'll be posting a question or two about that over in the Rehab thread

Wonderful. Thanks again.

You're welcome!

 

[JOODLZ]

I believe it is called Hamptons Clip Hobo. There is another one, #7778, that is almost identical. Maybe one of them is larger?

Thanks, whateve...I had my eye on this one for a couple of weeks...couldn't believe it was still there!

I think it's style 7766 but I don't have a name for it. That particular Scribble Pastel would have been from 2005-06.

Genuine, Hamptons Leather Satchel

7751 is listed as the Hamptons Leather Small Clip Hobo.

Thanks, Hyacinth...I'm always grateful for your help!

 

[Hyacinth]

Interestingly enough, of the 4 "Coaches" in Ebay's Current listings with that prefix, two are obvious fakes with Signature fabric
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=251430201596
and
http://www.ebay.com/itm/COACH-Signa...910?pt=US_CSA_WH_Handbags&hash=item3389fe8cee
one is a Beekman Brief that we've seen a lot of fake and questionable examples of recently (and we may have even looked at this one already), and the fourth has an incorrectly-copied serial number in the listing. The creed stamping on the Beekman looks fuzzy and the more I look at it the more I question it.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw...ct=&LH_SALE_CURRENCY=0&_sop=12&_dmd=1&_ipg=50

ETA - checking J8y_ in Completeds:

One Chelsea style 6003, the lining on other Chelseas from the same time period used the Lozenge fabric. This one is plain. The magnetic snap isn;t completely readable but doesn't "feel" right.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-Coach-Black-Leather-Handbag-No-J8Y-6003-CROSS-BODY-MESSENGER-EUC-/370958527645?pt=US_CSA_WH_Handbags&hash=item565ed9ec9d&nma=true&si=F%252BT%252BkWj0bK1FV9mQUwb73HJuD54%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

-9966 Legacy Zip with what look like silver strap grommets and brass buckles
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-COA...D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

and the Sig fabric fake was sold at least once before and re-listed multiple times. This one REALLY needs to be reported:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=251430201596
seller - SILVERKISHAN

251430201596

In this listing from 989lindap, did you notice the sloppy stitching on the zipper trim? I don't think I can recall ever seeing "magnet" engraved on a magnetic snap.

I agree that this listing doesn't feel right!

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

It's very different from this same style (different plant) made a month earlier.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Coa...488?pt=US_CSA_WH_Handbags&hash=item1e85fbcc78

Thanks, that's a much better picture of the magnet. And it says "Magnet"! How clever! And how FAKE.

That J8Y- prefix is digging itself in deeper and deeper, isn't it?

Speaking of digging in, hope you manage to get through the coming snow and cold with no problems. Looks like the East Coast is about to get zapped again. Good luck!

We've had some flurries and now a little "lake effect" and then have more cold coming. The condo complex's maintenance guys are already outside with the snowblowers.

There are no (forum-safe!) words to describe what it's like being woken up at 3:30AM by the roar of a snowblower right outside your bedroom window - for the third time this winter. :censor:

 

[catthecurious]

LOL - Did you read the creed?

"THIS IS A GENUINE LEATHER BAG THIS GOODS MADE OF NATURAL COWHIDE AMERICA IS MANUFACTURED BY GENUINE LEATHER UNIQUE SYSTEM"

That's all you need to know it's garbage....and I thought the TPF "lurkers" would get a kick out of reading it!

I know

See, when a seller has a 100% positive reputation, it's very easy to convince me the person should be trusted. After all, that's what feedback is for, right? I should be more critical of people, I know. Sometimes I get stuck with that stupid idea from my childhood I'm only surrounded by good honest people. Probably didn't get kicked for a while

 

[BeenBurned]

Speaking of digging in, hope you manage to get through the coming snow and cold with no problems. Looks like the East Coast is about to get zapped again. Good luck!

Ugh! At 8 am, they had already sent a mass email and reverse 911 call to all city residents "reminding" us of the impending storm and a parking ban on city streets.

Yeah, I think I remember that it's winter, temps are about 20 - not even taking into account the wind-chill factor. It was just 2 days ago that we cleared several inches of heavy, wet white stuff and a new nor'easter is coming!

I wish I could get DH to go to the tropics.

You and I can go together and leave the alpha males to do their thing in the changing seasons.

 

[setecat]

COACH VINTAGE LEATHER COURT BAG 9870 AND SHOULDER CLUTCH FLAP BAG 1970's
Item number: 161204732788
Seller: botanygirl
Link: http://www.ebay.com/itm/COACH-VINTA...788?pt=US_CSA_WH_Handbags&hash=item25888d0374

Could someone please authenticate these?

 

[catthecurious]

You're welcome.

Yes, that one is fake. Coach numbers are never only 5 digits long. The wording is just jibberish. Fakes like this are pretty common and were probably made in Korea. Don't ever count on a seller's feedback to assure you that the items she sells are authentic, especially someone who doesn't specialize in Coach. A lot of resellers don't bother to check authenticity. Not all buyers who receive a fake will give negative feedback. In the instances where I received a fake, I never left feedback because it was more important to me to get my money back. All positive after 5 years doesn't necessarily mean a seller never got a negative because negatives only affect a seller's percentage for a year, then they fall off. As far as no returns, I completely understand that policy. Most sellers don't make a huge profit and returns can cut into that immensely.

Thanks, Whateve. What's the common thing to do next? I'd hate if someone buys it.

Oh, and while we're here... I saw someone here complaining about goodwill online selling fakes and not doing anything about it. Even me with no authentication experience easily spotted two fakes there the other day - one "Made in Korea", another one with one of those commonly known NT numbers with obviously poor stitching. I email sellers and got no response; one of the auctions ended and the purse was sold, another one is still up with several bids. This time I emailed shopgoodwill.com and so far haven't heard from them. What should I do next? This is SO wrong! Or am I just being naive?

Whateve, one last thing - would you mind looking and these pics? There's no link for this sale as the pics were sent to me by request by someone from local Craigslist. The bag looks genuine, but the numbers 041-8038 don't come up anywhere - but again, I now know that means nothing. I appreciate your help so much!

 

[TSUBO]

Welcome to tPF!

I saw your post at Ebay and found the same problems as the members there found. The "G" plant code has only been found in a few purses and briefcases from that time period, and the ones that seem to be genuine are very different in the fonts, format and basic details from the one you're asking about.

The first picture below is a genuine bag from that plant and made only 4 months from the date in your briefcase, but both the creed stamp and the serial number (the two were always stamped separately during this time period) are very different. The first one is from December 1995 (the code on yours would be August 1995 if it was genuine).

The second is from the same plant, year AND month as the date in yours, and was in a genuine bag. Yours should have an H5G prefix identical to this one, but it doesn't. The creed stamp, from the Coach logo at the top to the spacing of the letters, should also be identical and it's not. The Coach logo in yours has the old style letter font which Coach had already started to phase out - you can see the newer thinner letters in the logos of the three creed pics I posted.

The genuine G plant creeds from 1995 should have the serial prefix digits much farther apart than yours, the G should be slightly larger, and the "Made In the United States" at the bottom should be in slightly smaller letters than the rest of the creed stamp.

The third one from January, month code A, shows the same details as the first two. I've posted s slightly cropped pic from the one you bought for comparison.

I was also able to find one of the two fakes with the H5G- prefix that the Ebay poster mentioned, and it's a screamingly obvious fake, the year code 5 for 1995 is five years before those Signature C fabric styles were even made. Here it is if you haven't seen it yet:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Coach-Backp...5?pt=US_CSA_MWA_Backpacks&hash=item3f2b3a5a65

I'm sorry, but everything I'm seeing says Fake, even the leather part of the turnlock tab isn't quite right, both the shape and stitching. And I'd love to see the inside pocket and entire leather panel it's attached to, the fakes makers often get that wrong. Another problem in the one you bought is the slightly blurry lettering, the real Coach creeds are sharp and clear, and I don't think it's the fault of poor photography. The creed also looks slightly "puffy" which we normally only see on bags and items made in the early and mid 2000s from Coach's China plants, and on some fakes.

Thank you for your analysis and thorough response!

 

[BeenBurned]

Thanks, Whateve. What's the common thing to do next? I'd hate if someone buys it.

Oh, and while we're here... I saw someone here complaining about goodwill online selling fakes and not doing anything about it. Even me with no authentication experience easily spotted two fakes there the other day - one "Made in Korea", another one with one of those commonly known NT numbers with obviously poor stitching. I email sellers and got no response; one of the auctions ended and the purse was sold, another one is still up with several bids. This time I emailed shopgoodwill.com and so far haven't heard from them. What should I do next? This is SO wrong! Or am I just being naive?

Whateve, one last thing - would you mind looking and these pics? There's no link for this sale as the pics were sent to me by request by someone from local Craigslist. The bag looks genuine, but the numbers 041-8038 don't come up anywhere - but again, I now know that means nothing. I appreciate your help so much!

I'm not Whateve but I can tell you what to do next. (I promise absolutely nothing because the removal of fakes costs ebay money.)

For ebay fakes, on the right side of the listing page, under the seller ID information, there's a "Report item" link. CLick and go through the appropriate dropdowns.

As for Goodwill, it never hurts to report and/or to contact them. Many Goodwill and other charitable thrifts seem to believe that they're exempt from the trademark/copyright laws because their items are donated by others, but their way of thinking is wrong.

Sometimes contacting them gets the message to someone who understands and occasionally they'll pull the listing. Unfortunately, more often than not, your messages go ignored, items sell and eventually end up back on ebay, at a yard sale, on Craigslist or generally, back in circulation. Many buyers don't know they got ripped off.

As for your Craigslist listing with a random serial number, you won't find any info on that number unless it's a common fake "random" number or if the item was previously listed somewhere. Since the serial number doesn't identify the style or details, actual pictures of the bag need to be posted for authentication.

 

[JOODLZ]

Could someone please authenticate this Coach Bag?
Wish this had been available YESTERDAY at Goodwill
Approx. 8.5”w X 6”h X .2”d Strap drop 6”
2004 Legacy Signature Special Edition something or other?
Do you think the trim is burgundy...maybe my "first" burgundy.
Any info is always appreciated...thanks in advance!

 

[JOODLZ]

And this one...also from Goodwill?
Approx. 11.5”w X 7.5”h X 3.25”d Strap drop 14”
1999 Canvas Bleeker Flap #6114? In fabulous condition!
Thanks in advance, as always!