Coach Rehab and Rescue Club

[pammbw]

Well, that's an interesting turn of events about that store in Humboldt Park that was selling fake Coach bags! I hadn't heard about that but I do think that death threats against the shop owners is probably going a bit too far - even for a fake Coach!

Years ago, when I worked in downtown Chicago I would sometimes see Street Vendors blatantly selling fake designer goods, including Coach bags. In fact, Coach once sued the city!

Coach Sues City Of Chicago Over Knockoff Bags Found At Street Market

Coach Sues City Of Chicago Over Knockoff Bags Found At Street Market

www.huffpost.com

Actually, I did tell the owners of the thrift store that sold the fake Scooter Bag to me that selling fake bags was a trademark violation and illegal - and that was why I wanted to return it - and they absolutely rejected that as untrue. The crazy customer that had joined in the attack told me that she had "several fake Coach bags and nobody really cares, and that it was all completely legal anyway."

The thrift store closed down within a year and I actually learned a lot from my experiences with that fake BT Scooter Bag. I was very new to buying pre-owned bags at that time and I didn't examine it carefully, but if I had looked it over I probably would have noticed some irregularities!

The serial number was very faint and I couldn't make it out but after I dusted it with eyeshadow @BeenBurned told me that the number was included on the TPF list of known fakes and counterfeit Coach bags. Also, @Hyacinth kindly pointed out that you don't spell the word "markings" in the creed with an "X"! So I definitely learned to be more careful before purchasing bags after that incident.

It also taught me to be less naïve. I had assumed that it was all just a honest mistake and I expected the shopkeepers to immediately apologize and give me a refund. When I realized that they knew it was fake all along and didn't care, it really opened my eyes and and made me recognize that you need to be cautious around vendors, at least until you know that they are legitimate.

I did buy a few more fakes after that incident, but not many, and I truly did become more careful. Immediate internet access wasn't easily available at thrift stores and garage sales back then - so I printed out the TPF list of known Coach fake numbers and I carried it around with me - and it saved me from making a mistake lots of times!

At the links below you will see the creed of my infamous fake Scooter bag, thank goodness for the TPF Authenticators, I now own 4 Scooters (including one in British Tan) and they are all authentic!

Authenticate this COACH

Cute bag. Try to wipe over the embossing lightly with some baby powder or light color powdered eye shadow on you finger to help make the embossing more visable and for photos Wow! I never heard of that but it helped a lot! I still can't make out the complete number but the style number is...

forum.purseblog.com

https://forum.purseblog.com/threads/authenticate-this-coach.577470/page-420#post-16580683

Agree. Death threats are too much.

On the Coach side of it, I wonder why they got involved? It does open the door for others to appeal to them to replace fakes. Not sure that is a road they want to go down.

 

[katev]

Agree. Death threats are too much.

On the Coach side of it, I wonder why they got involved? It does open the door for others to appeal to them to replace fakes. Not sure that is a road they want to go down.

It's a trademark violation and it cheapens the value of their brand to have poorly-made fakes in the market. I don't think that they would be responsible for replacing fakes that they never manufactured or sold.

 

[pammbw]

It's a trademark violation and it cheapens the value of their brand to have poorly-made fakes in the market. I don't think that they would be responsible for replacing fakes that they never manufactured or sold.

Yes definitely.

 

[katev]

With the soaring prices of vintage coach, I wish we have a thread here where we can offer to exchange or trade pieces.

Agree. Death threats are too much.

On the Coach side of it, I wonder why they got involved? It does open the door for others to appeal to them to replace fakes. Not sure that is a road they want to go down.

It's a trademark violation and it cheapens the value of their brand to have poorly-made fakes in the market. I don't think that they would be responsible for replacing fakes that they never manufactured or sold.

Yes definitely.

The US Government does not reimburse the victims of counterfeit currency; they advise you to check your homeowners insurance to see if you qualify for reimbursement under your policy.

So I think that it is doubtful that Coach would have responsibility for someone that stole their trademark to make and sell counterfeit bags without their knowledge or consent, because they are victims, too.

 

[cola410]

What leather cleaner/conditioner can I use on the leather parts of this canvas wallet that won’t stain/discolor the canvas? I was looking at purchasing CPR, but perhaps there’s a better choice?

 

[cola410]

I’m sure you’ll get more suggestions if you include a picture of the bag. I did the upholstery cleaner before on a canvas bag with great results but the smell is a bit too much for me. Depending on what you have you can try soaking it in Tide (granules) water and scrubbing it with a brush or just throw it in the washer, pretreat the stained area.

At the recommendation of someone on YouTube, I bought some Shout stain gel and it worked some magic. I tried the included scrubber cap, but had better luck using a nail brush. It got much soapier and deep down in the fabric.

 

[Roro]

Just finished the rehab on this. Style 9929 sling bag. It was in beautiful condition so I dunked and used Leather CPR and Renapur. Ready to carry this week. BTW a new to me one of these in dark British Tan is at the surgeon. He had amazing plans for the bag and I couldn’t say no!

 

[Citosgirl]

Hi all! I was wondering for a bit of advice from some more seasoned restorers. I scored this vintage coach 4140 bag for a very good price, however it was in pretty poor condition. I have dunked it, given it several coats of CPR, and one coat of blackrocks. While it looks a lot better, there are some stubborn corners that I'm not sure what to do with. There's also this pen stain that I've had no luck with (tried cuticle remover and rubbing alcohol, but it seems to be lifting the colour around the pen). Any advice would be welcome.

 

[Lake Effect]

Just finished the rehab on this. Style 9929 sling bag. It was in beautiful condition so I dunked and used Leather CPR and Renapur. Ready to carry this week. BTW a new to me one of these in dark British Tan is at the surgeon. He had amazing plans for the bag and I couldn’t say no!
View attachment 5410769

What a knockout!

 

[whateve]

What leather cleaner/conditioner can I use on the leather parts of this canvas wallet that won’t stain/discolor the canvas? I was looking at purchasing CPR, but perhaps there’s a better choice?

View attachment 5410657View attachment 5410658

Anything that gets on the fabric is likely to stain it. Most conditioners, like CPR, are like lotions so it would be like getting lotion stains on your clothing. If you want to clean it rather than condition, you can use white vinegar.

 

[whateve]

Hi all! I was wondering for a bit of advice from some more seasoned restorers. I scored this vintage coach 4140 bag for a very good price, however it was in pretty poor condition. I have dunked it, given it several coats of CPR, and one coat of blackrocks. While it looks a lot better, there are some stubborn corners that I'm not sure what to do with. There's also this pen stain that I've had no luck with (tried cuticle remover and rubbing alcohol, but it seems to be lifting the colour around the pen). Any advice would be welcome.View attachment 5410776
View attachment 5410777View attachment 5410778

Most things people use to remove ink also removes the leather color around the stain and it ends up looking worse. There are some ink removers made specifically for leather but I think they only work on fresh ink and I've never tried them. For the corners you can mix a tiny bit of acrylic paint with conditioner and apply in layers. You may be able to use some paint on the ink mark but I've never gotten it to look good. The only other thing I might try is bleaching it out with zit cream. You put a thin line of benzoyl peroxide (maximum strength) on just the ink and set it in the sun. Leave on for a day or so, then clean off with conditioner. It might leave you with a white line but it will be better than the dark ink mark, and might be easier to cover up with paint.

 

[Softiemama]

Hi, I have a vachetta leather tote that was an impulse buy off of ebay. I think it is beautiful but it does have some spots that seem like something splashed on it. Any advice or ideas on cleaning it? I am a newbie and don't want to make anything worse.

 

[Narnanz]

Too lazy to post this so used my Instagram.

Um....its been polished on its front flap and some of its back...inside is alright......just didnt look closely enough....only when @Busykitty asked me...*sigh*....letting it dry and then thinking what to do next.....its going to need a redye anyway and I feel like it was stored laying on its back with the flap open....lots of bleaching...might be way they shoe polished the front flap.

 

[Coachaddict4020]

Um....its been polished on its front flap and some of its back...inside is alright......just didnt look closely enough....only when @Busykitty asked me...*sigh*....letting it dry and then thinking what to do next.....its going to need a redye anyway and I feel like it was stored laying on its back with the flap open....lots of bleaching...might be way they shoe polished the front flap.

Im so sorry! I know the disappointment all too well. I hope the polish hasn’t cracked/ate away at anything yet. Fingers crossed it turns out great .

 

[Tilis]

Lmaoo don't mince your words ok I'll definitely go for the refund then.

A while back I bought a snow white leather bag I needed for a special occasion. The bag arrived with the end, along with all the holes, cut off. There was no time to hunt another snowy, so I wound up carrying my embroidered clutch - VERY aggrevating. I did get my money back though and now have a bag I do not know what to do with . I hate to throw it out as it is a perfectly fine bag, so probably will bring it to the leather shop, and see if they can fix it.