Decoding Coach IM means?

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HesitantShopper

HesitantShopper

Member
Jan 13, 2015
14,313
12,493
#1
This topic came up in the Factory thread that now and then the code IM appears on the pricing tag...

Best of the knowledge right now seems this indicates the item has IM= Imitation Metal hardware?

There was apparently something similar written in some product descriptions when the factory online store was open, of coarse it doesn't open again till next week so hard at the moment to confirm this.

Thoughts? input... how about a decoder? :p This isn't to debate Factory vs FP this is not the point, the point is knowing how to read the tag so you know what your buying, frankly i never expect a factory bag to be the quality of the FP ones(if it were i'd be wondering what they were doing at the FP level lol..) but at the same time factory items are not wal*mart so a level of some quality should be in place at least equal for it's price point(which are typically 50% of the tag $)

While i recognize companies have codes for a reason and most are not something "us" shoppers need to know it seems some we sure do, and if this is in fact what it means, this is one of them, describing it online is fine but in store there are no such things available your flying solo there, and being informed will aid you in your purchase.
 
#2
I am pretty sure it does mean Imitation Metal. When those items first showed up on FOS it listed that in the description. I was shocked, even at MFF prices I would still expect actual metal hardware!
 
#4
Why is only gold-toned hardware marked IM? I have 2 mini Coras I got in November. One has gold-toned hardware and has the hardware code IM, while the other has silver-toned hardware with the hardware code SV. Wouldn't it be logical that 2 bags of the same model, F32582, both have imitation metal hardware?
 
#5
ChevaliereNoir said:
Why is only gold-toned hardware marked IM? I have 2 mini Coras I got in November. One has gold-toned hardware and has the hardware code IM, while the other has silver-toned hardware with the hardware code SV. Wouldn't it be logical that 2 bags of the same model, F32582, both have imitation metal hardware?
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This is interesting lol Yes, my Peyton is gold toned hardware therefore the IM is there... but as you said, silver hardware isn't getting this label. I find this fascinating. Of coarse for genuine gold tones it would need to be brass which would add weight and take it beyond the price point it is at.
 
#6
Murphy47 said:
Interesting. Hadn't seen that one.
How do you use "imitation metal"?
Would that be an oxymoron? It's either metal or it's not.
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I have been unable to find any definition on what exactly it is, some have suggested plastic BUT i swear it does not feel plastic and i deal with loads of plastics here and many are of high end quality intended for heavy use, again it's not like that but of coarse i could be wrong not cutting them apart to see lol

My purse has very little hardware anyways...
 
#7
Bcabo said:
I am pretty sure it does mean Imitation Metal. When those items first showed up on FOS it listed that in the description. I was shocked, even at MFF prices I would still expect actual metal hardware!
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See i missed those descriptions. That said i agree with you, my purse has very little hardware but imitation? really? definitely something I will look for on tags when making future purchases.
 
#8
Hardware looks so cool on a bag but adds so much weight!
I have been avoiding it which is probably why I missed the IM.
Still scratching my head over imitation metal though.
 
#9
Murphy47 said:
Hardware looks so cool on a bag but adds so much weight!
I have been avoiding it which is probably why I missed the IM.
Still scratching my head over imitation metal though.
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Absolutely, the weight of it can be discouraging perhaps this maybe a reason for some bags to be IM, though i tend to lean more towards a cost cutting measure.
 
#13
MRSBWS said:
Agreed, but was the "savings" passed on to the customer? Does anyone remember if the price of the silvertone was different than the price of the goldtone?
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Not on my mini Coras with the same number. They were both the same price. My teal mini Bennett also has IM hardware, but all the mini Bennetts are the same price at the outlets right now.
 
#14
MRSBWS said:
Agreed, but was the "savings" passed on to the customer? Does anyone remember if the price of the silvertone was different than the price of the goldtone?
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LOL savings yeah, a nice polite way to put it.

ChevaliereNoir said:
Not on my mini Coras with the same number. They were both the same price. My teal mini Bennett also has IM hardware, but all the mini Bennetts are the same price at the outlets right now.
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Hmm, well then i guess our bottom line? we play decoder and heavily examine those tags! i also think the gold tone hardware must be watched much more closely. I didn't go out of my way to buy one with it, ended up that way because the option presented itself.
 
#15
I'm thinking that if I wouldn't notice, I don't really care. No one ever promised us "real metal" on every bag. It's not really different than the coated canvas bags in place of leather...its a choice we make.
 
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