Vintage Coach Photos & Chat

[Aurora-B]

Vintage United States Coach City.

 

[Aurora-B]

You could look through the reference library. There is a vintage thread and also a thread with catalog pictures. Most of those will have been made in the 80s and 90s.

I would like to put forward another vote for the reference library. There are many members, @whateve, @Hyacinth, @Lake Effect, @katev, @Coachaddict4020 among others who did a ton of work creating this reference and it has helped me immensely!

 

[Farkvam]

Thank you, @whateve and @Aurora-B! I also found a webpage that lists several styles in no particular order, but was useful for quick scrolling through images: https://yourgreatfinds.net/blogs/news/collectors-guide-to-vintage-coach-bags

So far I'm eyeing the Mini Daypack 9960!

 

[Aurora-B]

Thank you for the reference.
I have a small Daypack.

 

[whateve]

Thank you, @whateve and @Aurora-B! I also found a webpage that lists several styles in no particular order, but was useful for quick scrolling through images: https://yourgreatfinds.net/blogs/news/collectors-guide-to-vintage-coach-bags

So far I'm eyeing the Mini Daypack 9960!

One of our members collected them in an array of colors. It is an amazing collection. If you want a bit more room the 9791 is slightly bigger.

 

[Farkvam]

Thank you for the reference.
I have a small Daypack.View attachment 6028092

I love it! Do you find it a good size?

 

[Aurora-B]

I love it! Do you find it a good size?

I find it to be a really good size. I can fit more than I need (I travel light) and use it as a regular purse. I usually carry my phone, sanitizer, sunglasses, and sometimes a compact wallet. I can fit so much more if needed.

 

[Farkvam]

I find it to be a really good size. I can fit more than I need (I travel light) and use it as a regular purse. I usually carry my phone, sanitizer, sunglasses, and sometimes a compact wallet. I can fit so much more if needed.

Thanks so much for the info!

Those catalogs that have been uploaded on PF are so helpful, I've just been through the 80s and 90s. My other faves in addition to the mini Daypack: the Post Pouch, the Chester/Canteen Bag, the Trail Bag/Train Case.

 

[SEWDimples]

There is also Bonanza. Cons are no one uses it. I make one sale a year if I'm lucky. You can use paypal.
Ebay - gets the most eyes but probably has the most chance of returns, and if there is a return the seller is out shipping both ways. Buyers have a long time to open a return request even if you don't allow returns. Fees vary but seem to be around 15%. You have to provide bank information.
Etsy - only provides buyer protection up to $250 so if you sell anything more than that and it is lost, you are out of luck. You can buy insurance but I believe they make you use their insurance company rather than USPS. I think ebay does the same thing. The fees vary. It used to be the cheapest but if you don't opt out of advertising, you could pay 25%.
Mercari - the buyer pays the fees. You can use a shipping label provided by Mercari and decide whether you or the buyer will pay for it. The buyer has 3 days to decide if there is anything wrong. I've never had a return so I don't know if they charge the seller anything if it happens. Not a lot of traffic. There is a charge to withdraw your money.
Poshmark - in my opinion, the most worry free option. Fees are 20% and buyers like to lowball so I recommend overpricing your items. I love the shipping label provided by Poshmark. The buyer pays the shipping as long as it is under 5 pounds. I never have to weigh anything beforehand and can use any box. Another great thing is that people can bundle several things into one sale and only pay one shipping price. I make the most sales there. I like it for buying too as there is less chance someone will cram a bag into an envelope to save money.

With the last two, over $500 bags go to their authentication team before being sent to the buyer. I had one item go through authentication and there was no problem, but I haven't had a vintage item go through them.

Most of the services don't require you to have a printer. You can use a QR code at the post office.

Thanks! Great info. I buy on most of these platforms, but never sell. I’m thinking about selling some of my Coach Rogues that I do sell on my FB groups.

 

[Farkvam]

A couple of questions for you all... I've been reading through old posts on this thread to try to determine the answer but realized it would take many moons of reading

When did vintage Coach prices skyrocket so much? I bought my fantastic condition Casino two years ago on the 'Bay and it was $75 (no one else even bid on the auction). I am not super knowledgeable about Coach but I saw a beautiful periwinkle Winnie on Etsy for over $3K. That's almost vintage Chanel prices. I think vintage Coach is definitely worth higher prices and that one is perhaps a unicorn, but wow.

I realize there are still deals to be had, but several of the other ones I'm liking are in the $400-800 range which is still quite higher than I remember two years ago. I guess it's not immune to the wicked price increases we're seeing almost everywhere. Interestingly though for comparison, I'm in the process of commissioning a custom tote bag that I designed (Birkin-esque), using full-grain vegetable tanned leather and all brass hardware, done by a local artisan. They are estimating it will cost $300.

Also and unrelated, did Coach produce a similar style to the Legacy Zip 9966 that is smaller and lacks the metal feet? I like the bag but not super keen on the feet for this style.

Thanks everyone, it's fun to have a forum to discuss these things

 

[whateve]

A couple of questions for you all... I've been reading through old posts on this thread to try to determine the answer but realized it would take many moons of reading

When did vintage Coach prices skyrocket so much? I bought my fantastic condition Casino two years ago on the 'Bay and it was $75 (no one else even bid on the auction). I am not super knowledgeable about Coach but I saw a beautiful periwinkle Winnie on Etsy for over $3K. That's almost vintage Chanel prices. I think vintage Coach is definitely worth higher prices and that one is perhaps a unicorn, but wow.

I realize there are still deals to be had, but several of the other ones I'm liking are in the $400-800 range which is still quite higher than I remember two years ago. I guess it's not immune to the wicked price increases we're seeing almost everywhere. Interestingly though for comparison, I'm in the process of commissioning a custom tote bag that I designed (Birkin-esque), using full-grain vegetable tanned leather and all brass hardware, done by a local artisan. They are estimating it will cost $300.

Also and unrelated, did Coach produce a similar style to the Legacy Zip 9966 that is smaller and lacks the metal feet? I like the bag but not super keen on the feet for this style.

Thanks everyone, it's fun to have a forum to discuss these things

Prices went crazy a year or two ago. It's been somewhat gradual. First it was the thrift stores that realized how popular they are, and raised the prices. Then the resellers raised their prices. Plus Coach themselves became a competitor with their recycling and upcrafting program. More and more people are aware of what they have; they even know the correct style name.

There is a small Legacy zip - #9997

 

[DL Harper]

There is also Bonanza. Cons are no one uses it. I make one sale a year if I'm lucky. You can use paypal.
Ebay - gets the most eyes but probably has the most chance of returns, and if there is a return the seller is out shipping both ways. Buyers have a long time to open a return request even if you don't allow returns. Fees vary but seem to be around 15%. You have to provide bank information.
Etsy - only provides buyer protection up to $250 so if you sell anything more than that and it is lost, you are out of luck. You can buy insurance but I believe they make you use their insurance company rather than USPS. I think ebay does the same thing. The fees vary. It used to be the cheapest but if you don't opt out of advertising, you could pay 25%.
Mercari - the buyer pays the fees. You can use a shipping label provided by Mercari and decide whether you or the buyer will pay for it. The buyer has 3 days to decide if there is anything wrong. I've never had a return so I don't know if they charge the seller anything if it happens. Not a lot of traffic. There is a charge to withdraw your money.
Poshmark - in my opinion, the most worry free option. Fees are 20% and buyers like to lowball so I recommend overpricing your items. I love the shipping label provided by Poshmark. The buyer pays the shipping as long as it is under 5 pounds. I never have to weigh anything beforehand and can use any box. Another great thing is that people can bundle several things into one sale and only pay one shipping price. I make the most sales there. I like it for buying too as there is less chance someone will cram a bag into an envelope to save money.

With the last two, over $500 bags go to their authentication team before being sent to the buyer. I had one item go through authentication and there was no problem, but I haven't had a vintage item go through them.

Most of the services don't require you to have a printer. You can use a QR code at the post office.

Clarification:

Regarding Ebay, if you have a return policy, you can set the return timeframe - 14 days to 60 days.

The seller doesn't necessarily have to pay for shipping in both directions.

• For NAD (not as described) returns: Seller pays return shipping and buyer gets full refund. So seller pays both ways.
• For REMORSE returns - changed mind, doesn't fit, don't like, etc., you can decide if you have "free" returns where the seller pays for the return shipping label, or buyer pays return shipping. If you charge separately for shipping (as opposed to "free" shipping in which seller builds shipping cost into the price of the item), you can deduct the original shipping from the refund amount and refund would be for the item price only.

A couple of years ago, I had a no return policy. Many buyers think they need a reason to return if a seller has a no return policy so they will either lie about the item being NAD or they will do damage.

After a buyer damaged an item in order to return it, I changed my policy to 30 days, buyer pays return shipping and in nearly 3 years, my returns haven't increased nor have NAD complaints been filed by buyers in order to avoid paying return shipping.

ALso, TRS (top rated sellers) who have a 30 day return policy can deduct up to 50% from the refund if the item isn't returned in the same condition as sent.

More questions. Do seller listings on PM and Mercari auto renew? What is the listing fee for new and/or relisted items? The reason I'm asking is that I've noticed some sellers haven't been active in years (!?) but yet still have items for sale. Several months ago I had an item authenticated in the thread, but never had any response from the seller (don't remember if it was PM or Mercari) so I cancelled my order when enough time had lapsed. Why have listings if you won't mail when they sell? Does either website have any "inactivity" guidelines for sellers?
Sorry so many questions - just trying to see what I could be getting myself into before I jump in.
Thank you!

 

[Farkvam]

Prices went crazy a year or two ago. It's been somewhat gradual. First it was the thrift stores that realized how popular they are, and raised the prices. Then the resellers raised their prices. Plus Coach themselves became a competitor with their recycling and upcrafting program. More and more people are aware of what they have; they even know the correct style name.

There is a small Legacy zip - #9997

Thanks for the info, @whateve. On the one hand, I feel like vintage Coach deserves the recognition (and prices) it‘s getting these days, including with its heritage. I always thought it was underrated by people in the high luxury world, especially when an Hermes Evelyn goes for the prices it goes for when you can get a small Legacy Zip with comparative quality in my mind for much less (thanks for that tip btw, good to know 9997 exists). But on the other hand, it does price some people out that have always appreciated the brand.

I have spent quadruple digits on bags, albeit rarely, but I‘m not into that so much anymore and was hoping vintage Coach would offer that wonderful quality without having to break the bank! It looks like now might be the time to expand my collection before it gets too much more out of hand. Or I‘ll just enjoy my Casino and be glad I bought it when I did, we see

 

[whateve]

More questions. Do seller listings on PM and Mercari auto renew? What is the listing fee for new and/or relisted items? The reason I'm asking is that I've noticed some sellers haven't been active in years (!?) but yet still have items for sale. Several months ago I had an item authenticated in the thread, but never had any response from the seller (don't remember if it was PM or Mercari) so I cancelled my order when enough time had lapsed. Why have listings if you won't mail when they sell? Does either website have any "inactivity" guidelines for sellers?
Sorry so many questions - just trying to see what I could be getting myself into before I jump in.
Thank you!

PM and Mercari listings don't expire and it doesn't cost anything to list. I don't think there are any limits. Encountering sellers that haven't been active is common. I don't know if the site does anything to these sellers after orders have to be cancelled. They are good sites for new sellers because people are nearly as likely to buy from a new seller as from an established seller.

Ebay now automatically renews listings so sellers there could also be inactive. But Ebay has limits on how many you can list before you have to pay and also has restrictions on new sellers, especially if they are selling in a category where there could be fraud. And Ebay charges fees on the sale, whether or not the seller ships, unless there is a good reason for the cancellation.

My peeve is when sellers have things listed on multiple sites and neglect to remove them from the other sites when they sell.

 

[whateve]

Thanks for the info, @whateve. On the one hand, I feel like vintage Coach deserves the recognition (and prices) it‘s getting these days, including with its heritage. I always thought it was underrated by people in the high luxury world, especially when an Hermes Evelyn goes for the prices it goes for when you can get a small Legacy Zip with comparative quality in my mind for much less (thanks for that tip btw, good to know 9997 exists). But on the other hand, it does price some people out that have always appreciated the brand.

I have spent quadruple digits on bags, albeit rarely, but I‘m not into that so much anymore and was hoping vintage Coach would offer that wonderful quality without having to break the bank! It looks like now might be the time to expand my collection before it gets too much more out of hand. Or I‘ll just enjoy my Casino and be glad I bought it when I did, we see

There are still bargains to be found, just fewer and farther between. I wish I knew if prices were going to continue to climb or if the popularity will fade eventually. They aren't making vintage bags anymore so every year there are fewer available.

There are other brands I buy that I'm having the same problem with prices. I bought my first Balenciaga for $40 (I know that was a lucky fluke). The second one was an amazing color and was just over $200. That same bag today would probably sell for $700 on the secondary market. The last Balenciaga I bought was $500. I got good prices on the Bottega Venetas I bought 2018-2019.

Even new Coach has gotten a lot more expensive. I haven't bought many lately. I've been buying cheaper brands.