Spot a Fake Coach Bag

Due to their popularity, designer bags are often replicated and Coach bags are no exception. Knowing how to spot a fake bag can be extremely helpful if you're looking to purchase one outside of a department store or the official Coach website. Being aware of a few Coach specifics like patterns, logos, and identification can help spare you a lot of wasted money and future trouble.

Steps

Inspecting the Quality

  1. Examine the craftsmanship. There should be little wear to the bag and the material should be sturdy. Coach products are made from expensive and authentic materials. For example, they use real, high-quality leather. So if the bag appears overly smooth and plastic-y, it's likely to be made from a synthetic like pleather, which would make it a fake.
    • If the bag is flimsy or it appears to stretch a lot, these are also red flags.
  2. Look at the stitching. The seams and stitching of Coach bags are even and clean. Each stitch should be the exact same length. They should also be straight and not over-stitched. This means you will see only one line of thread, not multiples stitched over each other.
  3. Check the lining. Most Coach purses will have a solid-color, satin lining. However, bags without the ‘CC’ print on the exterior may have it on the interior instead. This may not always be the case, though, as some bags may not have the CC pattern on either the outside or the inside.
    • Keep in mind that a Coach bag should never have the CC pattern on both the inside and outside.

Looking For Logos and Tags

  1. Look at the 'CC' pattern. Bags with the signature C design follow a very set arrangement. For example, both Cs should be horizontal, facing each other, and touching. They should also start in the center of the front panel on the bag, and be structured to where you could cut the bag in half down the middle and have matching patterns on each side.[1]
    • There should also be no breaks in the pattern, even at the seams and pockets.
    • Bags with the 'C' pattern are usually the ones that are faked, so be sure to inspect the bag carefully. There shouldn’t just be Cs all over the place
    • Also make sure the Cs are actually Cs and not Gs. From a distance, the difference may not be noticeable.
  2. Look for labels. Labels are commonly found on the hardware, outside of the bag, and on the inside of the bag. For example, each bag should come with the coach leather creed, which is a leather patch embossed on the inside containing the bag’s serial number. If there isn’t a leather patch, the serial number for the bag should at least be stamped on the inside, not printed.
    • Keep in mind that some Coach bags like the clutch, swingpack, and mini will not have a serial number.
    • Bags from the 1960s will also not have a serial number. Whereas bags from the 1970s and 1980s will have a serial number with only numbers, not letters and numbers like current bags.[1]
  3. Check the logo tags. Many Coach purses also come with logo tags. These are leather tags attached to the purse with a beaded chain. The trim of the tag should match the trim on the bag, and the COACH logo should be raised, not imprinted.[2]
  4. Compare the bag to pictures on the Coach website. If anything about the bag seems off to you, comparing it to an image of an authentic version is a good idea. It can help you determine where the labels should be on that particular bag. As well as how the bag should look; what the pattern should be, the inside lining, and the logo tags.

Examining Outside Factors

  1. Determine if the deal is too good to be true. While they aren’t the most expensive bags comparatively, Coach bags can still be anywhere between $200-$600. Even the used bags can retail for a hefty price. If a new coach bag is selling for a cheap price, that's a good sign that it's a fake. Keep in mind the actual pricing of the bag you want and compare it the one you're considering buying. Are they similar?
  2. Pay close attention to the vendor. If a vendor avoids your questions, looks guilty, or gives vague answers when you ask about the authenticity of a bag, it's a good sign that you should be wary. Ask if they accept returns. If they don't they may not be credible.
    • If the vendor has a lot of the same type of bag, this is also a red flag as it usually means they’re replicas. Inspect the material in this instance. Are the bags made of fabric or cheap leather?
  3. Look at the wear once the bag is broken-in. If the bag holds up and wears nicely, it shows that the bag is authentic or at the very least well-made. A broken, torn bag by the end of a few weeks shows that the bag is most likely a fake. Coach bags are made from quality materials, so frayed threads, cracked leather, and warping from use are going to take a while -- probably a few years.



Tips

  • Trust your gut instinct. If something seems too good to be true, it most likely is.
  • Compare the bag you want to the picture of it on the Coach website. If you know what the bag should look like it will make spotting subtle differences much easier.

Warnings

  • Keep in mind that vendors selling a lot of Coach and other designer purses that are new are usually selling duplicates.
  • Be wary of buying Coach bags online. Request multiple pictures of that particular bag itself if you must buy one online and be certain the seller is reputable.

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 http://www.ebay.com/gds/How-to-spot-a-fake-COACH-bag-/10000000000839005/g.html
  2. ↑ http://www.bagbliss.com/counterfeits/coach/

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