Are you sure if that Coach bag you’re lusting for is the real thing? If you found in on Craigslist, eBay, or at a flea market for what seems like a price that’s too good to be true, there’s probably a good reason for it. Here are some ways you can tell if that handbag is real or a phony.
- Check for the classic Coach “C”s. Fakes will often have “G”s to avoid getting in any trouble if marketers are found selling them.
- The “C”s on the bag should be in pairs. Side-by-side pairs also face each other.
- Make sure the “C”s aren’t cut off in the middle of the bag. “C”s on the sides of the bag won’t appear as complete letters.
- Make sure there’s a dust bag. Many times, resellers won’t sell a purse with a dust bag. If there is a dust bag, it should be tan or brown with red stitching, with the Coach logo stamped on it.
- The hardware on the handbag should be heavy and not plated. You shouldn’t be able to bend it with your fingers.
- The inside of the purse should have a square leather panel with the Coach creed on it. The lettering is pressed into the leather, and the panel is stitched. Beware of misspellings! Many fakes have misspelled words or incorrect grammar.
- No parts of the bag should be glued. All patchwork and embellishments are stitched on, not glued.
- The “Coach” tag should be secured to the bag with a looped chain. It is made of two pieces of leather that are stitched-together, not plastic or vinyl. The letters in “Coach” should be raised.
- Check the stitching. Check for gaps in the stitching, pulled threads, and other flaws.
- Observe the seller’s location. If the seller is shipping from overseas, has a poor feedback rating or is selling purses in large quantities, the purse you’re looking at is most likely a knockoff.
- In the end, trust your instincts! If a deal sounds fishy, the handbag is probably a fake.
