AUTHENTIC COACH purses, scarves or leather goods from the Signature, Hamptons, SOHO, Legacy, Classics, Patchwork or other collections can be found on ebay.    Ebay is an excellent venue to find new and used AUTHENTIC COACH products.  I say this with incredible enthusiasm despite the massive daily influx of illegal counterfeit merchandise to the site.  I am hoping the following guide can be a quick reference guide for those of you seeking authentic goods, but may be short on time.  eBay does not allow off-eBay links in guides, so I will reference my about me page which contains some off eBay links to some helpful authentication resources.  COMING SOON - more detailed guides regarding COACH collections, care and authenticity.

AUTHENTIC COACH purse buying 101 Quick Reference

 
If there is one piece of advice I could effectively convey to bidders shopping for authentic designer handbags on ebay, it would be:


Many eBayers attempt to use the resources specified below AFTER they bid, or worse, after they bid and PAY. Many times I have heard “I didn’t have TIME to authenticate, the auction was about to end”.  In an effort to address authentication concerns for individuals short on time/needing to bid at the last minute, I have created this guide as a quick reference.

•   Ebay Shoes, Purses and Fashion accessories board  – there are many people on this board willing to offer advice and experience regarding designer handbags.  Please keep in mind these people post out of a passion for authentic luxury goods and genuine desire to help others avoid being scammed.  I can be found there also, as time permits.  The regulars on this board are not the ultimate authorities, nor are they paid to be there so, accept their gracious advice and keep in mind nobody is perfect.   Well intentioned posters on ebay boards can occasionally offer inaccurate advice (though normally they will correct themselves or another poster will come along to provide correct information). 

• On the Ebay Shoes, Purses and Fashion accessories board you will find the HANDBAG AUTHENTICATION RESOURCES thread with information about COACH and other designer handbags, shoes and accessories.
• About me pages with useful COACH related information and links:
• lauras*luxuries (including the coach drilldown tool and negative feedback search tool)
  
• ihatefakecoachbags  (recommended sellers lists and more)
  
• knowknockoffs (general information about counterfeiting, COACH, and information about SAIC)
  

• I welcome your subscription to my COACH newsletter including information on new collections, authenticity tips, discounts, sales and MORE!

Red Flags - proceed with extreme caution if you see any of these red flags:

 

• COACH toll free customer service:  I can’t tell you how many threads are posted on forums regarding a particular bag that could be answered by contacting COACH directly about a particular style identification/creed patch id.  The toll free number is: 1-888-262-6224.  Before you buy or sell on ebay, unless you are 100% certain, call COACH and reference the creed patch.  Creed patches are copied by counterfeiters, but typically with bogus numbers.   One of the most common bogus creed patch numbers I have seen referenced in ebay listings is 6094.  Please note that the correct style that accompanies this creed patch number is the Signature Demi Pouch (this bag has been in production since 2000 and the accurate colors this style has been made include black, white, khaki silver/black, peony, mint, pale pink, azure, khaki/white, opal/white, berry, melon, pale pink, punch).  The style is pictured below:

• COACH drill down page link and how to use it :  Off eBay links are not allowed in guides, so please visit the lauras*luxuries about me page for details on how to use this incredibly useful tool.  However, please note that not all styles can be found with the drill down tool AND not all colors of a particular style are found on the drill down tool.  Nonetheless, it can a very helpful quick reference to see if the style number referenced in the auction actually references the style COACH sold. 
  

Locations of Manufacture

Seeing the locations specified in this guide do not verify authenticity 100%, but offer a good gauge in connection with other resources mentioned.  There is a popular misconception that any designer bag Made in China is not authentic.  While most of the bags listed on the internet with sellers based in China are counterfeit, many designer handbags are now Made in China.  The following locations are appropriate "Made in" locations as stated on COACH's creed patches:  China, USA, New York City USA, United States, Italy, Hungary, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Spain, Puerto Rico.  COACH's earliest bags were made in New York City, USA. 

This is a Quick Guide only, so...

This guide is meant to be a a last minute tool when you simply CANNOT do all the recommended research on COACH collections before you bid. Knowledge is power (and can save you from tremendous amounts of headaches and heartaches involved in being scammed by a fake)! Some responsibility and initiative must be taken on the part of the buyer.  Taking a moment of your time to read additional guides, stop by a COACH boutitque (or the COACH website), or local authorized retailer to familiarize yourself with the brand will save you a lot of trouble while shopping online.  Additionally, I will soon be adding more detailed authenticity guides for COACH.  If you would like to be notified when these guides are published (for FREE) please join my eBay newsletter called Authentic COACH products newsletter  Further, if there is anything you would like to see in a future guide, feel free to contact me through any of the contact seller links in lauras*luxuries eBay listings .



What the sellers should do:  Sellers should offer clear pictures, avoid one day auctions, maintain a public feedback profile, guarantee authenticity, state a clear and fair return policy, and accept paypal.

What the buyers should do:  eBay has made it clear that policing their site for counterfeits is not a top priority in their business model of being "just a venue".  So, as a community we ALL have to be responsibile in the fight against counterfeits.  Educate yourself FIRST, then have fun shopping!