You will love these tips to help you choose only authentic Coach items on Ebay.  I've been trading in Coach purses and accessories for some time now and have noticed more and more counterfeits entering the Ebay market.  Even worse, I see more and more buyers spending (wasting) their money on these knockoffs.  Let my experience be your guide to successfully investing in authentic Coach products.  These tips are listed in no particular order so please read everything to maximize the learning.  And after you've read this guide, if it's helped you in any way, please issue a positive rating.

- Just because a purse has a patch with a serial number, a hangtag, or even a Coach store pricetag for that matter, doesn't make it authentic.  Most counterfeits now have patches (some good and some not so good-see below), and unscrupulous sellers can attach legitimate hang tags and price tags to fake merchandise.

- Make sure you see a picture of the actual item being sold.  There are a lot of sellers showing only stock photos from the Coach website of their wares.  You know these photos-the items looking absolutely perfect against a white background-they're called "drilldown" images and anyone can access them.  If a seller won't show you a picture of the actual item, buyer beware.

- If you are looking at a Coach item that has a signature pattern on the outside, you will very rarely see a signature pattern on the inside.  Stay away from the ugly shiny yellow/gold or black small c lining - FAKE!!!   Signature tote with an "off looking" Legacy-type striped lining - FAKE!!!  The vast majority of authentic signature purses have solid color twill lining.  Solid leather or fabric purses may have a signature lining of some type-the C pattern or the Coach lozenge logo, for example.

- On authentic classic signature Coach, signature patterns are even, and the C's match up along seams.  Yes, you may encounter an authentic item where the matching is not perfect (sometimes the Cs are uneven on the side seams), but for the most part, everything will look lined up.  I wouldn't use this criterion alone in judging authenticity, but combined with a couple of other red flags, the decision is made.

- Let's talk about patches.  Authentics have them, counterfeits have them.  How to tell the good from the bad?  Authentic items have appropriate spelling, grammar and punctuation, not third world wording.  The stitching is even and doesn't run off the patch or overlap.  The embossing is deep and even (of course, vintage purses often have worn embossing).  The serial number is centered, not shoved to one side.  Also, there are no current styles made in the United States.  China, Korea, Costa Rica, yes, US, no.  Also be aware that not all items have the serial number embossed.  All purses have the patch (or embossing) with a serial number.  Most pouches and swingpacks have the patch, but not all will have a number.  Small accessories generally do not have a patch at all.

- Now for the serial numbers.  Again, seen in all purses.  But is it the right number for that style?  First, though, let's get one thing out of the way - if you see the serial number NT-4903, run the other way; no matter in which item it's seen, the item is counterfeit.  Also, Coach does not use the same serial number in more than one active style.  So, do a little investigation.  For example, just today I searched "Coach 1417".  Style 1417 is an East West Leather Duffle.  What came up were 15 duffles and one counterfeit wave design satchel.  It's like Sesame Street-which one doesn't belong?  If you're new to Coach, or even not, do these searches as a rule to help determine authenticity.  By the way, lately I am also seeing serial numbers 6094 and 4201 in Coach patchwork knockoffs.

- Another reason to do searches to confirm authenticity?  Because in certain styles, Coach uses only one particular signature design.  In other words, for example, Signature Slim Duffle styles 6346 and 6347 were produced only in the "large C" pattern.  I recently have seen knockoffs done with bogus minisignature fabric.  And conversely,  Signature Duffle Flap styles 6376 and 6377 were done only in the minisignature style, yet I've seen counterfeits with the large Cs, and even with awful patchwork and optic patterns.  Again, do your homework before bidding; do those searches-it may save you a lot of $$$.  

-That bull's eye on the patch!  Or the funny looking N?  What about an X? Don't worry about them.  The bull's eye signifies that the item came from the Coach outlet.  The N means it is merchandise originally sold at Nordstrom's Department Store.  The X means that the item has been sent to a discounter, like TJ Maxx.  Absolutely authentic.  But keep in mind that Coach will service only items that came from their retail and outlet stores, and from major department stores, not their items sold by discounters (thanks to one of my buyers for this tidbit).  And, there is no such thing as a seller obtaining Coach items wholesale.  If a seller has multiple of a particular item, or says that the item is part of a wholesale acquisition, tread carefully. 

- Price Tags.  Believe it or not, there are now counterfeit Coach store price tags circulating.  Do yourself a favor and visit a Coach store or outlet (if possible), or look at listings from sellers with excellent feedback for selling authentic merchandise, and take a good look at the tags so you can recognize them.  Once you see the authentic design, dark brown ink color and the wording, you'll be able to spot the fakes.  And yes, the "Coach Factory" tags are fine-this simply denotes an outlet item.  Remember, authentic Coach price tags are maily white and brown - there are some Coach Store tags that are black, however there also are counterfeit black tags.  Try to learn the differences.  Also, Coach NEVER puts a hang tag chain through its price tags and brown booklets, so be wary of sellers who have these items chained to the purse - nine times out of ten, you're talking counterfeit.

- Coach NEVER puts plastic on its straps and handles.  If a seller says, "Oh, I just wrapped them in plastic to protect them", I recommend staying away.

- Dustbags.  When purchased at a Coach store, purses come in brown fabric dustbags that have white lettering and red drawstrings, accessories in white bags with brown lettering.  Outlet purses do not come with bags (unless they were transferred from regular Coach Stores); accessories come in white bags with red lettering (all outlet bags and boxes are white with red lettering).  Some special edition purses have different styles of dustbag, such as the gorgeous Madisons.  Again, learn the differences to save you money and heartache.  When you see a listing for a suspicious looking purse with a big white dust bag with odd looking lettering, warning bells should sound. 

- Hang Tags.  Make sure they match the items.  For example, 2007 Summer Patchwork Wristlets have two colorful hang tags.  But when I purchased one a while back, it came with one brown leather tag.  The item was counterfeit.  I returned it for a full refund (luckily-just goes to show you that even the experienced get conned).

- The Coach logo.  Whether it's the embossing on the wallet or purse buckle, or the printing on the corner of the scarf (you know the ones, 100% new), counterfeits often have just the word "COACH" embossed or printed.  Authentic items will have the "lozenge" logo ("Coach" inside the border) embossed or printed.  But make sure the word is centered appropriately inside the border.  Bottom line, examine every detail before bidding.  If something doesn't look right, don't bid.  And if a representation of the word Coach looks funky, also stay away.

- I've been asked about wallets.  While they are not my specialty, there are a couple of things I can tell you for sure.  On any given day, there are just about as many counterfeits listed than there are authentics, particularly signature checkbook wallets.  Also, be careful with the C embossed leather checkbook style that you see mainly in black, but also in brown.  I'd stake my reputation that the MAJORITY of these are counterfeit.  While it is often difficult to tell the difference between the real ones and the knockoffs, look for the same qualities as you would in purses-Cs lining up from the middle out to the end, deep embossing of the logo, etc.  The other thing is that if you see a wallet with a rainbow colored or white with gold trim box, stay away.  Those from the Coach store will come in traditional brown with white trim boxes, and outlet purchases come in white with red trim boxes.

- Beware of sellers with zero feedback selling signature, optic or patchwork purses with matching wristlets, for very low prices.  These items often have the telltale plastic on the straps, the tags on chains, and that ridiculous mini c lining.  There have been a rash of these crooks lately, selling merchandise that is the same as the trash you can buy in alleys in New York City. 

- And finally, stay away from any merchandise that came from a "purse party".  No matter how good the purse, wallet, sunglasses or scarf looks, how authentic it seems, it is counterfeit.  Purse party items are no more authentic than the items I just mentioned in the previous point.

Now, just a couple of suggestions to maximize your Coach buying pleasure:  If you've lost your hang tag, Coach will replace it free of charge as a courtesy.  Either give them a call on their toll-free line or send a request via the website.  You need to provide the full serial number, color, and hardware type of the item.  And like magic, a replacement hangtag will arrive in the mail.  You also can contact Coach to request a suede cleaning kit to help you maintain your suede products.  But remember, don't abuse this privilege.  Also, you can bring a Coach item (or suspected counterfeit) to any Coach Store for verification.  The lovely sales people will have a look at the item, type the serial number into their system, and give you an indication of authenticity.

And finally, be a smart and confident Coach shopper.  Ask the seller questions.  Make sure you are satisfied with the answers.  Check feedback for authenticity concerns.  Compare the item(s) you are interested in with other listings.  Check serial numbers.  And pay with Paypal so you have solid recourse if you are sent a counterfeit, or something other than what you purchased. 

Coach lovers and friends, thanks for reading my guide.  I sincerely hope you found it useful, and if you did, remember to give it a positive rating.  Now get out there and have some fun!