So you are thinking of buying a Coach bag on Ebay, and the seller has a clear picture of the Creed, which means its real, right??

Nope!!

You notice in the upper corner of the Creed is an "X" or Bullseye type mark stamped there! What the heck does that mean, right?? Do you see an FS stamp on it ANYWHERE??? What does that mean?? Well I will tell you!!!

Here is the deal- When looking at a picture of a Coach Creed, which should always be provided in the listing or at your request, the lettering should be deeply embossed into the leather patch- ALL LETTERS AND NUMBERS THE SAME SIZE, the stitching around it perfect- no unevenly sewn lines, and the corners of the thick leather Creed will be slightly rounded- never a pointy corner. There is also a bag number followed by a dash and the style number. The style number is very important- BE SURE IT IS THE CORRECT NUMBER THAT MATCHES THAT STYLE!! Simply use the Ebay Search Bar for that style by putting in Coach 1234, or whatever style number it is (4 digit number after the dash on the creed) and you should see many for sale come up exactly like it-

NOW WHAT IS THAT STAMP MEAN????

That stamp you sometimes see in the upper corner of a Coach Creed, usually an "X" or Bullseye (circle in a circle- see picture below) means one of 2 things...the bullseye or "bullet" mark means the bag was purchased at a secondary market- like TJ MAXX, Marshalls, or the ever-favorite mecca of Ebay Coach sellers- the Coach outlet!! This means the Bag has been "BULLETED" or a bullet mark was made on it- this is done as bags are shipped from fullprice retail Coach stores to the outlets and secondary retail stores. They are typically overstocks, unsold bags, older (which may mean last season!) styles, etc.

It does not mean the bag is a "Second"- such a bag does not exist! Coach does not sell "seconds"- They are destroyed. Watch out for sellers suggesting what they are selling is a "factory second!!" THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT! Other High end bag retailers like Dooney & Bourke do have Factory Seconds that are irregulars BUT COACH DOES NOT SELL IRREGULARS!!!

IF THERE IS AN "X" STAMPED ON THE CREED OR AN "FS" IT MEANS SOMETHING VERY VERY DIFFERENT!! THE "X" AND "FS" MEANS THE BAG WAS A FINAL SALE -THE LIFETIME GUARANTEE IS VOID WITH COACH IF YOUR BAG HAS THIS STAMP SO IT CANNOT BE SENT TO THEM TO BE SERVICED !!!

THE FS STAMP IS SOMETIMES EVEN UPSIDE DOWN-BUT IF YOU SEE IT, KNOW YOU ARE ON YOUR OWN WITH THAT ONE!!

THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A FACTORY SECOND COACH BAG- AUTHENTIC COACH BAGS ARE NEVER "SECONDS!!!"

What is does mean is that Coach knows it was purchased at a discount and this can compromise the warranty Coach is known for!

Bags with "Clean Creeds" that is-no stamp at all, are sold through Coach Retail stores, Coach.com, or high end Department stores with Coach departments (like Nordstroms, Filenes, Macys, etc.)  Again, the bags with a stamped Creed ARE NOT A LESSER BAG IN ANY WAY.

Below is a "Clean Creed"!

I love Coach bags, buy way too many for my own good, and love to pass savings onto my "Coach ladies!!" Always buy from reputable sellers with excellent feedback, LOOK AT THE SELLERS COMPLETED LISTINGS TO MAKE SURE OTHER BAGS THEY HAVE SOLD ARE AUTHENTIC AS WELL (wow- she just sold a $900.00 Louis Vuitton bag for $75.00 - I don't think so!!!) and buying from Asian countries is risky. NOBODY IS GOING TO SELL A NEWLY RELEASED NEW WITH TAGS $400 COACH BAG FOR $95.00!!! If it seems too good to be true, it is!!!

ALSO WATCH SHIPPING COSTS- I AM AMAZED AT WHAT SOME SELLERS CHARGE TO SHIP BAGS-   $20.00 OR $30.00. IF THEY ARE BEING A LITTLE  "SHADY", WHO KNOWS WHERE ELSE THEY ARE BEING SHADY!!!

Good luck, if you have any questions about authenticity or Creed issues, feel free to contact me. I am Hughsgirl7.

God Bless and Happy Ebaying!!

PLEASE UNDERSTAND THE EBAY LISTINGS TO THE RIGHT OF THIS GUIDE ARE PUT THERE RANDOMLY BY EBAY-UNLESS THEY ARE MY PERSONAL COACH LISTINGS, I IN NO WAY CAN GUARANTEE THEY ARE AUTHENTIC!! I CAN ONLY GUARANTEE THE AUTHENTICITY OF MY OWN LISTINGS SO PLEASE LOOK AT THE SELLERS NAME TO VERIFY THE ONES YOU ARE LOOKING AT ARE MINE, HUGHSGIRL7!!