This extensive guide is outlined by topics.  Before leaving this page, please VOTE below if the guide was helpful

My background:  I've been an eBay member for 8 years and also worked for Coach.  I am no longer affiliated with Coach and do not represent myself as a Coach "expert", nor do I attempt to authenticate items for eBay members.  This guide is a reference tool for buyers and sellers to determine for themselves if a Coach item is truly authentic  

Note: Items from eBay Sellers posted in the right column are NOT my listings

FAKE COACH ITEMS THAT SOLD ON EBAY:

12 Warning signs of fakes

#1 Plastic wrapping over the purse straps, or any part of the bag, wallet or accessory  Occasionally, zipper pulls and other Coach hardware might be wrapped with plain packing paper or sponge wrap, but never plastic wrap

#2 Any tackiness found on the leather from glue residue  Imposters often glue their leather seams and trim pieces before stitching them

#3 Hardware that appears to be polished nickel, but has the weight of plastic  Tap the hardware.  You can tell the difference between actual metal and metallic plastic by the density

#4 Scarves that are 100% polyester  Coach scarves are primarily cotton, silk, wool or blends that also include rayon, cashmere, metallic threads or nylon

#5 Enamel hangtags that have raised lettering on the logo   Authentic enamel hangtags have a smooth enamel surface, no raised letters

#6 Signature style handbags that also have a signature C pattern on the lining  Coach bags with signature patterns on the outside should have a solid interior lining or the Coach lozenge logo, never a C pattern lining.  With one exception - the signature "wave" style has a signature lining

#7 Coach embossed creed with just a style number - no registration number  A Coach creed provides info regarding origin and details of the handcrafting.  If a creed has a style number, it should also have a registration number and vice versa.  Smaller Coach pouches, cosmetic cases, wristlets and accessories don't usually have a creed and the few pouches that do will usually have just a creed without a registration and style #

#8 Wording on the Coach creed that is jumbled or misspelled  Each line of an authentic creed has evenly spaced words that contain no spelling errors

#9 Coach keyfobs sold in boxes with a code of  JKRSL or "pavefob"  JKRSL is not a Coach code and pavefob is a term describing crystals in a fob and is not stamped on authentic Coach boxes.  Authentic Coach fobs aren't sold in custom branded boxes with UPC numbers and style names

#10 Sellers offering multiple quantities within the same listing, or posting the same style Coach item over multiple listings   These sellers should cause you to scrutinize their past sales.  Ask more questions to verify authenticity

#11 Auction listings that include a handbag with matching accessory, particularly if the seller has several auctions with matching sets  Some counterfeit suppliers promote free matching accessories with the purchase of their Coach bags (ie. totes & satchels are paired with wristlets or wallets).  Imitation sets are appearing at eBay

#12 Embossed hangtag or hardware with a crooked or partially stamped Coach logo  Authentic Coach embossed logos are precisely aligned

Items that were never inspired by Coach

Many products being represented as Coach brand were never designed or inspired by Coach.  Some examples are Hello Kitty and Winnie the Pooh keychains, plus fobs with elves or robots that are designed in Asia.  Coach has created fobs with animals (pigs, monkeys, etc), but has not callaborated with Sanrio, Disney or Mattel to produce keyfobs.  On a further note, handmade jewelry with claims of having authentic Coach charms are not authentic, nor are sliding Italian bracelet charms

Some Coach styles are replicated more than others, such as the Carly, Legacy, Soho, Scribble and Bandana patterns, however no style is excluded - every Coach style has been counterfeited.  Some styles being touted as "very rare" are just very fake!  Check out the first photo above.  Patchwork handbags are replicated with bad color combos and patterns, unlike the original patterns.  Check several examples of the same style to find a consistency in patterns.  Beware of styles with a distinctive Asian flair and styles that are limited editions unless you are very familiar with the style.

Quality of the hardware

Coach hardware is primarily composed of nickel, brass or gunmental.  Only a Coach lozenge logo should be stamped on buckles, pinch clips and charms.  You'll find the embossed logo on the hardware of wallets, belts, key fobs, some glove styles and newer handbags, with the exception of the Legacy line which takes its inspiration from older classic styles.  The buckles and pinch clips of early classic Coach handbags and belts were not embossed with COACH

The snaps on most styles are stamped COACH on the undersides.  Magnetic snaps are stamped COMAG or ROMAG with a Pat Pend No.  Also, some grommets are stamped COACH.  Check Coach zipper pulls to find the letters YKK inscribed.  This high quality zipper is used in Coach products, however in 2006, fake YKK zippers began flooding the market with inferior metal stamped with YKK, so be aware that fakes might have YKK zippers.  Hardware should never be stamped "Solid Brass" or "Stainless Steel"  Study authentic handbags or navigate the Coach website to become familiar with authentic hardware.  For example, the sliding latch button of fake leash clips may be tiny compared to the prominent latch of an authentic clip

Quality of the material

Coach selects only the top ten percent of leathers and treats its fabrics, leathers and suedes for stain and water resistance.  Coach Fabric Cleaner (or Ivory Liquid Soap) will often remove smudges, grime or the occasional oily spot on the jacquard fabric.  Coach suede kits are helpful in removing fresh soil.  Without the treated fabrics and leathers, removing soil is much more difficult and fake bags are often heavily soiled or tend to rip easily - another reason why authentic Coach stands apart from the knockoffs.   If the fabric feels stiff, it's not the stain resistant treatment.  Stiff fabric could indicate it's fake or it could be an authentic Coach style with a laminated finish (ie. bandana print pouches and some diaper bags).  Watch for fake suede that is comprised of fabric with a sueded effect, no actual leather.  See item #6 above for guidelines regarding linings.  Vintage leather Coach bags had no linings.

Alignment of the Signature pattern

Most Coach signature patterns are aligned in a precise manner to ensure that the opposing Signature C's will align dead center of the handbag and the remaining C's should continue symmetrically to the right and left edges of the handbag. It is expensive to get meticulous craftsmen to sew the pattern this way and discard the excess fabric that can't be utilized.  It may be too costly a venture for some cheaper knockoffs and their patterns are misaligned.  Today's technology produces replicas that are more precise and not easily detected without several closeup photos.  Carefully examine other details noted in this guide to find areas that were overlooked or omitted by counterfeits. Note: Coach signature patterns are aligned horizontally, never vertically.  Two authentic Coach styles (8K47, 8K48) have a diagonal alignment of the C's

The "mini signature" pattern is aligned so that edges of the pattern look identical from left to right side of your bag and along the seams.  The Optic C pattern is tricky because it is lined up identical from front to back - not from left to right.  The same set of C's are a mirror image on the front and back of the bag.  Double flap pockets might not mirror each other.  Also, seams should align vertically and horizontally, but seams stitched diagonally do not align.  Authentic Coach coin cases, mini skinny wallets and shoe styles do not always follow the same rules for alignment

The stitching and workmanship

The most common place for error is in the stitching.  Stitching should be dead on straight!  The stitching of authentic Coach is sewn with careful calibration, no sloppy overstitching, no inconsistency in the spacing between stitches, and no areas that are even slightly crooked.  Imitations never get all the sewing perfect, especially if it is double stitched. You might detect wider spacing in some areas.  Fabrics and leathers should be cut evenly.  Look over an item completely and check areas where seams are sewn down.  Ask for more photos to view stitching up close

Receipts and attached price tags

I once bought a fake Coach bag because I saw an attached UPC tag and made the bad assumption that it was authentic. Imposters replicate the paperwork and UPC tags with bar codes, logos, MSRPs and other details that look authentic.  Just because a price tag is attached, do not assume it is authentic.  This also applies to listings that provide the registration card, care card, dustbag, gift box and receipts.  I try to provide these in my auctions when available, however, tags are not proof that an item is authentic.  Ironically, many sellers promote items that are NWT (new with tags) but the tags, as well as receipts, are commonly replicated.  To help verify authenticity, request a gift receipt that has a transaction # and barcode that can be verified or obtain the original receipt.  Both types of receipts are watermarked on the back with info typed horizontally and Coach logos that are printed both vertically & horizontally.

Hangtags come in all shapes and sizes

Coach produces hangtags in a variety of materials including leather, metals and enamel.  The majority of embossed leather tags are raised (puffy), but some are flat with no stitching.  Enamel tags are the easiest to authenticate because they are baked to a smooth finish, unlike replicas that have raised lettering on the enamel.  Two identical Coach styles may have different hangtags because tags produced in different seasons will vary, or it could be a replacement tag issued by Coach or a tag transferred from another bag.  Thus, fake bags can have authentic hangtags and authentic bags can have fake hangtags

Interpreting styles and registration numbers

You can look up Coach style #'s from an online database known as the drilldown page.  The website is maintained by Coach and offers photos of most styles from the past few years, including limited editions.  To get the link, scroll down my About Me page and search under "Business Information"  Coach employees can also lookup a style # from store computers and provide a brief description.  Employees are trained to detect authentic Coach, but if a store mgr. cannot confirm the authenticity of an item valued over $125, you may be directed to complete some forms and ship it directly to Coach's Counterfeit dept in NY to receive a certificate of authentication

Registration numbers found on Coach creeds, usually contain 3-4 characters (number/letter combo) followed by the style number that is three to five characters long.  Registration number F06S 8A16 is assigned to a large suede hobo bag that was made for the factory stores.  The first group of numbers contains the year that the item was made.  In this example, the "6" in F06S represents the year 2006.  The second group of numbers is the style number,  Style 8A16  The attached tag will read FS8A16 if sold at a factory store

The origin of the item

Coach assembles its line of handbags and accessories in many countries, however China accounts for the majority of handbags and Italy produces many of the shoes.  If Italian leathers are utilized and the item is assembled in Italy, a creed will be stamped as handcrafted in Italy.  If the same Italian leathers are sent to China to be assembled, the handbag will now be stamped as Handcrafted in China because it's based upon where the item is assembled, not where the materials originated.  Note: Coach does not manufacture in the country of Thailand.  If it is handcrafted in Thailand, it's fake

Coach Factory Store merchandise

No matter what people say about Coach Factory Store merchandise, it is not inferior quality compared with retail merchandise.  Factory store (Outlet) merchandise originates from two sources.  First are the items that are specifically made for factory stores - generally as a copy to the retail version from a prior season.  If Coach creates a specific style of hobo bag for the retail stores, it may be reintroduced the following season as a "factory bag" by making a subtle change, perhaps a larger embossed logo and it will be assigned a new style number.  Same quality, but branded for the factory store with a stamp that resembles a circle enclosed in another circle.  This branding might appear on the leather creed, the backside of a belt or fob, or an inner flap of a wallet.  Other outlet items originate from retail stores' overstock at the end of season or from the occasional retail store return because merchandise from retail stores may be returned at any Coach retail or factory store.  Returns of retail purchases are random and account for a small percentage of the factory store's total inventory.  Retail store merchandise that's sold from a factory store is branded differently.  For example, a pair of gloves from the retail "end of season inventory" may have a snip on the inner label to prevent the gloves from being returned to a full priced store.  The Coach quality is guaranteed no matter where you purchase an authentic Coach item.

Coach warranty

Whether or not you register your Coach item, you have a 7 year warranty which is considered the Natural Life of the Product.  This is an important reason for buying authentic Coach items.  You can take your handbag or accessory directly to a Coach retail store or factory store and pay a fee of $20 to cover the evaluation, repair and return shipping from their facility in Jacksonville, FL where products are serviced.  Many things are covered like stitching that comes loose or a turnlock that is broken.  Note: if an item is sold as a Final Sale, the warranty will not apply.  Many reviewers state that there's no such thing as Coach "seconds" and that is not 100% accurate.  I am going on record to say that Coach does sell "Final Sale" items that have become defective or are missing parts after they reach the store shelves, as well as products with minor blemishes that slipped past quality control.  I bought a few Final Sale items from Coach stores, such as a checkbook wallet without a checkbook holder and a handbag with a slight blemish on the tanned leather.  The items are usually stamped with "FS" on the creed and Coach employees inform you at the time of purchase if it is a final sale.  Items become a final sale because missing parts can't be replaced or the required repairs are not covered by the standard warranty.  A large discount is applied to the final sale price, making it cost prohibitive to honor any future warranty claims.  Bottom line: If it's authentic Coach and not a final sale item, you count back 7 years from the year it was produced and that is your warranty period

Regarding the eBay seller

How long have they been selling items?  This can be checked under the "Feedback left as a Seller".  I scrutinize all sellers, but I am more cautious when sellers have less experience or zero feedback.  Zero feedback is an indication of an inexperienced seller that may not be threatened if you post negative feedback because they have nothing to lose.  On the other hand, don't assume that 100% feedback equates to an honest seller.  The majority of photos that were posted at the top of this guide were derived from sellers with 100% feedback.  Feedback should be considered on a case-by-case basis.  Always scroll through pages of past feedback to help you determine whether the negative feedback was justified and also scan item descriptions to see if the seller has prior experience with Coach.  By using an advanced search, you can check the seller's recently Completed Listings with the keyword Coach to determine if any of their past sales were fakes

Be wary of sellers that keep their auctions private and those that only accept checks and money orders.  Additionally, consider that some unsuspecting sellers do not realize that Coach items they purchased from other eBay members were knockoffs and will resell them along with their authentic items.  This accounted for my purchase of 3 fake Coach items at eBay.  I assumed that something was authentic because the seller had ten other authentic items for sale.  As an eBay seller, I guarantee authenticity of all of my items (Items by Fionaflyby)

Trusted sources for authentic Coach

An authentic Coach item for sale on eBay should have originated from an authorized distributor or someone else that purchased from an authorized distributor.  With the exception of some select vendors that acquire wholesale lots of store returns, clearance or damaged goods from stores like Marshalls or TJ Maxx, there are no unauthorized Coach distributors at eBay with access to wholesale quantities of new inventory.  Legitimate wholesale lots are commonly the overstock and past season inventory that is sold to discount retailers.  That inventory is often unpopular styles or stock that shows  signs of wear & scuffing from being handled by customers, and some are marked with an "X" to prevent return to a Coach store.  If an eBay seller has wholesale quantities of current popular styles, ask more questions

Authorized distributors of Coach products are: Coach retail and resort stores, Coach Factory Stores and authorized department stores such as Nordstrom, Macy's and Saks Fifth Ave, to name a few.  Some duty free shops and authorized boutiques are additional sources and coach.com and Coach catalogs are direct sources.  The quality is no different from any of these authorized distributors. 

Your purchase from an unauthorized distributor

As of April 2007, the Corporate Business Division of Coach was dissolved.  The immediate impact was that large lots of wholesale goods from this division that were once distributed to outlets like Costco, private companies for corporate gifts, and other reseller channels were no longer available.  That greatly reduced the availability of authentic wholesale inventory for resellers. The only legitimate wholesale inventory of new undamaged current styles is supplied to authorized distributors.  If any eBay member with wholesale quantities of new Coach products claims that their supplier is an authorized distributor, yet the supplier isn't one of the authorized distributors mentioned above or they won't divulge their supplier, be wary.  Hair and nail salons are not authorized Coach distributors, nor are people hosting purse parties, curbside vendors or the guy shipping both Nike and Coach products from the same warehouse.  That merchandise is not authentic and the sales activity should be reported because it's illegal.  When you see terms like "replica" or "designer inspired", it equates to counterfeit.  I refrain from naming the notorious websites selling replicas because I do not want to encourage more purchases of these imitations that will find their way to eBay

If a seller claims that all their items originated from a factory store, it's not commonly known but Coach implemented a policy to thwart resale activity by putting a cap on the purchases that a customer may acquire at Coach factory stores (outlets). The accumulative dollar amount is tracked via credit card transactions and other means and is set in the thousands.  Once the dollar limit is reached, a letter is sent to the customer informing them that no member of their family is permitted to make purchases at Coach stores.  If most purchases are made by credit card, it won't take long for resellers to reach the cap, forcing them to make purchases via friends or seek alternative sources for purchases, such as the discount department stores.  It is time consuming for legitimate sellers to build large inventories in this manner.  Thus, I scrutinize the sellers with consistently large inventories of factory merchandise by carefully studying past sales and feedback for warning signs

The crime of counterfeiting

You're probably aware that the sale of counterfeit merchandise is a crime. Sales of $1000 or more of counterfeit merchandise is a felony.  You might be wondering, what's all the fuss about?  No real harm?  Aside from the financial loss to the brands being replicated, (approx 650 billion dollars), counterfeiting also accounts for an estimated loss of 750,000 jobs in the US.  Moreover, profits from this activity are funding other crimes that range from abusive child labor to drug trafficking and terrorist activities.  In fact, an FBI Task Force determined that the sale of counterfeit merchandise has helped to finance terrorism, including attacks on the World Trade Center.  Interpol officials testified that product counterfeiting is a major source of funding for Al Queda, Hezbollah and  North African radical fundamentalists.  Ebay attempts to reduce counterfeit sales, but is not equipped to police the activity.  Counterfeits have spread across the designer brands, toys, software, car parts, etc.  When you consider that eBay has 60 million listings worlwide with 5 million new listings being added daily, you realize that counterfeits will continue to thrive at eBay

Numerous industries are plagued by counterfeits in the global marketplace.  Brands that continually combat replicas are too numerous to list, but here's a sampling: Abercrombie & Fitch, AC Delco, Adidas, Adobe, AMD, Anya Hindmarch, Apple, Armani, Autodesk, Baby Phat, Baccarat, BCBG, Bebe, BMW, Bosch, BOSE, Boucheron, Bratz, Brighton, Burberry, Bvlgari, Callaway, Calvin Klein, Canon, Cartier, Chanel, Chloe, Christian Dior, Citizens of Humanity, Columbia Records, David Yurman, Diesel, Disney, DKNY, Dolce & Gabanna, Dooney & Bourke, DuPont, Duracell, Enyce, Epson, Eveready, Evisu, Fendi, Fila, Fisher Price, Frontline, Gas, General Motors, Gillette, Gucci, Guess, Harley Davidson, Hermes, Hewlett Packard (HP), Honda, Hugo Boss, iPod, Jansport, Jean Paul Gaultier, Jimmy Choo, John Deere, Juicy Couture, Kate Spade, Kenneth Cole, Kipling, Kingston, Kodak, Kooba, Lacoste, LAMB, Lego, Levi, Liz Claiborne, L'Oreal, Louis Vuitton, MAC, Macromedia, Marc Jacobs, Mattel, Mercedes, Microsoft, Michael Kors, Miu Miu, Motorola, Movado, Nautica, NBA, NEC, New Balance, NFL, Nike, Nina Ricci, Nintendo, Nokia, North Face, Norton Utilities, Oakley, Oki Data, Panasonic, Pioneer, Phat Farm, Prada, Proctor & Gamble, Puma, Rado, Ralph Lauren, Ray-Ban, Raymond Weil, Reebok, Roberto Cavalli, Rocawear, Rock & Republic, Rolex, Ryobi, Salavatore Ferragamo, SanDisk, Sanyo, Seven for All Mankind, SONY, Speedo, Symantec, Tag Heuer, Tiffany, Timberland, Titleist, Tommy Bahama, Tommy Hilfiger, Toshiba, Toyota, True Religion, Ugg, Underwriters Laboratories, Ungaro, Valentino, Versace, Warner Bros, Weiss, Yamaha, YSL and Yu-Gi-Oh!

eBay only permits sales of authentic Coach

If someone says that they received the item as a gift and don't know whether it is authentic, they should have authenticated it prior to listing it and not risk selling something illegally!  If you see counterfeits at eBay, please scroll down to the bottom of the listing and follow the prompts to Report the Item

To contact Coach directly to report counterfeit Coach items, call toll free 1-800-396-1807 or email to: counterfeits @ coach.com

I have been duped several times and purchased items that were not authentic.  In each case, the seller refunded my purchase after I filed a PayPal claim.  My last bit of advice is:  If you purchased a fake, ask for a refund.  If the seller isn't agreeable, file a claim via dispute resolution.  Paying by PayPal or credit card will improve your chance for recovering your investment

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