It seems that I have purchased two fake Coach keychains from two different sellers here on eBay. I had never purchased any Coach items before so didn't know any better. I didn't know they were fakes right away so I even left them positive feedback and now it is too late for me. However, I now know and so I am sharing some information with you so maybe it won't be too late for you.

Out of curiousity, I did a google search for "fake Coach keychains" and another for "replica Coach keychains". There are several sites where people are in fact selling tons of fake keychains and so I suspect that some of the eBay sellers here have either purchased items from those sites and are now selling them here or could be part of those sites and using eBay as an additional outlet to sell their fakes.

I am lucky to have a Coach outlet near my house and I have purchased a couple of keychains (as well as other great items!) from there now. I have also purchased one keychain from a full priced boutique. This is what I have learned:

• Coach keychains do not come in a small box! They are put in a small white dustbag when purchasing it at the outlet. My keychains didn't come with a price tag on them or anything else. The keychain I purchased at the full priced Coach store was simply put into the little Coach bag you get with your purchases (shopper bag, not a dustbag).
• Coach keychains (like all Coach products) do not look like they have poor workmanship. For example: the keychain will not have metal on it that looks like it needs to be clamped together better. The clamped together part on the authentics are hidden and even when you adjust it to view it, they are clamped tightly.
• Coach keychains have very strong links that look very smooth. They aren't tiny in size. The large ones look more oval and the smaller ones where the charm dangles from look circle. Even the small ones where authentic charm dangles from look very smooth/polished.
• All items on my authentic keychain have the "Coach" emblem on them in one way or another. The emblem may be on the back and/or it may be on the front (the bee on this has it on front and back). The tag on it is the emblem and on the back it states "made in china". The fakes I have do not have "Coach" written on front or back of the charms and the tags have nothing written on the back.
• The fake tags look different in size and appearance. My authentic tag is larger and thinner. It is smooth. The fakes are smaller and the "Coach" is printed on top of the tag (like it is raised) whereas the authentic is printed like it is part of the tag (imprinted and you can't feel it raised or anything).
• Coach doesn't make "character" keychains. Coach did not create "Hello Kitty" keychains. They do not collaborate with popular character lines to create keychains or any other item.
• When in doubt, contact Coach to ask them. They are so friendly. The toll free number is 888-262-6224. Ask them if they ever made a particular keychain you are looking at. Ask them if their keychains EVER come in a box. Just because a seller shows a picture with it in a "Coach" box or even adding a sticker with words and upc code, doesn't mean they are authentic. None of the Coach products have some sticker and a upc code on it.
• Report fakes to Coach- you can call 800-396-1807 or e-mail them: counterfeits @ coach dot com. Also Coach is a VERO member here on eBay.
• Look at the listing. Some people write it as Authentic "Coach" keychain. That is a little tricky and deceiving. They may write auth instead of spelling it out. There are lots of ways some sellers try to make you think it is authentic without saying that it is. They may even avoid saying it at all, but count on you seeing their fake boxes/tissue paper inside boxes as authentic.
• Look at the feedback- if even one says fake, it is. Also, look at item descriptions on past feedback to see just how many keychains the person is selling. I find it hard to believe they are selling tons of Coach keychains at cheap prices! They typically are sold online and in store for about $58 and at the outlet for about $24 (give or take).
• Look at the other items being sold- Again, I doubt that they are selling tons of keychains and especially tons of the same kind/style. Who can afford to buy tons of AUTHENTIC Coach keychains and sell them so cheap? What business can survive that way?
• Most Coach keychains here on eBay are fake- I am sorry to tell you this and the sellers won't like it, but it is true. Don't gamble with your money if you want authentic! Buy directly from a store or outlet. The outlet is the best deal!

I wish I was more advanced with this because I would show you pictures to compare my keychains. You can look at some of the sites out there selling fakes to get an idea. These sites sell keychains in bulk! ioffer/selling/abuc and giftrisky.ec51/product/catalog_keychain_keyring (be sure to enter the other link information you need because eBay won't let me).

Here is some information I found on COACH website:

Combating counterfeiting of Coach product is an important objective for Coach. The counterfeiters illegally profit at the expense of Coach and affect the entire economy through lost revenues and taxes. In addition, counterfeiters do not typically honor safety and environmental regulations, namely child labor and anti-sweatshop laws. Without a doubt, the high quality and workmanship embodied in genuine Coach product is not duplicated in the counterfeit product; counterfeit quality is typically poor.

Coach DOES NOT offer its merchandise for sale through individuals, street vendors, unauthorized retail locations, internet auctions, or at house parties. The ONLY avenues in which Coach offers its merchandise for sale is via: 1) Coach Stores; 2) Coach Factory Stores; 3) Direct Coach Catalog Sales; 4) Authorized Department Stores; 5) authorized specialty stores; 6) limited duty free locations; 7) corporate accounts; and 8) our website (coach dot com) If you purchase a Coach item from an unauthorized source, such as an internet auction, Coach is not required to offer a determination regarding the item's authenticity. Also, Coach will not provide specific tips on how to determine if an item is counterfeit. As you can understand, counterfeiters could use this information to the detriment of Coach. The only way to guarantee the authenticity of a Coach item is to purchase it via the avenues listed above.

To report counterfeiters, please call the counterfeit hotline at (800) 396-1807 or e-mail the information requested below to to (email I posted above because eBay won't let me post links) If you wish, you may remain anonymous. Please find below a list of the information that will assist Coach in taking action:

1. Where is the location?
   
2. What kind of location is it (i.e. retail, street vendor, flea market, internet, factory, etc.)? If you are reporting an internet auction seller, please provide the seller name and/or item number of the item at issue.
   
3. What quantities and styles are being sold?
   
4. Are counterfeits of any other companies present? If so, which companies?
   
5. Do the items bear any Coach trademarks (Coach name, logo, beaded chain and hangtag, Signature C), or are they confusingly similar to our designs and/or trademarks?
   

Please be assured that every lead is a priority and investigated as soon as possible. Your assistance is greatly appreciated and sends a strong message to counterfeiters that their illegal activity will not be tolerated. And remember, if the deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. (That is Coach site wording, but everyone here knows it is true! If it seems too good to be true, it probably is)