These are often referred to as “replicas” but in reality they do not hold the quality and standard that the Coach brand does and typically, the ladies that care about handbags can tell the difference from a mile away!

It is worth every penny to purchase a new authentic bag from Coach, however, if you want to get an authentic bag and are using eBay as the means to do so, here are some helpful hints in making sure you get an authentic handbag and not a replica.

1.       Signature Print: The C’s need to align perfectly in all areas. Coach makes sure that the cut of the fabric line the signature properly at seems where a replica can have them uneven or even variances on the signature C. Also, the C’s should touch at the top tip and align horizontally and vertically throughout the bag.

2.       Credo Patch: Read! Most replica Coach bags have the leather tag imprinted with very poor grammar and many misspellings. The tag should be embossed into the leather with no misspellings and most bags will have a serial number. The stamp will be perfectly aligned and the verbiage will be in English and all caps.

3.       Serial Numbers: These numbers will consist of both Letters and Numbers followed by the Style Number of the handbag. There are a few exceptions to the embossed leather, a handful of the newer bags have their verbiage in a script on the leather tag, again, beware of the language and grammar.

4.       Zippers: Coach uses YKK Zippers. While the pull may be leather, the actual zipper portion that closes the teeth will have a YKK stamp. Sometimes these are hard to see in photos so be sure to ask questions to the seller.

5.       Lining: If it feels cheap, it is a replica. The lining should be the opposite reflection of the exterior. Example: If the exterior has the signature print, the interior should not and vice versa. However, some handbag styles do not have lining, but the stitching will be clear and should not have any errors, glue residue or over stitching.

6.       Hardware: The hardware tone will match throughout the handbag. Also, most will have the Coach symbol stamped in various places. This will never look cheap. Some of the newer styles appear to be doing away with this stamp.

7.       Dust Bags: These are fairly easy to find a fake. The material will not feel cheap. The bag will be a dark brown with white text and red drawstring. The Coach logo will be in the bottom right with “EST. 1941”.

8.       Other: If your C’s look like G’s then it is a fake. If the stitching is multiple colors, it’s a fake. If you’ve never seen the style before and the serial style number doesn’t bring up the same bag, then there is a strong possibility it is a fake. If the price is too good to be true, it’s a fake.

Beware of feedback on eBay, if you have any questions about the authenticity of an item DO NOT BID. As a buyer you need to be your own advocate, make sure you are purchasing from a trusted seller and make sure you can contact the seller if there are any questions or concerns. Someone who isn’t hiding anything will try and answer all the questions that are sent. Do not rush into a purchase and if a picture isn’t clear enough you can always ask the seller for additional photos.

Hope this helps with in your effort to purchase an authentic Coach handbag!

*We at isolditgulfcoast.com take all the possible measures make sure we only list Authentic merchandise!  If there is any question or hesitation then the bag never makes it to auction. Happy Purchasing!*