How to Spot a Fake Coach

Many of my friends have been asking me on some tips to spot a fake coach. Fake Coach are quite hard to detect if the sellers are out to cheat the buyers but here's some tips base on my experience :

*** Please note that I am not affiliated to coach and the illustration is base on my personal experience ***

1) Signature Fabric

The "C" pattern will be crooked. Except for some newer patterns, like the "optic" or "scarf print," the tip of the horizontal "C" facing the other "C" should touch. Also, the pattern should line up and start in the center of the front panel of the bag (same with the back panel). The center seam should go straight down through the middle of the CC's, and the pattern should be aligned horizontally and vertically. Also, the pattern should line up on any front or back pockets, so that it looks like there is no break in the pattern. (Note: Sometimes the pattern does not line up on side seams as this is nearly impossible to do.) The best way to tell is to go to the COACH website and look at the real thing, and then compare it to what you're looking at on eBay and see if the pattern is different. Another quicker option is to go to coach outlets and get the sales assistant to verify the authenticity of the items.

Sometimes the "CC" will actually be a "GG" - how much more obvious can you get! And no, this does not mean it's a Gucci, Guess! (I'm not as familiar with Gucci/Guess products, but if someone is selling you a "COACH" bag which is imprinted with the letter "G" then logically it must be fake.)

2) Stitching & General Look of the Bag

If the stitching is uneven or the bag looks rather unevenly constructed, then it must be fake. This is a sure sign because COACH does not make sloppy products! Each stitch should be the same length as every other stitch, it should be in a straight line, and there should be no "over-stitching".

3) Credo Patch

Most COACH bags have a "serial number" stamped on the inside, on a square patch of leather sewn into the lining. Some of the smaller purses (the "clutch," the "swingpack" and the "mini") do not have a serial number. The serial number typically consists of a series of numbers or a number-and-letter combination. Careful, though, as fake COACH bags also have a serial number - so just because the bag has a serial number does NOT mean the it is authentic.

Up until 2002 about 75% of coach handbags were manufactured in the US. Now, most are assembled in China.

The interior serial number should start with “No”, the abbreviation for number, and have 4 numbers after the dash, not 3.

The writing should be neat on the authenticity tag, not crookedly stamped on. Also the paragraph above the serial number should be in all caps, and in English.

4) Coach Logo Tags

COACH commonly uses logo tags that are attached by a beaded chain. Usually, the tag should match the trim of the bag. The words “COACH” should be raised, not imprinted.

Some styles to have metal tags. Do your research to make sure that the tag goes with the bag you are getting. It is not uncommon for counterfeiters to mass-produce these metal tags; it’s the cheaper more profitable way. Tags are never made out of hard plastic.