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Hi Penaloza,

The hardware would not be chipping if it was Coach. It sounds like you may have received a fake. I'm so sorry to hear this. Unfortunately, there are some fakes on eBay. One thing you can do is check user feedback, but that doesn't always work either.

You may want to check and see if that seller has a lot of Coach products listed. If so, then they are likely selling fakes.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

I purchased a coach patchwork satchel from ebay and now i think it is sooooo fake as it is so heavy I heard coach bags are made of fine leather and should not be heavy..also the brass is chipping and fading.please give me some info.

-- Contributed by: coach authenticity

Hi Tam,

Coach does sometimes use solid colored lining. One of the easiest ways to spot a fake is in the stitching. Look at all the stitching, inside and out. If it is a fake, there will likely be loose or frayed threads. You may also want to go to a store and look at an authentic Coach. You will notice the quality of the purse and how well it is made. Feel the material and the leather. Then compare to yours. Without purchasing from an authorized retailer, it is impossible to say one hundred percent, but you can make a good guess.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

I am trying to figure out if my Coach bag is authentic. The lining is black, so is the outside. The number on my bag is DEJ-9816. The hardware is gold. The outside is a solid, soft leather black with one Coach carriage design and the inside lining is black fabric.

-- Contributed by: tam

Hi Defiant,

You could take the model number and contact the company. However, some who create fakes will also copy the numbers from the authentic bags, so it is no guarantee that it is authentic. You have to take a lot of different factors into consideration when deciding whether the bag is actually a Coach or not.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

What about the model number on the inside of the bag? Could I look up somewhere what a certain model # should look like?

-- Contributed by: defiant

Hi E,

Thanks for the advice. On the cheap fakes, you are correct. Many times the C's will touch. However, some of the better quality fakes look just like the real thing, so you still have to tread with caution. Actually, my advice is to only buy from reputable sources. Coach has some great outlet stores for those on a budget. If you don't have to have the latest seasonal release, you can grab some great deals.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

to tell a real coach from a fake look at the c's real coach c's dont touch fake ones do.

-- Contributed by: e

Hi Chris,

There is a company that will authenticate purses. It is called My Poupette and their web address is MyPoupette.com.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

I received a Coach purse as a gift a few years ago and have never used it and would like to sell it. I want to be sure it's authentic before I sell it. Since it's a few years old (either 2004 or 2005) I have not been able to find one like it. Do you know if or where I could email someone pictures to see if it's authentic or not?

-- Contributed by: Chris

Hi Sharon,

Coach purse linings can vary quite a bit. The only way to know for sure is to know where the purse was purchased. If it was purchased from a reputable dealer, then it is probably authentic.

Perhaps she could ask the gift giver for a copy of the receipt, so she can take advantage of any free promotions for cleaner, etc.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

Can someone tell me if the Coach bags ever have just a suede interior? Are they always lined in fabric. My friend received a Coach for a gift. Inquiring minds want to know. The Coach site doesn't specify linings other than print with solid etc.

-- Contributed by: Sharon

Hi Jackie,

Your best bet is to take it to a local store that sells Coach and see if you can get it authenticated. If you did not purchase it from an authorized retailer or outlet store, then it may or may not be authentic Coach.

There are also a few services that will authenticate for you, such as My Poupette. Most of the time they will validate from a photograph and other details that you have.

You can also look up the serial number on the website and see if it matches the style and colors of your purse.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

I bought a Bleeker large flap bag w/black leather trim, flap and bottom. The huge brass rings on the shoulder strap are NOT polished, but the balance of the bag looks and feels and smells great. I got a 'good' price, not an unbelievable price, but still unsure if it's authentic. How do I find out for sure? Can I go to Coach's website?Every other thing including tags, sack, care info and item numbers and serial no. appear ok.

-- Contributed by: jackie

Hi Anne,

I love that particular purse, especially the hobo. Sounds like you got a great deal!

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

hi LoriSoard, i was so relieved. thank you so much. anyway, the purse looks like a denim patchwork. there are different styles cut and sewn together. and on the side is the classic signature coach style.

-- Contributed by: ANNE

Hi Anne,

You are right that Macy's is authorized. I am sure it was probably just a discounted, seasonal item. Coach tends to not offer everything they make on their site and also they rotate things very quickly when they are seasonal. What did the purse look like? That might help me make a guess if it might have been a seasonal selection.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

I purchased a coach handbag at macy's. It was on sale for 290.00 originally 460.00. The next day, I was checking out coach.com, checking for other handbags when I started to notice that the handbag that I just bought was not in there or there was no style like that. I am worried right now if my coach handbag is authentic or not. I thought macy's is an authorized retailer?

-- Contributed by: ANNE

Hi Amy,

Some of the newer Coach purses have the script print. The creed patch really isn't an indication of authenticity. However, if you see any mispellings on the creed patch, then it is a fake. As for whether both are legit, it really just depends upon whether you purchased from a reputable source. It's impossible to tell from the creed patch alone. One of the easiest ways to spot a fake is in the stitching. An authentic Coach purse will have very fine and even stitching and a Coach purse will last for years. Fakes tend to tear up quickly.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

Question regarding the Creed Stamp inside an authentic Coach bag. I have seen different versions of the stamp. Some have a typewriter style print, some have a handwritten cursive print. Are both legit?

-- Contributed by: Amy

Hi LT,

Many of the designers will not verify serial numbers unless the item was purchased through a source that is permitted to sell their brand. You can try to go to a store and see if they will verify, but some will not if you haven't purchased the item there. You may want to try a service such as My Poupette to get the item verified. The moral of the whole story is that the only way you can be sure of an authentic product is to purchase from an authorized retailer or outlet store.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

As a b/d gift, I was given a "coach" handbag & I sure did call the 800# for coach inc., & the lady said she can't verify the authenticity of the purse by the serial # inside?! I kid you not & she told me the only way to know is to purchase coach products from a "coach" dealership. So I'd like to know, can't I just walk in these so call coach selling stores and basically ask if they can see if this gift is authentic? Thank you

-- Contributed by: LT

Hi Mariah,

Although fakes often have serial numbers too, you can verify your serial number. Look inside the bag. The serial number should be stamped in there. Call Coach at 1-888-262-6224 and verify that the serial number is authentic. You'll also need to give them the bag's color and style, so you may want to visit their site first and get the proper terms for the purse version you have.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

what about the serial numbers. Is there a way to check and verify!

-- Contributed by: mariah

Hi Jeanale,

I haven't seen one, but Coach is coming up with new designs constantly. They also sell different styles in their outlets. The only way to be sure you have an authentic Coach is to purchase from a certified retailer or outlet store.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

is there a such thing of the clear plastic Coach purse?

-- Contributed by: jeanale

Hi Sue,

Unfortunately, the fakes often come with numbers and tags and can look very much like the real thing. You may be able to take the purse to a Coach retailer to have it authenticated, but not all retailers will do this, particularly with Coach which is often copied. One of the best indicators of whether it is real is in the quality. The stitching will often be uneven and there may even be some frayed material on the inside.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

just bought a coach purse can someone help me id it and see if it's real tag number is J04U-9363 thank you so much for your time

Sue

-- Contributed by: Sue

Thanks for the update, Daisy. Anytime you can get a Coach so inexpensively, it is likely not the real thing. Some replicas are good and some not so good too. The only way to be certain you are purchasing an authentic Coach is to buy from an authorized retailer or outlet store.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

I purchased a Coach bag from ioffer.com and paid $50. They are knockoffs, not the real thing. JFYI.

-- Contributed by: daisyj

Hi Christina,

I haven't heard of that site, but you can check with Coach and see if they are an authorized retailer or distributor. To my knowledge they are not, so I'd be cautious about whether or not it might be authentic. Hope that helps.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

I am looking at a coach signature stripe purse and its from Ioffer.com Does anyone know about that web site??

-- Contributed by: Christina

Hi Meghan,

We own several Coach purses in our house as well. They hold up very well and with three teen girls and myself, we can swap them around for a new look. Have you seen the new blue Coach purses in the Signature line? They are to die for. I am saving up for one right now.

Thanks for your thoughts and the tips. I'm sure other readers will appreciate it.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

I myself own one Coach bag, one wristlet and two keychains. I would never, ever purchase a Coach from a street vendor, out of a truck or any place that I was not completely sure was selling the real thing. I purchased all of my Coach things from either the Coach store in my local mall or Macy's. Nordstrom, Dillards, Lord and Taylor and Coach outlet stores also sell real Coach goods. I believe Neiman Marcus and Bloomingdales sell Coach goods because they are high end retailers, but I haven't ever looked into buying one there, so I'm no sure, but if they do carry them you can be sure they are real. It is easy to see the difference in a fake, especially if you get close to it. I would never buy anything that is fake designer wear because I feel it is disloyal to the brand, especially if you already own a real one. I am middle class not rich but when I want something expensive I save up because I know designers are constantly fighting fakes. If you have recently discovered that you own a fake Coach and not an original there is a section on Coach.com that you can report fake vendors.

P.S. A real Coach always comes in a cloth bag for protection and with an authenticity card. Hope this helps!

-- Contributed by: Meghan

Hi Cassandra,

I'm glad that you're happy with your purchases. I have to admit that I sometimes have a little extra spring in my step when I carry my authentic Coach, but I too own both the real thing and some replicas. Many of the replicas are excellent quality. I usually can notice the difference in the way the C's are formed, but I write for this site and Coach has always been my favorite brand. I don't think most people would ever notice.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

We all know that there are replicas of everything, but I too have real Coach purses that I purchased over 20 years ago that I still carry that I paid about $120 for that today costs 3 times that much. I also have a few fake Coach purses that I paid about $50 for that I also still have. Bottom line, the real thing is too expensive for some people to purchase as to buying a replica, you really cannot tell the difference looking at them. So I would rather pay $50 anyday compared to $400 for the same look

-- Contributed by: cassandra

Hi Amber,

Unless you purchase the item from an authorized dealer, it is really hard to say if it is real or not. The fakes have gotten really good over the years. Probably the only way to be certain would be to compare like purse to like purse side-by-side. My husband bought similar purses from a work friend for our girls. The claim is that they are real, but since they were for teen girls, it didn't really matter. They were excited, he was proud of himself for getting them a cool gift that they truly love. Everyone is happy.

One sure sign of a fake is in the stitching. Coach purses have very small and even stitches. Fraying or uneven stitches signal a fake.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

I have a girlfriend that is selling Coach purses at work and she claims that her husband's friend works for the outlet store and he gets them some how. I myself own over 5 Coach bags and I personally cannot tell if they are real or fake but I know that Coach bags are heavy in weight and these are very light in weight so that makes me very weary and also one of the girls bought a wallet and I compared her's to mine and the inside doesn't have Coach written out in the inside where you put dollar bills. Is it real????

-- Contributed by: Amber Alcala

Hi Taylor,

It's hard these days to tell a real from a fake. The place I can always tell the difference is in the inside stitching. For example, my daughter got a Coach purse for Valentine's Day and I immediately knew it was a fake because of the frayed stitching around the inside pocket. It was also stitched unevenly.

You can get details on your particular purse model on the Coach website. this should detail what the inside fabric should look like and so on. Also, it depends upon where the person purchased the bag. If he or she bought it from an authorized retailer, then it is likely the real thing. If he or she bought it from the back of a pickup truck, it is likely a fake.

Hope that helps.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

I just got a coach purse for my birthday. But i noticed on a pair of coach shoes i have it has a call number on the inside...But my purse doesnt. Does that mean something?? IS it real? Please hep!

-- Contributed by: Taylor

Hi April,

Some of the older style Coach bags do not have anything stamped on the buckles. As always, the best way to make sure you are purchasing a real Coach handbag is to purchase from an authorized retailer or authorized outlet store. Also, hardware should be stamped with the Coach lozenge logo. Often, fakes will have crooked words too, although not always.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

do ALL the buckles on Coach bags have "Coach" written on them? Or are there some without it? THanks

-- Contributed by: April

Hi Mary,

Coach purses are made in China, so that isn't an indication of a fake. Also, they do have serial numbers but so do the fakes. The best way to spot a fake is in the stitching. A fake will often have irregular and uneven stitching. Also, the interior will not be stitched evenly. The other thing I would look at is if you bought the purse from a reputable source.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

i bought a coach. it is a blue jean patchwork purse. If the purse has says it was made in China and it has a number. is it real or fake.

-- Contributed by: mary

Hi Tashuna,

Unfortunately, the fakes often have a serial number as well, so just locating a serial number will not always tell you if the purse is real or fake. Most Coach bags do have a serial number, located inside the bag, and Stamped into a small bit of leather.

Did your boyfriend purchase the purse from an authorized dealer? The purse should have come with a cloth bag as a cover and a card of authenticity, as well.

Ebay has an excellent guide, with many details, to help you spot a fake Coach.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

My boyfriend purchase me a coach purse and I was told that a real coach has a serial number is that true? And if so where do you find it? Please help I would really like to know if mine is real or fake.

-- Contributed by: Tashuna Byrd

Hi Alex,

You are correct that Coach bags are generally made in China. I pulled mine out to do a quick check too. The way that you can usually spot a fake is in the stitching. An authentic Coach purse has perfect, tiny little stitches and a fake will not. Replicators are getting better however. Also, how much your boyfriend paid and where he purchased it can indicate if it is authentic. Coach is sold at high end retailers such as Dillard's or Nordstrom's and not out of the trunk of a car for example. You can find a list of Coach stores and outlets at the Coach website.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

My boyfriend got me a coach purse for Christmas and not sure if its a fake but the inside of the purse says that it was made in Mexico. Are coaches made in Mexico? Because I know that the real one are made in China. Please Help!!!

-- Contributed by: alexg

Hi, Leota,

It is true that a skewed or imperfect C is a good sign that the handbag is a fake. However, fakes doesn't always have this now with more advanced printing techniques. In fact, some fakes look so real they fool even the experts. And those who copy designers are getting better and better at it with each passing year. Particularly with Coach, you can often spot a fake by the stitching on the and inside the purse. An authentic purse will have small, even stitching. The fakes usually do not. Again, if you are not buying from an authorized dealer, buyer beware. The counterfeiters are getting better and better.

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

I was once told that if the "C" on the handbags are cut in 1/2 thats the hangbag is a fake. For example the famous logo will not be split where the hangbag ends...is this true or false?

-- Contributed by: Leota

Hi, Susan,

The best way to be certain you have a Coach product is to be an authorized distributor of Coach products. I would tread very cautiously, because it is a crime to sell a product as Coach when it is not. Many of the items you see on online auction sites are not really Coach. A return purse is likely an item that probably should not have been resold but should have been sent back to Coach. It may have come from a retail establishment, if it is authentic. The retailer should have mailed it back to the company as they get reimbursement for returns of a certain nature. Sometimes employees and retailers slip through the cracks in this type of warranty or return deal. It sounds like that my be what happened in this case.

Your best bet to get authentic Coach at wholesale prices for resale is by buying in bulk from the company. I would contact Coach for details. Good luck in your business endeavors!

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

Hi Krystal, I have purchased a "eal coach" "Carly lg. tote" over the net. I believe that it is real,and by all indications in your articles, it truly is. When I purchased it I was told that it was a return, and that was indicated by a punch through the leather label, and a black strike made on the interior of the lining. My question is how do people get these bags? Can anyone ask to purchase a return and what does that do to the warranty? I would love to sell Coach online, but how can you get them at a wholesale price? Thank you for your response.

-- Contributed by: Susan

Hi, Krystal,

It's hard to say, but one of the biggest keys to seeing if it is real or a fake is in the stitching. A fake typically has imperfect stitching. My recommendation would be to go to a high end retail store, such as Dilliard's, and ask to look at one of their Coach purses. Take not of the stitching. Then go home and compare to your own Coach purse.

There are a few other things that will tell you if it is real or a fake and they are listed in the article above. Good luck!

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

my friend gave me a coach purse and it has striped intioer but has a coach symbol thats says it was made in italy is a real patch work purse ???

-- Contributed by: krystal

Hi, Dreaa,

This is an excellent question. Actually, the material used in a replica can often look very similar to the same type of material used in an authentic Coach purse. Coaches are typically lined on the inside in a contrasting color (not always, but usually) in cotton or satin. One of the best ways to make sure the purse is authentic is to do some research at the Coach website and find out what color inside contrasts with the specific outside color. If the purse you are thinking of buy has different color combinations, then this can be an indication that it is not authentic.

If the Coach purse has a silk fabric lining with the "C" pattern, it is probably the real deal. It is very hard to copy the signature silk inexpensively, so knockoffs don't typically use this type of lining.

Also, the inside probably will not be stamped with the full word "Coach". This is usually only used on the inside of wallets and to have the word "Coach" stamped over and over on the interior fabric is an indication that the purse may be fake.

The makers of these knockoffs are getting really good at replicating Coach handbags. This is fine as long as they sell them for a lower price, but many times they sell them for close to the same price as a real Coach handbag. Hope this helps!

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

is it true that inside fake coach purses it has C's or says coach and real ones are solid?

-- Contributed by: dreaa

Hi, Amber. One of the easiest ways to spot a fake Coach handbag is in the stitching of the purse. Coach handbags have a very small, tight stitch. Knockoffs will have sloppy stitching. More than likely, since you purchased this at an outlet store, there was probably a slight error at the Coach factory and these are what is known as "remains". Remains are often sold at outlet stores because they are not perfect, such as an upside down "C". However, it is usually a minor defect that most people will never notice.

I hope that answers your question. I love the patchwork totes!

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

I bought a coach holiday patchwork tote recently at the outlet store in the lake of the ozarks, missouri. The C's are lined up exactly and a couple are upside down. Does that mean it is fake???

-- Contributed by: Amber

Hi, Reese. You are absolutely correct about the stitching. It is often a dead giveaway that the purse is not an authentic Coach. Good tip :)

-- Contributed by: LoriSoard

I love coach and its probably bc my mother always bought coach purses alot and now that I live on my own and work Ive bought 4 handbags and 2 wristlets! I love coach bc the quality of their procucts is just exquisite.. the craftsmanship is just incredible on the hand bags. especially with their leather handbags! and let me tell you I can spot a fake from a mile away. without even handling a fake I can just look at it in spot its fake hardware and uneven stitching... coach's handbags have perfect stitching where you see no start or ends. I just wouldnt settle for a fake when the quality of the coach bags are great... and the leather bags get even better with time and wear.

-- Contributed by: reese

I purchased this great looking bag with the Coach emblem at the Flea Market in IL...My favorite colour red with Coach sewn on the front and Coach keychain. The price was too good to be true. Thus,three months later the shoulder strap had to be reinforced at the leather store. Thus, the leather expert informed me that my bag is not a true Coach. Since then I purchase my Coach bags at the Coach Outlet store where I receive great discounts. Yesterday, I purchased a pair of authentic Coach sandals from Macy's department store at a huge discount..Coach lovers we love quality, style and good prices. I would love to be a spokeswoman for Coach. Thanks for listening.

-- Contributed by: Anne

Thanks for this great info on Coach purses. I was invited to a "Coach" party. I was told that the purses were "Real" Coach purses. The demonstrator said that they were "authentic" Coach purses that had imperfections, over stocked, etc. Not one purses was over $100 (gasp, what a deal!!!!!). As your site said, some things are too good to be true. I have purchased over 10 Coach purses/wallets from Outlets and retail lcoation (I am 29) and plan to keep being a faithful Coach customer. I went home and checked out this demonstrator's web site and it did in fact say that these were "replica" handbags. Isn't that illelgal to be selling them as the real thing. Those cheap handbags give Coach a bad name. I did in fact inform some of the party goers that the bags were fake and plan to send the demonstrator and email to let her know that she is indeed NOT selling the authenti purses. Does Coach have a program where they do have demonstrators who do sell "imperfect" handbags? If so, I would like to see information on it! Thanks for listening!

-- Contributed by: Jill
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