How to Identify a Fake Coach

Look closely to determine if the Coach is real.

Seeing the difference between an authentic Coach product and a knockoff can be difficult, depending on the quality of the replica. Pay attention to small details and examine the product carefully for telltale signs, so you do not buy a fake bag, wallet or other Coach product without realizing it. Keep in mind where the product is sold. Department stores and boutiques can be trusted, while small shops and secondhand dealers cannot always guarantee a Coach product's authenticity.

Things You'll Need

• Magnifying glass

Instructions

1. Look at the quality of the leather and fabric. Genuine Coach bags, wallets and other products are made of heavy, treated leather and soft fabric. There should not be any snags, tears or loose ends. Look at the stitches under a magnifying glass and make sure they are even and neat. This will separate the authentic products from the cheapest fake products.

2. Examine the logo. If the product has the classic logo emblem on it, make sure it is a "C" and not a "G," as this is one trick often used to disguise a fake bag. Make sure the double-C pattern lines up on the center and seams of the purse. Fake purses may overlap or have a portion of the C pattern cut off. Make sure it is a double C and not a single row of Cs, which also indicates the bag is fake.

3. Look at the zippers. All Coach zippers will be stamped with the letters "YKK." If these letters aren't there or any other letters are, it is not a real Coach. Some fake Coaches will even have the word "Coach" on the zipper, but authentic products will not have this.

4. Look at the label inside the bag. There should be an identification number with four numbers after a dash. If there are only three numbers after a dash, it is a fake. The stamp on the inside tag should also be neatly printed and in English.

5. Check to see where the bag was made. Coach manufactures some of its bags in the United States and some in China. If the bag was made in Korea, it is definitely a fake.

Tips & Warnings

• Buy Coach purses from department stores and Coach dealers. Coach also has shops at outlet malls for bargain shoppers who want the authentic product.

• Check to see if the product is something Coach manufactures by looking in a Coach store or on the official website.

• If the price seems too good to be true, it probably is.

References

• American Chronicle: How to Spot Fake Coach Handbags
• Bag Bliss: How to Spot a Fake Coach Handbag
• Coach: Official Site