How to Tell If You Bought a Knock-Off Coach Purse

Use these tips to avoid buying knock-off Coach purses.

If you want to avoid buying a knock-off Coach purse, you'll need an eye for detail and a working knowledge of Coach's handbag design. Coach creates fine leather goods, while replica handbag purveyors often sell fake purses at swap meets, on street corners and online. Using a few expert tips, you can spot a knock-off Coach purse.

Instructions

1. Examine the seams for poor stitching. An authentic Coach purse will have even seams along the bottom and sides of the purse. The stitching of the seams will not cause puckering of the leather or have any dangling threads hanging from the bag.

2. Check for cheap zippers, clasps and hardware. Coach uses heavy brass hardware in its handbags. Look for plastic zippers instead of metal YKK zippers or clasps that are hard to fasten.

3. Look at the Coach "C" logo for fake clues. A single C logo indicates a fake Coach product. Knock-off Coach bags may also substitute a double G for the famous Coach "CC."

4. View the lining and the product tag for authenticity. Since 1970, every Coach handbag has a tag with a specialized serial number, using a combination of numbers and letters, to verify its authenticity. An authentic Coach bag will have a square leather tag, with the coach lettering imprinted in the leather. A knock-off Coach product may have the leather tag glued to the lining of the purse. An authentic Coach purse will have the tag stitched to the inside lining.

5. Check the purse for cheap material clues. An authentic Coach handbag does not contain reconstituted or fake leather. If the handbag has plastic handles and straps or has clear glue residue seeping out of the seams, the purse is a fake.

6. Ask for a dust bag. Authentic Coach bags have chocolate-colored dust bags with red stitching. The bag will have with the words "Coach - Est. 1941" stamped boldly in white letters.

7. Peruse the Coach website or the retail store to view current purse styles. Look for current design themes to detect fake Coach purses from the authentic ones.

Tips & Warnings

• Beware of buying knock-off Coach online. Only buy authentic Coach from a reputable seller with a working telephone number and mailing address displayed on the website.

• To ensure that your Coach handbag is authentic, purchase it from an authorized Coach retailer, Coach outlet or Coach boutique.

References

• eBay Guide to Spotting Fake Coach Bags
• Bag Bliss: Spot a Fake Coach Handbag
• "New York Times": How Not to Buy a A Fake Coach Handbag

Resources

• Coach