How to Tell if Coach Pocketbooks Are Fake or Real
For many women, a Coach pocketbook is a symbol of sophistication and success. The company's classic styles and impeccable craftsmanship have made the handbags a must-have accessory for millions of customers. Brand counterfeiters recognized the popularity of Coach bags years ago and began targeting aspirational shoppers with appetites for luxury and limited incomes. Fake Coach pocketbooks with temptingly discounted prices are everywhere. However, for those who want the real thing, there are certain details to look for, and several factors to consider. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Examine the stitching.Coach pocketbooks are known for straight, tight, near-perfect stitching.Bags with crooked lines of stitches, or unevenly sized stitches that show fraying or other imperfections should raise a red flag.
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Check the fabric patterns. Coach uses its trademark C or CC fabric for many of its handbags.The C pattern on real Coach bags is symmetrical. When seams, straps or decorative leather strips interrupt the pattern, it continues, without interruption, on the other side. Bags made from the signature fabric have plain linings, while solid-color bags often have C-pattern linings.Coach only uses the C pattern inside or out, never on both parts of the handbag.
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Look for the YKK stamp on any zippers.Coach uses only high-quality YKK zippers. A decade ago, if a Coach zipper was missing a YKK stamp, it was suspect. However, in 2006, counterfeiters started manufacturing fake YKK zippers for all types of knock offs. But zippers still offer clues about a Coach pocketbook's authenticity. Low-quality fasteners with no YKK stamps and poor stitching are signs of a counterfeit handbag.
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Examine the tag. Coach pocketbooks come with leather tags embossed with the Coach name. Counterfeits sometimes come with printed or stamped tags.Coach uses a font with an A that comes to a sharp point. Fakes sometimes lose that detail on embossed tags, and instead have A's with flat heads.Tags are attached to authentic Coach handbags with beaded chains, and the fit is just right. Counterfeiters sometime punch an over-sized tag hole, making the fit on the chain loose.
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Consider the source.The safest places to buy real Coach bags are Coach stores, authorized department stores and retail shops.The company also sells bags on its website, and through catalogs. Coach does not work with people who auction pocketbooks online, nor does it sell bags through street vendors.The company does sell discounted pocketbooks, but only at its factory outlets. Online auctions that list cheap Coach bags with handles and hardware wrapped in plastic, are offering fakes. Real Coach pocketbooks are packed in soft brown dust bags with red drawstrings, and the Coach name in the right-hand corner.
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- Photo Credit handbags image by Bionic Media from Fotolia.com
