albertabrightalberta | Volunteer Community Mentor
Hi. I was directed to this community forum while I was searching online how to authenticate coach bags. I was suspicious since when i scanned the barcode on the tag thru an app a different item appeared on the internet. Your suggestions/opinions will be highly appreciated. Thank u
@thero8276 wrote:Hi. I was directed to this community forum while I was searching online how to authenticate coach bags. I was suspicious since when i scanned the barcode on the tag thru an app a different item appeared on the internet. Your suggestions/opinions will be highly appreciated. Thank u
Some of the newer fakes are very (dangerously!) close and this is one of them. If you own this bag and can return it, I recommend doing so.
I'll warn you to be care trusting apps for authentication purposes. While humans can make mistakes, no app or computer can be as knowledgeable as a person who knows what to look for. (I can't even count the number of fakes Entrupy has made. Entrupy is an artificial intelligence software program that is purported to authenticate items but Entrupy has deemed fakes as authentic and authentic items as fake across every brand.
@whattheactualfox wrote:@thero8276 Now I am not a handbag expert (Car guy here lol) but I looked online and the best way to verify is to call coach themselves and give them the serial number. They can verify that it is legit as they have a database for authentic reasons. Also the stitching is perfect, sometimes fakes have sloppy stitching.
I will bump this if someone wants to jump in and confirm that it is legit. So far I do not see an issue with it
I wouldn't have commented on your post but for the fact that it has inaccurate and potentially costly and dangerous advice.
I know you're trying to help but to depend on what you've advised, a buyer can be ripped off and/or misled.
1. You advised: I looked online and the best way to verify is to call coach themselves and give them the serial number.
One of the worst things to do if someone wants accurate answers is to call Coach. A serial number is NEVER a valid way to verify authenticity. Fakers to "valid" serial numbers on fakes, often with the seemingly correct numbers that match the bags they're on. A "correct" serial number NEVER proves the item is genuine.
The only thing a serial number can prove is inauthenticity. If a known invalid serial number is on an item, that item can be deemed fake. Or if an item has a "valid" serial number but that number doesn't match the item it's on, it can be deemed fake.
As for calling Coach, that's the craziest thing ever! Not only are Coach employees prohibited by company policy from authenticating items, how do you think they can verify authenticity of an item they can't see? Even taking a bag into a Coach store is equally apt to get an incorrect authentication as it is to get a correct one. (Of course, there's a 50-50 chance of getting it right even blindfolded!) Most of the employees weren't even born when some of the items they're asked about were made.
2. You advised: Also the stitching is perfect, sometimes fakes have sloppy stitching.
With technology today, counterfeiters can make their fakes with "perfect" stitching. And so you know, sometimes genuine items have sloppy stitching. (Are you familiar with the Sonoma line? Check out the stitching.)
As you can see in the example shown by the OP, the stitching isn't a red flag even though the bag is fake.
