Is this an authentic Coach purse? *UPDATE: Pg 4*

[snarlingcoyote]

I don't want to be a Debbie Downer, I would guess it was fake, I can't image the Goodwill store would only ask a 1.50 for it. or one of the employees didn't buy it before it went out on the floor.

Let's see, I've gotten Mephisto loafers for $5, a Coach wristlet for .99, several Hermes scarves for .39 each (yep, real ones, not the almost-fakes you can get), 2 perfectly lovely Seiko watches for under $5 each, and several pieces of antique stone ware for less than $5 each from the thrift stores. In the past year and a half, I've bought 2 pairs of Sperry Topsiders, and about 4 pairs of Converse All-Stars for less than $7 each, averaging around $5.

Oh. Whoops. I got my niece a pair of Uggs last year before Christmas for about $15. They were filthy, but a good scrubbing later and she has her Uggs.

And, on a purely DIS note, I got my great WDW beach tote at the thrift for .99.

Such things DO make it to the floor, at least at the thrifts I visit.

 

[castmember19]

Oh. Whoops. I got my niece a pair of Uggs last year before Christmas for about $15. They were filthy, but a good scrubbing later and she has her Uggs.

Question! How do you clean the Uggs? I have a pair that someone spilled a red sports drink on. Is it a lost cause?

 

[MinnieMe87]

A few months ago, I found brand new (never been worn) $150 Justin work boots for $3 at Goodwill.

I wish I could find Justin boots that cheap!!!!!! That's an awesome find too. Looks like I'm going thrifting tomorrow after work! I've got the thrifting bug now!

 

[snapppyd]

Does everyone really love their Coach bags that much? I have three of them, which I received as Christmas gifts (I can't justify spending that much on a bag).

I prefer the bags I buy at Kohl's. I got a $300 leather Coach bag last Christmas and it has not held up well at all. The color is wearing off the leather at the corners and the zipper sticks. It is definitely not a fake, I received it straight from Coach (the original one was material with the C logos all over it - I hated it and exchanged it for the leather).

I don't think they are worth the money

 

[happygirl]

Let's see, I've gotten Mephisto loafers for $5, a Coach wristlet for .99, several Hermes scarves for .39 each (yep, real ones, not the almost-fakes you can get), 2 perfectly lovely Seiko watches for under $5 each, and several pieces of antique stone ware for less than $5 each from the thrift stores. In the past year and a half, I've bought 2 pairs of Sperry Topsiders, and about 4 pairs of Converse All-Stars for less than $7 each, averaging around $5.

Oh. Whoops. I got my niece a pair of Uggs last year before Christmas for about $15. They were filthy, but a good scrubbing later and she has her Uggs.

And, on a purely DIS note, I got my great WDW beach tote at the thrift for .99.

Such things DO make it to the floor, at least at the thrifts I visit.

'm going to the wrong places lol. IF the thrift stores here get anything good like that they are in a case pad locked and marked high.

 

[Rora]

That looks just like a Coach bag, I had in the 80s. I wish I had kept all my Coach bags. I do have a couple from back then, but I gave away most of them.

Yep.

My Great Aunt Mary, who was a very stylish, classic woman, had one in black. It held up great and now I carry it!

OP- It looks real to me.

 

[Mahnahmahnah]

Does everyone really love their Coach bags that much? I have three of them, which I received as Christmas gifts (I can't justify spending that much on a bag).

I prefer the bags I buy at Kohl's. I got a $300 leather Coach bag last Christmas and it has not held up well at all. The color is wearing off the leather at the corners and the zipper sticks. It is definitely not a fake, I received it straight from Coach (the original one was material with the C logos all over it - I hated it and exchanged it for the leather).

I don't think they are worth the money

I love my Coach bags very much. It's just my 'thing'. I'll pass them down to my kid. Retro bags may be cool some day in the future as well.


I agree that the one's made in recent years are hit or miss as far as QC issues. But Coach has a very liberal return policy. Take that bag back to the store and let them see it!

Possibly, they will have you ship it back to Coach for repair. It'll cost $20. If they can't repair it, you will have the option of keeping the bag and receiving 40% off a new bag, or they can keep it and you'll be refunded/credited. It helps if you have the receipt, but even then, if your DH bought it for you chances are he's in their system along with the info and amount of the purse. Yes, even after all this time. Coach is aware that some bags have issues. Sounds like yours does. They may tell you right then there that particular one had issues and offer a credit for the amount you paid. THAT is the good thing about Coach. Shouldn't happen at all, but what can you do.

Take advantage of this policy! Don't let them get away with giving you a fail purse.

 

[FredinFL]

I wouldn't know a Coach purse if someone slapped me in the head with it. Great find, it's so much fun to find a great deal!

 

[piperett]

UPDATE! Here are two replies I've received on the eBay "purse expert" forum. Looks like it's the real deal!

"Youre right, its a Basic Bag probably from the early to mid 1980s since they changed from a double to a single strap probably around 1988 or 89. Congratulations, nice find!"

and

"Agree that it's definitely an Authentic "Basic Bag".

It has an "error" in the serial number (8 digits instead of 7 digits) which we have seen before. Simply a mistake by the actual human who stamped it by hand."

 

[OceanAnnie]

That is an awesome find!

You are a lucky duck!

 

[tlbwriter]

Take it to your local Coach store (or Macy's or any dept. store that sells Coach) and ask them!

I had someone who worked at the Coach counter in a department store compliment me on my nice "Coach" bag, which was actually a plain leather bag from some other department store - not even a fake Coach, just a leather bag with no tag or insignia at all!

 

[Rora]

Awesome find!!

 

[Kae]

Great Find. most of my Coach purses are from the early 90's.

Kae

 

[snarlingcoyote]

'm going to the wrong places lol. IF the thrift stores here get anything good like that they are in a case pad locked and marked high.

Well the Uggs were in a case a thrift store I don't visit that often.

My fave thrift has a padlocked case full of overpriced things. But they also apparently don't know what a real Hermes scarf looks like or that Mephistos are $300 shoes.

The Goodwill is mostly overpriced, but I got my Seikos and the coach wristlet there. . .things that just slipped thru, I guess.

It's a crapshoot, honestly. I'm sure I passed right by things that were pricey b/c I didn't know that particular label. I've handled and know a few brands that are high end, so when I see them I can nab 'em! It sort of takes learning the brands and knowing what to look for. Right now, whoever does the sorting looking for "good stuff" at my favorite thrift is the kind of person who puts the fake Dooney & Bourkes behind the counter.

 

[shortbun]

Op, you're lucky! The Goodwill and VOA thrift shops here know a vintage bag when they see one and no way you're going to get vintage Coach for less than $30, often more. I've purchased a couple Coach at yardsales for under $5 and felt really lucky. My favorite was a satchel, black leather with long handles-looks like your bag and that satchel are of the same vintage, similar construction and same black leather.

 

[Robinrs]

UPDATE! Here are two replies I've received on the eBay "purse expert" forum. Looks like it's the real deal!

"Youre right, its a Basic Bag probably from the early to mid 1980s since they changed from a double to a single strap probably around 1988 or 89. Congratulations, nice find!"

and

"Agree that it's definitely an Authentic "Basic Bag".

It has an "error" in the serial number (8 digits instead of 7 digits) which we have seen before. Simply a mistake by the actual human who stamped it by hand."

I just found this thread and I have that EXACT PURSE!! LOL! Had it since the 80s and several more like, one I have me right now. They last FOREVER.

I only liked the Coach bags from back then and still find them in thrift stores for less than $30. It's a great bag! Congrats!

 

[TLSnell1981]

Great find!!

 

[CurlyGirl]

I had someone who worked at the Coach counter in a department store compliment me on my nice "Coach" bag, which was actually a plain leather bag from some other department store - not even a fake Coach, just a leather bag with no tag or insignia at all!

The employees at the Coach counter in a department store are hired by that department store and are placed there and not trained in handbags. Just like the employees behind the Macy's jewelry counter are employees and most do not have training in jewelry aside from a quick lesson in the 4C's. When I was looking at an emerald in Macy's, the girl tried to tell me it could take wear and tear. Nope - wrong. It's not meant for everyday wear as it fractures easily. She had no idea - was just trying to make a sale.

I have a Prada bag and I was looking at Prada at Bergdorf's. The girl behind the Prada counter asked me if it was real. However, when I walked into the Prada store on E. 57th, the Prada staff automatically knew it was real and asked which Prada store I bought it in. On top of that, they were literally at my beck and call!

 

[SookieStackhouse]

Excellent find! Congratulations

 

[DisMN]

Just for fun I decided to research a bit more about the Hermes purse I have. Found this delightfully worded description on a site selling *real* Hermes birkin bags for only $249!! LOL

Hermes is a brand from France which with the same traditional fashion, both the practical and elegant. It has a lot of culture and history. The gift is the most decent and high-end one to friends or loved ones. It can take your most love or friendship ties to the transmission distance.

What does it mean? What does it mean? What if I don't want to take my most love or friendship ties to the transmission distance? *wild snort*