First off, lemme just say, if it seems too good to be true, like, dirt cheap on some sketchy website? Run. Just run. That’s like, Rule Number One of Fake-Avoidance. Seriously. Suspicious dealer + suspiciously low price = almost DEFINITELY a fake. Duh.
Now, okay, say you’re lookin’ at a Coach *something* online. Google is your friend. Seriously. Google “Coach [whatever the last part of the serial number is]” See what pops up! Sometimes you’ll find a match, sometimes you’ll find a whole bunch of “IS THIS FAKE???” forum posts. Those are helpful, usually.
But here’s the thing, and this is my personal opinion: the devil’s in the details. And these counterfeiters, man, they *try*. But they often screw up on the little things.
For bags, anyway, they always talk about stitching. Is it even? Is it sloppy? Real Coach, the stitching should be pretty darn good. And the hardware! Does it feel cheap and plasticky? Real Coach hardware has some heft to it. And the lining! Don’t forget to check the lining. If it’s flimsy and weird, that’s a red flag. I saw this one time with a “Coach” wallet, the lining was like…crinkly plastic bag material. Yikes.
Now, watches… I’m not as much of an expert on watches, okay? But I imagine similar principles apply. Is the weight right? Does the band feel cheap? And the movement! (That’s the inside part that makes it tick, for those of you not in the know). Does it look like something a five-year-old glued together? Probably fake.
There are authentication groups on Facebook for bags and sometimes watches! They’re usually pretty helpful, although you might have to wade through a bunch of arguments and catfights, because the internet, ya know?
Also, watch some videos! There are tons of people on YouTube showing you how to spot a fake Coach bag (or watch). Debi the Restorer, apparently, knows her stuff. I mean, I don’t KNOW her, but they mentioned her.
Honestly, the best way to avoid getting scammed is to buy from reputable sources. Like, the actual Coach store, or a department store you trust. Yeah, it’ll cost more, but you’ll have peace of mind.
