‘The prices are the same’: Woman buys Coach bag from Shein. Then she tries to get it authenticated

Photo by@abi_fashionandlifestyle/TikTok ShutterStock

‘I am confused.’ A woman bought a Coach bag from SHIEN. Then she took it to a Coach store to have it authenticated. And the result might surprise you.

Abi Downs (@abi_fashionandlifestyle) is a creator of fashion and lifestyle content who has recently made the choice to purchase a Coach handbag for herself. However, instead of visiting a Coach store directly, the buyer mentioned that she acquired the bag from an online retailer called Shein.

Although Shein is recognized as an internet store famous for its affordable rates, it has also earned a reputation for dubious product standards. According to several online sources, including this Reddit post, the fast-fashion company appears to have started selling Coach handbags in the last three months. However several users question whether the products are authentic.

Naturally, when Downs shared a video of her new Coach bag she purchased from Shein, one commenter inquired, "Did you verify its authenticity?"

How does Coach authenticate bags?

She uploaded a new video. In this video, she showed her bag as she tried to get it verified by a specialist at the Coach store.

The TikTuber is honest about where she got the bag, mentioning to the store employee that she bought it from Shein.

The employee details the characteristics that shoppers need to check for to ensure they're buying an authentic Coach bag.

“You’re looking for the Storypatch,” she says, pointing inside the bag. The associate is referring to a small label that details the bag’s materials and method of production.

The Coach Facebook page states that the Storypatch was first launched in the 1950s. The brand employs this feature to certify a bag as a genuine Coach item. "Each Style of Coach bag is stamped with a distinct registration number. Every bag from Coach carries one—look closely at yours and verify," the message explains.

The associate also tells Downs, “On the hardware, you’d have Coach logos on them as well.”

In the caption, Downs adds “Leather quality” as a feature to note when trying to authenticate a bag.

Was the bag real?

Downs’ video received over 143,000 views. However many viewers felt that the content creator was being misleading.

“This video is incredibly deceptive. There is absolutely no ‘authentication’ here,” wrote one viewer.

“I am confused is it real,” echoed another.

Downs responded in the comments, “They basically said yes it is and it’s from the Coach outlet.”

It seems that Shein is, in fact, an authorized seller of Coach bags. In an unboxing video from content creator Namolinah (@namolinah), who also said she purchased her bag from Shein, the official Coach TikTok account commented, “Enjoy your new bag!”

Others wanted more details from Downs.

“Does it come in Coach packaging,” one person asked about the bag. Downs confirmed the bag arrived with a dust bag. However, she said, the dust bag was wrapped in plastic.

Another asked, “Is there much of a difference in price?” Someone else remarked, “The prices are the same so they better be authentic.”

Once again, Downs responded, “Similar to Coach’s outlet website prices. Cheaper than they’re in store new season items. You won’t find any new season items on Shein.”