Chicago woman finds a Coach purse with a matching wallet at Goodwill for $25. She’s over the moon — then a shopper points out the obvious: ‘devastated’

For a Chicago woman, the excitement of potentially discovering a high-fashion bag while thrifting once took her on a rollercoaster of emotions. Jennifer was walking through a Goodwill when she stumbled across what she thought was a Coach bag. That is, until an attempt to show her find brought her crashing down to reality. She then took to TikTok to share the experience, writing in the caption, “I was DEVASTATED.”

In the video, Jennifer tells her audience, “Guys, tell me why I’m at goodwill. And I’m like, oh, my god, look at what I found, right? And it’s a coach purse, right? So then I’m like, dude, it’s only $25.” There had been another lady who hadn’t wanted to hit the store because they wouldn’t have a Coach purse, so Jennifer rushed to show her the find. Another thing that got her excited was that the purse came with a matching wallet. Then she was told it was fake. 

In the video, Jennifer’s friend states, “It’s fake. It’s made in China.” When Jennifer complains, “I was so happy,” her friend points out the details that gives it away. “Look at the C, dude. It’s like a CG.” Jennifer still tries to look on the bright side, remarking, “Let me see the front, though. It’s cute, right? It looks real, though, from afar, if you like.” Her friend simply replies, “You forgot your glasses.” Jennifer concludes the video by wryly claiming that she was “salty” with the find. 

The key lies in the details

The comments section on her video was filled with people commenting on the authenticity of the bag. One user noted, “Girl that’s not a fake coach purse the brand is Guess it’s clearly a G.” Another user added, “Girl I seen a goach right away.” Someone else commented, “Coach makes purses in china gurl but that just aint a coach purse.” 

Other users were more sympathetic, with one writing, “Girl, idc I would still get it,” and another saying, “aww its still a cute purse.” One user offered a bit of advice for future thrifting trips, stating, “Sadly she right you gotta check the inside.” Another TikToker, who bought a golf bag for her husband at Goodwill, didn’t look inside. When he did, he found a putter worth hundreds. 

If you want to avoid this kind of heartbreak, it helps to know what to look for when you are shopping for designer items. According to Designer Second Hand Vienna, there are six key signs of authenticity you should keep in mind. 

First, consider the materials and craftsmanship. Authentic high-end bags are reportedly made from premium materials like genuine leather or structured canvas, and they should feel soft yet firm. If it feels cheap to the touch, it probably is. 

Second, the store advises you to pay attention to the logos and lettering. Counterfeits often feature blurry or oversized logos, incorrect fonts, or misspellings. Third, look for serial numbers and labels. Per the website, many luxury brands include these inside the product, and missing or poorly printed codes are common red flags.

Fourth, check the interior and details. Per the advice, you should look for quality lining and smooth, sturdy zippers. Fifth, keep the price in mind. If an offer sounds too good to be true, it likely is. After all, even when trying to recover money to pay back fraud victims, the luxury bags and assets of a Vietnamese tycoon were sold at market value. 

Finally, where you buy matters. Buying from verified stores with expertise is your best protection against fakes. As Designer Second Hand Vienna notes, authentic designer pieces stand for craftsmanship, quality, and longevity. 

So, it is definitely worth taking a beat to inspect your finds before you head to the register.