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A couple months ago, I purchased a Coach purse from a Coach outlet store. I used it a few hours one day and the chemical odor emanating from it gave me a migraine, sore throat, very sore eyelids and bloodshot eyes. My migraine did not let up even thru the night. It wasnโ€™t until the next morning I began to notice the strong odor that had not dissipated and the room the purse was in was engulfed in the odor. I put the purse out in the garage and

Within 30 minutes, my migraine of 18 hrs had gone away.

This really had me worried as I have fibromyalgia and certainly donโ€™t want to add to my systemโ€™s challenges. When I went out later into the garage, which is vented to the outside, the entire garage stunk.

I contacted Coach who initially told me to stuff it with papers to absorb the odor. This was beyond saving or deodorizing. After a 3rd contact with Coach customer service in New York, they offered me a return address shipping paid label for me to return to them for a refund. During this time, I continued to ask what could be the cause of this odor, as I have been affected physically by something very toxic. They never addressed my questions. (the odor is very strong chemical smell that makes me think of pesticides. While it is a leather bag, it does NOT smell like leather)

I have read online that Coach bags are now manufactured in the Dominican Republic and CHINA! There are others in discussion groups online that have encountered this same problem with the Coach product...with similar physical symptoms.

When I originally returned the purse to them, just the handling of labeling the box and taking it to the Post Office made me sick again and it took another 4-5 days not to have the obvious physical symptoms. I eventually was able to get my refund. However, Returns Department didnโ€™t pay any attention to Customer Service person's instructions not to return the purse back to meโ€ฆ..and today, I received it in the mail returned to me with a form letter saying they cannot refund for items that had been used. While I had initially used it for 4 hours and still had the tags and original sales receipt, evidently that didnโ€™t matterโ€ฆ.nor does their right hand talk to their left!!!

I find that seriously irresponsible. Also proving they do not stand behind their lifetime guarantee!! When I contacted them today by email, I was told to dispose of the purse, as returning it to them would cause me more physical problems. Right now I have it outside on a back patio...in the box. I cannot handle it or be around it.

I am searching for someone to test the odors of this purse and determine what kind of chemicals I was affected by. For my own health, I need to know what I am up against. Coach has refused to give me that information. This was a $430 purse retail and while I paid less at the outlet store, NO ONE should be a chance victim of this kind of thing!! Coach, for all their "luxury" goods and profits, certainly does not value their customers enough to put a stop to this or answer a customers serious questions when it relates to their health.

Location: Chandler, Arizona

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Guest

I purchased an Alviero Martini bag early, 2019, directly from the store in Italy. I was so excited b/c I love their signature geo print.

I received the bag, and immediately could smell chemicals. I wrote it off and thought it has to be leather, their website says leather. I wrapped the bag up and put it in the closet for a few months anticipating using it in the spring. When I unwrapped the bag all I could smell was a horrendous chemical odor.

I kept looking at it, smelling it, and realized how cheap the materials felt and looked. I left the bag opened in my bedroom for a few hours and the toxic smell filled the air and made me sick with a migraine and nausea. I discovered upon investigation that PVC, which was mentioned on the card within the bag, and no "bovine" noted also on this materials card, is toxic and that is what their bag was made of even though their website said leather. I was so annoyed that I wrote to the company via their Contact page telling them how toxic PVC is also sending links to websites to advise.

I was told that their bags are not toxic and they don't use PVC, and denied my request for return, since it was way past their return policy.

I then contacted my credit card company and they were great. I ultimately got a refund and didn't have to return the bag.

Guest

Oh, man. I just purchased an Amaria Italian leather bag today.

I got it at Burlington, which usually means overstock or seconds. Both the tag and the bag say Fine Italian Leather, but I cannot tell because of the strong chemical odor. I had a horrible headache, and as soon as I put the bag in another room, it went away.

What a shame. Itโ€™s a pretty bag, but it is going back.

Guest

I bought Perry Ellis luggage with the same sickening fumes. As soon as I opened it, my dog sneezed over and over and left the room! I thought it was some poison from a Chinese manufacturer for Perry Ellis.

Tanasha Lqt

I am so sorry that you and others have found the same issues and it's making you sick. I sent my bag to a woman in CA who specialized in neutralizing and detox charcoals and sprays.

she wanted to try her products on the bag. She had it for 3 wks, and also let it air in the sun, along with activated charcoal bags inside each pocket. she claimed she no longer could 'smell' the toxins and returned it to me. As soon as I opened it I began having a migraine and serious sinus burning....again.

I ended up throwing the purse away because Coach didn't want it back. They wouldn't accept a return that had "already been used" and I couldn't donate it to Goodwill knowing it was so toxic.

I'm sorry I haven't found or heard of any resolution. sincerely.

Guest

I have the same issue right now. The bag smells like vitamins.

.. but, worse! It's horrible and also makes me ill. I don't know what to do about it.

Anything it touches, stained it with the smell. It is sitting in my garage right now, because I can't stand it in my house!

Guest

I had the same issue and had to give the bag away. It smelled so bad in my closet I had to seal it in a plastic bag. It was purchased from an outlet store in PA .

Guest

I have some problem with coach bags,because i don,t know how to distinguish it is real .http://coachfactory.loveitornot.com

Guest

The style was CAMPBELL :x F24961. I've since done some research and have found folks describing differences in many of the coach outlet purses vs retail Coach store.

This was a coach outlet. While new and 'authentic' coach, Coach has these made FOR the factory outlet. Also, evidently noted in the tag that begins with F. I agree, it may have been Customs (perhaps extermination upon receiving?) or who knows what other possibility.

Also found in research, outlet stores DO carry some Coach retail handed over to the outlet store, but tag will be different, it will have a dust bag, and found in one small corner of the store. I have personally had a toxic overload from the odors and whatever was in/on my outlet store bag and am having to detox.

Migraines and pain have sidelined me, now, for 2 months. Be VERY CAREFUL if you shop at the outlet store!!!

Guest

Hey what was the style? I have several phoebe bags I bought and now you mention it yes all the ones that are all leather phoebe reek like ***. Maybe contact EPA or your state environmental office or even customs ?

Guest

I own several coach bags, none of which came from their outlet stores but their mall boutiques or Dillards. I will add that none of them had an obnoxious odor.

Maybe there was something going on at that particular location that could have led to that disappointing experience. That seriously sucks that you had such a terrible experience.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-792184

Hi Meep - I don't think it was the outlet store creating the issue! The odor emanates from the purse, inside and out.

I have since found out that Coach purses are made in China, as are the majority of brand name purses. I have checked other discussion groups and while it does not happen every time, others have had this issue, and not just Coach, but Dooney&Bourke, and others.

Having been in the container shipping industry in the past, I have wondered if it was a container load fumigated either before shipping or after arrival by US Customs. However, Coach has refused to discuss it and I am seriously concerned about what chemical toxicity I have been subject to.

Guest

Why do you think it was at the outlet store?

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-790280

You must misunderstand. I don't think it was the outlet store, it is the purse, as manufactured by Coach.

Evidently they currently manufacture in China, and I am quite concerned with the toxicity of these chemicals and what they could do to others as well.

Coach corporate offices never answered my questions and just told me to dispose of the purse after they sent it back to me, in error.

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