Competition reveal...

[chica1]

Ha! My friends are the same way! They are brand crazy but most don't spend what I spend on handbags.

Originally Posted by *suzi*

According to an anonymous survey by my colleagues, I am the most competitive person they know. However, something happens to me when I come to this forum where I morph into a completely different person. I wonder why that is? Anywhoo, the only friends I have that are into handbags buy LV and Coach. They simply don't understand how much quality matters more than a name stamp. Maybe I can go hang out at Saks and Nordies and pass out BE business cards.

[kcd1695]

I so wish I could send someone over to BE. Sadly, the ladies in my life either aren't in a position to splurge on a new bag, or think spending anything over $50 on a bag is insanity.

Best of luck to all you ladies who refer your friends and family. I love that BE is using this as a way to get some extra attention drawn to their brand!

[Jenova]

I am currently very happy that, unlike some of my other bags, nobody knows how much BE costs. I am playing the following games:

• I am a reformed character
• I have given up Balenciaga, Chloe and Mulberry
• I have found this little company that makes great bags in Italy and doesn't cost anything near so much
• This lovely bag was a trade sample and thus a great bargain
• I bought it on Ebay from someone who didn't quite like it - more fool them.

Sorry but I will not be encouraging my family and friends to go near the BE Website

[Ms.Lizardo]

^^^^LOL..... I'm with you Circoit.....some people would never understand....

Originally Posted by circoit

^^second. My friends and family would think I was crazy if they found out how much I spent on my bags. They would freak out if they thought I spent $200, much less $700.

[savvy23]

^^ ITA with you Circot, lizzy and jenova!

[Cornflower Blue]

Me too! I don't want people I know how much I've spent on handbags - they'd completely flip out and I'd never hear the end of it!
DH made a surprisingly (and slightly chilling) good guess, but then he always has had a good eye for quality and beauty ....

[mariabdc]

Same here... i wont own up...
I am planning to tell my family that my new patent nikki is a plastic bag which i bought at a street market... they arent very likely to believe it, but i will try!

[annvaldivia]

I always say i got them on sale :)

[Jenova]

Originally Posted by annvaldivia

I always say i got them on sale :)

Well there are lots of sales aren't there?

[TropicalGal]

"...this old thing?..."

[Tarantino]

Originally Posted by mariabdc

Same here... i wont own up... I am planning to tell my family that my new patent nikki is a plastic bag which i bought at a street market... they arent very likely to believe it, but i will try!

Nice one Maria : ) this made me smile - good luck

[bonniekir]

Sadly my friends also think it horrendously expensive to spend more than max $300 on a bag- not to mention what they already think of my 'fume addiction- :))
None of the ones I asked would spend more than that
But my two daughter-in-laws think it nice to wear good quality bags -so I am sending them to BE, so they can enjoy this fabulous offer.

Well, I will not and cannot hide any of my good "deals" from DH, since we have a joint account , and he really tries to enjoy my buys together with me, but has a hard time even to see the difference in the styles or colour variations! "A bag is a bag, and how many browns can there be?"-haha

[BelenEchandia]

WELL....

A year before I became a handbag designer I didn't even own a handbag. And I would NEVER have spent a lot of money on one.

However, once I started studying it and working with workshops and learning about why good-quality bags cost so much, I really began to notice the difference, both in terms of quality and the way a good bag makes you look and feel. I have a very chic Spanish friend who says that whatever you are wearing a great bag and a shoes make your outfit. And she's right.

Obviously if someone really can't afford it that is different, but sometimes it just takes owning one good bag to understand the difference. Now when I see a cheap bag with its plastic zippers and plastic zipper pulls and its Made in China appearance, well...

I think it is like good wine.

XX

[bonniekir]

Well Jackie,

So true...a year ago I had hardly any bags, only some by known brand names, and look at me now

The same friends of ours won't be shy to go to a restaurant to try out some wellknown chef's new menu or spend a lot of $$$$ on a holiday, so it is not a question of not afffording as such, but more the the idea of spending money on bags.
They are odd deluxe items , where they have a clutch by Dior or Chanel for evening wear, and that's it!

But my new BE bags will certainly make a few of them look one more time-at least!

[TejasMama]

You ladies have touched on a very interesting and difficult issue when it comes to a great bag--so many people don't really understand the value of a well-made bag--and having a discussion about this with those around you can often end up leaving one feeling defensive and somehow frivilous for spending money on a great bag, even if we are frugal and charitable in other areas of our lives.

I often feel conflicted because I will gladly tell anyone that asks me about my BE and give them the info--I've had strangers ask me several times when I'm out and about--but this isn't the kind of thing I can discuss with most family and friends. Now, these folks do spend money on other things, but a handbag is a very visible and personal item so it is very easy to encourage comments when carrying one.

So, ladies..how do we help promote BE while also being aware that many people in our lives just don't understand the value of a great bag? I'd love to see this idea explored further because I think many of us grapple with it.