Competition reveal...

[Cornflower Blue]

TejasMama, you have raised a very interesting point here!

I don't mind if people approach me, compliment my bag and ask about it - I'd have no hesitation telling them it was Belen Echandia and I'd even probably show them the tag or the inside metal tag just so they saw exactly how it was spelt (LOL!) and could look it up and investigate further on the internet.
BUT, it's personally a big leap from that to actually actively promoting BE bags via incentives or otherwise, imo - I just couldn't do it as it would make me feel uncomfortable. You can tell I'd make a lousy business woman!

[audball67]

I have somehow earned the title of a "value-skate" (as opposed to a cheap-skate), so I don't shy away from admitting to a new (BE) purchase. On the other hand, I don't call everyone (though sometimes I feel I should LOL!) and tell them my new BE is in town. My friends are techie enough to go online and find BE, so they know what the retail on the bags are -- but they also know that I scour sites for sales on more necessary purchases, buy most of my clothes at Target/JCrew/Levis and pretty much re-use every plastic bag (and I don't even like procuring plastic bags the first time!).

So I think it's all in the balance. I'm a walking example of shopping "contradictions" (higher-end bag/low-end jeans, purchasing specialty coffee/eating my own Luna bar, etc.), but I do think my emphasis on value is a consistent message ...


ETA: TejasMama, I don't know if I answered the last part of your query...truthfully, some of my friends are very ingrained in what they consider a "luxury" handbag. Even if I gave them the Dana Thomas book (How Luxury Lost It's Luster...) and showed them every aspect of my BEs, they would still protest and tell me oh, it's not truly "designer". But, OTOH, I do have friends that are very interested in color/texture of leather, design features, etc. Maybe it's all about knowing which friends have show an interest, which friends have the same tastes, etc. In many ways I feel that BE is like that amazing vacation locale or restaurant you went to and had a great time - I feel compelled to share what I know so friends can benefit too!

Originally Posted by 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.

[Jenova]

Originally Posted by Cornflower Blue

TejasMama, you have raised a very interesting point here! I don't mind if people approach me, compliment my bag and ask about it - I'd have no hesitation telling them it was Belen Echandia and I'd even probably show them the tag or the inside metal tag just so they saw exactly how it was spelt (LOL!) and could look it up and investigate further on the internet. BUT, it's personally a big leap from that to actually actively promoting BE bags via incentives or otherwise, imo - I just couldn't do it as it would make me feel uncomfortable. You can tell I'd make a lousy business woman!

I quite agree.

If a someone (apart from my family and close friends) initiates the discussion by admiring my bag and asking where they can get one like it I do pass on information about how they could go about it if they really wanted to. Then it is up to them.

I would not want to ask someone to cite my name because it reminds me of all those catalogues and companies that offer you a free gift if you introduce a friend.

[BelenEchandia]

Oooh this is interesting. We certainly didn't mean to upset anyone :)

We just wanted to include existing customers next Tuesday and we get SO many emails from customers saying "why haven't I heard about you before" that we thought friends of friends would be a good start.

And we wanted to reward those who did mention our name to friends who like bags. And this was the best way we could think of to spread the word.

On a brighter note, Rose has actually been inundated with friends of friends so far.

We have received many from people who have never bought a BE before, either having lurked in this forum, seen bags from a distance or never even heard of us before.

They are all very excited to have heard about us through your blogs, forums and personal emails, so thank you very, very much. XX

[TejasMama]

I don't think anyone took offense! We all love BE and are brainstorming on the best way to share our enthusiasm with others. It was interesting that the topic just touched on a larger issue. Trust me-- if anyone asks me about my BE, they will get an earful!

[Cornflower Blue]

I'm not upset, just a bit disappointed.

[BelenEchandia]

Disappointed?

[circoit]

Well, for one thing, I have sent someone I knew (via chatboard) over to the site to check out the Pink Tuesday deal, but I didn't ask her to mention how she heard about it (she doesn't know my real name, so even if she was asked, she couldn't say who referred her). I feel kind of dumb telling her to mention who sent her because now, instead of looking like it was done out of my enthusiasm for the brand, it looks like I was promoting BE because I stood to gain something from it. KWIM?

As for my immediate friends and family - they can't afford it, so it would be embarrassing to own up to how much I spent on my bags, when they gawk at spending $100 on jeans.

I understand you wanted to reward some of the gals who are really good at getting your name out, but perhaps there is a better way to do that.

[Cornflower Blue]

Yes, I thought this was a social forum, you know 'shallow obssessing strongly encouraged', and I just feel that what I perceive to be marketing tactics, spoil it; for me anyway. Which is a shame, because I love your handbags.

[BelenEchandia]

Oh... gosh then I will cancel it immediately. It really was just intended as a bit of fun. So I am super embarrassed that this is how it was perceived but I understand.

So sorry, off to hang my head in shame and hope you forgive me. Guess we all make mistakes.
X

[Jenova]

Originally Posted by Cornflower Blue

Yes, I thought this was a social forum, you know 'shallow obssessing strongly encouraged', and I just feel that what I perceive to be marketing tactics, spoil it; for me anyway. Which is a shame, because I love your handbags.

Cornflower

I believe that PR and marketing belong on the BE website and that enthusiastic and spontaneous individual comment (or the raising of genuine concerns freely) belong on tpf, along with a good dose of wild and innocent frivolity and sisterly love of course.

[Tash1]

Well, I have to agree with Cornflower, Jenova and circoit! Personally, whatever I'm wearing, whether it be a BE, a brand of jeans, coat, shoes, or even carrying a shopping bag....the buck stops there, with regards to marketing/promoting a product. If someone asks what I'm wearing, then naturally I say. However, I can understand why some would be quite sceptical, as it looks like cheap/free marketing, which is not the 'job' of the customer.

That's not to say that it's wrong if others are happy to do it, however I can understand why some including myself would feel uncomfortable. JMO!!

[BelenEchandia]

Thank you very much for your honesty.

X

[glamourgirlpink]

^^^
I dunno, I thought it was pretty fun and a cool way we could get something too since a lot of us don't qualify for the new person discount, kwim? But then it never embarrasses me to tell others about something great I've come across and that I love.

Don't shoot me but we just bought a vacation share (I know everyone has a bad conception of them but we felt it was like prepaying our vacations-buying in bulk to save over the long run plus it was paid in cash so no debt involved) and the realtor who helped us offered a little incentive to have a friend or family member come check out their property. I knew it was something my dad might like so I had no issue telling him about it. He gets a little gift cert for going just like we do so we both got a little something out of it in addition to checking out a really great deal, kwim? I love both mine and DH's financial advisors to death and don't hesitate to send people their way...Same with my makeup artist, hairstylist, manicurist, dd's ballet school...Sheesh, I love to blab to everyone when I find something good, lol. I guess I figured its no different with BE and I thought it was pretty generous of Jackie to offer us a fun little incentive...

I know I'm in the minority here but I like competitions and am excited to have a chance to win a bag!!! I've already chatted a ton with some girls on a couple of other bag boards I'm on and they're super excited. I've also told my mom and sister...My sister has a shoe fetish so she gets my bag thing and my mom believes in buying quality (she introduced me to Dior and bought me my first high end designer bag!) and she likes the Hug Me so she was pretty happy to hear about the discount too. I'm also having coffee with a friend here who can't wait to try on my BE bags herself so she knows what to order on Tuesday....None of them thought it was weird I asked them to let BE know I sent them.

Maybe I'm just different or have different friends/family but when it comes down to it, I really love the things I'm addicted to and if it means I can help a business I really like (like buying that Starbucks gold card or getting overpriced drinks from them almost daily, lol) by telling friends and family about it then I'm in. And if I get a little reward for sharing which I already do then awesome! I love it when people help me out with word of mouth recommendations (we find good products/services all the time this way!) so I'm happy to return the favor...I don't think its a bad "marketing" tactic especially when you look at the way the economy is right now. I send friends to my SA's at Gucci and Dior too and have them tell my SA that I sent them...I don't get how this is so different? My SA's there "reward" me by calling me everytime there's a special sale or new bag they think I might like so I get first dibs...Jackie is "rewarding" us by giving us the chance to get something free...I guess I just don't see how its different?

Okay, don't shoot me please!!! I'm still in the postpartum emotional mode so I can't really take confrontation...I just want everything to be happy and light, kwim? I hate drama and love that this is a happy go lucky place where I can chill...

[Jenova]

Nobody is going to shoot you down Glamourgirl. We are all entitled to our opinions. Isn't that the best thing about tpf - freedom of speech?