Prices?

[lovebags2]

Originally Posted by *suzi*

Personally, I owned RM before BE and didn't really like the bag. I often wonder if I didn't give it a chance, and have considered trying again since the brand has such a following. However, I am sure I didn't like the leather as much as BE. Personally, I think the BE couture price points have risen a little too high for me to get a bag exactly the way I want it. For instance, I adore my Grey Love Me Mid but can't duplicate it again for anywhere near the price I had purchased it six months ago. I really do not like to go over $700 for my bags and tend to only buy them on sale for this reason. I have to say that I was starting to think I wouldn't be able to get a BE that I loved again until I received my tan WTM Midi, and then I fell in love with BE all over again. This bag is every bit as gorgeous and well made as my other designer bags. So, in the past few weeks I have purchased two Miu Miu bags and two BE bags. I did end up paying a little more for my Miu Miu bags than BE, but I find that they are all equally gorgeous. Every bag I purchased was on sale because I have a really difficult time paying retail for anything.

Suzi, I'm totally with you on your sentiment's about once in a "while" finding a BE that you can justify (well maybe not totally justify but you know what I mean) the hefty price tag.

I do feel that way with my tan and pewter wtm midi's too. As well as my weekender set. But, still...... It's getting way too "over the top" on what some of the prices are IMHO (and I"m not just discussing BE).

I do think it's an appropriate gesture though when the designer's hold a great sale and/or lower their prices. Again, I walked away recently with an incredible coach bag for only 250 (retail price plus their 25% PCE discount). AND this is an awesome bag.

[Cornflower Blue]

Oops! Got my LM Midi price wrong for last year, apologies!

2008 price = £375 (and not £345 as quoted earlier)
2009 price = £425

An increase of £50 (around $82).

[melissatrv]

I wish there was a quarterly sale.....now that would be nice. This might give us a chance to buy the bag in color we really want before they are out of stock. Another reason I think BE should hold more frequent sales is that most of us are buying sight unseen, it is hard to take an $800 plunge on a bag we have never seen IRL or a couture bag that cannot be returned. I think ultimately they would gain more customers this way as more would be willing to buy their first BE at a sale price.

One thing that does bother me is the resale value. I can always resell a Coach bag in good condition for at least half of what I paid, and it will sell quickly. I really bothers me when I see people in this forum all excited about a purchase, do a reveal, and then several weeks later the bag is on bonanzle or ebay. This has nothing to do with the seller, if they want to sell their bag, by all means....but I always wonder why? Why did they fall out of love so fast? Did they not like the bag to begin with...is it something to do with most purchases are sight unseen? And then the bags never fetch close to the price paid and tend to take a long time to sell. I am just using Coach for an example, but I am sure this applies to other widely known designers, if I owned a bag NWT or even used but only used a couple times, I can usually recoup what I paid. So to go back on topic, I don't mind forking over the money if I know that in a couple years should I decide to sell to buy a more current style, that I have good return on my investment, does that make sense?

[sgreg]

I wonder whether the increase was, in part, to cover the decrease in the cost of a BEC bag over the old bespoke price. The gap is closer now than it used to be.

As for price, for me BE sits between the only two other bag brands I look at purchasing outside of sales - RM (around 550-600) and Bal (1200+). BE is 750-800 . This is comparing apples to apples - no modifications on the BE, no vendor discounts on the others. As I restrict myself to purchasing perhaps 4 bags a year, the difference between RM and BE for me is not significant. Or rather, it is a difference I am willing to pay to be able to modify my bag, seeming as I am a stickler who doesn't like gold hardware in general and hates hates hates the RM linings. Every time I open one up I feel like I've delved into either my grandfather or grandmother's closet, depending whether it has stripes or paisley.

Is the bag itself worth the money? Heck no. None of those brands are. Worth is arbitrary, money is concrete - and buying a purse for an amount of money that would feed my neighbours for two months is not worth it, imo. If I start down that slippery slope, I would ask myself why I would buy a 200 dollar purse when I could be buying a $5 sack thing from the salvation army store that works just as well.

[sgreg]

Originally Posted by melissatrv

And then the bags never fetch close to the price paid and tend to take a long time to sell. I am just using Coach for an example, but I am sure this applies to other widely known designers, if I owned a bag NWT or even used but only used a couple times, I can usually recoup what I paid.?

ITA that BE bags do not resell so fast because the designer is not well known.

I believe BE bags do not have the same resell value as say coach, because of the customisation. I have seen some unappealing (to me) combinations of lining/leather/hardware on ebay. Now, if there was no option to ever change the lining or whatnot (as with other many designers), I would suck it up and deal with it. However, knowing I could go on BEC and customise the bag for about $100 more than some of the ebay etc. prices, then certainly I would do that for a bag at this price point. For this reason, I don't believe NWT BE bags will usually sell at near retail price.

[TropicalGal]

Very interesting thread. I think we have to remember that Belen Echandia bags are MADE BY HAND IN ITALY. The brand we should be comparing with is not RM or Balenciaga, but Hermes, which is handmade in France. Ladies save up to buy Hermes, for months and years, and they buy one at a time. You also don't get to see your bag...you have to choose your leather and lining and then sit back and wait...a year even (!) to get the bag. And we're talking bags that cost $10,000 and up.

I am buying less, but better. I am no longer tempted to buy things just because they are on sale. If the bag doesn't fit my needs or wardrobe, I'm not buying it. I bought full price: Stroke Me Medium in Taupe and it is brilliant. I also bought the pebbled black TME Midi and it is my go-to slouchy shoulder bag. No mistakes here.

I am also not a collector. I want fewer bags rather than many or, more bags. So...while I don't like spending $800 on a handbag...if it is a bag that I will use for, let's say, four years, that makes it totally worth it. I also have a very simple wardrobe, and a fabulous handbag is the accessory that really makes me a fashionable lady.

[sgreg]

I agree with your first point there too :)

[RaeBelle]

TropicalGal, wow. I agree about the Hermes comparison. Which is kinda blowing my mind at the same time. I will have to think more about this and come back with an better response than 'wow'.

[lionlaw]

Ok, respectfully BE and Hermes dont even belong in the same sentence. The quality is worlds apart. As far as being hand made in Italy, JT ITALIA bags are made there too. The quality again is far superior to be. JT ITALIA goes on sale and can be found under $1,000 for a full leather lined bag with impeccable detailing. One just needs to hold these bags to tell the quality.

With BE, I have seen sloppy stitching/detailing (on bags I have received) and rubbed corners on many bags posted on ebay/bonanzle that say they were used once or so. I know few speak on the corner wear but imo a $900 bag should not wear so quickly. I dont have experience with the corner wear to know, but none of my big designer bags show wear like I am seeing in as short of time as people claim.

For me, I think BEs exotics are a good buy in price. As far as their leathers go, I can get a Jimmy Choo or Prada on sale for the same and not have such resale issues.

I think the $800-900 price for leather for a brand not as well known is reaching.

Just my two cents. Agree to disagree.

[TejasMama]

Originally Posted by TropicalGal

Very interesting thread. I think we have to remember that Belen Echandia bags are MADE BY HAND IN ITALY. The brand we should be comparing with is not RM or Balenciaga, but Hermes, which is handmade in France. Ladies save up to buy Hermes, for months and years, and they buy one at a time. You also don't get to see your bag...you have to choose your leather and lining and then sit back and wait...a year even (!) to get the bag. And we're talking bags that cost $10,000 and up. I am buying less, but better. I am no longer tempted to buy things just because they are on sale. If the bag doesn't fit my needs or wardrobe, I'm not buying it. I bought full price: Stroke Me Medium in Taupe and it is brilliant. I also bought the pebbled black TME Midi and it is my go-to slouchy shoulder bag. No mistakes here. I am also not a collector. I want fewer bags rather than many or, more bags. So...while I don't like spending $800 on a handbag...if it is a bag that I will use for, let's say, four years, that makes it totally worth it. I also have a very simple wardrobe, and a fabulous handbag is the accessory that really makes me a fashionable lady.

TG,

You've hit on a wonderful point that is an important reminder and that is the handmade element at play here. RMs, Bals and other bags are lovely, but they are mass-produced and that does play a huge role in the cost of something. Much of this comes down to your viewpoint on handbags and no one answer is correct.

I have a couple of Coach bags and I LOVE them. The outlet prices are fantastic, and these bags hold up very well. I also love my BE but for different reasons...the leather is top notch and I appreciate the attention to detail, and I love seeing the pictures of these bags being handmade in Italy. I still can't get over that I can actually experience something like this.

I do hope there is more standard stock so that those new to BE can try something without the fear of not being able to return it if it doesn't work out. Maybe a 'classics' line that is available throughout the year in some of the most popular leathers? I really do love the fact that I can return a Coach bag with no issue if it doesn't work out. I do understand, however, that the BEC process simply can't allow that--it's up to each of us to decide what we really want and what we're willing to spend.


And having a BE bag helps me keep to my philosophy of having only a few things and using them well. I've been getting distracted by a few other lovelies lately, but because BE is so specialized, it makes me slow down and really think things through. TPF can cause some frenziness at times, and it's important to take a step back before making any decisions.

[Cornflower Blue]

Lots of bags are hand-made in Italy, maybe have a look at the Forzieri website sometime. They also come in a range of prices. I'm sorry but I get really fed up when BE is compared to any other brand, a sort of 'talking it up'.
Comparing a BE bag to Hermes is really going beyond the pale imo.

BE doesn't need to be 'talked up', it is how it is, I have numerous BE bags as have a lot of other ladies here - I just like them for what they are and I just think, for me, some bags are getting a bit too pricey, that's all.

[Jenova]

Originally Posted by lionlaw

Ok, respectfully BE and Hermes dont even belong in the same sentence. The quality is worlds apart. As far as being hand made in Italy, JT ITALIA bags are made there too. The quality again is far superior to be. JT ITALIA goes on sale and can be found under $1,000 for a full leather lined bag with impeccable detailing. One just needs to hold these bags to tell the quality. With BE, I have seen sloppy stitching/detailing (on bags I have received) and rubbed corners on many bags posted on ebay/bonanzle that say they were used once or so. I know few speak on the corner wear but imo a $900 bag should not wear so quickly. I dont have experience with the corner wear to know, but none of my big designer bags show wear like I am seeing in as short of time as people claim. For me, I think BEs exotics are a good buy in price. As far as their leathers go, I can get a Jimmy Choo or Prada on sale for the same and not have such resale issues. I think the $800-900 price for leather for a brand not as well known is reaching. Just my two cents. Agree to disagree.

Thank you for highlighting the very significant quality distinction between BE and Hermes.

[Jenova]

I would like to add that being handmade does not necessarily mean that a bag is expensive. I have 3 beautiful handmade leather bags, all bought directly from the people who designed and made them. They cost me between £140 and £250 but would have been marked up considerably had a 'middle man' been involved in the sales process. It is both satisfying and cost effective to buy direct from the leather artists themselves and I recommend it.

[Cornflower Blue]

You keep talking like that Jenova, and I swear I'm going to turn up on your doorstop some day and demand that you take me shopping!

[mariabdc]

Originally Posted by sgreg

Is the bag itself worth the money? Heck no. None of those brands are. Worth is arbitrary, money is concrete - and buying a purse for an amount of money that would feed my neighbours for two months is not worth it, imo. If I start down that slippery slope, I would ask myself why I would buy a 200 dollar purse when I could be buying a $5 sack thing from the salvation army store that works just as well.

Very good thread, lovebags2.

I agree with the points raised by Jenova, Lionlaw and sgreg.

I rarely buy brand new bags because the brands i like (mainly Chloe) are too expensive. However, i usually to buy mint Chloe bags for less than brand new BEs.

I like BE leathers (especially, matte leathers) and the bags i've owned so far very well made. My bespoke dark grey TME was amazing, just perfect.

But BEs generally dont make me feel "wow"... If I am paying over 600 USD for a bag, i need to feel stunned when i look at the bag or carry her. I cant afford to fork out a lot of money for i bag that i just like.

I agree with some of the posters here that buying second-hand BEs for considerably less than retail is probably the best option for me.