Prices?

[gga]

Originally Posted by 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.

100% agree with CB here. Most of the bags in my collection are Hermes. There's very little points of comparison at all, not with leather quality, construction, or customer service. Yes, Jackie does a decent job at customer service. And yes, Hermes does a much better job at this, at least with their good customers.

My Henry Cuir bags are completely made by hand, also in Italy, also at very different price points from Hermes and from BE. I like each brand for what it is. I don't think the comparisons do any of the lines any particular favor.

I evidently have a different take on this than most here, but IMO, at these price points BE bags don't have to wow me. They have to hold up to my nieces knocking them around or to me traveling with them. They don't have to get attention, garner compliments, or knock me over in awe. They have to look pretty while carrying my junk from spot A to spot B, all the while not making me look like a target for pickpockets. I think they do what I want them to do.

[sgreg]

Originally Posted by lionlaw

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.

Sorry to go offtopic girls - I have looked at JT Italia bags with absolute longing, but haven't been able to justify the price tag. I haven't been able to find many retailers in the US that sell JT, let alone at prices under $1000. I would love if you could share the retailers stock them and have those great sale prices,

[lionlaw]

Originally Posted by sgreg

Sorry to go offtopic girls - I have looked at JT Italia bags with absolute longing, but haven't been able to justify the price tag. I haven't been able to find many retailers in the US that sell JT, let alone at prices under $1000. I would love if you could share the retailers stock them and have those great sale prices,

Hautelook.com had a JT sale a couple of months ago (50% off or more) and luxcouture.com has sales twice a year or sale and the JT bags were 50% off.

[msterling]

I have 8 BE bags and 5 clutches/accessories and I only paid full price once. I'm happy with my BE bags because I love the styles, I think the bags are a great match for my lifestyle and personality, and I've been able to get most of them at great prices. BE bags do give me that "wow" feel that makes it fun to carry them.

However, I will admit that I wouldn't have as many BE bags if I had to pay full price for them. I wouldn't have my newest bag, the Pewter SPM, if it didn't come with both the 10% group discount and free Pewter AP. Although I love the bag and it's one of my favorites now, I wouldn't pay full price for it since it seems a bit expensive for a small bag with a simple design. Likewise, I wouldn't have my Purple Glossy LM Midi and Wine TME Midi if I didn't find them for over 40% off. I was willing to buy these bags at a discount, but I would not have paid full price because I don't use colorful bags as much as I use neutral bags. I am willing to pay more for neutral bags that I will use for many years - Black Crash TME Midi, Dark Grey Matte LM Midi, and Tan SMM.

As far as comparisons to other brands, I can't contribute too much since the only other brands I've owned are Coach, RM and LP. However, I have seen and tried on most of the brands represented on tPF during various shopping trips and I can honestly say that I prefer my BE bags over other brands that cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars more than BE. I think that's a good thing and I hope I never feel the urge to spend a lot more money for a bag. I'm lucky that I can afford these bags, but I have a very practical side to me that keeps me from going overboard.

[Pradameinhofgang]

Hi to add my twopenneth, price for me with BE isn't a big issue (although i always love a a bargain!). the most i have ever spent on a bag is my vermillion swift Birkin which cost me around £4k from a reseller a few years ago. however it was a major life purchase and i intend to use her sparingly and i felt that the money spent on it was justified. If I ever had to sell it i know i would get most of my money back - although i'm not planning to!! My BE bags have been used pretty much everyday since purchase - unless it is bucketing down with rain here in Uk - in which base i use a cheapo nylon all-weather tote with an ignes clutch inside; I guess my point is for me i for my daily life BE bags are about the price point and quality i want to pay for an "everyday" bag. My lifestyle dictates that i don't do swanky stuff and so carrying a £3-4k bag everyday would just feel silly; i want my bags to be well-made and stylish and last well but i'm not hung up on who designed them or if they are the latest "it" bag.

[*suzi*]

^^^That's a great point. I kind of feel people expect more from BE because the name is unknown and people may not compliment the bags on name only. You could have a Coach, Gucci or LV paper bag and people would compliment you on it. I'm not saying they are not nice. It's just that everyone knows the names and knows you paid more for your bag. I really like some of the Coach bags, but I just feel like at this stage of my life, I don't want to wear what my friend's daughters are wearing. I want to be an individual and wear a bag because I love it, and I don't really care what name is on it.

I think the reason I like BE is I am in love with the matte leathers. I love the smell and I do feel the quality is quite nice compared to other mid range bags. I know the tan WTM is still "wowing" me. I do like it as much as my other designer bags that retail for twice as much.

There are very few designers out there that "wow" me on their bags. They all have a couple nice designs that may interest me, but can anyone seriously tell me that LV or MJ bags have more of a wow factor? They are double the price too. I do love my Miu Miu bags to pieces for their fun details like bows and ruching, however they have lotts of quality issues so that's a drawback. JC is the only designer that I have ever seen that makes their bags noticeably better than any other company. My Mahala wears like a tank (with the weight of one too).

Anyway, I'm just saying I think BE makes excellent quality bags with nice designs. If they want to produce more bags, they will probably need to keep the prices reasonable because of the lack of discounts available. However, they definitely rank right up there with other designers in terms of my personal "wow" factor.

[TropicalGal]

Pleasure and value is so subjective, as we can see from the posts. I don't need people to say "wow" over my handbags. I don't say wow over my own handbags either! I just use and enjoy.

Also, for some people, hand made is not important. If you like the look of a Coach bag, you don't care if it is hand made. All I'm saying is: hand made, in Italy, with all the import/export taxes, results in a full price BE. Handmade is always more expensive, always. A 1/2 kilo of granola sold to me by a friend is more expensive than the store version. It is also made fresh that day, with no harmful ingredients. I am willing to support that effort and to support her, and pay a "gourmet" price.

I don't mean to compare BE with Hermes. Hermes has a centuries old tradition and a huge marketing machine which sells pedigree and hard to get-ness.

I was sitting at brunch the other day and a friend who is not particularly into handbags, suddenly "saw" my taupe Stroke Me Medium and held it up and thought it was a piece of perfection -- the color, the size, the leather, the stitching, the fuschia lining peeking out...she just thought it was a bon bon. And it is. If you love it, you pay the going price.

I think if you are gobbling up BE's in every style and color...then yes, I imagine it is an expensive habit. But for my few purchases a year, it is something I can justify.

[gga]

Originally Posted by TropicalGal

Pleasure and value is so subjective, as we can see from the posts. I don't need people to say "wow" over my handbags. I don't say wow over my own handbags either! I just use and enjoy. Also, for some people, hand made is not important. If you like the look of a Coach bag, you don't care if it is hand made. All I'm saying is: hand made, in Italy, with all the import/export taxes, results in a full price BE. Handmade is always more expensive, always. A 1/2 kilo of granola sold to me by a friend is more expensive than the store version. It is also made fresh that day, with no harmful ingredients. I am willing to support that effort and to support her, and pay a "gourmet" price. I don't mean to compare BE with Hermes. Hermes has a centuries old tradition and a huge marketing machine which sells pedigree and hard to get-ness. I was sitting at brunch the other day and a friend who is not particularly into handbags, suddenly "saw" my taupe Stroke Me Medium and held it up and thought it was a piece of perfection -- the color, the size, the leather, the stitching, the fuschia lining peeking out...she just thought it was a bon bon. And it is. If you love it, you pay the going price. I think if you are gobbling up BE's in every style and color...then yes, I imagine it is an expensive habit. But for my few purchases a year, it is something I can justify.

This is hugely important to me too. All things being equal, I will almost always pay a premium to buy locally, from small sellers or small shops. It's important to me to support small business, and I feel absolutely the same way as you on this one, TG.

[rosie07]

For me the joy of BE bags is getting the design / colour/hardware /little extras exactly how I want them and for not that much more than the price of the peg!

I love my wtm midi pink croc which is a very unusual bag most likely not to many peoples' taste but it is completely unique and I think I didnt pay over the odds fpr it.

I do agree on resale price though it can be disappointing and it is tricky bespoking a bag and then it not being right luckily I have been happy with all mine ....so far!

[Coachchica]

Great thread with some interesting points. It's really interesting to read the divergent views on what makes a quality handbag. I've only purchased one BE, a small accessory item, second-hand but I doubt that I would have pay full price. Beauty is subjective and I just not willing to pay the fees that I would incur for making an overseas purchase for a Belen Echandia bag. Between the extra fees my credit card company charges for overseas purchases and the potential customs fees, its just not worth it.

Like others have mentioned, there are a lot of designers who market hand-made, italian bags and JT ITalia is an excellent example. I consider that a quality bag and love the extra details and leather lining some of you may not find that necessary. I recently purchased a Prada that smells divine and it has leather lining also. Those are the details that I believe make a Prada worth its costs just like some of you value Belen Echandia's customer service and believe its uniqueness makes it worth its price.

[lovebags2]

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.

I happen to agree with you about the high pricing associated with a designer that is not very well known and does have wear/tear issues in terms of quality control.

Also, I have high expectations of a handbag to provide the "wow" factor when paying especially x amount of dollars.

I do think everyone's working definition of the wow factor will be individual. IF you think the criteria includes compliments received or the most trendy styles or even wear/tear then perhaps IMHO BE will fall short. For instance, I have a girlfriend that works in the fashion industry and has seen many of my BE's. Last month, I showed her my cinnamon Parker and her reply was "Now, that's the prettiest bag I've seen you wear to date". That bag was also a fraction of the cost of a BE.

Now, IF you think the wow bag is one based on outstanding customer service and personalized attention then I think BE will certainly meet the requirements.

It all depends on the starting definition. AND on your own tolerance of price points.

Personally, I"m starting to reflect more these days and analyze my purchases more carefully. I feel good about and I"m glad to read many other's are doing the same!!!!!!!

Here's hoping that designers will start to adjust more to the demands of customer's needs and also their price points in relation to the economy!

P.S. On a personal level I really do like Jackie and think she does an amazing job in trying to please her customer's.

[gga]

The thing is, these are just bags, not life-changing experiences. People are allowed to like a brand without elevating it to godlike status and trying to cheerlead everyone around them into liking it too. People are also allowed to change their taste and move on without vilifying the brand they used to like.

It's just bags; it's okay to change your taste and move on. Reasons don't always have to be analyzed deeply.

This subject comes up with some frequency on the Hermes subforum. Every time prices go up, some contingency always starts bellowing. But ultimately, prices are what they are. You're okay with them? Great, buy the item. They annoy or offend you? Vote by closing your wallet or finding another brand.

[tanmon]

i like be because i know nobody else will be wearing the same thing. i don't want to feel like a clone, or as if i'm trying too hard/gauche, or dressing too young by wearing same bags my friends' middle school daughters are wearing.

the only brands that i'm consistently wowed over are bottega veneta and balenciaga. i have a few pieces from them, but they're wasted sitting in their dustbags in my closet because of my fear of soiling them. subsequently my bes get regular rotation (and frequent compliments although that's secondary -- i know they're pretty). the cost per wear is significantly lower than bv/bal therefore i find be a good value and i won't cry if it scuffs and i won't hesitate to carry it in downpours and snowstorms.

on a side note, be resale prices are significantly lower than bal or bv, but i don't "invest" in bags with plans to resell... if i find a bag becomes too dated and out of style, i will sell it and recoup what the market bears. and if i can pick up a bargain on bonz or ebay, i will.

[sgreg]

Originally Posted by lovebags2

Also, I have high expectations of a handbag to provide the "wow" factor when paying especially x amount of dollars.....IF you think the criteria includes compliments received or the most trendy styles or even wear/tear then perhaps IMHO BE will fall short. For instance, I have a girlfriend that works in the fashion industry and has seen many of my BE's. Last month, I showed her my cinnamon Parker and her reply was "Now, that's the prettiest bag I've seen you wear to date". That bag was also a fraction of the cost of a BE. Now, IF you think the wow bag is one based on outstanding customer service and personalized attention then I think BE will certainly meet the requirements.

That's a very interesting point. Personally, I am not as concerned about whether my bag is a trendy style or attention grabbing. I probably prefer NOT to be wearing a trendy or common brand such as LV or RM, where I see several girls a day carrying a similar purse. I find it kind of embarrassing, because people can straight away identify how much money I've spent on a bag.

Weird enough, even though I really appreciate the customer service BE offers, I am one of those people who ideally prefers customer service to be as impersonal as possible. I don't like emailing customer service, and I will avoid calling them (often getting someone else to call on my behalf). So for me, BE's customer service is not a benefit whatsoever.

I think the wow factor for me is how a bag looks and feels, and if I grow to like it more over time rather than less.

[*suzi*]

Originally Posted by gga

The thing is, these are just bags, not life-changing experiences. People are allowed to like a brand without elevating it to godlike status and trying to cheerlead everyone around them into liking it too. People are also allowed to change their taste and move on without vilifying the brand they used to like. It's just bags; it's okay to change your taste and move on. Reasons don't always have to be analyzed deeply. This subject comes up with some frequency on the Hermes subforum. Every time prices go up, some contingency always starts bellowing. But ultimately, prices are what they are. You're okay with them? Great, buy the item. They annoy or offend you? Vote by closing your wallet or finding another brand.

This is the best point yet. I was asking myself why am I even comparing BE to other designers? It seemed kind of crazy to be discussing it. I am buying BE bags, so I obviously like them. It's really silly to explain it to someone, because I don't really want to convince anyone else to like them. I mean it's all a matter of personal taste and is quite subjective. I do hope they keep the prices at a place where I can afford them though!