Should I keep my bag? Designer leather quality vs non-designer

melikemochi · May 27th, 2008, 11:08 PM

Do you think designer leather bags are of a higher quality than lesser known brands? Please feel free to share your own experiences. Which do you prefer?

In the past, whenever I touched a designer leather bag chances are more often than not, the leather would feel much more supple and luxurious than other bags. What I want to know is, am I paying for the name or for the quality. Which brands are selling quality and which just the name of designer?

I just received this bag today from the Nordstrom 40% designer off sale. I really love the style and the leather is very supple and soft. BUT, the glazing on the handles is badly cracked. On a brand new bag too!! Is this normal/common? How often does this sort of thing happen on handbags in general? There is also a knot in the stitching by the zipper but that can be overlooked I guess. What really bothers me is the cracked glazing. Would it bother you? Im torn because I really like the style of the bag (and I feel like it is rare to find a bag like this at such a % discount) but for the price (retail: $1,095, sale: about $550) I expect better from them. Even my better "bang for my buck" bags don't have this issue when brand new. Please feel free to share your opinions. I'm not sure if I should keep it.

What would you do? Forgot to mention, I looked at two of these bags and both had the cracked glazing issue. Thanks in advance!

dsrk · May 27th, 2008, 11:22 PM

That's not acceptable to me, not even for $100, but that's me. I would return it on their dime and get my cash back.

MissNovember · May 27th, 2008, 11:57 PM

You sound like you already know quality when you see it and if a bag's that jacked up before you've even used it, then you should probably pass. Even if it's a stellar deal, buying something that you have to think twice about carrying, is no deal at all.

GUNG · May 28th, 2008, 12:00 AM

May I ask what brand this is?

thenorthwood · May 28th, 2008, 12:18 AM

Return it. For that amount of money for a new bag it should be of excellent quality. You're already concerned about it, better to take it back instead of keeping it and focusing on the flaws (that should not be there) of a brand new bag. I just bought a bag at Nordstrom last weekend in that price range and I brought it home to find that a small piece of the hardware is nicked and one of the teeth to the zipper compartments is off, which makes it very difficult if not impossible to zip. That sucker is going back Saturday!

Also, see if your Nordstrom SA can call around to find that bag to get one that isn't flawed.

paintednightsky · May 28th, 2008, 12:35 AM

I'd return it too. I can't even tell what brand it is. The bag looks very basic and rather blah even if it didn't have the quality issues. Def not worth what you spent.

shopdoc · May 28th, 2008, 12:36 AM

Designer labels are important to me and I am all into buying/wearing distressed clothes (I live in grail and lamb) but when it comes to bags workmanship and the quality of the leather are more important to me. So, I wouldn't keep the bag if I were you. If the handles look like this now, how are they going to look after a month of use?

franniemeow07 · May 28th, 2008, 01:14 AM

I agree with all the posters above. A brand new bag shouldn't be broken like that, especially considering the price that you paid for it. Never settle for something that you want to keep a long time! I myself bought my first designer bag at Nordstrom's half-yearly, and love it to bits already....so never have regrets that you can fix now! :) Good luck, I'm sure they will be understanding.

oranGetRee · May 28th, 2008, 03:28 AM

that doesn't look right
i'd return it

cutieupdate18 · May 28th, 2008, 03:35 AM

This is a Burberry (Prorsum range, I believe). This bag is BEAUTIFUL and I'd say perfect without the flaws. But now, I'm not 100% sure. I think $500-ish is a great price for it anyway but I wouldn't want the cracked leather to keep getting worse and worse. I don't know what I'd do, to be honest.

heather123 · May 28th, 2008, 06:36 AM

I don't think your bag is blah at all. In fact I think it's beautiful. But I would definitely get those quality problems sorted out if I were you. Not acceptable.

misslola · May 28th, 2008, 09:19 AM

Absolutely return it. That is in unacceptable condition at any price. Nordstrom is the very best with customer service, so I'm sure they will so whatever they can to make you happy.

Antonia · May 28th, 2008, 09:35 AM

IMHO, that bag is very nice and those flaws are not even going to be noticible to anyone but you. And a Burberry for that price is awesome. The leather looks so squishy!!! I'd keep it.

S3rendip1ty · May 28th, 2008, 09:47 AM

It's a cute bag, but I wouldn't want less than perfect even though it was on sale.

HandbagAngel · May 28th, 2008, 09:51 AM

I really like this style. But I am totally with you -- the handle cracked and that really bothered me. This probably is a return, or being played too much as a displayed bag. The cracking will only get worse. Its leather looks yummy and its style is lovely. But $550 is not cheap, and you deserve a much better condition bag than this one. My vote is - return it.

BTW, what brand is it?

View Poll Results: Would you keep the purse?
Yes, good price and cracking isnt that bad	3	6.98%
No, too expensive for that quality	40	93.02%
Voters: 43. You may not vote on this poll

May 27th, 2008, 11:08 PM	#1
melikemochi Member Location: California	Should I keep my bag? Designer leather quality vs non-designer Do you think designer leather bags are of a higher quality than lesser known brands? Please feel free to share your own experiences. Which do you prefer? In the past, whenever I touched a designer leather bag chances are more often than not, the leather would feel much more supple and luxurious than other bags. What I want to know is, am I paying for the name or for the quality. Which brands are selling quality and which just the name of designer? I just received this bag today from the Nordstrom 40% designer off sale. I really love the style and the leather is very supple and soft. BUT, the glazing on the handles is badly cracked. On a brand new bag too!! Is this normal/common? How often does this sort of thing happen on handbags in general? There is also a knot in the stitching by the zipper but that can be overlooked I guess. What really bothers me is the cracked glazing. Would it bother you? Im torn because I really like the style of the bag (and I feel like it is rare to find a bag like this at such a % discount) but for the price (retail: $1,095, sale: about $550) I expect better from them. Even my better "bang for my buck" bags don't have this issue when brand new. Please feel free to share your opinions. I'm not sure if I should keep it. What would you do? Forgot to mention, I looked at two of these bags and both had the cracked glazing issue. Thanks in advance! Last edited by melikemochi; May 27th, 2008 at 11:11 PM.

May 27th, 2008, 11:22 PM	#2
dsrk In deo speramus	Re: Should I keep my bag? Designer leather quality vs non-designer That's not acceptable to me, not even for $100, but that's me. I would return it on their dime and get my cash back.

May 27th, 2008, 11:57 PM	#3
MissNovember Miss N's Boudoir! Location: The Devil Wears L.A.M.B......	Re: Should I keep my bag? Designer leather quality vs non-designer You sound like you already know quality when you see it and if a bag's that jacked up before you've even used it, then you should probably pass. Even if it's a stellar deal, buying something that you have to think twice about carrying, is no deal at all. __________________ Miss N's Boudoir ~ Oooooh La La!!! http://forum.purseblog.com/your-bag-...129961-26.html

May 28th, 2008, 12:00 AM	#4
GUNG Sofa King Banned Location: SF Bay Area, CA	Re: Should I keep my bag? Designer leather quality vs non-designer May I ask what brand this is?

May 28th, 2008, 12:18 AM	#5
thenorthwood music lover	Re: Should I keep my bag? Designer leather quality vs non-designer Return it. For that amount of money for a new bag it should be of excellent quality. You're already concerned about it, better to take it back instead of keeping it and focusing on the flaws (that should not be there) of a brand new bag. I just bought a bag at Nordstrom last weekend in that price range and I brought it home to find that a small piece of the hardware is nicked and one of the teeth to the zipper compartments is off, which makes it very difficult if not impossible to zip. That sucker is going back Saturday! Also, see if your Nordstrom SA can call around to find that bag to get one that isn't flawed.

May 28th, 2008, 12:35 AM	#6
paintednightsky Member	Re: Should I keep my bag? Designer leather quality vs non-designer I'd return it too. I can't even tell what brand it is. The bag looks very basic and rather blah even if it didn't have the quality issues. Def not worth what you spent. __________________ Waiting For Tano Grape Minilisa Wishlist RM BBW or Violet, Kooba Smooth Black Sienna, Ignes Chiara/Ormala My Bag Collection http://forum.purseblog.com/your-bag-...on-293432.html

May 28th, 2008, 12:36 AM	#7
shopdoc Member Location: Boston	Re: Should I keep my bag? Designer leather quality vs non-designer Designer labels are important to me and I am all into buying/wearing distressed clothes (I live in grail and lamb) but when it comes to bags workmanship and the quality of the leather are more important to me. So, I wouldn't keep the bag if I were you. If the handles look like this now, how are they going to look after a month of use? __________________ Lilac Bubble Gum GGH Cafe GGH White Tomato LE NM Thyme Green CRH Sapphire Navy Crimson Amethyst Pink Electric Yellow SGH Electric Blue SGH Argent Charbon until mid November

May 28th, 2008, 01:14 AM	#8
franniemeow07 ~ Looking for my #1~	Re: Should I keep my bag? Designer leather quality vs non-designer I agree with all the posters above. A brand new bag shouldn't be broken like that, especially considering the price that you paid for it. Never settle for something that you want to keep a long time! I myself bought my first designer bag at Nordstrom's half-yearly, and love it to bits already....so never have regrets that you can fix now! :) Good luck, I'm sure they will be understanding.

May 28th, 2008, 03:28 AM	#9
oranGetRee I am a Vain Pot Location: my haven, my home	Re: Should I keep my bag? Designer leather quality vs non-designer that doesn't look right i'd return it __________________ http://loveharvest.blogspot.com/; http://orangetreeblogshop.blogspot.com (my blog shop) http://orangetree.etsy.com (my humble handmade bead jewellery) - store update - 8 Nov 08 Looking for gold hardware Balenciaga City or Hobo....

May 28th, 2008, 03:35 AM	#10
cutieupdate18 Epi-crazy!	Re: Should I keep my bag? Designer leather quality vs non-designer This is a Burberry (Prorsum range, I believe). This bag is BEAUTIFUL and I'd say perfect without the flaws. But now, I'm not 100% sure. I think $500-ish is a great price for it anyway but I wouldn't want the cracked leather to keep getting worse and worse. I don't know what I'd do, to be honest.

May 28th, 2008, 06:36 AM	#11
heather123 Member Location: IRELAND	Re: Should I keep my bag? Designer leather quality vs non-designer I don't think your bag is blah at all. In fact I think it's beautiful. But I would definitely get those quality problems sorted out if I were you. Not acceptable.

May 28th, 2008, 09:19 AM	#12
misslola Member	Re: Should I keep my bag? Designer leather quality vs non-designer Absolutely return it. That is in unacceptable condition at any price. Nordstrom is the very best with customer service, so I'm sure they will so whatever they can to make you happy.

May 28th, 2008, 09:35 AM	#13
Antonia Member	Re: Should I keep my bag? Designer leather quality vs non-designer IMHO, that bag is very nice and those flaws are not even going to be noticible to anyone but you. And a Burberry for that price is awesome. The leather looks so squishy!!! I'd keep it.

May 28th, 2008, 09:47 AM	#14
S3rendip1ty Member	Re: Should I keep my bag? Designer leather quality vs non-designer It's a cute bag, but I wouldn't want less than perfect even though it was on sale.

May 28th, 2008, 09:51 AM	#15
HandbagAngel Member	Re: Should I keep my bag? Designer leather quality vs non-designer I really like this style. But I am totally with you -- the handle cracked and that really bothered me. This probably is a return, or being played too much as a displayed bag. The cracking will only get worse. Its leather looks yummy and its style is lovely. But $550 is not cheap, and you deserve a much better condition bag than this one. My vote is - return it. BTW, what brand is it?