Since this thread is only loosely related to the made in China thread, I decided not to derail that thread, but to start a new one. And let me also say from the outset that my intention is not to slam anyone who buys any of the products from the designers I mention belowwe all love what we love and Im not here to judge!
Now, Im not ancient or anythingbut at the risk of dating myself, Ive been buying designer handbags for 20+ years. And one thing has become patently obvious to me is that across the board, quality is declining precipitously and prices are rising sharply. Not to sound like an old fartbut there really, truly used to be a time when there was a reasonable correlation between paying more for something and getting a better made product. Now? Not so much.
Profit has always been the bottom line for purveyors and manufacturers of goods across the spectrum, but at what point does it just become the raping of consumers? I think were getting mighty close. How do businesses increase profit? Here are some ways: outsource; automate; cut corners in materials and workmanship; increase prices; decrease staff/customer service; and cut back on aftermarket support of your products.
ALL of these things are happening within the designer handbag market. Across the board, from lower-priced contemporary designers right up the ladder to premier designers, were seeing the effects of these practices. My own experience/familiarity with brands across the spectrumCoach, D&B, RM, Mulberry, Proenza, Bal, Chanel, and LV come to mindhas borne this out.
Even if you dont havefor examplea 15 year old Coach or LV bag to compare to a Coach or LV bag of today, all you need to do is read the threads in the respective subforums and you can see these issues for yourself. Ill definitely acknowledge that some of the designers I mentioned have had ups and downs with quality over the years but overall, I would argue that there has been (and continues to be) a downward trend. Its sad to see on subforums threads like I know that <insert defect/issue/problem here> is a known issue with this $1,000 bag, but I'm still disappointed that I have to live with it.
Some might argue that prices will rise only to what the market will bear and that may be true well have to wait and see. But I for one will not support the absolutely outrageous and frequent price increases seen as of late (LV and Chanel come to mind) that have not come with a commensurate increase in qualityin fact, were seeing the opposite.
So, IMHO, outsourcing is but one piece of a much larger puzzle. What can be done about this? I dont have the answer to the big picture question. For my part, I left behind a long time favored designer this year and made a move to BV. While the prices are certainly high enough to turn them a healthy profit, Ive been impressed with their quality, customer service, and overall business practices.
I know Ive probably ruffled a few feathers here and there so apologies for that (this rant wasnt meant to be personal to anyone) but now, the fun part discuss!
Now, Im not ancient or anythingbut at the risk of dating myself, Ive been buying designer handbags for 20+ years. And one thing has become patently obvious to me is that across the board, quality is declining precipitously and prices are rising sharply. Not to sound like an old fartbut there really, truly used to be a time when there was a reasonable correlation between paying more for something and getting a better made product. Now? Not so much.
Profit has always been the bottom line for purveyors and manufacturers of goods across the spectrum, but at what point does it just become the raping of consumers? I think were getting mighty close. How do businesses increase profit? Here are some ways: outsource; automate; cut corners in materials and workmanship; increase prices; decrease staff/customer service; and cut back on aftermarket support of your products.
ALL of these things are happening within the designer handbag market. Across the board, from lower-priced contemporary designers right up the ladder to premier designers, were seeing the effects of these practices. My own experience/familiarity with brands across the spectrumCoach, D&B, RM, Mulberry, Proenza, Bal, Chanel, and LV come to mindhas borne this out.
Even if you dont havefor examplea 15 year old Coach or LV bag to compare to a Coach or LV bag of today, all you need to do is read the threads in the respective subforums and you can see these issues for yourself. Ill definitely acknowledge that some of the designers I mentioned have had ups and downs with quality over the years but overall, I would argue that there has been (and continues to be) a downward trend. Its sad to see on subforums threads like I know that <insert defect/issue/problem here> is a known issue with this $1,000 bag, but I'm still disappointed that I have to live with it.
Some might argue that prices will rise only to what the market will bear and that may be true well have to wait and see. But I for one will not support the absolutely outrageous and frequent price increases seen as of late (LV and Chanel come to mind) that have not come with a commensurate increase in qualityin fact, were seeing the opposite.
So, IMHO, outsourcing is but one piece of a much larger puzzle. What can be done about this? I dont have the answer to the big picture question. For my part, I left behind a long time favored designer this year and made a move to BV. While the prices are certainly high enough to turn them a healthy profit, Ive been impressed with their quality, customer service, and overall business practices.
I know Ive probably ruffled a few feathers here and there so apologies for that (this rant wasnt meant to be personal to anyone) but now, the fun part discuss!
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...... SAD SAD SAD. And why pay 1k+ when you can get a wonderful, loving, dog from the shelter for $80-fully vetted? This has been your humane education anouncement for the day. LOL I know I'm off topic. My brain just does that sometimes. Sorry.
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