Hi Coachies...for those of you who really know me, then you are aware I typically avoid many (most) controversial topics. I believe in a "to each his own opinion", and we all have the right to state our opinion if it's done in a respectful manner. You all also know that I LOVE Coach products!! That said, I'm not trying to "start something" with this post!!
However, I feel the need to make a couple of comments here, partly because of what I'm being told as of late by many SAs (as well as JAX)...and not to mention some of the posts I'm reading on this forum regarding "limited" production of certain styles and colors. The reason I'm bringing this up is because I'm beginning to think that the new "marketing strategy" for Coach may be creating hype with the fear of "selling out" or "limited production". This is a sure fire way to get a lot of us to jump and make the purchases (especially for the higher ticket items)! But from what I'm discovering, they appear to be replenishing the stock. This may be because they are seeing demand for a certain item, but frankly, I don't know if they can replenish THAT quickly based on the statistics! That's why I think some of this may be pure and simple hype! And, I have to admit that this is probably a good way to prevent the bags from reaching the outlet so quickly and in such volume. Part of all this DOES make sense to me, but there are other aspects that don't. To me some of this is very borderline dishonesty.
Here's the thing....
Ok, I know there's no real way of knowing production count for each bag (and no SA can give you an accurate answer even if he/she tries), but already many of us as of late have been the victim of "scare tactics" for some "near sold out" items that miraculously have been restocked a week or two later. One is the Lindsay. I can't tell you how many times I've been told "get it now"...it's selling FAST (or sold out) and won't appear in most stores, blah, blah..... But, it's still being restocked!! In fact I just saw replenished stock in teal at one boutique. This is just one example (for the sake of brevity in my post).
I'll also use my atlantic Peyton as an example. Initially we were told by JAX "very limited" and less than 30 or so of the atlantic, saddle, and green colors. So I jumped right away and preordered directly from JAX at the $800 price tag because I didn't want to miss this bag...although I just got the PCE price adjustment for it, thankfully!
Also...keep in mind these Peyton satchels are stamped "limited edition" on the hang tag, but NOT numbered...so really...who knows how many are made??? I believe the hang tag issue is a nice cost cutting measure by Coach (since they didn't bother to stamp the creed or enclose any type of info card regarding the limited edition aspect). The thing is if they do sell well, then it's real easy to make more, right?? Even the Ellies were originally numbered and given a x/xx number. Now they are only given a number, but again, who knows the total production?? I have to admit I feel a bit cheated!
I'm sorry, but I personally find all of this to be a tad dishonest. And if it's not technically dishonest, it at least devalues the bag and purchase!
As for the other bags, I'm not sure if some of the "stories" are told by clueless SAs and CS, or it's simply a part of their new strategy to create hype to sell their products at retail prices. I admit this "strategy" has sure worked on me with a couple of things as of late, and I admit I kind of feel like a fool TBH!!
The bottom line (for me) is now when I'm told a bag or color of a bag will be "limited"...I really don't know whether I believe it or not! The thing is if it's popular enough, I bet they will release more!! So is the Legacy amethyst color really limited?? Is the sharp decline of bottle green Bridgit stock really "real" or will they just add more in a week or two??? Will there really not be a PCE in Sept.??? Will bags wait a year to go to the outlets?? IDK!!!
I guess I will continue to use my own risk assessment and buy it only if I really want it, but this is something to think about!! I know I definitely need to stop jumping just because a SA tells me I need to get it "NOW!!". I've gotten into that mode a bit too much as of late. This past weekend, I actually made myself not purchase 3-4 bags because they are not available on PCE...so I just decided to take my chances for the future... If I get the bags, fine...if not, so be it! I got the bags I had to have (Bridgits). All in all, they probably lost about $2k on me for PCE because they excluded those bags from the discount!
Again, I guess the whole strategy makes sense... If they are decreasing the number of promotional events, but raising the prices...how are they going to keep the bags out of the outlet?? The only way really is to more accurately assess the market for each bag, and avoid overproduction. I'm sure some of the BS I've been given about stock quantities have to do with misinformation, or because they have reevaluated the specific style and production. Nothing is ever perfect, I know. It's just that as of late, I'm personally really feeling cheated...and I didn't even cover material and quality control issues here!! Just wanted to share my thoughts!! We all have to make our own decisions, and those vary from person to person.
I'm also curious if any of you have seen this same trend, and have similar or even different thoughts. Maybe I'm way off base with my thoughts!! One thing I do know is that they are restructuring the company somewhat, and changing their store formats.
However, I feel the need to make a couple of comments here, partly because of what I'm being told as of late by many SAs (as well as JAX)...and not to mention some of the posts I'm reading on this forum regarding "limited" production of certain styles and colors. The reason I'm bringing this up is because I'm beginning to think that the new "marketing strategy" for Coach may be creating hype with the fear of "selling out" or "limited production". This is a sure fire way to get a lot of us to jump and make the purchases (especially for the higher ticket items)! But from what I'm discovering, they appear to be replenishing the stock. This may be because they are seeing demand for a certain item, but frankly, I don't know if they can replenish THAT quickly based on the statistics! That's why I think some of this may be pure and simple hype! And, I have to admit that this is probably a good way to prevent the bags from reaching the outlet so quickly and in such volume. Part of all this DOES make sense to me, but there are other aspects that don't. To me some of this is very borderline dishonesty.
Here's the thing....
Ok, I know there's no real way of knowing production count for each bag (and no SA can give you an accurate answer even if he/she tries), but already many of us as of late have been the victim of "scare tactics" for some "near sold out" items that miraculously have been restocked a week or two later. One is the Lindsay. I can't tell you how many times I've been told "get it now"...it's selling FAST (or sold out) and won't appear in most stores, blah, blah..... But, it's still being restocked!! In fact I just saw replenished stock in teal at one boutique. This is just one example (for the sake of brevity in my post).
I'll also use my atlantic Peyton as an example. Initially we were told by JAX "very limited" and less than 30 or so of the atlantic, saddle, and green colors. So I jumped right away and preordered directly from JAX at the $800 price tag because I didn't want to miss this bag...although I just got the PCE price adjustment for it, thankfully!
Also...keep in mind these Peyton satchels are stamped "limited edition" on the hang tag, but NOT numbered...so really...who knows how many are made??? I believe the hang tag issue is a nice cost cutting measure by Coach (since they didn't bother to stamp the creed or enclose any type of info card regarding the limited edition aspect). The thing is if they do sell well, then it's real easy to make more, right?? Even the Ellies were originally numbered and given a x/xx number. Now they are only given a number, but again, who knows the total production?? I have to admit I feel a bit cheated!
I'm sorry, but I personally find all of this to be a tad dishonest. And if it's not technically dishonest, it at least devalues the bag and purchase!
As for the other bags, I'm not sure if some of the "stories" are told by clueless SAs and CS, or it's simply a part of their new strategy to create hype to sell their products at retail prices. I admit this "strategy" has sure worked on me with a couple of things as of late, and I admit I kind of feel like a fool TBH!!
The bottom line (for me) is now when I'm told a bag or color of a bag will be "limited"...I really don't know whether I believe it or not! The thing is if it's popular enough, I bet they will release more!! So is the Legacy amethyst color really limited?? Is the sharp decline of bottle green Bridgit stock really "real" or will they just add more in a week or two??? Will there really not be a PCE in Sept.??? Will bags wait a year to go to the outlets?? IDK!!!
I guess I will continue to use my own risk assessment and buy it only if I really want it, but this is something to think about!! I know I definitely need to stop jumping just because a SA tells me I need to get it "NOW!!". I've gotten into that mode a bit too much as of late. This past weekend, I actually made myself not purchase 3-4 bags because they are not available on PCE...so I just decided to take my chances for the future... If I get the bags, fine...if not, so be it! I got the bags I had to have (Bridgits). All in all, they probably lost about $2k on me for PCE because they excluded those bags from the discount!
Again, I guess the whole strategy makes sense... If they are decreasing the number of promotional events, but raising the prices...how are they going to keep the bags out of the outlet?? The only way really is to more accurately assess the market for each bag, and avoid overproduction. I'm sure some of the BS I've been given about stock quantities have to do with misinformation, or because they have reevaluated the specific style and production. Nothing is ever perfect, I know. It's just that as of late, I'm personally really feeling cheated...and I didn't even cover material and quality control issues here!! Just wanted to share my thoughts!! We all have to make our own decisions, and those vary from person to person.
I'm also curious if any of you have seen this same trend, and have similar or even different thoughts. Maybe I'm way off base with my thoughts!! One thing I do know is that they are restructuring the company somewhat, and changing their store formats.