Are You Ever Tempted to "Butt In" at the Outlet?

[katev]

One time, quite awhile ago, I couldn't keep myself from "butting in" at the Coach boutique store but it was for a good cause and it had a happy ending. I had received a PCE in the mail and I went to the retail store on the last day to look around but I didn't see anything that caught my interest.

While I was there I saw an older couple that seemed a bit overwhelmed and I noticed that the woman was carrying a "sensible, black leather, no-name bag". I started talking to them and learned that they were shopping to buy a gift for their daughter-in-law. She was about to have a "significant birthday" and they wanted to get something really special because "she's an absolutely wonderful daughter-in-law and deserves something terrific!"

I thought that was really sweet and I asked the woman if she had "received one of the Coach coupons?" She said "No, I didn't know that Coach offered coupons!" I looked at the SA and she gave me a nod of okay, so I handed the woman my PCE and they were thrilled.

I heard the wife say "now we can buy a really nice bag for her!" and her husband said "and maybe we can get a wallet for her, too!" (I liked the way they were thinking!) They were looking at an $800 bag when I left!

So sometimes butting in is okay and even appreciated!

 

[alansgail]

One time, quite awhile ago, I couldn't keep myself from "butting in" at the Coach boutique store but it was for a good cause and it had a happy ending. I had received a PCE in the mail and I went to the retail store on the last day to look around but I didn't see anything that caught my interest.

While I was there I saw an older couple that seemed a bit overwhelmed and I noticed that the woman was carrying a "sensible, black leather, no-name bag". I started talking to them and learned that they were shopping to buy a gift for their daughter-in-law. She was about to have a "significant birthday" and they wanted to get something really special because "she's an absolutely wonderful daughter-in-law and deserves something terrific!"

I thought that was really sweet and I asked the woman if she had "received one of the Coach coupons?" She said "No, I didn't know that Coach offered coupons!" I looked at the SA and she gave me a nod of okay, so I handed the woman my PCE and they were thrilled.

I heard the wife say "now we can buy a really nice bag for her!" and her husband said "and maybe we can get a wallet for her, too!" (I liked the way they were thinking!) They were looking at an $800 bag when I left!

So sometimes butting in is okay and even appreciated!

How sweet, I totally would have done that as well! Not everyone knows handbags the way we do and I'm sure you made their decision making that much easier.

 

[highrider9o9]

totally! I think most people would find it appreciative, theres nothing better than having a knowledgable customer. I have done this on occasion and would do it again in the future.

 

[faintlymacabre]

I feel like offering up a PCE is awesome. However, I'd feel odd butting in to steer someone away from a bag that they were considering, based on my own opinions. It's not my place, and people have their own preferences.

 

[katev]

I feel like offering up a PCE is awesome. However, I'd feel odd butting in to steer someone away from a bag that they were considering, based on my own opinions. It's not my place, and people have their own preferences.

I wouldn't want to do that either, but when I see someone that looks "like a fish out of water" I'm tempted to try and help. The husband I was talking about had no idea what to buy for his wife and he was just going by the SA's recommendation that the Sierra Satchel was a popular bag. It's no big deal, it was a nice gift and I am sure she loves it, but she might have gotten something really special - but you are right - that's just my opinion. That's why I didn't speak up, but I kind of wish that I had. I could have casually shared my suggestion and then let him decide.

 

[daisyorange]

Do you ever see someone buying a MFF bag at the outlet and feel the urge to tell him/her to get an FP delete bag instead? That's happened in situations when I feel that the FP delete is a nicer bag and a better bargain, but I usually resist the urge and walk away.

I was at the outlet this weekend and I overheard a man talking to a SA about buying a purse for his wife. She was showing him the Chalk Sierra Satchel with embossed snake trim F57504 SV CAH and telling him that it is a very popular bag (and I am sure that's true).

I think that the MFF chalk Sierra Satchel is very attractive and well-made and I am sure his wife will love it; but there was another chalk purse sitting on a nearby shelf that I felt was a much nicer bag - the chalk Nomad 36026 LI CHK.

I don't know how much they were asking for the Sierra Satchel, I'm guessing $150? But the Nomad was reduced 60% and was selling for $198 (retail $495). Not a big difference IMO.

I was so tempted to butt in and say "if you want to buy a white bag for your wife then give her the real deal!" and then take him over to the Nomad display and tell him about the difference between MFF and FP and show him the thick glove-tanned leather and the brown leather lining - but I didn't do any of those things. I held my peace and later saw him in the checkout line holding the Sierra Satchel. I am sure that his wife will be thrilled because it is a very nice bag and it was a gift from her thoughtful husband.

So do you ever feel the urge to "butt in" at the outlet?

Below are drill-down pics of the 2 bags and they are both beautiful, do you agree with my choice or am I just a FP snob?

Chalk Sierra Satchel SV CAH:
View attachment 3570939

Chalk Nomad 36026 LI CHK:
View attachment 3570942

Hi Katev, The chalk nomad is so beautiful... I so want it. I think it was very nice of you to want to recommend a nicer bag. . I am sure the gentleman and his wife would have both appreciated you. I have butted in several times especially while shopping for handbags.... i would voluntarily women decide which one to get when they are conflicted.
There is one such instance i want to share with you all. Back then when the black on black swagger was first released I was so smitten by it. It was pretty much the last one they had on stock and so I close to getting it for myself. I then noticed a little kid come by and randomly pick a bag.. He went over to the SA and asked if she could gift wrap it for him. He gave her his dad's card and said his dad was distracting his mom while he selected a surprise present for her birthday. The little boy was so adorable but i knew that he had not put in any thought into it. Guess what i did? .. I just decided that his mom deserved a nicer present and his dad a bigger dent on his card. So, I butted right in and talked the boy into getting the black swagger instead of the other bag he was holding! Wasn't too difficult at all. Just asked him if we could swap our bags and he agreed with a shrug. ... I don't know.. felt kind of nice and mischievous.

 

[katev]

...Guess what i did? .. I just decided that his mom deserved a nicer present and his dad a bigger dent on his card. So, I butted right in and talked the boy into getting the black swagger instead of the other bag he was holding! Wasn't too difficult at all. Just asked him if we could swap our bags and he agreed with a shrug. ... I don't know.. felt kind of nice and mischievous.

That's a great story - and very nice of you! His mother didn't know that she had a handbag angel in her corner!

 

[dsiegman77]

Oh I've definitely thought about doing this for sure, but never actually have. I'd be too afraid because I'm not a very forward or outspoken person. Haha.

 

[applecidered]

I hate to say it, but I'm a deal seeker and I do the exact opposite! If perchance I'm standing in line and chatting up someone in front of me, then inevitably I'd talk about deals and sales and where to find a "similar" item but at a much reduced cost. I normally don't "butt in" and talk up total strangers, but sometimes you get into idle chit chat. I can never bring up a topic where I'm trying to upsell someone, no way!

That said, I do agree full line Coach is way better quality and looks than MFF, but when it comes to the bottom line, I'm more than happy to say you can get a similar bag for much less.

 

[fabuleux]

Do you ever see someone buying a MFF bag at the outlet and feel the urge to tell him/her to get an FP delete bag instead? That's happened in situations when I feel that the FP delete is a nicer bag and a better bargain, but I usually resist the urge and walk away.

I was at the outlet this weekend and I overheard a man talking to a SA about buying a purse for his wife. She was showing him the Chalk Sierra Satchel with embossed snake trim F57504 SV CAH and telling him that it is a very popular bag (and I am sure that's true).

I think that the MFF chalk Sierra Satchel is very attractive and well-made and I am sure his wife will love it; but there was another chalk purse sitting on a nearby shelf that I felt was a much nicer bag - the chalk Nomad 36026 LI CHK.

I don't know how much they were asking for the Sierra Satchel, I'm guessing $150? But the Nomad was reduced 60% and was selling for $198 (retail $495). Not a big difference IMO.

I was so tempted to butt in and say "if you want to buy a white bag for your wife then give her the real deal!" and then take him over to the Nomad display and tell him about the difference between MFF and FP and show him the thick glove-tanned leather and the brown leather lining - but I didn't do any of those things. I held my peace and later saw him in the checkout line holding the Sierra Satchel. I am sure that his wife will be thrilled because it is a very nice bag and it was a gift from her thoughtful husband.

So do you ever feel the urge to "butt in" at the outlet?

Below are drill-down pics of the 2 bags and they are both beautiful, do you agree with my choice or am I just a FP snob?

Chalk Sierra Satchel SV CAH:
View attachment 3570939

Chalk Nomad 36026 LI CHK:
View attachment 3570942

haha I totally understand where you are coming from!

 

[anthrosphere]

I actually did "butt in" before, but it was at a boutique, not an outlet. I remember I went to the boutique with the 25% off coupon back in 2015, I was looking around and I saw a man who was trying to find a bag for his wife. He looked at a couple bags but he had trouble deciding what to get. I couldn't find anything I wanted so I turned to leave the store. The man was still in the store and talking to the SA, a handbag in his hand. I debated if I should give the coupon to him since it didn't look like he had one.

Well, I did since it would be a waste if I kept it. I walked up to him and handed him my 25% off coupon, I simply said: "Excuse me, you can take my 25% off coupon." He was surprised and said, "Oh! Thank you!" The SA just simply smiled and nodded. I quickly turned around and left the store with a smile on my face. He deserved it.

 

[carterazo]

I have "almost" intervened a few times but I always hold back. I have offered up my coupon on the last day when I know I won't use it. Most of the time the person is glad to take it. I did have one time where the person looked at me like I had horns and vigorously shook their head. Oh well, their loss.

 

[Tuned83]

I know nothing about coach, have never bought a bag but have admired from afar. I know for certain I would be very grateful if someone butted in if I was having difficulty making a decision in relation to a purchase. Especially if it makes money sense. If it is coming from a well informed point of view, I am all for it and would not think it odd or rude.

 

[UmmIbrahim]

Do you ever see someone buying a MFF bag at the outlet and feel the urge to tell him/her to get an FP delete bag instead? That's happened in situations when I feel that the FP delete is a nicer bag and a better bargain, but I usually resist the urge and walk away.

I was at the outlet this weekend and I overheard a man talking to a SA about buying a purse for his wife. She was showing him the Chalk Sierra Satchel with embossed snake trim F57504 SV CAH and telling him that it is a very popular bag (and I am sure that's true).

I think that the MFF chalk Sierra Satchel is very attractive and well-made and I am sure his wife will love it; but there was another chalk purse sitting on a nearby shelf that I felt was a much nicer bag - the chalk Nomad 36026 LI CHK.

I don't know how much they were asking for the Sierra Satchel, I'm guessing $150? But the Nomad was reduced 60% and was selling for $198 (retail $495). Not a big difference IMO.

I was so tempted to butt in and say "if you want to buy a white bag for your wife then give her the real deal!" and then take him over to the Nomad display and tell him about the difference between MFF and FP and show him the thick glove-tanned leather and the brown leather lining - but I didn't do any of those things. I held my peace and later saw him in the checkout line holding the Sierra Satchel. I am sure that his wife will be thrilled because it is a very nice bag and it was a gift from her thoughtful husband.

So do you ever feel the urge to "butt in" at the outlet?

Below are drill-down pics of the 2 bags and they are both beautiful, do you agree with my choice or am I just a FP snob?

Chalk Sierra Satchel SV CAH:
View attachment 3570939

Chalk Nomad 36026 LI CHK:
View attachment 3570942

I like the Nomad better...some of the bags ive seen at the Outlet are OK but quite a few are tacky. Ive had SAs at the local outlet say how pretty my Dinky was and then were surprised it was from Coach!

But yea, i wouldnt butt in. I have myown taste in handbags and others have theres...

 

[UmmIbrahim]

You'd think the SAs would try to sell customers the pricier bags, right? ( which in that case would have been the Nomad. )
I was never tempted to convince anyone to go with a FP delete when I was buying purses. Truth be told...I wanted the deletes to myself...and that was usually the case. [emoji16] I made a beeline for the delete section every single time I went to the outlets.

Not always... i was in the local outlet last fall checking out the sale for the bags from the regular Coach stores...and the SA kept trying to lead me to cheaper bags...finally i had to break it down that I was fine with amore expensivebag becausei wanted quality. I think the SAs in outlets areao usedto dealing with a sales/save money/whatever that they automatically try to entice shoppers with a "good deal". They do annoyme though, i go to outletsjust to browse or get kids clothing mostly...i dont need enticed...if i like, i buy. Ugh.