Buying CHANEL at the current prices/increases

[Sparkletastic]

Three thoughts:

1) All 11 of the Chanel bags I’ve bought have been preowned. 9 were new or like new. 7 came with the “full set” (box, ribbon, card, book, etc.) So I don’t know where you’re looking but try expanding your search. There are many pristine, authentic Chanels out there for purchase.

2) I can afford new Chanel bags but see no reason to pay retail bc I don’t care about trends, don’t like wasting my time in a boutique and don’t get FOMO.

3) The minute you start thinking of other more practical things that you could be doing with your money is the minute that you shouldn’t be buying the luxury item. Luxury items aren’t needs; they should be fun trifles that you buy for yourself for fun and as a treat - never anything that requires you going into debt or not obtaining something of true value that you actually want & need. Bags are NOT investments.

 

[Grande Latte]

The purchases threads are very quiet these days. I remember when I first joined tpf there would be several pages on these threads with many new buys. Not anymore. I can only assume that many like the OP do not want to spend extortionate amounts on a single handbag. My last purchase was 2017. It was like a trance I recovered from. I don't see me going back.

I noticed too. Overall the luxury threads have been kind of quiet. At least compared to pre-COVID, or even COVID period.

Of course, there are a few who keep on buying, but again the threads are not bubbling with new reveals from many, many different posters. I read an article recently that said even high net worth consumers have new spending patterns post COVID, the things they used to buy, they don't buy so much anymore.

I live in a high end suburb, but even so, it's not like I carry my Hermes and Chanel just to go to CVS or Costco. I don't have the parties and dinners to go to regularly anymore. Ppl understand these designs and I've heard of neighbors' homes being burglarized, which never happened before the pandemic.

 

[SDC2003]

I think the old school tpfrs and those on since before covid are mostly discerning clients. We don’t buy just to buy. Many of us own enough bags and I do think price has something to do with. There are bags I see that would be nice to add but at double the price? Esp when the second hand market is so depressed? We’re not here to buy and sell but it sure doesn’t feel good when a brand new jumbo is worth half that walking out the store. I don’t need another cf. and agree that crime also plays a part. And as we mature our spending habits change. I think Chanel popularity has declined for whatever reason and many seem to be over at Hermes. They’re currently the hot brand but I see that too overtime declining. Luxury has become a lot more commonplace and people buy just to buy today. It’s become a lot less exciting. Plus with no designer at the helm of Chanel the brand is kind of in a lull. Designs are repetitive and after a while it gets boring.

 

[Sparkletastic]

I noticed too. Overall the luxury threads have been kind of quiet. At least compared to pre-COVID, or even COVID period.

Of course, there are a few who keep on buying, but again the threads are not bubbling with new reveals from many, many different posters. I read an article recently that said even high net worth consumers have new spending patterns post COVID, the things they used to buy, they don't buy so much anymore.

I live in a high end suburb, but even so, it's not like I carry my Hermes and Chanel just to go to CVS or Costco. I don't have the parties and dinners to go to regularly anymore. Ppl understand these designs and I've heard of neighbors' homes being burglarized, which never happened before the pandemic.

I think the old school tpfrs and those on since before covid are mostly discerning clients. We don’t buy just to buy. Many of us own enough bags and I do think price has something to do with. There are bags I see that would be nice to add but at double the price? Esp when the second hand market is so depressed? We’re not here to buy and sell but it sure doesn’t feel good when a brand new jumbo is worth half that walking out the store. I don’t need another cf. and agree that crime also plays a part. And as we mature our spending habits change. I think Chanel popularity has declined for whatever reason and many seem to be over at Hermes. They’re currently the hot brand but I see that too overtime declining. Luxury has become a lot more commonplace and people buy just to buy today. It’s become a lot less exciting. Plus with no designer at the helm of Chanel the brand is kind of in a lull. Designs are repetitive and after a while it gets boring.

Both of your comments resonate with me. Prior to Covid, my career demanded a lot of travel in business attire. I also was busy with social and charitable activities / events that had an unspoken “dress code” of sorts.

Now I primarily work remotely. And social / charitable gathering - whether it be small groups or galas - seems to be down by half. I’m glad for a reduction in the manic busyness but do miss some of the more fun connection. In any case, there isn’t enough activity to make me need anything beyond what I already own. I buy now just for “fun” and so I’m picking up pre loved missed pieces and unicorns to round out what I have vs keep up with anything remotely like a trend or new collection. I couldn’t care less what’s new.

 

[Stephanie***]

What an interesting thread! I literaly stopped what I was doing.

I ALWAYS wanted 'that' classic chanel bag with gold hardware which turned out to be a flap bag. I always loved the look and still do. I always sight them in the wild. Lol

Back in the day I wasnt able to spend 5k on a bag. I could have save the money, but it would have felt like ages. For now, I would be kinda able to afford it. "kinda", cause I still would need to save it up. But if it was 5k I would do it. But not for 10k.

Yes, I could buy a preowned... But I won't. I now would rather go for a 2.55 which is more quiet tbh.

I own a small üreowned chanel which has this timeless style, in lambskin with silver hardware in black. Its not the typical flap bag. Even full set for 2.5k. I got it a year ago at collectorsquare.
Also, I was lucky. Bought it before another price increase, so the second hand one was also a little "cheaper". I got what I wanted, the timeless look.

there are still style on the second hand market which arent the typical flap bag, so they are cheaper.

 

[SDC2003]

Here’s another thought on this as I reflect on this some more. It’s a combo of price and service.

Not long ago I had a couple of seasonal bags on reserve. Prior to launch I received a message from my sa asking whether I was absolutely sure I wanted these bags. TBH I didn’t know because I hadn’t bought a bag since pre pandemic. I wasn’t sure about quality given these were seasonal and I wasn’t sure how they would work in person. And today if I’m going to buy something I want to be sure given today’s prices. The sa was a bit pushy and my thinking as I reflect on this is that there may have been other clients in a higher spend category who wanted the bags. Also I have heard that due to demand on some items if you decline bags it can damage the client relationship. I ended up asking for just one bag but then ended up declining that one too before launch. Something about being expected to buy even if I may not like the bag just didn’t sit well with me.

Now I am not sure if I will ever ask for another bag or other item because I don’t like being pressured. If someone else is really pushing for a bag they can sell it to them. I don’t care. I should be able to buy what I want and take the time to see an item before committing. Buying a Chanel bag isn’t going to make or break my life. This is supposed to be fun. I miss the days where one could just walk into a store and not have to deal with reserve lists and vip categories and games.

IMO having shopped this brand for almost fifteen years Chanel and other luxury companies have a ways to go with service and given the luxury slowdown perhaps they need to rethink not just their pricing models but also client service. The vast majority of Chanel revenue comes from non -vips according to studies. I think many OG clients have been turned off by both prices and service (and of course quality). I remember during the pandemic when texts to Sa’s I’d spent regularly with for years went unanswered or were received with lukewarm responses. Many got incredibly greedy. I won’t forget.

 

[Swanky]

Interesting how different everyone's experiences are. Having not made a purchase since pre-pandemic it was very nice of an SA to offer to reserve bags!

 

[SDC2003]

Interesting how different everyone's experiences are. Having not made a purchase since pre-pandemic it was very nice of an SA to offer to reserve bags!

I noted above I made no bag purchases since before the pandemic but to clarify I have made other purchases that I suppose allowed me to reserve those bags.

 

[Grande Latte]

I noted above I made no bag purchases since before the pandemic but to clarify I have made other purchases that I suppose allowed me to reserve those bags.

Does anyone know if purchase history is international. Say you buy one bag in one country and a pair of shoes at another. Will they both show up in hour purchase history?

I know Louis Vuitton purchase history is international. So repair and service is always easy.

 

[Swanky]

Does anyone know if purchase history is international. Say you buy one bag in one country and a pair of shoes at another. Will they both show up in hour purchase history?

I know Louis Vuitton purchase history is international. So repair and service is always easy.

I don't know but should know soon. My experience is purchase history is not relevant, Chanel doesn't do the H game where it matters what you've spent. I've spent in France but it was too long ago to matter, but have some travel coming up so will find out.

 

[Grande Latte]

I don't know but should know soon. My experience is purchase history is not relevant, Chanel doesn't do the H game where it matters what you've spent. I've spent in France but it was too long ago to matter, but have some travel coming up so will find out.

Thank you. I'm ready to travel too (yippee), so I'm just wondering about Chanel purchase history. Good to know they don't play the H game.

 

[Rainbow.fish]

Does anyone know if purchase history is international. Say you buy one bag in one country and a pair of shoes at another. Will they both show up in hour purchase history?

I know Louis Vuitton purchase history is international. So repair and service is always easy.

Purchase history is regional. So purchases in US will not show up in the account in Asia, Middle East or Europe. These are all separate. I am uk based and my Paris FA cannot see my uk purchases even as we are no longer part of the EU. There is a plan to migrate all the systems so that complete purchase history can be seen regardless of location - it was supposed to have happened early this year but to my knowledge it hasn’t happened yet.

 

[Lisazs]

Do you all think Chanel is worth the current price tags? Over 10k for a current classic? Which size bag holds its value the most? Trying to decide whether to keep or return the small classic flap I just purchased.

 

[Swanky]

I’m still buying, personally.
No matter the item, it’s only worth to you what you’re willing to pay.
I don't consider what would hold value as I don’t sell mine.
I buy what I know I’ll get my moneys worth out of, meaning I know I’ll carry it and enjoy it!

 

[war_bunny15]

Do you all think Chanel is worth the current price tags? Over 10k for a current classic? Which size bag holds its value the most? Trying to decide whether to keep or return the small classic flap I just purchased.

Hi there, I think this bag is stunning! So versatile and the colour is perfection. I've been looking for a non-black, neutral Chanel bag for a while. Hopefully when the right neutral comes by, I'll buy right away. Most beige colours that I've seen are towards the orange side and that's why I've been holding back.
I read your post not long ago where you describe this bag as "it was one of the most beautiful bags I have ever seen." So surprised to read you are having second thoughts and are contemplating to return it. What changed?
Chanel classic flaps have been steadily increasing in price for years now. 3 years ago when I purchased by first classic flap and was so hesitant to pull the trigger, an SA told me that in a few years this bag will be over $10k. She wasn't wrong and here we are...