My only hesitation is the price tag. I have three classic medium flaps all from the pre-loved market and the most I have spent on one bag is $7000. This one was significantly more. However, I did look on the pre-loved market and there are not many beige classics out there this bag does not lean yellow whatsoever. It is a beautiful neutral.
Buying CHANEL at the current prices/increases
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I have several many 22s a mini Thirty-one and several mini rectangular flaps all purchased new but all under $7000 each. This is my first brand new classic flap from a boutique.
It’s a personal choice for each of us. I won’t spend 10K on a Chanel bag, but I buy some rtw (I still have and wear my first piece of Chanel rtw from 2001)
Listen to your inner voice and consider whether you will get enough joy and use from the item in question to bring down cost per wear or otherwise justify the purchase.
I don’t find Chanel or Hermes purchase threads or clients slowing down, (in fact VV famously increased Chanel rtw purchases by 2.5X) but there are significant declines (as reported by corporate at other brands.
Listen to your inner voice and consider whether you will get enough joy and use from the item in question to bring down cost per wear or otherwise justify the purchase.
I don’t find Chanel or Hermes purchase threads or clients slowing down, (in fact VV famously increased Chanel rtw purchases by 2.5X) but there are significant declines (as reported by corporate at other brands.
Personally, I don't think any bag is worth $10,000, but I read through your thread and you seem to love the bag! It's a beautiful color.
I bought a medium flap when it cost around $5k, thought it was expensive then and still find it expensive for a bag. On top of that I've used it so infrequently that I have not been able to justify the cost. If you think that you'll use your bag and that you won't get tired of it, then how why not hang on to it? It's not like the prices will go down!
I totally understand what you mean and trying to justify whether something is truly worth your money or not, is subjective. However I'm also a big believer of quality over quantity. If I can have a bag that's 10x more useful and will be a permanent addition to my wardrobe, then paying double of what I usually pay makes total sense to me. It all depends on whether this bag fits your lifestyle, the color will be an amazing addition to your collection and you will without a doubt WEAR it. Those are the key parameters I keep in mind when buying something expensive.
Good luck and hope this helps!
Yes, I totally get it. The client service at CHANEL can certainly be much better. I walked into a CHANEL store two or three weeks ago and instantly saw SA scanned my clothes/bag. It's just very uncomfortable to be judged on what you wear. So vulgar.
I don't know how offering someone a product so that one can earn commission can be called nice. It is absurd that a client needs to be thankful for being able to spend money at a luxury brand. Except a few pieces that require rare craftsmanship, a lot of the products sold by luxury companies are common goods with intentionally high price
I think you missed my point. The member hadn't made a purchase in several years and the SA still reserved bags for her. IMO, that was gracious.
I don't play games or believe in the hoop jumping at Hermes, that was not what I was saying at all.
Hey all! I’ve had my eye on the Classic Flap for years (and I guess I waited too long since it’s now pushing $11k). I’m willing to spend it but… is it worth it? I keep hearing things about Chanel’s quality going down. I don’t want to spend $11k and regret it. I could get 2 (even 3) Gucci, Louis Vuitton, or YSL bags at the same price. Are they really not as good? Should I just get the Chanel since it’s timeless and the best? Maybe the Mini Flap instead? Please help!
I've bought 2 bags this month, lol
I've been buying Chanel for almost 25 years and have had no quality issues.
I've been buying Chanel for almost 25 years and have had no quality issues.
I don’t see any diminution in bag quality, but they are soft sided bags that are mass produced/machine stitched . For someone buying a bag today, I think a mini is a better idea in general.
But, take a long look to make sure that a chanel is really what you want. If a YSL can satisfy, go for that. ETA: I would not spend todays retail prices for a classic flap as I would rather buy Hermes for the money)
But, take a long look to make sure that a chanel is really what you want. If a YSL can satisfy, go for that. ETA: I would not spend todays retail prices for a classic flap as I would rather buy Hermes for the money)
CHANEL probably has a special place in a lot of women's heart, it is simply different from YSL, LV or Gucci. To me personally, CHANEL products worth some premium. $10K for a bag is insane, but if I can throw away $10K without feeling too sorry (and I can imagine using the bag a lot), I would buy it, just not sure when that day would come though...
One important thing is, would you use classic CF after buying it? I found this style (not mini CF) irrelevant for me as it does not fit into my closet, I wear mostly casual/modern clothes, and I've seen people complaining it heavy. I don't think the CF silhouette fit into most of US people's closet (if you live in US, excluding Manhattan), I don't think CF pairs well with sweatpants and hoodies, especially leather CF. I imagine some denim bags from CHANEL would be very practical. If you like the CF look and normally don't carry much, maybe mini CF is great to start with, it fits a phone, a card holder, and keys.
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You can find good deals on secondary market as the resell market is still kinda slow from what I can gather on the fb forums!
Highly recommend watching this YouTube channel for some information to help you decide.
Tanner Leatherstein
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Seasoned leather worker who purchases bags, takes them apart to dissect the materials used, and gives cost to produce estimations.
Some of the brands, or bags within the brand, can be really different in comparison. Like the LV Felicie pochette. It has a really thick coating over the leather used for durability, but wouldn’t appeal to a leather goods enthusiast because of this.
The majority of bags he takes apart seem to fall within the $150-$250 price bracket for materials and craftsmanship to assemble in the country of origin. (For example, a Coach Tabby uses $25 worth of leather, and the LV Capuchines uses $160). He’s not reviewed a double flap, but is a Chanel going to be twice the price to construct than the others? Likely not.
Have to remember that the cost isn’t in the materials or even the construction. It’s in how much the brand pays to keep delivering the exclusive luxury feeling, such as rent and advertising.
So my gut feeling would be they would all be of similar quality barring any particular snags or preferences people might have for the way they use them.
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Worth is very subjective. I have a couple of Classic Flaps and one Mini, and for a while, I used my Mini way more than the CFs—until recently. Last year, I barely touched my Mini and found myself reaching for my CFs much more, to the point where I now feel like I need another one in a different color to fill a gap in my wardrobe. Maybe I just got tired of cramming everything into a tiny bag and wanted to feel more free to bring extra items without constantly playing Tetris with my essentials. Minis are certainly cute, but it’s a different feel compared to the CF. The CF feels much sturdier and more like an actual bag, while the Mini feels more like a WOC. Nothing wrong with that—I also own a Chanel WOC and love it—but it’s just a different look and a different tactile experience.
Quality-wise, I personally haven’t noticed any decline in the Chanel bags I’ve bought over the years, including seasonal pieces. I do think YSL and other brands have similar quality, but for me, the CF’s design is unique in a way that no other brand quite replicates. Other brands have similar styles, but the total look and feel of the CF is just perfect for me.
If I were to choose another brand just because it's cheaper, I’d feel like I was settling—and when it comes to luxury purchases, I don’t see the point in settling. It only makes sense to buy something if it’s what you truly desire. If YSL or another brand excites you just as much as the CF, then go for it! But if the CF is the one that keeps calling to you, I think its timelessness is a major plus. It has stayed relevant over the years, and I still love mine just as much as years ago. In fact, if I had to start my collection from scratch, my CFs would be the only bags I’d 100% repurchase.