Buying vintage vs new opinions please....

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B

blackquilt

O.G.
May 14, 2011
611
18
#1
Hello,
I was hoping you could give me your opinions on this. I would like to purchase a Chanel small classic flap and was interested in vintage particularly because of the wonderful quality years ago. However, the ones I am interested in that are in excellent condition are all close to $8000. I know I could get one cheaper but I would be looking at good/very good condition , and I really want something closer to excellent/mint condition.
Is this completely silly when a brand new bag is about $1000 cheaper? I'd love to know what you all think...

Thank you!!
 
#7
I personally think this is cyclical, and if you can wait, the prices will eventually go down. Of course, if you are searching for a specific vintage piece, then the price you will pay is dependent on its availability and your desire

But, IMO, for around the same amount, if you simoly want any chanel small CF, I would buy one new. I think that the decline in quality is exaggerated, and I say this havingnowned many chanel bags in the oast, and just last year buying a so blakc mini chevron reissue
 
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#8
Hi! I was in the same situation last month. I wanted to buy a brand new one from the boutique, but didn't have a very good experience when I visited. I ended up buying one from Brand Off in Japan. Their prices are not that crazy imo. (But lots of their items are pre-loved, not really "vintage".) Maybe you can have a look if you haven't.
But I kind of wish I bought a brand new one at the boutique, because that would've been more special!
 
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#9
I personally lean towards vintage items, however, when I buy vintage handbags, I always look for designs that was discontinued which have the extra value to be held as a collectable item, if you get what I mean ;) With Chanel flap bags in particular, there are some vintage styles that can be quite worthwhile in getting, not the common double flap though because they stayed pretty much the same through out time, in my opinion. I find patience always pays off, when shopping for vintage collectables, if you look for long enough, 90% of the time you will find what you want at a great price.
 
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#10
I bought my first chanel in 2004 and had owned plenty of their bags throughout the years so I have witnessed the decline of quality to the point that I stopped buying coz the bags they offer now just don’t feel the same when you touch the leather or hold them in your hands (and their prices are insane anyways). With that said, while I’m drawn to their vintage now, I would not spent $8000 on a vintage chanel. Amore Vintage’s stock are usually vintage in quite good condition BUT they are also on the pricier side. So I would rather keep checking out other resellers, do more research to compare the condition and pricing.
 
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#11
phoebe.bqueen said:
I personally lean towards vintage items, however, when I buy vintage handbags, I always look for designs that was discontinued which have the extra value to be held as a collectable item, if you get what I mean ;) With Chanel flap bags in particular, there are some vintage styles that can be quite worthwhile in getting, not the common double flap though because they stayed pretty much the same through out time, in my opinion. I find patience always pays off, when shopping for vintage collectables, if you look for long enough, 90% of the time you will find what you want at a great price.
Click to expand...

I have the same exact view of buying vintage! The typical CF, while is a classic and all, seems too boring to me (and also doesn’t quite work for me dimension wise. The medium double flap annoys me as it takes up spaces, and jumbo doesn’t work on my frame that well). Like you, I prefer vintage style that has discontinued but with some elements of a classic, whether it’s the slightly different flap design, or with more unique hardware CC etc. That’s the fun part about vintage - you always discover something you don’t know exist before!
 
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#12
Having read through this thread, many people make great points:tup::
- I too prefer buying vintage on items that are no longer produced.
- personally don’t feel too happy or comfortable about paying $1000 under retail price for vintage. Because I don’t think a price so close to retail is worth it (and at that point I’d rather buy new but carefully inspect the bag in store)
- patiently hunting and waiting is key, though I know it gets more and more difficult as retail price rises and the resale market with it, the inflation is crazy!

When I was looking for a black Chanel vintage (or almost vintage) bag, small, double flap. I was looking for pre-2008/2009 for that gold plated hardware, caviar leather and also good/very good condition.
I had to hunt and wait for quite some time. Maybe ~4 years? (Also wanted to be more financially stable)
Finally pulled the trigger in the beginning of 2020. A 2003/2004 small classic flap. $3400 USD including tax from Australia.

I honestly feel I got a little lucky, since the value of currency dropped because of the lockdowns. And this was right before all the crazy price increases as well. Though at the time, it still felt like a lot for a near vintage bag lol :P

But yes, just carefully inspect when you buy new. Make sure it meets all of your expectations and of course, makes your heart sing!:love:
Good luck! :smile:
 
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#13
880 said:
I personally think this is cyclical, and if you can wait, the prices will eventually go down. Of course, if you are searching for a specific vintage piece, then the price you will pay is dependent on its availability and your desire

But, IMO, for around the same amount, if you simoly want any chanel small CF, I would buy one new. I think that the decline in quality is exaggerated, and I say this havingnowned many chanel bags in the oast, and just last year buying a so blakc mini chevron reissue
Click to expand...
I really appreciate your input, thank you! I have also been wondering if maybe the decline in quality was exaggerated, so that is something for me to think about, maybe the perfect new bag is out there! :)
 
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#14
KatyChloe13 said:
Hi! I was in the same situation last month. I wanted to buy a brand new one from the boutique, but didn't have a very good experience when I visited. I ended up buying one from Brand Off in Japan. Their prices are not that crazy imo. (But lots of their items are pre-loved, not really "vintage".) Maybe you can have a look if you haven't.
But I kind of wish I bought a brand new one at the boutique, because that would've been more special!
Click to expand...
I will definitely go and have a look at Brand Off in Japan, thank you! :)
 
#15
phoebe.bqueen said:
I personally lean towards vintage items, however, when I buy vintage handbags, I always look for designs that was discontinued which have the extra value to be held as a collectable item, if you get what I mean ;) With Chanel flap bags in particular, there are some vintage styles that can be quite worthwhile in getting, not the common double flap though because they stayed pretty much the same through out time, in my opinion. I find patience always pays off, when shopping for vintage collectables, if you look for long enough, 90% of the time you will find what you want at a great price.
Click to expand...
You make a very good point, they do look the very same. I like the older 24kt plated hardware, but I equally love the newer gold hardware too. I understand exactly what you mean :) Thank you for sharing your thoughts!
 
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