My thinking is very similar to yours! I do think patience is key and I shouldn't rush anything, you're right $8000 is just too high.
Thank you for sharing your opinion!
Buying vintage vs new opinions please....
- Thread starter blackquilt
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Thank you for sharing your opinion!
Thank you for your reply, it's very helpful. I'm so glad you got your beautiful bag! I agree with you, patience is key. I think for the condition I want the bag in and the year I've been looking at, 2003-2004, the high price feels unavoidable. I will look at older bags and newer bags and I'll just "know" when I see the perfect classic flap for me. I will be quite firm about not paying something so close to retail for a much older bag though. Thanks again!Having read through this thread, many people make great points:
- 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
But yes, just carefully inspect when you buy new. Make sure it meets all of your expectations and of course, makes your heart sing!
Good luck!
Thank you for sharing your opinion!Not silly, but I personally would buy a brand new bag
@blackquilt, I felt i should clarify re decline in quality. There are many threads on TOF re chanel decline in quality that cite issues of (lack of) quality control, with respect to flap alignment; stitching unevenness; breaks in leather within the chain strap; and leather issues, such as wrinkles or marks on the hide itself ( not related to post production handling). While I do believe that in the old days, when chanel did not manufacture such high volume, the bags were made with more attention to detail, I also believe that it’s the huge price increases that cause us to over scrutinize what would otherwise be a microscopic issue or ‘artisanal’ detail. I occasionally apply this same scrutiny to my recent H new bag purchases (most recently a TPM evelyn; a 30B Togo; and a Della cavalleria mini, I could arguably find simialr issues. So, I just shrug it off as consistent with the level of mass produced ‘Luxury’ today. for example, the foiled stamp on my 30 ab is a bit uneven and it’s construction less refined than an older barenia 30B, which is not as refined as my original VN 30B. But they’re all different bags.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!
Another example is in order for the leather to be curved bottom on the Della cavalleria, its not completely smooth (somewhat wrinkled) in the area 1/4-1/2 inch from the stitching. Some people Might consider that a defect somehow. I shrug it off as the price of the cool curve. (I have commissioned a custom bespoke hand stitched bag from Duret.com, and I believe that bag will be on a different level altogether). However, to go back to the current topic, I also believe that most vintage bags will have issues that may or may not be as aggravating as buying new. there is no guarantee that said vintage bag has been store correctly for 20+ years; has not undergone some form of weathering, exposure to elements or not optimal storage conditions; been refurbished, or a host of other issues. JMO of course. It’s a personal decision to buy vintage or new, and YMMV.
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Thank you so much for your insights! You make excellent points on the very same things I was concerned about - especially that the bag was refurbished, weather (mold), tarnishing of the chain etc... these things would bother me. If I did get the bag for a very good price and it was in excellent condition I might take a chance, but definitely not for $8000. I feel very sure about this now.
I don't mind little quirks in the leather, and was more worried about peeling and cracking. Wrinkles don't bother me.
I have purchased older Chanel bags in the past that were absolutely pristine and I happy to pay more for them, but a bag that has clear signs of wear and priced this high does make me feel "off ".
Thank you again for helping me see this predicament clearly!
Thank you - true, when I placed the item in my cart a few days ago, the price had come to $8335! Yikes! I thought "no way"!
I simply can’t bring myself to purchasing a vintage bag for 5-6x its original retail price. While I adore vintage quality, I just feel ripped off paying the current blown up prices for bags that were originally purchased for 800-1500$. I remember the same used bags went for 1000$ on resale sites a few years ago. I purchased a pink Diana flap for around 950$ back in 2017 and thought this was a lot for a used vintage bag. I’d rather wait and sit it out until I find one from the early 2000s for a reasonable price. I also think prices will normalize a little over the next months.
+1 Re the 1ak and under reseller prices. around 1990, my mom gave me a mini chanel handbag suspended on a chain belt. It retailed for 750 USD or therabouts. (At that time, a zip top bag with dog tag was about the same price). It did continually have issues, mainly the jewelry lobster clasp that attached the bag to the belt kept breaking (even with just its own weight). the same bag, at resellers is 4000K + USD as of this) year. I also remember when seasonal bags used to go to. 60% off at both the boutique and bergdorfs, many under 1K retail. I bought mainly chanel bags from 2001-2008, and they were far less expensive, especially reissue, which I preferred towards the end.
IMO, I bought a barenia black 30 B, phw, in great patinated used condition for 7K last summer when no one was shopping resellers. for 8K, perhaps wait or buy VCA or Cartier lol
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Completely agree. Given I have gone through quite a couple of Chanels in the past, my absolute maximum price for any classic is €5.5k based on perceived quality, use I get out of the bags, purchasing experience, after-sale service etc. Everything beyond that is just not worth it for me given what I get. Having owned several classic flaps I also now know myself well enough to know that these will mainly sit in my closet. The pressure and interest to buy one has drastically decreased and I would rather invest elsewhere.+1 Re the 1ak and under reseller prices. around 1990, my mom gave me a mini chanel handbag suspended on a chain belt. It retailed for 750 USD or therabouts. (At that time, a zip top bag with dog tag was about the same price). It did continually have issues, mainly the jewelry lobster clasp that attached the bag to the belt kept breaking (even with just its own weight). the same bag, at resellers is 4000K + USD as of this) year. I also remember when seasonal bags used to go to. 60% off at both the boutique and bergdorfs, many under 1K retail. I bought mainly chanel bags from 2001-2008, and they were far less expensive, especially reissue, which I preferred towards the end.
IMO, I bought a barenia black 30 B, phw, in great patinated used condition for 7K last summer when no one was shopping resellers. for 8K, perhaps wait or buy VCA or Cartier lol
Thank you for sharing your opinion and experience! I was watching some YouTube videos recently of the older small classic flaps and the women were talking about the great deal they got on their bags, namely the (24kt hardware flaps). They were paying well under $4000 and the videos were dated 2019. So the prices definitely do ebb and flow. I'm over it, phew... such a relief!
Now this is something to think about! There is no shortage of things I can think to spend $8000 on! lol+1 Re the 1ak and under reseller prices. around 1990, my mom gave me a mini chanel handbag suspended on a chain belt. It retailed for 750 USD or therabouts. (At that time, a zip top bag with dog tag was about the same price). It did continually have issues, mainly the jewelry lobster clasp that attached the bag to the belt kept breaking (even with just its own weight). the same bag, at resellers is 4000K + USD as of this) year. I also remember when seasonal bags used to go to. 60% off at both the boutique and bergdorfs, many under 1K retail. I bought mainly chanel bags from 2001-2008, and they were far less expensive, especially reissue, which I preferred towards the end.
IMO, I bought a barenia black 30 B, phw, in great patinated used condition for 7K last summer when no one was shopping resellers. for 8K, perhaps wait or buy VCA or Cartier lol
What price should be okay for a good vintage. Around 4k?
it’s impossible to get them at 1200$
Yea, the prices of vintage have skyrocketed! Tho vintage price range is huge depending on the style, color and condition of the bag. Some popular vintage style like the Diana is insanely expensive. Vintage caviar is also pricy since caviar was a lot rarer in the old days. You really can’t find one stuff at $1200 these days.