Chanel classic small quality check please!

[Chanel lover for good]

I think if you are getting this through anyone else from a boutique far away you’ll have to be more flexible. Not everyone is going to have the patience to examine it from every angle.

I realize there is savings but given your list and concerns ONLY you will be able to approve of the purchase. Maybe wait for a future trip or pay the extra locally but know that you are getting what you want...?
I fear that with all these concerns you may save money but will likely have doubts about something when the bag arrives.

I agree with you for your point of view. Thank you for your time reading through my post and giving me a genuine opinion. My main concerns were being symmetric and shiny&puffy. But then I heard and read 30 series tend to be more matte. So it makes me feel that perhaps there's no way about it. I feel that this bag is not as shiny compared to the photos I see online or on the purse forum...but I also get that for this price, it should be perfect but then to be frank, it's nearly impossible to find one that's literally perfect. I don't know maybe I'm too picky and the lists I found online and youtube may have offended people..

 

[Chanel lover for good]

Looks fine to me, but then again I’m quite forgiving with minute flaws. To me it looks like one of the good ones. Enjoy your bag.

Thank you for your time and comment! I think it's symmetric and the stitching has no issues. But I find this bag more on matte side and I was personally looking for more shiny one. But then I read and heard 30 series tends to be more matte and matte is more durable in long run..? I read a few comments that as it is hand made, it's nearly impossible to be "perfect" so I don't know if I should be looking for more bag that is shinier but might have other flaws

 

[Chanel lover for good]

Don't be sorry or feel you need to explain yourself! It's understandable you want a good quality bag for this price. Like others have said, we can offer opinions but it'll ultimately be for you to decide. Based on the pictures, it looks fine!

What i've learned though is... there's no 'perfect' bag. You may find something wrong afterwards and you'll need to decide if you're willing to accept the flaw. To make it simpler for your bf, it's probably easier to tell him which big flaws are your deal breakers (mine would be crooked flap, scuffs, puffiness, shine.. ). Cuz, it's probably hard for him to check all 15 items thoroughly.

Thank you for your kindness ! I know it's up to me to determine in the end but I really wanted more opinions from people who already have the same bag or went through this purchase experience or with more knowledges because it's always good to have more opinions. What I cared the most was puffiness, shine and would it be symmetric...I find this bag to be a bit matte but then I read that caviar nowadays tends to be more on the matte side so I'm not sure if I can find a better one and even then will that one have no other flaws..right? I feel a bit silly myself as well and some people reading my post may get annoyed by me..but as it is a big purchase and first chanel bag, I don't know what to do as I'm not too aware of it.

 

[Chanel lover for good]

I am so, so picky and have bought many classic flaps over the years and studied many bags before actually making the purchases!!! I understand your stress but honestly I’ve learnt that if nothing major jumps out at you from the first inspection then just be happy with the bag. You will no doubt get it home and thoroughly inspect it and then find some flaws. This happened to me every time. None of these bags are perfect, trust me. I found nothing wrong with my most recent classic flap purchase and then I got home and found a few flaws. If it doesn’t jump out at you straight away then it’s all good. If you wait for a more perfect one you will probably end up with one that’s worse than the original. It looks good, don’t worry.

Thank you for your time and sharing your experience with me! I understand that this is hand made that it's nearly impossible to be "perfect" in every sense. And as you said, I'm also concerned about end up getting one that's worse than this. Just my concern is that it looks a bit matte on me and is it really? And even if i get one that's shinier, that might have other flaws..I think I'm being pretty annoying and silly but It has always been hard to decide for something expensive for me

 

[Chanel lover for good]

Going to be honest. It has been handled by people at the store because one can see a very faint line where the flap would open. Most boutique-fresh/mostly non-handled bags do not have this. Only you would be able to determine if it's worth the ~$1k USD in savings you get by having your BF buy in HK.

Other than that, no major issues from the photos you've provided. If I were making the decision, then yeah I'd relax and enjoy the $1k in savings. There ARE bags I've seen that are obviously crooked, or have blatantly poor stitching, very poor leather batch, etc. and on this one nothing very bad stands out.

Your list is very long, even as a Chanel lover and who enjoys shopping there with/and sharing with friends...I don't think I'd have the patience if a friend asked me to go over the checklist of details in purchasing for her.

I am VERY careful about sharing my luxury enthusiasm with anyone. My parents/extended family are very nosy and none of my past BFs were enthusiastic; I don't even feel perfectly comfortable with them looking at me browsing on my computer. Even if they see me being very financially literate and responsible, I run in circles where it's like "but you can do even better..." Try to contain your enthusiasm if it's not shared too much by others, and be as tactful and graceful as possible when making any requests for them to check for stock.

Thank you for your time and advices!
May I ask you which one you are talking about on this (It has been handled by people at the store because one can see a very faint line where the flap would open. Most boutique-fresh/mostly non-handled bags do not have this.)? I didn't get it, and sorry The SA brought the box all wrapped and said a brand new one as I exclusively asked for a brand new one but then they can always re-pack and say it..right. As it was my first bag purchase from Chanel, I did a lot of research what to look for before buying it and I agree it's quite long. It may have annoyed people.

 

[Chanel lover for good]

For my peace of mind and sanity I wouldn't trust someone else's judgement on a handbag that had a 15 point checklist. Believe me I made this mistake with someone sending me pictures from the store and when I received the bag I was highly disappointed.

Thank you for your comment. I agree that it's only me who can decide. But my country almost never stocks CF small size even in black caviar...and then his place is cheaper so maybe as someone said, I should be more generous and relaxed with the choice to even get CF small....but I really have no way other than asking him to buy on behalf of me as it's impossible to find CF small here...I thought it's very normal to check the conditions thoroughly but maybe I am too picky and paranoid..just my biggest concern is that this bag looks more matte than shiny. But then as none of these bags are perfect. The new one I find might have other big flaws..so I don't know. I'm sorry if I offend anyone.

 

[Chanel lover for good]

I don’t see anything wrong with the bag either and agree with others that only you can determine if all the items on your extensive checklist is marked off to your satisfaction. For large purchases like this I would want to be the one to lay eyes on it myself and make the call. Personally speaking, I’d be terrified if someone gave me an extensive checklist and put all that responsibility on me. I would be fearful of disappointing them if what is acceptable to me isn’t acceptable to them.

Looks like a beautiful bag to me and I hope you enjoy it.

The thing is that it's nearly impossible to find CF small in my country so that's why I had to ask him for me..yes I agree, the lists are quite long and pretty annoying to go through. I thought it's normal to check those as I had no idea but I guess I'm too picky and paranoid! Just my big concern is the shine of this bag, I feel like this is more on the matte side..but as no bag is "perfect" I'm afraid that even if I look for more, that might have other flaws. I wish I could just go to HK myself but that's not feasible with the Covid travel ban and my country is nearly impossible...

 

[Chanel lover for good]

It looks fine to me! I read your list and I’ve seen so many quality control issues that I don’t think the list is unreasonable! At first glance it seemed like a lot, but when I read it most were basic things that should be looked for. Good job doing your research. It won’t ever be perfect, but I hope it’s close. It’s an expensive purchase, and you should be satisfied with it. I hope you are enjoying your bag.

Thank you for your time! I heard that the hand craftsmanship of Chanel declined so I was paranoid and searching for what to look for before buying it as I had no clue. I agree with some of the opinions that it's quite long and a bit annoying to go through if it's for doing for someone else..I think it's close to being symmetric and stuff but I feel that this one doesn't have as much shine as the photos I see here and there..and I preferred one with more shine and puffiness. But then again, no bag is perfect. I'm afraid that one might have other flaws and I might get one that's worse than the original as the other person mentioned above..I don't know what to do..

 

[Chanel lover for good]

Please forgive me if this is inappropriate. But I think this isn’t just about the Chanel bag. If I were you, I’d rethink about this bf of yours

Putting that aside, when I buy my cf, I check these 3 things
- FRONT flap is even
- BACK pocket stitching align with the rest
- SIDE not leaning forward (some bags can’t stand on it own and fall forward)

Please don’t take out the measuring tape and magnifying glasses. If you’re determined enough, you’ll find faults in just about anything and you won’t be happy. The bag looks good to me so far. However I couldn’t see if the stitching line up properly with the photos you provided.

Good luck

It's okay. I believe that everyone should be allowed to speak out their opinion. Thanks for trying to be as nice as possible.

I think this bag is symmetric enough and not leaning forward so I'm happy with those. But I feel like it's not as shiny or puffy as the ones I see online. So I'm not sure if I should search for more but that one might have flaws on other things...as no bag is perfect for everything.

 

[mrsblue]

Thank you for your time and comment! I think it's symmetric and the stitching has no issues. But I find this bag more on matte side and I was personally looking for more shiny one. But then I read and heard 30 series tends to be more matte and matte is more durable in long run..? I read a few comments that as it is hand made, it's nearly impossible to be "perfect" so I don't know if I should be looking for more bag that is shinier but might have other flaws

My friend has bought a 30 series caviar medium flap and it does indeed look less shiny than the previous series, but not to the dry side, to me it still looks beautiful.

But if shininess and puffiness is the top 2 things you look for, maybe you should wait for a shinier one to come by. However, with the imminent price increase, and considering how much you are saving with this purchase, I’d say this bag is a steal.

Alternatively, if you don’t mind the delicate nature of the lambskin, it is much shinier and looks much more luxurious than caviar.

 

[Chanel lover for good]

My friend has bought a 30 series caviar medium flap and it does indeed look less shiny than the previous series, but not to the dry side, to me it still looks beautiful.

But if shininess and puffiness is the top 2 things you look for, maybe you should wait for a shinier one to come by. However, with the imminent price increase, and considering how much you are saving with this purchase, I’d say this bag is a steal.

Alternatively, if you don’t mind the delicate nature of the lambskin, it is much shinier and looks much more luxurious than caviar.

Thank you for your honest opinion and I really appreciate it! I think you are very experienced with knowledges. I have no friends around me has this bag so I was really in need of people's opinions! Yes, I feel like there's another price coming up and we never know exactly when it is..I've seen bags in 30 series and they are mostly more on the matte side Thank you for the alternative suggestion but I'm pretty clumsy and self conscious so I decided to stick with caviar but I'm really thankful for your advices!

 

[Chanel lover for good]

My friend has bought a 30 series caviar medium flap and it does indeed look less shiny than the previous series, but not to the dry side, to me it still looks beautiful.

But if shininess and puffiness is the top 2 things you look for, maybe you should wait for a shinier one to come by. However, with the imminent price increase, and considering how much you are saving with this purchase, I’d say this bag is a steal.

Alternatively, if you don’t mind the delicate nature of the lambskin, it is much shinier and looks much more luxurious than caviar.

By the way, do you mind me asking about which one were you talking about the faint on the flap? I couldn't understand maybe due to my english or me unable to find it myself

 

[honeybunch]

Thank you for your time and sharing your experience with me! I understand that this is hand made that it's nearly impossible to be "perfect" in every sense. And as you said, I'm also concerned about end up getting one that's worse than this. Just my concern is that it looks a bit matte on me and is it really? And even if i get one that's shinier, that might have other flaws..I think I'm being pretty annoying and silly but It has always been hard to decide for something expensive for me

Don’t worry, I got really obsessive trying to find the perfect flap and had to return a few over the years as I kept finding flaws! I think I was comparing with the very first flap I bought in 2006 which was lambskin and actually perfect! My main concern like yours with finding a caviar flap was puffiness and shine and I got so fixated on it. I disagree about the series determining the level of puffiness and shine. I have seen flat and matt ones even 10-12 years ago. The series has nothing to do with it as I’ve seen shiny and puffy, and flat and matt from the same batch. Likewise, made in France or Italy has no bearing on it either.

yours has a nice sheen to it and the quilts are not flat. I have seen very rough, dull caviar that looks almost grey with no definition between the quilts. You could have done a lot worse. The sides look good on yours too as I’ve seen ones with almost crushed in, creased sides.

with my previous flap, I went through many and chose the puffiest and shiniest. I was so concerned about that, I didn’t notice really obvious flaws, like the bag leaning forward when I put it down, a slanted base, frayed edges on the strap, two loose stitches. The leather was gorgeous but I was so unhappy with the other flaws. I ended up selling it.

the one I recently bought is not that puffy or shiny (which I had a hard time accepting!) but I only had two to choose between and it was the day before the price increase. However, it was miles better than the other one. It seemed perfect in the boutique but when I got home I still found minor flaws. I’m not bothered though as I learnt the hard way that puffy and shiny doesn’t mean it’s a perfect bag. Be happy with the one you have. It’s saved you a lot of money and you won’t find a perfect one.

by the way, I’ve noticed with my own flap that the quilts can look puffier and shinier depending on the light they’re photographed in, so don’t assume everyone else's bags are puffier and shinier than yours; it could just be an illusion!

 

[Chanel lover for good]

I messaged my SA and let her know my concerns about the shine and puffiness..she said it's just a difference of lightening and she sent me these which is the bag they have it in store right now. Is it really just lightening or Idk..

 

[Chanel lover for good]

Don’t worry, I got really obsessive trying to find the perfect flap and had to return a few over the years as I kept finding flaws! My main concern like yours was puffiness and shine and I got so fixated on finding them. I disagree about the series determining the level of puffiness and shine. I have seen flat and matt ones even 10-12 years ago. The series has nothing to do with it as I’ve seen shiny and puffy, and flat and matt from the same batch. Likewise, made in France or Italy has no bearing on it either.

yours has a nice sheen to it and the quilts are not flat. I have seen very rough, dull caviar that looks almost grey with no definition between the quilts. You could have done a lot worse. The sides look good on yours too as I’ve seen ones with almost crushed in, creased sides.

with my previous flap, I went through many and chose the puffiest and shiniest. I was so concerned about that, I didn’t notice really obvious flaws, like the bag leaning forward when I put it down, a slanted base, frayed edges on the strap, two loose stitches. The leather was gorgeous but I was so unhappy with the other flaws. I ended up selling it.

the one I recently bought is not that puffy or shiny (which I had a hard time accepting!) but I only had two to choose between and it was the day before the price increase. However, it was miles better than the other one. It seemed perfect in the boutique but when I got home I still found minor flaws. I’m not bothered though as I learnt the hard way that puffy and shiny doesn’t mean it’s a perfect bag. Be happy with the one you have. It’s saved you a lot of money and you won’t find a perfect one.

It doesn't let me upload a video so I attached screenshots of it. What's your opinion? (The one she sent me today)