Chanel leather quality

[PurseCurseNL]

I’m planning on buying my first Chanel jumbo classic flap brand new from boutique next week. I’ve only bought pre-loved Chanel bags before.
I’ve heard that Chanel has some quality issues lately. Does anyone now more about the leather on the bags that are available now? €6600 is a lot of money and I would love to get a perfect bag for that budget that I will enjoy many years. Do you as experts have some tips for buying a classic flap for the first time and inspecting the bag for quality issues?

I’m looking for a black caviar with gold hardware jumbo, maybe lambskin because I like the look of it way more but i’m planning to use the bag as a everyday bag so I don’t think that would be handy.

 

[katieCH008]

I’m planning on buying my first Chanel jumbo classic flap brand new from boutique next week. I’ve only bought pre-loved Chanel bags before.
I’ve heard that Chanel has some quality issues lately. Does anyone now more about the leather on the bags that are available now? €6600 is a lot of money and I would love to get a perfect bag for that budget that I will enjoy many years. Do you as experts have some tips for buying a classic flap for the first time and inspecting the bag for quality issues?

I’m looking for a black caviar with gold hardware jumbo, maybe lambskin because I like the look of it way more but i’m planning to use the bag as a everyday bag so I don’t think that would be handy.

I had the black caviar medium bag as my first bag and only used it a couple of times until I sold it. I kinda regret selling it as it is very popular and price went up but I wasn’t reaching out. I’m the kind who likes to use bags everyday and not having to baby sit. The caviar is a bag that i would use for going out to nice places and not an everyday bag. However I recently bought the mini rec lambskin 21s and it requires attention as it marks and scratch easily. The other day I left it on the bed and the chain marked the leather but I rubbed on it later and it disappeared. It’s a beautiful bag but be careful if you go lambskin. I trust buying from boutique but I always check the whole bag and the sticker to make sure is new

 

[me0wlola]

For me personally it’s not worth The price. quality has taken a nose dive. I tried on a couple Chanel 19s in store and didn’t buy because the leather was already feeling quite dry. And the hardware wasn’t as nice as I would expect on a bag of that price. As for the classic flaps definitely inspect it like a crazy person. Don’t let the SA make you nervous. I could tell I was making them inpatient because I was taking my sweet ass time checking EVERYTHING. For sure go with caviar if you want it to last longer. This is a investment bag. If you are gonna use it everyday take care with it and it should be fine. Don’t get it wet ! Even if it’s black and caviar that’s a secret a lot of people don’t know. I actually keep a plastic grocery bag or my long champ shopping tote folded up if it’s a bag that will fit it. I look crazy running and ducking pulling out plastic bags to put my purses in when it rains but it really helps the bags last.

 

[ashin121]

Go to the store and if you love it, then it's worth it. I love my jumbo. I have a double flap jumbo black caviar shw from 2012 from the boutique. It's still in perfect condition. I personally think the caviar now is better quality than in 2012-2017.

If you look at every forum for every brand, there's a thread about declining quality from lv, hermes, gucci, goyard etc.
When I look at the chanel colors/styles/caviar quality, it's definitely improved from those years mentioned above. When everyone talks about how the quality was better "back then" I always wonder what years they are comparing it to or are people just repeating what they've heard vs actually truly know because they've been on the forum or have purses from over a decade ago? What years are they talking about? I've been on the chanel forum since 2010 and the more recent caviar leather is gorgeous, shiny, more puffy than the years mentioned above. I still love my jumbo, but i got it the year it was dull and grayish looking and some flat quilts that was there from the start. I don't let it bother me too much though. It was my first classic and I didn't know better unfortunately. However there were beautiful ones from those years as well. I got a gst black caviar in 2012 as well and it's soooo beautiful, Shiny and puffy. Just go in and see.

2012-2013 the caviar leather was dull and flat.
2014-2016, they came out with this "iridescent caviar " that was suede like and prone to wear and color transfer for even the black ones.
2017-2018, there was some issues with the caviar peeling
The 30 series, there's some flaps bags where it looks like it was made with two different piece of caviar.
Other than that, the more recent ones look much better, shiny, puffy. I love it.

For jumbo, I wouldn't do lambskin. I've noticed the bigger the bag, the more delicate if in lambskin. I have a woc, Rectangular mini, m/l cf all in lambskin along with slgs. My m/l has so many scruffy and scratches. My slgs and woc are in wonderful condition. I use them alot. My mini is slightly more scuffed than wocand slg.

Good luck!

 

[me0wlola]

Go to the store and if you love it, then it's worth it. I love my jumbo. I have a double flap jumbo black caviar shw from 2012 from the boutique. It's still in perfect condition. I personally think the caviar now is better quality than in 2012-2017.

If you look at every forum for every brand, there's a thread about declining quality from lv, hermes, gucci, goyard etc.
When I look at the chanel colors/styles/caviar quality, it's definitely improved from those years mentioned above. When everyone talks about how the quality was better "back then" I always wonder what years they are comparing it to or are people just repeating what they've heard vs actually truly know because they've been on the forum or have purses from over a decade ago? What years are they talking about? I've been on the chanel forum since 2010 and the more recent caviar leather is gorgeous, shiny, more puffy than the years mentioned above. I still love my jumbo, but i got it the year it was dull and grayish looking and some flat quilts that was there from the start. I don't let it bother me too much though. It was my first classic and I didn't know better unfortunately. However there were beautiful ones from those years as well. I got a gst black caviar in 2012 as well and it's soooo beautiful, Shiny and puffy. Just go in and see.

2012-2013 the caviar leather was dull and flat.
2014-2016, they came out with this "iridescent caviar " that was suede like and prone to wear and color transfer for even the black ones.
2017-2018, there was some issues with the caviar peeling
The 30 series, there's some flaps bags where it looks like it was made with two different piece of caviar.
Other than that, the more recent ones look much better, shiny, puffy. I love it.

For jumbo, I wouldn't do lambskin. I've noticed the bigger the bag, the more delicate if in lambskin. I have a woc, Rectangular mini, m/l cf all in lambskin along with slgs. My m/l has so many scruffy and scratches. My slgs and woc are in wonderful condition. I use them alot. My mini is slightly more scuffed than wocand slg.

Good luck!

While I didn’t really feel the quality was worth it for me and that’s just for ME. I really like the answer/advice you gave ! It is true every designer forum has a quality thread.

 

[PurseCurseNL]

Thank you all for your honest comments! It's my dream bag, so I'm just going for it. But thanks for the tips, I will certainly pay close attention when choosing the bag. I also think that the quality of all those brands has deteriorated due to social media. In the past, if they had a complaint, they would go to the boutique and it was resolved. Now we have instagram and youtube and so on and it seems that nowadays people are more likely to reach for that as for customer service.

Can I request multiple bags of the same model? Don't want to come across as arrogant or demanding, but since I've never bought a new caviar pouch, checking is tricky

 

[ashin121]

Thank you all for your honest comments! It's my dream bag, so I'm just going for it. But thanks for the tips, I will certainly pay close attention when choosing the bag. I also think that the quality of all those brands has deteriorated due to social media. In the past, if they had a complaint, they would go to the boutique and it was resolved. Now we have instagram and youtube and so on and it seems that nowadays people are more likely to reach for that as for customer service.

Can I request multiple bags of the same model? Don't want to come across as arrogant or demanding, but since I've never bought a new caviar pouch, checking is tricky

Yup! as long as they have multiple. Usually they won't.

 

[PurseCurseNL]

Yup! as long as they have multiple. Usually they won't.

Thank you!

 

[ashin121]

While I didn’t really feel the quality was worth it for me and that’s just for ME. I really like the answer/advice you gave ! It is true every designer forum has a quality thread.

I wasn't replying to you specifically I was just ranting about everyone thinking it's gone down but I've always wondered what they/people/human beings are comparing it to? I agree in 2012-2018ish the quality was quite bad but it's really redeemed itself. The colors are so pretty now too and it all has this beautiful shine on the caviar that didn't exist before

 

[Lady001]

I would just go to the store and ask to see different styles so you can see which one is good for you. Take your time and inspect the bag once you decide. I did the same and ended up choosing the reissue 2.55 maxi. Still in live with it, even though yes it was €7100

 

[luxsal]

You have gotten some great suggestions here! I just want to share my personal experience. I bought a jumbo caviar with GHW last year from the boutique. I was there for almost 2 hours trying on different sizes but honestly didn't closely inspect the bag. The next day at home, I noticed a scratch by the cc turn lock. I immediately took a picture and texted my SA. She said to bring it back and return it. Once they have another one in stock, she will call me. I was so disappointed! Luckily, a new one arrived within a few days and my SA texted me. This one was brand new meaning it had more felt coverings and protection. I inspected this one closely at home too and was happy with the quality.
My suggestion is to not only closely inspect it at the boutique but also when you bring it home. The boutique has bight lights and you can easily miss some defects. Inspect at home and outside and take a picture immediately if you see something. Things to look for are crooked flaps, loose and popped stitches, scratches, scuffs, etc.
Good luck!

 

[PurseCurseNL]

Thank you all for the nice and helpful tips. I made an appointment for this Saturday at the Chanel boutique in Amsterdam. Hope they have bags in stock

 

[Lady001]

Thank you all for the nice and helpful tips. I made an appointment for this Saturday at the Chanel boutique in Amsterdam. Hope they have bags in stock

I am curious if you find what you are looking for because the jumbo in caviar might not be in stock. I ordered one in November last year in the same boutique and it took 6 months before it came!

 

[PurseCurseNL]

I am curious if you find what you are looking for because the jumbo in caviar might not be in stock. I ordered one in November last year in the same boutique and it took 6 months before it came!

I did not know that thanks for the advice! Should I call the store first? Thought the classic models in black and beige were almost always in stock. Only the square mini and rectangular not because they are not classic. Also I don't know how it works. I’ve made an appointment online and filled in my request. Maybe they are still going to call me. I also like a coco handle, but I believe they are even more difficult to get.

 

[Lady001]

I did not know that thanks for the advice! Should I call the store first? Thought the classic models in black and beige were almost always in stock. Only the square mini and rectangular not because they are not classic. Also I don't know how it works. I’ve made an appointment online and filled in my request. Maybe they are still going to call me. I also like a coco handle, but I believe they are even more difficult to get.

I think because of the covid situation they might have less in stock. I know that at the time the lambskin was in stock but the caviar wasnt. I think its wise to call the boutique and ask of they have in and if they can reserve it for you.