Chanel - London

[michellecwongx]

i really really wanted a black mini flap for my birthday (last month), but i called London boutiques regularly since April, Manchester said their waitlist was closed and to try next season etc. I had a purchase history but still no one seemed interested in helping me. I went on holiday to Dubai in September and found a gorgeous mini top handle at the airport and fell in love, i bought it immediately. When i went to the boutiques in Dubai, they didn't have mini flaps but were willing to text me when it was in stock straight away. I would have put my name down, if i hadn't already purchased the mini top handle

I feel like its easier to get mini flaps abroad than the UK

I wasn't actively on the hunt for a mini, but like yourself, I was in Dubai in January 2020 and managed to get a black mini square with shw and they seemed to have a few available for me to choose from. I also paid slightly less than the UK at the time which was a bonus.

I was also in Dubai in September too and they had plenty of mini rectangles to offer so it's always worth asking.

With us now being out of the EU, it's definitely worth having a look when you're on holiday abroad as you can get the tax back and some styles which seem to be popular here aren't always hard to get overseas.

 

[Chlo_chlo1004]

Strange… since I went there yesterday and the guy at the entrance said they don’t have any. Even though I had just purchased an item from Chanel in Selfridges and had a bag in my hand. So it’s not like I wouldn’t have bought it. This is getting ridiculous

They tend to get new deliveries daily which is probably the reason why. However it seems a lot harder this season - after the recent PI the demand for minis have increased even more than before. Last season I was able to get one a lot easier than this time round.

 

[Miss Posh]

They tend to get new deliveries daily which is probably the reason why. However it seems a lot harder this season - after the recent PI the demand for minis have increased even more than before. Last season I was able to get one a lot easier than this time round.

 

[Miss Posh]

It really is getting harder

 

[Miss Posh]

I wasn't actively on the hunt for a mini, but like yourself, I was in Dubai in January 2020 and managed to get a black mini square with shw and they seemed to have a few available for me to choose from. I also paid slightly less than the UK at the time which was a bonus.

I was also in Dubai in September too and they had plenty of mini rectangles to offer so it's always worth asking.

With us now being out of the EU, it's definitely worth having a look when you're on holiday abroad as you can get the tax back and some styles which seem to be popular here aren't always hard to get overseas.

Thinking the same

 

[bagaddict17]

I wasn't actively on the hunt for a mini, but like yourself, I was in Dubai in January 2020 and managed to get a black mini square with shw and they seemed to have a few available for me to choose from. I also paid slightly less than the UK at the time which was a bonus.

I was also in Dubai in September too and they had plenty of mini rectangles to offer so it's always worth asking.

With us now being out of the EU, it's definitely worth having a look when you're on holiday abroad as you can get the tax back and some styles which seem to be popular here aren't always hard to get overseas.

I also agree with this. I was in Dubai in September and they had heaps of minis, including the mini top handles from 21K ON DISPLAY which would have been impossible to get in the UK. I had a look at a lilac top handle mini off the shelf in Dubai (decided the colour wasn’t right for me), but I doubt I’d have ever had the opportunity to even see this in London, certainly not on the display shelf!

 

[3lena]

I also agree with this. I was in Dubai in September and they had heaps of minis, including the mini top handles from 21K ON DISPLAY which would have been impossible to get in the UK. I had a look at a lilac top handle mini off the shelf in Dubai (decided the colour wasn’t right for me), but I doubt I’d have ever had the opportunity to even see this in London, certainly not on the display shelf!

honestly I was SHOCKED. I couldn’t believe my luck. And it was in perfect condition. They even had a mini coco handle

Also like Michelle said, my bag was cheaper in Dubai. I got 5% off at the airport so I was dancing my way out the store SA was so lovely too. In Chanel boutiques in London they’re so standoffish and I find it such an awkward shopping experience. In Dubai I felt so welcomed and treated so amazingly…anyway this is my baby ♥️

 

[Lilac_GG]

I also agree with this. I was in Dubai in September and they had heaps of minis, including the mini top handles from 21K ON DISPLAY which would have been impossible to get in the UK. I had a look at a lilac top handle mini off the shelf in Dubai (decided the colour wasn’t right for me), but I doubt I’d have ever had the opportunity to even see this in London, certainly not on the display shelf!

You're so right. And congrats on securing such a highly sought after bag!
I had to hustle to get my hands on the lilac top handle mini. Calling shops early am, making visits to NBS, Selfridges, Harrods, Walton st, only to be laughed at for turning up later in the day asking for such a rare bag (because yes people actually have day jobs !?) or god forbid on a weekend (when they don't receive new stock). Most of the times the SAs would chuckle and say that it's SO high in demand, that I would be added to a wish list and contacted (sure that never happened).
Had it not been for a nice SA who probably took a little pity on me and who actually decided to hold one for me, then it would have been impossible to get.
Now that I am writing all of this, it makes me realise how insane the situation is!

 

[michellecwongx]

I also agree with this. I was in Dubai in September and they had heaps of minis, including the mini top handles from 21K ON DISPLAY which would have been impossible to get in the UK. I had a look at a lilac top handle mini off the shelf in Dubai (decided the colour wasn’t right for me), but I doubt I’d have ever had the opportunity to even see this in London, certainly not on the display shelf!

I managed to get my hands on the 21B grey mini from Selfridges, which I had to send back for repair after two weeks as a it had a popped stitch. My SA tried to see if she could transfer me another one from another store to exchange but it was completely sold out. This was in August and then I went to Dubai and saw that they still had these in September and had a few of these dotted around the store. If I had known, then obviously I would have got a refund in London and then gotten a new one from Dubai.

 

[michellecwongx]

honestly I was SHOCKED. I couldn’t believe my luck. And it was in perfect condition. They even had a mini coco handle

Also like Michelle said, my bag was cheaper in Dubai. I got 5% off at the airport so I was dancing my way out the store SA was so lovely too. In Chanel boutiques in London they’re so standoffish and I find it such an awkward shopping experience. In Dubai I felt so welcomed and treated so amazingly…anyway this is my baby ♥

Congratulations on scoring this beauty!

I am really lucky that I have met a nice SA and she has managed to get me three minis this year (21A white, 21B grey and 22C beige) so she has really done well by me and by no means am I a VIP or big spender as these are the only items that I have purchased from her this year.

However, the general vibe I get off of other SAs in the store and NBS are standoffish and rude and when you dare point out a flaw then they can become very arrogant about the brand.

I would say when you do meet a nice SA, try and build a relationship so that hopefully you will have a better shopping experience going forward. All I did was introduce myself on WhatsApp after initially meeting her and then when I see something on the forum that I would like, I would message her straight away and then now and again just send a reminder before launch and so far this has worked for me (of course not all stores order the same bags so in some cases they might not have the item that you want). I hope this helps

 

[michellecwongx]

You're so right. And congrats on securing such a highly sought after bag!
I had to hustle to get my hands on the lilac top handle mini. Calling shops early am, making visits to NBS, Selfridges, Harrods, Walton st, only to be laughed at for turning up later in the day asking for such a rare bag (because yes people actually have day jobs !?) or god forbid on a weekend (when they don't receive new stock). Most of the times the SAs would chuckle and say that it's SO high in demand, that I would be added to a wish list and contacted (sure that never happened).
Had it not been for a nice SA who probably took a little pity on me and who actually decided to hold one for me, then it would have been impossible to get.
Now that I am writing all of this, it makes me realise how insane the situation is!

The customer service from all these luxury brands are really lacking. So sorry you had such a terrible experience. Whilst I was in the store on Saturday (two days before official launch) picking up my beige mini, there was another two ladies trying on the trendy cc with rghw and the grey mini from this current season. A man walked in asking to see the 22C collection and he was told to come back Monday so there is definitely a lot of inconsistency to how people are treated.

The items are definitely sought after but it's all made worse by the fact that they order such small quantities. Even when I was in Dubai the SA said that 70% of the stock is sold before it hits the shelves.

I was in Dubai for the 21K launch and visited the Dubai Mall and Mall of Emirates and there were tonnes of the lilac mini top handle on display in both stores so it must just mean they have ordered more quantities of the bag because they guess it will be popular and do well there. I know all the markets are very different so each continent will order varying stock as I know Asia tend to order more pinks and bright colours because thats the taste over there whilst we normally order more neutrals here.

I'm so lucky that I have now completed my mini collection in neutral colours so I will only be adding pops of colours every now and then when I see something that I love.

 

[Lilac_GG]

The customer service from all these luxury brands are really lacking. So sorry you had such a terrible experience. Whilst I was in the store on Saturday (two days before official launch) picking up my beige mini, there was another two ladies trying on the trendy cc with rghw and the grey mini from this current season. A man walked in asking to see the 22C collection and he was told to come back Monday so there is definitely a lot of inconsistency to how people are treated.

The items are definitely sought after but it's all made worse by the fact that they order such small quantities. Even when I was in Dubai the SA said that 70% of the stock is sold before it hits the shelves.

I was in Dubai for the 21K launch and visited the Dubai Mall and Mall of Emirates and there were tonnes of the lilac mini top handle on display in both stores so it must just mean they have ordered more quantities of the bag because they guess it will be popular and do well there. I know all the markets are very different so each continent will order varying stock as I know Asia tend to order more pinks and bright colours because thats the taste over there whilst we normally order more neutrals here.

I'm so lucky that I have now completed my mini collection in neutral colours so I will only be adding pops of colours every now and then when I see something that I love.

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It is rather crazy that there is such a disparity regarding how people are treated.

Bot wow at your collection of minis! Those neutral tones are adorable. Literally one for each working day of the week. These are all a great investment on yourself (to enjoy) and of course given the future ££ increase(s)!
Love the navy - that in a small CF or CCH may be next on my list to try acquire.

 

[michellecwongx]

It is rather crazy that there is such a disparity regarding how people are treated.

Bot wow at your collection of minis! Those neutral tones are adorable. Literally one for each working day of the week. These are all a great investment on yourself (to enjoy) and of course given the future ££ increase(s)!
Love the navy - that in a small CF or CCH may be next on my list to try acquire.

Thank you!

I love the minis because you get that classic look and I also find it more functional because I can use it as a cross body. For me, I just wouldn't get a classic flap now out of principle as I still remember when my medium large retailed for £3,075 and I don't think the bag warrants the current price tag.

Funny story about the navy mini: this was my first mini which I managed to score duty free from Heathrow terminal 5. I had asked to see if they had any and this was the only one that they brought out and there was another lady in the store who was eyeing it up. About 5-10 minutes later, they had a fresh delivery and there was a black mini which this lady then had in her hands which was the one that I was after. She obviously left with the black and then I decided to get the navy.

 

[Newbie2016]

Thank you!

I love the minis because you get that classic look and I also find it more functional because I can use it as a cross body. For me, I just wouldn't get a classic flap now out of principle as I still remember when my medium large retailed for £3,075 and I don't think the bag warrants the current price tag.

Funny story about the navy mini: this was my first mini which I managed to score duty free from Heathrow terminal 5. I had asked to see if they had any and this was the only one that they brought out and there was another lady in the store who was eyeing it up. About 5-10 minutes later, they had a fresh delivery and there was a black mini which this lady then had in her hands which was the one that I was after. She obviously left with the black and then I decided to get the navy.

I love navy! Which season is your navy from? Is the gray 2019…?

 

[Lilac_GG]

Thank you!

I love the minis because you get that classic look and I also find it more functional because I can use it as a cross body. For me, I just wouldn't get a classic flap now out of principle as I still remember when my medium large retailed for £3,075 and I don't think the bag warrants the current price tag.

Funny story about the navy mini: this was my first mini which I managed to score duty free from Heathrow terminal 5. I had asked to see if they had any and this was the only one that they brought out and there was another lady in the store who was eyeing it up. About 5-10 minutes later, they had a fresh delivery and there was a black mini which this lady then had in her hands which was the one that I was after. She obviously left with the black and then I decided to get the navy.

You chose the better one! Heathrow T5 was my "go-to" for all Chanel purchases. How sad that it's no longer duty free!