Chanel’s Rise & STALL: Defects, Difficulties & Deflection (formerly the 19 tote saga thread)

[bagsaremyjam]

I'm sorry but it's unreasonable to expect people to major in fashion history and textiles to qualify to spend their money.

I’m not saying that, but it’s like going into Rolex because it’s Rolex and having no clue what you’re buying. Most would go into the store and ask questions before purchasing and do research. It’s generally what informed consumers do when spending several thousands of dollars on an item. Call me crazy, but I don’t think that’s unreasonable when you begin purchasing luxury goods you’re unfamiliar with. But like I said, many people just go in buying it because of the name.

There are ways to go into a store and ask to be educated since you’re looking to purchase your first bag(s) and there are SA’s who will happily answer.

 

[Coach Superfan]

I think this may be repetitive as I thought I was responding to two different members, lol.

Whatever his premiere line was in the 2000’s (which is what I think you’re referring to) rivaled some of the designer bags we’re discussing, but I remember those bags selling for close to $2K at the time. I believe the MJ Collection is a lower tier line as evidenced by price and materials and although good quality don’t compare to the bags that were heavily coveted during his heyday, like the quilted bags with the large, snap closure hardware and chain straps.

The MJ Collection is what I was referring to and it sounds like you're describing the Stam, which is only one bag out of his well known collection and featured a kisslock closure on top. The "classic" line in its heydey included but is not limited to the more popular Stam, Venetia, Blake, Stella, Sophia, Elise models. They came quilted, patchwork, or smooth. The prices ranged from like $900 and up depending on the size. I think the Stam started around $1600 but there was a much higher priced rare ostrich version. There was even a quilted flap bag somewhat resembling a Chanel CF. His lower line also available at that same era is/was Marc by Marc Jacobs, which I'm not sure is still in production.

 

[fantajisan]

I’m not saying that, but it’s like going into Rolex because it’s Rolex and having no clue what you’re buying. Most would go into the store and ask questions before purchasing and do research. It’s generally what informed consumers do when spending several thousands of dollars on an item. Call me crazy, but I don’t think that’s unreasonable when you begin purchasing luxury goods you’re unfamiliar with. But like I said, many people just go in buying it because of the name.

This also contradicts your earlier statements that the quality and attention to detail is so superior and life-changing (vs something like coach or polene or aspinal or whatever, obv not talking H&M here), that it should be immediately obvious to any consumer without hundreds of hours of research behind their belt.

 

[bagsaremyjam]

The MJ Collection is what I was referring to and it sounds like you're describing the Stam, which is only one bag out of his well known collection and featured a kisslock closure on top. The "classic" line in its heydey included but is not limited to the more popular Stam, Venetia, Blake, Stella, Sophia, Elise models. They came quilted, patchwork, or smooth. The prices ranged from like $900 and up depending on the size. I think the Stam started around $1600 but there was a much higher priced rare ostrich version. There was even a quilted flap bag somewhat resembling a Chanel CF. His lower line also available at that same era is/was Marc by Marc Jacobs, which I'm not sure is still in production.

Yes you’re right. I don’t believe the MJ collection can be compared to the bags we’re discussing, although the the Stam bags and others named above definitely could.

 

[bagsaremyjam]

This also contradicts your earlier statements that the quality and attention to detail is so superior and life-changing (vs something like coach or polene or aspinal or whatever, obv not talking H&M here), that it should be immediately obvious to any consumer without hundreds of hours of research behind their belt.

You’re forgetting I also referred to usage in those statements. To someone with discerning attention to detail and extensive bag experience I believe that comparison can me made, yes. And even to those that don’t, I still believe it. But there are a lot to people who haven’t been around luxury and can appreciate it fully until they’ve had experience with it.

What you’re not understanding about what I’m saying is there are people who blindly buy who don’t appreciate the way things are made, so they’ll just go in and buy a bag because of the name. They may never have owned a luxury bag at this point. They’ll think it’s nice but know nothing about what they purchased or what the material means in relation to wear, etc. They just purchase without even remotely educating themselves.

I have friends who like luxury but don’t purchase the way I do. They purchase because they like it and what the brand means to them. But do they all examine the design and quality like I do? Not at all. There are very few of my friends who purchase luxury who do. They just don’t have passion for or value design, bags, luxury goods and materials the way I do, which is how I found myself on TPF as a teenager. A lot of people really can’t tell you in detail the difference between a regular contemporary bag and a designer because they’re not passionate about it or aren’t detail oriented in regards to that kind of stuff.

 

[waterlily112]

I think a lot of this comes into play as well because a lot of people are buying these bags just to buy the bag for the name, status, etc. If you’re buying it for all the things above but you also love the design most would spend time looking at them in person or other brands for comparison and educating themselves. I think sometimes SA’s expect more from people purchasing and don’t have time to give a 30 minute overview, but I also think a 5 to 10 minute discussion on things to look for is necessary. I think if there’s a love for the brand many assume you’ve done your homework, but there’s so many who go in and buy a bag blindly because of perceived status.

Can't speak for everyone but for my friend's case, she doesn't have a boutique near her that have one available, the SA told her there's a long waiting list, so she has to get the bag via charge send. The bag looked good to her in the photos & just like the stock photos on Chanel's website. It wasn't until it's starting to peel so she brought it to the boutique to get help, that's when I noticed the leather felt different from the 22 bag I've felt at the boutique but it's already too late. I think it's easy to point finger and assume new buyers aren't smart enough to make an 'educated' choice (my friend has been collecting luxury bags for over a decade), especially with new style/model that people just don't have enough data on and don't know what to expect. It wasn't until recently that some YouTubers started raising the quality concerns but if you come to this forum and check the 22 bag thread, people with peeling issues get dismissed, being told the peeling only happens to metallic leather, and then people piled on talking about how durable and lovely THEIR BAG is. It's really bizarre imo.

 

[bagsaremyjam]

Can't speak for everyone but for my friend's case, she doesn't have a boutique near her that have one available, the SA told her there's a long waiting list, so she has to get the bag via charge send. The bag looked good to her in the photos & just like the stock photos on Chanel's website. It wasn't until it's starting to peel so she brought it to the boutique to get help, that's when I noticed the leather felt different from the 22 bag I've felt at the boutique but it's already too late. I think it's easy to point finger and assume new buyers aren't smart enough to make an 'educated' choice (my friend has been collecting luxury bags for over a decade), especially with new style/model that people just don't have enough data on and don't know what to expect. It wasn't until recently that some YouTubers started raising the quality concerns but if you come to this forum and check the 22 bag thread, people with peeling issues get dismissed, being told the peeling only happens to metallic leather, and then people piled on talking about how durable and lovely THEIR BAG is. It's really bizarre imo.

I don’t count your friend as an uneducated buyer at all. Purchasing via phone can pose its challenges. I think some can tell I’m referring to those who have just started buying designer bags or are interested in them and haven’t begun their journey yet. You can tell sometimes based on their posts.

In terms of the 22 bags, I’ve seen three people in person at my nail salon with them. They had white, black and a regular green. I asked all of them how they were liking their bag and they raved about it. I’ve also seen influencers rave about the quality when referring to the regular colored bags. From what I’m seeing on YouTube so far the people having issues have metallic or iridescent in their bags. I don’t know anything outside of that though.

 

[Tina1010]

Thats good! Most of the quality issues I have seen are on the seasonal bags. I do not agree with counting the stitches and examining bags under 8x magnification.Nothing is going to be perfect.

I know there is a thread on this forum from a member who bought a new classic flap and the inside was pretty badly scuffed/scratched and the SA's dismissed her as being too picky really. It was maybe the 6th bag? she had tried to find for herself and I know she is frustrated. I felt badly for her, it should not be hard to find a 'good one'.

That member would be me. It's a luxury handbag - with scuff marks inside. It's unacceptable for any brand new bag of any company, especially a luxury brand. The brand should meet the standards the brand itself represents for any person buying it, whether they are educated in judging the quality of those bags or not. When I purchased this bag, I expected a fun easy experience at a luxury brand, equal quality in every piece throughout, not knowing I'd have to learn so much about the problems in advance so I don't encounter them. Yep I've gone through 6. I read someones post that they had gone through 12, and thats pretty sad if you think about it. Someone my look at their collection of hundreds of handbags and be ok with the fact that a few of those are not that great, but some of us out here are having the opposite experience. I think these issues are coming more to light because the cost of these bags have sky rocketed and so we are paying more attention to what we buy. At the end of the day, I still want a Chanel, because the style appeals to me, no other luxury brands and their styles speak to me in the way a Chanels classic flap style does and I'm sure I'll find the one someday.

 

[zaraha]

I would say I’ve had over the years about 40-45 severely defective Chanel bags… so about 7%?

During pendamic I fell in love with small classic size, after 10-15 years of heavily buying jumbos, maxis and mediums. I don’t recall running into lot of quality issues with those classics back then. I recently added the small classic; unfortunately I had to go thru about 5 major faulty bags to find a decent one.
Sorry pictures came out so big.

 

[mzbaglady1]

I have to commend you ladies for having the patience and tolerance of keep searching through several faulty bags until you find one that meets your requirements. For me it could be the three strike rule or less after that the merchandise is not worth my time or aggravation to purchase. To me if I have to keep looking and searching for the right one my whole experience of a luxury purchase is exhausting and disappointing.

 

[bagsaremyjam]

During pendamic I fell in love with small classic size, after 10-15 years of heavily buying jumbos, maxis and mediums. I don’t recall running into lot of quality issues with those classics back then. I recently added the small classic; unfortunately I had to go thru about 5 major faulty bags to find a decent one.
Sorry pictures came out so big.
View attachment 5581067

View attachment 5581068

Holy cow I’ve never seen anything like this in a classic bag.

 

[bagsaremyjam]

I have to commend you ladies for having the patience and tolerance of keep searching through several faulty bags until you find one that meets your requirements. For me it could be the three strike rule or less after that the merchandise is not worth my time or aggravation to purchase. To me if I have to keep looking and searching for the right one my whole experience of a luxury purchase is exhausting and disappointing.

It’s completely exhausting for brands like Chanel and Hermes. The research alone for upcoming collections and trying to stay on top of everything is beyond laborious. It’s literally a part time job if you’re waiting for a certain style, color, etc. It’s better than being a drug addict, lol. Even the amount of time I’ve spent on this thread is embarrassing, lol.

I feel there are only so many on here who purchase so much all the bags, accessories, RTW from each collection are handed over to them on a regular basis.

 

[zaraha]

I have to commend you ladies for having the patience and tolerance of keep searching through several faulty bags until you find one that meets your requirements. For me it could be the three strike rule or less after that the merchandise is not worth my time or aggravation to purchase. To me if I have to keep looking and searching for the right one my whole experience of a luxury purchase is exhausting and disappointing.

Agree, I have told my SA forget it, not worth her time or mine, but bless her heart she didn’t stop looking. We all know chanel made this black classics to be like unicorns. If it wasn’t for her effort I would not add this size to my collection. It’s also hard to find these type of SAs now a days with amazing customer service.

 

[Tina1010]

I have to commend you ladies for having the patience and tolerance of keep searching through several faulty bags until you find one that meets your requirements. For me it could be the three strike rule or less after that the merchandise is not worth my time or aggravation to purchase. To me if I have to keep looking and searching for the right one my whole experience of a luxury purchase is exhausting and disappointing.

I have Instas algorithm to thank for that. I get annoyed and say never again and after some time on insta with it's beautiful photos of the bag I end up right where I started. Haha. In all seriousness though it's a beautiful bag I've wanted forever and I don't want to give up, it'll be worth it at the end.

 

[mzbaglady1]

Agree, I had told my SA forget it not worth her time or mine, but bless her heart she didn’t stop looking. We all know chanel made this black classics to be like unicorns. If it wasn’t her effort I would not add this size to my collection. It’s also hard to find this type of SAs now a days with amazing customer service.

The Sa makes the difference. It shouldn't be the customer calling and texting various Sa to locate the merchandise. For me no chase of a luxury item is worth the hassle.