Coach wants to be the American Louis Vuitton...

[momtok]

Very interesting thread. I read almost all of it, so excuse me if this has already been said. As I read and agreed with you all, it really just made me want to go look at some pretty bags. I headed over to the Coach website, and once again was struck with eye pain. I believe I had this same reaction starting with the Fall 2014 line. Aside from a couple of really intriguing, rich-in-color and style, bags, there was not one thing I wanted to carry. I don't want to single out the styles/patterns I just saw because I don't want to offend anyone, but some of those items had me saying "WTF?" Ok, the embellished Racer Jacket?? And, sorry, red and black plaid? Nooooo. And on pumps?

I don't know where this brand is heading, but being made in China is the least of it's worries. Being a buyer/seller on eBay (used bags only), I don't see Coach having any big hitters since their Madison line, which people are still buying at high dollar. Gathered leather...mmmm.

Nomad?? Lucky?? Ok, I'll staahhhhppp!

Welllll, I do love the gathered leather ... have Sophia, Lyndsey, clutches, and a bunch of accordion wallets. I've bought very few wallets over the last few years, simply because I look at my gathered wallets and still prefer them best.

But with that said, the "Lucky" crossbody will be part of my Christmas this year. I've wanted something small and pale pink for quite some time, and in all honesty, it feels very appropriate to "count my blessings" with the "Lucky" version.

 

[AlbertsLove]

Do they still make the books? I use to love getting them and saving them. I also loved their leather charms. Maybe this is the not the coach everyone else here loves but I loved it!!!!!! The Leah , legacy lining ,the scrumptious leather!!! Lol. I miss it.

 

[IceAngel]

What Coach needs to do is not try to up their market into luxury, but to go back to making bags the way they used to make them in the 60's, 70's and 80's. Real, thick leather, made in the USA, no sales.

My favorite Coach bags are my old leather classics from the early 80's. They still look great.

No matter what Coach does, I don't believe they'll ever be taken seriously as a truly luxury brand. They can move their factories, close their outlets and change their materials but the perception of Coach will always be of a good quality mid-price company for the middle and upper middle class consumer. The best they can do is go back to their roots.

 

[chowlover2]

What Coach needs to do is not try to up their market into luxury, but to go back to making bags the way they used to make them in the 60's, 70's and 80's. Real, thick leather, made in the USA, no sales.

My favorite Coach bags are my old leather classics from the early 80's. They still look great.

No matter what Coach does, I don't believe they'll ever be taken seriously as a truly luxury brand. They can move their factories, close their outlets and change their materials but the perception of Coach will always be of a good quality mid-price company for the middle and upper middle class consumer. The best they can do is go back to their roots.

Agreed! I collect and rehab the old bags, they wear like iron. They need to go back to the glove leather and not try to be so trendy. Luxury brands don't have outlet stores and sales. No such thing as a LV or Hermes outlet.

 

[gr8onteej]

What Coach needs to do is not try to up their market into luxury, but to go back to making bags the way they used to make them in the 60's, 70's and 80's. Real, thick leather, made in the USA, no sales.

My favorite Coach bags are my old leather classics from the early 80's. They still look great.

No matter what Coach does, I don't believe they'll ever be taken seriously as a truly luxury brand. They can move their factories, close their outlets and change their materials but the perception of Coach will always be of a good quality mid-price company for the middle and upper middle class consumer. The best they can do is go back to their roots.

I agree.

 

[vink]

What Coach needs to do is not try to up their market into luxury, but to go back to making bags the way they used to make them in the 60's, 70's and 80's. Real, thick leather, made in the USA, no sales.

My favorite Coach bags are my old leather classics from the early 80's. They still look great.

No matter what Coach does, I don't believe they'll ever be taken seriously as a truly luxury brand. They can move their factories, close their outlets and change their materials but the perception of Coach will always be of a good quality mid-price company for the middle and upper middle class consumer. The best they can do is go back to their roots.

I agree.

 

[momof3boyz]

Coach has been doing a better job at creating modern classics lately. I was very impressed with the Borough, and made my first full price purchase in years when I got the Urbane (the mid-sized one). I get so many compliments and looks of surprise.

The Swagger was an edgy version of earlier bags and I was tempted to pull the trigger.

I got a Nomad today, and the leather lining won me over. Finding leather lining is quite difficult these days. Even in bags over $1000. The shape is a reinterpreted classic and I like it.

I like the new direction, as I have grown up and honed in on my style, Coach is making moves to attract people like me who have thought of "trading up" but haven't found a good fit.

Hi !! I know this question has nothing to do with this thread ...but I must ask ..lol How do you like your Borough so far ? Which color did you get ? I saw this bag tonight in person for the first time in black and totally feel for it !!! I almost got it but needed to come home and do some thinking as I had just purchased a purse ...lol Any thoughts on this bag would greatly be appreciated ! Thanks

 

[MareSerenitatus]

What Coach needs to do is not try to up their market into luxury, but to go back to making bags the way they used to make them in the 60's, 70's and 80's. Real, thick leather, made in the USA, no sales.

My favorite Coach bags are my old leather classics from the early 80's. They still look great.

No matter what Coach does, I don't believe they'll ever be taken seriously as a truly luxury brand. They can move their factories, close their outlets and change their materials but the perception of Coach will always be of a good quality mid-price company for the middle and upper middle class consumer. The best they can do is go back to their roots.

My vintage City bag is one of my favorites but if I go into a store it just isn't love. Agreed

 

[Apelila]

This is an open public forum where everyone is entitled to their own opinions, but should voice them with respect of others likes, dislikes, and opinions.

I own both Louis Vuitton & Coach, and must say if they want to be like the "american Louis Vuitton" they probably should start by having their bags made IN America, and NOT China ...

and Louis Vuitton has so much more to offer than just their Canvas pieces, but their Canvas pieces are their true classics

I agree with you specially the made in tag....at least use the country origin and then fix the quality and then lets go from there. And no need to be disrespectful to others its a forum for a handbag lovers not a Debate for Coach or LV. Maybe we should know and learn diversity I'm sure it will help.

 

[pinkie1205]

I had a whole long post written out and I deleted it. I worked at the Coach Outlet. That experience made me almost hate the brand. I still have a love of handbags and I do like Coach, however I'm just not interested anymore.

Besides the quality of the bags, I don't like how they treat their employees. Yes it's a retail job, but IMO I thought it would be more of a team work kind of place (after all, they do have teamshare) and not "how much can I brown nose my manager" kind of place. The uniform policies were horrific, and the favoritism is obnoxious.

I'm sure not every outlet is like that, but it caused me to quit within a month.

ETA: I'm only posting this because I try not to support companies (or heavily support companies) that treat their employees like crap.

 

[SilviaLovesBags]

I had a whole long post written out and I deleted it. I worked at the Coach Outlet. That experience made me almost hate the brand. I still have a love of handbags and I do like Coach, however I'm just not interested anymore.

Besides the quality of the bags, I don't like how they treat their employees. Yes it's a retail job, but IMO I thought it would be more of a team work kind of place (after all, they do have teamshare) and not "how much can I brown nose my manager" kind of place. The uniform policies were horrific, and the favoritism is obnoxious.

I'm sure not every outlet is like that, but it caused me to quit within a month.

ETA: I'm only posting this because I try not to support companies (or heavily support companies) that treat their employees like crap.

You are not alone. My experience was the same. I loved Coach for many years prior to working there. I made it a month and a half. "management" was horrible. Left me hating the brand. And I found out more than I wanted too about it. I can never go into that store, I cringe just thinking about it. I miss the old coach with Reed K at the driver's seat. Can't say I have been really excited about a bag in a while. I do miss the love I felt for it. I've been a Coachie since the 90s. I hope that one day, I feel the love again. :cry:

 

[jessdiva]

I love Coach, but I am not thrilled with the direction they've taken. They seem to be trying too hard to be trendy and edgy. I miss the days of legacy stripes and all the fun leather fobs and ponytail scarves! My style is more classic. I'm fortunate that I've never had any problems with anything I've bought, but agree that they need to up their QA game. I don't blame them for limiting their return policy, there was so much rampant abuse that I'm sure they were losing tons of money. I am disappointed in the reduction of PCEs though!

I am also disappointed in the continuing snobbery toward MFF. I have both FP and MFF pieces and enjoy them both. I even have a few signature pieces that I enjoy! I don't worry about what everyone else is carrying or "saturation". I buy and wear what I love.

 

[HesitantShopper]

I love Coach, but I am not thrilled with the direction they've taken. They seem to be trying too hard to be trendy and edgy. I miss the days of legacy stripes and all the fun leather fobs and ponytail scarves! My style is more classic. I'm fortunate that I've never had any problems with anything I've bought, but agree that they need to up their QA game. I don't blame them for limiting their return policy, there was so much rampant abuse that I'm sure they were losing tons of money. I am disappointed in the reduction of PCEs though!

I am also disappointed in the continuing snobbery toward MFF. I have both FP and MFF pieces and enjoy them both. I even have a few signature pieces that I enjoy! I don't worry about what everyone else is carrying or "saturation". I buy and wear what I love.

This all day, i have concluded while i admire some of the 'newer' styles they are just not me, i prefer the classic pieces, i know they are doing a few(saddlebag come to mind) but they need to dabble in a few more..

They are upping the MFF game which i am glad, to let it be 'lessor' only taints the brand.

 

[Mia Wallace]

I love Coach, but I am not thrilled with the direction they've taken. They seem to be trying too hard to be trendy and edgy. I miss the days of legacy stripes and all the fun leather fobs and ponytail scarves! My style is more classic. I'm fortunate that I've never had any problems with anything I've bought, but agree that they need to up their QA game. I don't blame them for limiting their return policy, there was so much rampant abuse that I'm sure they were losing tons of money. I am disappointed in the reduction of PCEs though!

I am also disappointed in the continuing snobbery toward MFF. I have both FP and MFF pieces and enjoy them both. I even have a few signature pieces that I enjoy! I don't worry about what everyone else is carrying or "saturation". I buy and wear what I love.

So do I! Coach please bring back the Legacy Stripe collection and Poppy!

 

[debbie97439]

I had a whole long post written out and I deleted it. I worked at the Coach Outlet. That experience made me almost hate the brand. I still have a love of handbags and I do like Coach, however I'm just not interested anymore.

Besides the quality of the bags, I don't like how they treat their employees. Yes it's a retail job, but IMO I thought it would be more of a team work kind of place (after all, they do have teamshare) and not "how much can I brown nose my manager" kind of place. The uniform policies were horrific, and the favoritism is obnoxious.

I'm sure not every outlet is like that, but it caused me to quit within a month.

ETA: I'm only posting this because I try not to support companies (or heavily support companies) that treat their employees like crap.

i routinely visit our local coach outlet store and the employees are amazing. you can tell they are a team and all support each other. they know me when i go in and we even share personal stories. i think that it just depends on which store you visit as to the caliber of employees you run into just like any store.