Ever purged your collection in pursuit of one bag? How did it go?

[chloehandbags]

When I reread my post I felt a bit ill, I mean isn't it crazy to have four bags in the same style but different colors! I need help! I'm now on a mission, only one bag in each style I love, that's my plan and I'm sticking to it! (i think.... please help me be strong!)

Actually, no, I don't think it is.

If it's a style of bag you really love (and know you will continue to love), that suits your needs and that you really enjoy using, it makes perfect sense to buy it in more than one colour, while you can.

What doesn't make so much sense, though, is allowing yourself to be made to feel (as so many are) by advertising, or reveals on here, or celeb pics, or whatever, that you should like and buy something you really don't like, that much and won't use.

 

[thedseer]

Actually, no, I don't think it is.

If it's a style of bag you really love (and know you will continue to love), that suits your needs and that you really enjoy using, it makes perfect sense to buy it in more than one colour, while you can.

What doesn't make so much sense, though, is allowing yourself to be made to feel (as so many are) by advertising, or reveals on here, or celeb pics, or whatever, that you should like and buy something you really don't like, that much and won't use.

ITA – great points.

I think it comes down to personal choices – what you can afford, what you have space for, what you want, and what you are comfortable having – wherever these things meet. I probably could get by with only 4 bags total, but at this point I prefer to have a few more (even multiples in a certain style) to add some color variety. If you have multiples in one style, love them and use them, and have the space and money for them, then I don’t see a problem. I do have multiples, but if I find I’m not using one, then I’ll cut it out.

Everyone has their own magic number based on their preferences and circumstances (and I think this number can change too).

 

[Janinevs]

I've realized that part of the reason for me having so many bags is that my lifestyle and my aesthetic don't match up. If I could buy what I like, instead of being practical, I could get along with 5 bags. My aesthetic tends towards lady-like bags, while my lifestyle calls for huge, working girl, public-transportation-friendly bags. So I end up buying both and only really using half. One day when I'm retired and not living in NYC anymore, I'll have my small perfect collection.

 

[Janinevs]

To all the girls having a hard time letting bags go at rock-bottom prices, have you considered giving it to someone you know? I've probably gotten rid of about 10/15 bags in the last year or so. All went to my sister and friends. I figured I'm not going to make back what I paid anyway and at least it's going to an appreciative home. All these gals are not really into purses so would never dream of spending that kind of money, so it's really a big deal to them to get a $500 purse for free. And I don't get huge seperation anxiety, I figure if I really miss the bag, I could always borrow it, haven't happened yet though.

I'm considering selling some bags now, but after reading everyone's problems today, I don't know anymore.

 

[thedseer]

^I gave a purse and an evening bag to my sister this weekend. She was very appreciative, especially since she’s a grad student with almost no income.

At this time, I can’t really afford to give all of my bags away, so I’m fine to wait it out a bit for others to sell.

 

[Janinevs]

^I gave a purse and an evening bag to my sister this weekend. She was very appreciative, especially since she’s a grad student with almost no income.

At this time, I can’t really afford to give all of my bags away, so I’m fine to wait it out a bit for others to sell.

That's probably best to just wait it out. I just get so annoyed looking at bags that's just cluttering up space. I have no patience.

 

[Loquita]

I can't imagine ever doing this - there is no one bag that I'd ever sacrifice all others for.

Selling bags I don't really love and don't use is one thing - but selling bags I really love, just to buy one extremely overpriced bag? Never.

Even if there was some amazing bag that I, genuinely, felt was worth the many thousands, or tens of thousands, of dollars it cost (yeah, right!), I still wouldn't want to just have one bag of that value; as nothing is so good, or versatile, that you want to use it all the time, for every occasion, forever and what if something happened to it, or me while I was using it?!

Some people will kill for a pair of sneakers, so how many more would do so for a $10,000+ bag? :s

chloehandbags, LOL, I guess I should clarify (or even ask a mod to change) the title of this thread - I originally started it when I was beginning the collection purge mode that I am currently in, with the idea of getting rid of most of my mid-range bags that I wasn't truly happy with in order to fund a YSL hobo. Well, fast forward to a good while later and I do have the YSL hobo (and adore it), I am almost done selling my entire collection, and I have made the firm decision to rebuild my collection based on classics that work for my life-style and budget - which means that I will have 3-5 bags total, as opposed to 10-12. I am very happy with this, and thrilled with how this thread has turned into something very positive for several PFers!

I completely agree with you: I don't advise an all-out purge for one single bag - I don't think that it would work for 99.9% of the people put there.

 

[chloehandbags]

I think it comes down to personal choices – what you can afford, what you have space for, what you want, and what you are comfortable having – wherever these things meet. I probably could get by with only 4 bags total, but at this point I prefer to have a few more (even multiples in a certain style) to add some color variety. If you have multiples in one style, love them and use them, and have the space and money for them, then I don’t see a problem. I do have multiples, but if I find I’m not using one, then I’ll cut it out.

Everyone has their own magic number based on their preferences and circumstances (and I think this number can change too).

Yes, ITA.

Thanks, BTW, thedseer.

 

[chloehandbags]

chloehandbags, LOL, I guess I should clarify (or even ask a mod to change) the title of this thread - I originally started it when I was beginning the collection purge mode that I am currently in, with the idea of getting rid of most of my mid-range bags that I wasn't truly happy with in order to fund a YSL hobo. Well, fast forward to a good while later and I do have the YSL hobo (and adore it), I am almost done selling my entire collection, and I have made the firm decision to rebuild my collection based on classics that work for my life-style and budget - which means that I will have 3-5 bags total, as opposed to 10-12. I am very happy with this, and thrilled with how this thread has turned into something very positive for several PFers!

I completely agree with you: I don't advise an all-out purge for one single bag - I don't think that it would work for 99.9% of the people put there.

No - you're absolutely right, Loquita!

I wasn't replying to your OP (which was very rude of me!), I was replying to the idea in the title and speaking from my personal POV - where I'd have to be contemplating selling perfectly good R-T-W designer bags for one Birkin, or something!

Which I know some people do...

Sorry for straying OT! :shame:

 

[Loquita]

When I reread my post I felt a bit ill, I mean isn't it crazy to have four bags in the same style but different colors! I need help! I'm now on a mission, only one bag in each style I love, that's my plan and I'm sticking to it! (i think.... please help me be strong!)

I don't think it's ill of you at all, if you use them, enjoy them, and can afford them.

If you answer "no" to any of the above phrases, then maybe it's time to make some changes. To be honest, you don't sound entirely happy with your collection as it stands, so maybe some pruning is in order. I would suggest taking baby steps, like selling off a few bags that you know that you don't want - and then putting the "maybes" in storage somewhere where you can't readily access them (like maybe a friend or relative's house, or somewhere hidden in your own house). After a month or so, if you haven't given all or some of them a second thought, then that's a good indicator that they are ready for sale!!!

I think the following are key:
1. Figuring out precisely which and how many bags truly what work for you;
2. Slowly but surely pruning your collection until you hit that number (which, like thedseer notes, may shift a bit over time and varies from person to person)
3. Becoming a much more selective buyer and therefore avoiding the constant "buying and selling" cycle



We are all here to help - so no worries, Indybop, no one here thinks you are ill - I for one have done many of the same things myself!!!

 

[burgundy123]

Hmm... okay so I have enjoyed the purging process over the past 2yrs ($ back in the bank) and have actually gotten down to one bag at the moment (I kinda like not deciding which bag to carry)...okay maybe I purged too much but its the only one I really liked The damier 35 in my avatar...others got returned of late...

I also have one shoulder LV bag, a BH, on special order to come around June.

Is it terrible to only have 2 everyday bags and my 3 crossbody bags I love??
Ought I to have more everyday bags? To be a proper lady, ha! ha!

I don't even match all the time but I have just gotten to the point that from having many many bags over the years now I just don't want anything else...oh, maybe this will pass

 

[doreenjoy]

I've realized that part of the reason for me having so many bags is that my lifestyle and my aesthetic don't match up. If I could buy what I like, instead of being practical, I could get along with 5 bags. My aesthetic tends towards lady-like bags, while my lifestyle calls for huge, working girl, public-transportation-friendly bags. So I end up buying both and only really using half. One day when I'm retired and not living in NYC anymore, I'll have my small perfect collection.

I feel your pain. I was talking a few pages ago about how I love satchels, but never ever could carry one in real life.

Thinking that I should buy the 'useless object' anyway got me into a mess in so many areas of my life. If something suits my aesthetic but not my lifestyle, I look but don't buy. These days, objects have to have a use before I bring them home...and I have a lot less clutter, and a bigger bank balance, as a result.

To all the girls having a hard time letting bags go at rock-bottom prices, have you considered giving it to someone you know?

I think that's a great idea. I frequently give my old stuff to Dress for Success (an organization that helps disadvantaged women apply for jobs).

 

[doreenjoy]

Hmm... okay so I have enjoyed the purging process over the past 2yrs ($ back in the bank) and have actually gotten down to one bag at the moment (I kinda like not deciding which bag to carry)...okay maybe I purged too much but its the only one I really liked The damier 35 in my avatar...others got returned of late...

I also have one shoulder LV bag, a BH, on special order to come around June.

Is it terrible to only have 2 everyday bags and my 3 crossbody bags I love??
Ought I to have more everyday bags? To be a proper lady, ha! ha!

I don't even match all the time but I have just gotten to the point that from having many many bags over the years now I just don't want anything else...oh, maybe this will pass

Heck no! I only have 3 everyday bags, plus a few clutches. that's it!

Like you said, I find it liberating not to have to decide what I'm carrying on any given day.

 

[doreenjoy]

I have to say something about the resale value on bags, and hope you don't all hate me for it.

When it comes to what the average woman will spend on handbags, we women on tPF are probably five standard deviations above the mean.

Then we turn around and sell our precious bags (which were relatively expensive when you compare them to the vast majority of bags that are produced), and we expect to get the same prices we paid for them ages ago when the bag was new at retail.

But if you look at this from a buyer's prospective, the buyer really has very little incentive to pay a high price for a bag on an auction site.

Here's what I think the average buyer's perspective is:

* most women shopping for handbags don't want last year's styles. Here on tPF I see a lot of regrets for not buying bags that are no longer available, but that kind of thinking doesn't enter the average woman's head. They want a cute bag, and "rarity" is not an issue for them so they aren't willing to pay a premium for it.

* why would the average woman pay close to retail price for a bag they're buying from a private seller? They can get a similar bag for a similar price at a retail store and have all the advantages of shopping at retail (easy returns, get to try it on, get a warranty, etc). So there is no good reason, from the buyer's POV, to take a risk and buy a bag for a high price from a private seller.

I guess this is a long-winded way of saying, the average woman is not obsessed with bags, so we can't expect the average eBay buyer to pay a premium. Chances are the vast majority of people trolling eBay for bags are looking for great deals, not specific bags.

 

[burgundy123]

I have to say something about the resale value on bags, and hope you don't all hate me for it.

When it comes to what the average woman will spend on handbags, we women on tPF are probably five standard deviations above the mean.

Then we turn around and sell our precious bags (which were relatively expensive when you compare them to the vast majority of bags that are produced), and we expect to get the same prices we paid for them ages ago when the bag was new at retail.

But if you look at this from a buyer's prospective, the buyer really has very little incentive to pay a high price for a bag on an auction site.

Here's what I think the average buyer's perspective is:

* most women shopping for handbags don't want last year's styles. Here on tPF I see a lot of regrets for not buying bags that are no longer available, but that kind of thinking doesn't enter the average woman's head. They want a cute bag, and "rarity" is not an issue for them so they aren't willing to pay a premium for it.

* why would the average woman pay close to retail price for a bag they're buying from a private seller? They can get a similar bag for a similar price at a retail store and have all the advantages of shopping at retail (easy returns, get to try it on, get a warranty, etc). So there is no good reason, from the buyer's POV, to take a risk and buy a bag for a high price from a private seller.

I guess this is a long-winded way of saying, the average woman is not obsessed with bags, so we can't expect the average eBay buyer to pay a premium. Chances are the vast majority of people trolling eBay for bags are looking for great deals, not specific bags.

Oh, I don't think anyone would "hate on you" ... I totally agree with you on all points. Paying close to retail for a bag from a private seller is not worth the risk, time etc. to most. I can understand why others would not risk it unless the bag was really cheap.