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

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#841
Loquita said:
I don't think it's ill of you at all, if you use them, enjoy them, and can afford them. :smile1:

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!!! :D

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

:heart:

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!!!
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Thanks LO! :hugs: One of my bigs problems was stated so well by Janinevs "my lifestyle and aesthetic don't always match up" I love the look of a cute little satchel on the crook of the arm, but this doesn't fit my lifetstyle right now chasing a toddler. All of the advice above is great. I feel like I'm well on my way to accomplishing the first 2, the 3rd is the one I have to constantly keep myself in check over! ;)
 
#842
Indybop said:
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!)
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It depends on your goal for your bag collection.

I'll be the odd one out here and say, yes, 4 bags in the same style is a bit much if you are looking to have a minimalistic collection.

If your goal is to have a big collection, and you don't care if you have bags you don't wear often, then no, it's probably not odd.
 
#843
ITA doreen - I definitely don't expect to sell for retail, or even close. I think I’ve done a good job of pricing my bags well under retail but at the same time not ridiculously low. If they don’t sell, then I’ll lower them a little more. I’ve had luck with this in the past, just not very much luck at the moment. But they haven’t been up for very long either, just 2 weeks I think (on bonanzle). But it’s a learning experience, and I’m still learning.
 
#844
Boy are yall making me feel bad!
I have just sold six bags to get one I want ... I am sitting here with the business card and my debit card by the phone to order it and feeling STUPID at the thought!
 
#845
The only way I can manage a day clutch or satchel is by owning some vintage ones - that convert to shoulder bags. They are cute - and then when they get to be annoying - they are slightly less cute but definitely out of the way!
 
#846
Janinevs said:
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.
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I have personally done both, well, either sell or give to my mom. The ones I knew I would not get the price I want at minimum I gave to my mom. She is quite appreciative and gets a lot of comments (and envy, I would imagine) on her bags. And, I get the "honor" of cleaning out her closet and getting rid of bags that are redundant or poor quality she can easily throw in the donate box. She is quite the saver, but with all my bags she is now having a space problem and *thankfully* she is willing to make space for the good stuff!

For those I can sell so I can fund another purchase, I have tried to sell them and most of them I have succeeded in getting a fair price for them. Stay tuned for the discussion on a fair price...

chloehandbags said:
...where I'd have to be contemplating selling perfectly good R-T-W designer bags for one Birkin, or something! :D
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I have thought about this for myself, but over discussion with other tPFers, this probably won't work for me. I have many high end bags that are beautiful and have a lot of life to them...some I paid full price :push:...and to own a Birkin, which would be fabulous...would not take away from the proven fact that I have a track record of wanting more! If I were convinced that I could be happy with 2 bags, then I would go full force! Even so, this thread has helped me whittle things down to the tried and true, loved and needed things that enhance my life, and don't create a lot of stress. Quite frankly, I am a bit unhappy with my attachment to my stuff. I am trying to lessen my attachment to things as well as try to declutter.

burgundy123 said:
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!
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Nope! In fact, I am jealous of you that you can be simple and elegant and clutter-less and most of all, content! That is a sign of someone who's really got it together IMO! :D

doreenjoy said:
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....

...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.
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On risk of being lynched right with you, yes I totally agree! I try to find the best deals as a buyer and then moan about the low price points I sell my bags. Quite hypocritical, yes? :blushing: I mean, yes we spent lots of our hard earned money for our bags, but honestly, 1) if it doesn't work and you don't use it, it's really money wasted and 2) bags are like almost everything else in this universe - subject to depreciation and only worth what people will pay for it.

For myself, if I feel I'm "losing" too much on a bag, I keep it and use it up till the time I can sell it at a low price or give it to my mom!
 
#847
Indybop said:
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!)
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Hi Indy! Fancy seeing you here. ;) I have this same exact issue. I have what you might call a "problem" when it comes to Nikkis and Matinees. It just doesn't seem like I can get enough of them. Realistically, I'm going to try to get myself down to 4 of each of those. :nuts: Someday, I'd like to get down to 1-2 of each.
 
#848
burgundy123 said:
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 :-)
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You are reading my mind!!!:D I have gone through the same process and now am down to one bag, with another one on the way. Personally, one is not enough for me, but I think that your total collection sounds wonderful!!!

The important thing is that it works for YOU - and it sounds like it does. :smile1:

I adore crossbody bags - there's nothing more comfortable than a good crossbody bag.
 
#850
I want to toss out that I'm jealous of all of you who can wear crossbody bags! I love them and I think they look adorable on some women, but I have a bit of a zaftig figure and I'm getting old, and when I try a crossbody I either look like a gauche tourist or an old hippie. Seriously!

So I'm dreading the current season of new bags with all the cute crossbody bags. Surely I'll be tempted, but I keep reminding myself of Tejas and the satchel example and I'll resist.
 
#851
Doreen, you need to find the right crossbody for you. I'm, to put it nicely, curvaceous, with big boobs and I always thought crossbodies don't work for me. A friend gave me a crossbody bag from The Sak for Xmas and I think it looks great. It's a large E/W and I put it on the longest setting and wear it towards the back, I feel very hip in that bag. :D
 
#852
burgundy123 said:
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 :-)
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Definitely not!

I'm in the process of redefining my bag collection as well. Got rid of several that were mainly impulse buying or was just too restrictive in it's function.

Someone mentioned earlier that having around 5-8 bags is the optimal number. I think that this would work for me as well.

- tote
- black satchel
- shoulder bag
- 2 crossbodies (1 nylon, 1 leather)
- 1 elegant evening handbag

Right now, I figured that when I get the Chanel flap, then it could satisfy the elegant evening bag & the shoulder bag. Here's hoping that I stay focused this time. One added incentive is the fact that dh is very supportive of plan. Promised me a complete renovated kitchen of my dreams if I stay the course.

BTW I used to have 4 diaper bags to match with what I'm wearing. How weird is that?
 
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