I don't mind it being called a starter brand at ll. I think it has more to do with the price tag and the fact that a lot of us really did start out designer habits by buying coach. Personally I still buy coach, but I have also expanded to LV, gucci, chanel, and so on, but I still have that love for coach. Most people don't start their handbag collections by buying 2000$ bags so COACH is a great place to start for a bag collection, but I also think that goes for any contemporary mid range designer, like tory, mk, minkoff and so on