Gotta give it to Chanel for wiping out resellers

[mc2743]

Would love to hear opinions and observations from this community on the following!

Anyone notice an improvement in customer experience at boutiques after this aggressive price increase era?

On resellers, I feel like there is much less stock from current seasons being bought just to be sold immediately through resellers or via online platforms. The price increases seem to have successfully eroded reseller margins. Do you agree based on your observations?

 

[sjunky13]

Facebook groups are full of resellers selling current stock for huge markups. I guess they are counting on us being lazy or not knowing how to call for an item. I was talking with a handbag friend, there is a lot of stock sitting in boutiques. Black bags are selling, tons of pink not selling. People are playing it safe . If that stock doesn't sell, Chanel will be courting resellers .

 

[Swanky]

I don't follow the resell market at all, I can't really comment on it. And tbh, I've always had good or great service in the boutique!

 

[lill_canele]

Never had a poor experience at a Chanel boutique so not sure. They also haven't become less or more pushy either. I just ask to look at items and they just show me.

 

[A bottle of Red]

I know nothing about Chanel resellers, but how does the higher price in store ruin the resell market?

 

[Model T]

I haven’t had a bad experience in the boutique or shopping with an SA over the phone/text in my home store. Certain boutiques are hit or miss though. I am glad there is more stock available and resellers are getting less and less!

 

[880]

I’ve always had a great experience at the boutique, but I generally stick to my local flagship and one SA, and I am a RTW shopper. I have shopped my local boutique, on and off since 2001, and at least two SAs (not mine but we recognized each other even after an hiatus of some years lol) are still there.

I do occasionally look at resale for RTW items that I might have missed from years ago, but I prefer pristine condition, so do not buy that often. These items tend to be relatively expensive, sometimes more than their original price when new.

When I look at bags at resale, there still seems like a lot of choices and quantity, IDK. But, the bags I focus on are Hermes. Hermes prices at resale are falling and I would assume Chanel prices would follow suit.

I would not buy from Facebook or instagram.

 

[Plus Sized Luxury]

The reseller market for all designers is affected right now; people are shopping less and traveling more I notice. I don’t think the price increases affected that. Customer service has been consistently good for me!

 

[Israeli_Flava]

I don't follow Chanel resellers but I do follow Hermes resellers and I do agree with you in that the resellers margins are decreasing and the starting prices have been lowered substantially from a year ago. I won't be buying CC at the retail price now... let alone a mark up! But, then again, I have a large collection so it's easier for me to say that.

 

[Nobmaceur13]

I feel that the economic slow down has impacted inventory levels in all luxury brands, I have friends who work in designer boutiques in the US, UK and Europe and sales are down across the board for most brands, so stock is now more abundant. The reseller numbers have significantly reduced particularly within the UK market where the lack of tax free to incentivise tourists is also hitting department stores and boutiques hard.

Resellers will always look for the key pieces but once those pieces start becoming more readily available in stores people are less inclined to pay their inflated prices. The ‘pandemic effect’ created exaggerated market conditions which allowed resellers to flourish, now that demand has softened I’m not sure how lucrative their business model is long term.

 

[mc2743]

I feel that the economic slow down has impacted inventory levels in all luxury brands, I have friends who work in designer boutiques in the US, UK and Europe and sales are down across the board for most brands, so stock is now more abundant. The reseller numbers have significantly reduced particularly within the UK market where the lack of tax free to incentivise tourists is also hitting department stores and boutiques hard.

Resellers will always look for the key pieces but once those pieces start becoming more readily available in stores people are less inclined to pay their inflated prices. The ‘pandemic effect’ created exaggerated market conditions which allowed resellers to flourish, now that demand has softened I’m not sure how lucrative their business model is long term.

Great point that the macro factors and post-pandemic normalisation have played a significant role on resale pricing. Even more baffling that with reduced wealth effect and lower idle discretionary budgets…..Chanel seems to be maintaining its twice a year and aggressive price hikes. I know, many of us have been asking this question for a few years now….

I guess the missing link in my original point is that Chanel seems to make its CFs more available for example, even if there is a cap of 2 per year (is that right?). Couple improved availability with the higher prices, my hypothesis is that it has made some resellers obsolete.

 

[mc2743]

But also….seeing how far along super fakes have come these days and hearing horror stories about sloppy authentication (even at Japanese vintage shops 😱), I can’t have 100% peace of mind unless buying directly from the boutique.

 

[Model T]

But also….seeing how far along super fakes have come these days and hearing horror stories about sloppy authentication (even at Japanese vintage shops 😱), I can’t have 100% peace of mind unless buying directly from the boutique.

Same here. Can’t put a price on peace of mind for me.

 

[AmeeLVSBags]

Same here. Can’t put a price on peace of mind for me.

Added to that, for a lot of first time and occasional buyers, myself included, the purchase is more of an experience, going into the boutique, browsing at other items, walking out with beautifully wrapped item.

 

[lani15]

Some of these resellers are out of their minds. Why would I pay $4,000 for a pair of sandals that retails for $1,075?

That is pure greed