I am concerned that Coach is knowingly selling flawed bags for the same price!
- Thread starter katev
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I love shopping at the outlet and I usually receive good service. I have had a couple of negative experiences with one particular SA but the others are usually very helpful, although they are not always well-informed. A few are just plain clueless, but I have encountered a few clueless SAs at departments stores that were selling the bags at full price. Once I asked a SA at Macy's to "please show me that Kristin bag" and she responded sharply "these are all Coach bags!" 
I enjoy the "hunt and the score!" and finding a beautiful bag at a great price. I've gotten a number of lovely MFF accessories at the outlet and quite a few beautiful FP delete bags. I think that outlet purchases are much more fun than the boutique experience and it's not just because of the price, it's due to the challenge!
When I first discovered the outlet, I would find myself buying a bag just because it was a bargain, but I am getting much better at passing on FP delete bags that I don't love. And thank goodness that Coach has a generous return policy that helps out after the thrill of an impulse purchase dies.
I understand that sometimes the FP deletes at the outlet are flawed. They may include display bags that were handled a lot in the boutique store, etc. That's why I try to remember to inspect them carefully before purchasing. I own one item that was marked "final sale" with an extra discount and it has 2 bullets on the creed. But that's fine, the damage was slight and I knew what I was buying. (There was a small dollop of dried adhesive on the lining but it came off pretty easily and without leaving a spot!)
I will be interested to hear the response I receive from CS. I just can't believe that they will think it is okay to mix defective bags in with perfect bags and sell them for the same price - even at outlet, clearance prices!
I enjoy the "hunt and the score!" and finding a beautiful bag at a great price. I've gotten a number of lovely MFF accessories at the outlet and quite a few beautiful FP delete bags. I think that outlet purchases are much more fun than the boutique experience and it's not just because of the price, it's due to the challenge!
When I first discovered the outlet, I would find myself buying a bag just because it was a bargain, but I am getting much better at passing on FP delete bags that I don't love. And thank goodness that Coach has a generous return policy that helps out after the thrill of an impulse purchase dies.
I understand that sometimes the FP deletes at the outlet are flawed. They may include display bags that were handled a lot in the boutique store, etc. That's why I try to remember to inspect them carefully before purchasing. I own one item that was marked "final sale" with an extra discount and it has 2 bullets on the creed. But that's fine, the damage was slight and I knew what I was buying. (There was a small dollop of dried adhesive on the lining but it came off pretty easily and without leaving a spot!)
I will be interested to hear the response I receive from CS. I just can't believe that they will think it is okay to mix defective bags in with perfect bags and sell them for the same price - even at outlet, clearance prices!
ITA! I don't have a problem with outlets selling "sellable" defective merchandise, but I've seen price tags marked "irregular" or "defective" or similar at other outlets/discounters as a heads-up to the consumer, even if those items aren't final sale'd. Nordstrom Rack sometimes has luxury designer handbags marked as "repaired or refurbished". I even see tags marked "irregular" at TJ Maxx. Just a little disclosure is all we ask.
Totally agree. I know that there have been times that I see something that catches my eye and since it's crowded, I just grab it and check it out later at home. Had I seen an upside down lozenge... OMG. I would be very upset.
I feel like this REALLY affects the people who live far from their outlets. They shouldn't have to spend 20 minutes examining their deletes to look for spots of glue, upside down pieces of hardware, etc just to realize later when they're far away at home that a bag has to be returned!
I feel like this REALLY affects the people who live far from their outlets. They shouldn't have to spend 20 minutes examining their deletes to look for spots of glue, upside down pieces of hardware, etc just to realize later when they're far away at home that a bag has to be returned!
You should inspect your bag at the outlet, inside and out. The purses are being handled by many hands, and have been traveling from shelf to shelf. It only takes a few seconds out of your shopping to do so :o)
I am upset that they would sell bags with such obvious mistakes on them, and for the same price too. I live a long way from a factory store so I wouldn't be able to return it if I didn't notice it in the store. It is one thing to have items that are damaged from handling, but if they were manufactured incorrectly, to me, that is not "superior craftsmanship" or "commitment to enduring quality". When I have seen damaged bags, they are usually marked that way.
Last time I was at the outlet buying a Sophia, when I got ready to pay I noticed a dirt spot on it. When I showed it to the SA, I was actually hoping they would give me a bigger discount, but they just exchanged it for a clean one.
Last time I was at the outlet buying a Sophia, when I got ready to pay I noticed a dirt spot on it. When I showed it to the SA, I was actually hoping they would give me a bigger discount, but they just exchanged it for a clean one.
I think this is horrible. I would have preferred that they follow Land's End and catergorize these as 'not quite perfect' and give a further discount. I like how upfront Land's End is with their products with flaws.
I will be very irritated if I get a bag like this especially if I know Coach has every intention of trying to act as if nothing has happended with their products with flaws.
I will be very irritated if I get a bag like this especially if I know Coach has every intention of trying to act as if nothing has happended with their products with flaws.
If you need to return an outlet bag but can't get to an outlet; it is my understanding that you can return it to a boutique store and they will give you a merchandise credit. I know it's not the same as enjoying the bag that you brought home from the outlet, but at least it is another option when it is difficult to get back there.
I did receive a response from Coach Customer Service (see below) and they basically thanked me and said that they would forward it to the appropriate individuals. I guess that's all you could expect them to say.
This incident actually happened at the end of last year, but an "upside down" sophia was recently listed on ebay (labeled as defective) and a TPFer posted it in the authentication thread.
I haven't seen any other "upside down logos" at the outlet recently but I did see a damaged coat that was clearly labeled "as is, final sale" and deeply discounted. Hopefully, they have stopped the practice of pretending that irregular products are "special" but I would still advise buyers to examine their purchases carefully; especially if you live far from the outlet.
Here's the response I received from CS:
From: Internet questions [[email protected]]
Dear ___________,
Thank you for your response.
Again, we value you as a consumer. Thank you for taking the time to bring this to our attention.
Your comments will be forwarded to the appropriate department for review and addressed at the store level.
If you need further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Sincerely, Melissa
COACH Online Consumer Service
This incident actually happened at the end of last year, but an "upside down" sophia was recently listed on ebay (labeled as defective) and a TPFer posted it in the authentication thread.
I haven't seen any other "upside down logos" at the outlet recently but I did see a damaged coat that was clearly labeled "as is, final sale" and deeply discounted. Hopefully, they have stopped the practice of pretending that irregular products are "special" but I would still advise buyers to examine their purchases carefully; especially if you live far from the outlet.
Here's the response I received from CS:
From: Internet questions [[email protected]]
Dear ___________,
Thank you for your response.
Again, we value you as a consumer. Thank you for taking the time to bring this to our attention.
Your comments will be forwarded to the appropriate department for review and addressed at the store level.
If you need further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Sincerely, Melissa
COACH Online Consumer Service
It took them almost five months to come up with THAT response?????? Holy shyte, that should have taken them a week, tops.
Honestly thats really what outlets are for, irregular and older items. I know the true religion sends irregulars to the outlets and mainly any other brand.
Oh no, it didn't take that long! They responded quickly; it was just that this thread was revived today due to the recent posting of an upside down logo bag on ebay.
So I just shared the response I had received from Coach CS. Sorry for the confusion!