My Experience with the "Letter"

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#46
zoesma said:
i can honestly say that i have spent over $2000 in the past three months on items for my own personal use...that being said,,if coach ever did decide to give me the letter i probably would sell all my bags and go on to a diffrent designer..it is just too insulting and humiliating
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Me too. I just started collecting coach last year and spend a lot of money at the store. I still have a lot of bags with tags on it. If I like the style of the bags I buy more than one but in different colors. If ever I get a letter like the OP, I'll bring all my unuse bags at the store and get my money back! Time to venture to a new brand that appreciate their customers.
 
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#48
Just a question: do you sell a lot on the bay? Do you sell NWT and used? I'm probably being WAY too trusting of Coach policy. I know they're inconsistent. But I guess I can't see them sending "the letter" for no real solid reason. I'm sure they would like to send it to a lot more that they see buying TONS of items. Don't know.

I would think that most of us would not have to worry about this, as has been stated before. If you sell on the bay, you do take a risk of getting "caught". That's all I'm saying. I've certainly bought on the bay, just not sold. I just don't think we should all be worrying ourselves sick over getting a letter. I don't think they would send one out on a whim...I could be wrong!:yes:
 
#50
brahh said:
My outlet mgr said 3 identical items at one time...but a person could return the next day and buy 3 more. (Which is what ebay sellers do...unless they personally know an SA and can get around it...then that SA might not be working for long!) This is the RULE for Coach outlet stores. Coach is trying to crack down on ebay sellers...the reason being...each of us tPFers would just like a crack at (say) ONE bag. If they let ebay sellers buy all the goodies up...why go there and try to get the ONE that we all want. EBAY SELLERS ARE RUNNING A BUSINESS! I think Coach is right to crack down on them. I did question the tPFer that started this thread as to how many things she has sold on ebay? Between the large number purchased of one item and ebay selling...that could have caused "the letter."
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I understand that Coach is trying to crack down on ebay sellers. My point is that the "rule" isn't one that Coach tells its customers consistently. But for the fact that I read the TPF posts, I would have no idea of this "rule". Which, IMO, is a lot like playing cards with my kids -- I usually learn about their "rules" after I've been told that there is a three card maximum draw in their Uno games. I've read the manual, I've played the game the way it was taught to me, but I end up breaking a rule because no one told me about it.

The fact is that Coach is trying to end-run the law. It can't stop the actual resales, so it stops the sales that lead to the resale. If it really wants to stop the sales, here is my free legal advice to Coach: when people buy things from the outlet, make them sign an agreement that they won't resell. When we buy firewoks in Florida, we have to sign a sales contract. I don't see why Coiach can't require outlet buyers to sign a standard sales contract stating that the purchase is for personal or gift use and that he/she will not resell. I would sign it and respect Coach's desire to protect its sales. And I bet that a lot of resellers would think twice about signing it, esp. if the sales contract required an arbitration agreement.

So Coach, if you are reading this, that's my advice, for which my employer would normally charge $500 an hour. Instead of casting a wide net and catching both "good" buyers and "bad" buyers, protect yourself and give yourself the legal right to sue people (in your choice of forum) who breach your sales contract and resell. Put in the clause that if those people who resell and breach your sales contract lose the srbitration, they pay your legal fees. You won't be able to go after sales up through now, but you'll significantly cut them down in the future.

Of course, your outlet sales will also plummet. So pick your poison.
 
#51
This is really making me think. I've bought alot in the past couple of months as well. I personally am taking advantage of the 50% off sales while they're going on, and I still like the stuff they're carrying. I'm not too big on most of what's been released in the FP stores the past couple months so when they trickle down to the outlet, I won't care no matter how cheap they are. I also feel like if the economy starts to recover, we'll probably be looking at the typical 20% again. So I'm buying things now to save for birthdays & Christmas, as well as picking up things for friends who don't live near outlets. If it looks fishy to them, and they ban me without a defense, great. I'll sell every last bit of Coach I have and move on to higher end designers. I'm just so tired of the inconsistencies with everything... from policy, to the outlet Madison fiasco, to the insane blowout prices while people are still paying FP in some stores, etc.
 
#52
sissabelle said:
This is really making me think. I've bought alot in the past couple of months as well. I personally am taking advantage of the 50% off sales while they're going on, and I still like the stuff they're carrying. I'm not too big on most of what's been released in the FP stores the past couple months so when they trickle down to the outlet, I won't care no matter how cheap they are. I also feel like if the economy starts to recover, we'll probably be looking at the typical 20% again. So I'm buying things now to save for birthdays & Christmas, as well as picking up things for friends who don't live near outlets. If it looks fishy to them, and they ban me without a defense, great. I'll sell every last bit of Coach I have and move on to higher end designers. I'm just so tired of the inconsistencies with everything... from policy, to the outlet Madison fiasco, to the insane blowout prices while people are still paying FP in some stores, etc.
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I truly don't think you have anything to worry about. I'm sure they know most of us do this, esp. with the incredible deals. I would NEVER have spent what I have unless I was able to get it at such incredible prices.
 
#53
No, as I said I am not an ebay "seller". The only time I have sold is when it was a purse I no longer wanted. In the past year I have sold 2 purses. My intent of the post was to just "warn" others not scare them that this could happen. I don't think it is computer generated. I think it takes an SA to report you and I think that sucks. Because if it was computer generated I don't think you would see people buying thousands of dollars at one time.

I agree that looking at my christmas purchases is unfair. I am going to email corporate with my pictures attached. Thats why I said that they should have to have proof that someone is a seller. I just think they are putting way to much time and energy into something that is unavoidable unless they change their policies. I mean sending letters out to "certain" people is not going to stop resellers. The only thing that would "stop" them would be to stop having outlets. I agree why do they even have them? If they can still make a profit at the prices they are selling then why not just lower the original retail price? It is crazy to pay full price when you know it will show up at the outlet later. Unless it is something you just have to have like my pink one. I had to have it as soon as I saw it in the catalog.

Personally I don't really care if people sell on ebay--Im like everyone else if they are buying up the store though. I think the sa's should be able to say "halt" save some for everyone else. But, in my case it was different. Maybe it will help maybe not. But all I can do is try. Thanks.
 
#54
CCfor C said:
I truly don't think you have anything to worry about. I'm sure they know most of us do this, esp. with the incredible deals. I would NEVER have spent what I have unless I was able to get it at such incredible prices.
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Thanks! I hear ya... it makes me sick when I think about how much I've spent. Another reason I wish the economy would recover ASAP lol
 
#55
x_TaNgErInE_x said:
I don't understand why Coach would do this, it seems to me that they're having a lot of issues concerning outlets. First of all, if they don't want so many people to sell marked down products on ebay or elsewhere, maybe they should stop sending stuff to outlets so quickly after release. Second if they can afford to mark down products so much at outlets, why not reduce the FP of items. This would limit what goes to outlets because more people might be willing to buy at boutiques also they might not have to reduce items something like 90% just to get them out. It's their own fault that people will buy mass quantities at significantly reduced prices from outlets and then turn around and sell them for profit. I think it's totally uncalled for, for them to be sending out these "letters" or blacklisting people, instead they should be changing their policies.

Collector or person trying to make a profit, the problem isn't with them, the problem is with Coach and this so called "letter" isn't the solution.
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ITA!!! I would also add that another problem Coach has is the inconsistency of how the "rules" are enforced.

Case in point, my outlet has absolutely no problem with resellers; they get a ton of both Ebay sellers and Asian buyers who purchase an unbelievable quantity of items clearly for resale. I have even commented about it while I'm there because often they have bought up every bag of one style and I have wanted one of those bags only to not be able to get it. The SAs just tell me they're resellers and say that they will call me if the particular bag I wanted comes in again. These resellers are not receiving "the letter" because I have seen the same ebay sellers for years! That is very different from the outlets that enforce the 3 item rule.

Needless to say, if I as a lover of the product who does not sell gets "the letter" I will most certainly be contacting someone at corporate and addressing these issues one by one. Rules are not a problem as long as they are consistent and enforced. The fact that they have these rules, for example their liberal return policies and then send a letter to someone who has not broken it and has simply made returns in accordance with their policy is complete insanity.

Please let us know what happens when you contact them. I think providing a picture of your collection will probably be very eye opening for them.
 
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#56
loupole said:
I understand that Coach is trying to crack down on ebay sellers. My point is that the "rule" isn't one that Coach tells its customers consistently. But for the fact that I read the TPF posts, I would have no idea of this "rule". Which, IMO, is a lot like playing cards with my kids -- I usually learn about their "rules" after I've been told that there is a three card maximum draw in their Uno games. I've read the manual, I've played the game the way it was taught to me, but I end up breaking a rule because no one told me about it.

The fact is that Coach is trying to end-run the law. It can't stop the actual resales, so it stops the sales that lead to the resale. If it really wants to stop the sales, here is my free legal advice to Coach: when people buy things from the outlet, make them sign an agreement that they won't resell. When we buy firewoks in Florida, we have to sign a sales contract. I don't see why Coiach can't require outlet buyers to sign a standard sales contract stating that the purchase is for personal or gift use and that he/she will not resell. I would sign it and respect Coach's desire to protect its sales. And I bet that a lot of resellers would think twice about signing it, esp. if the sales contract required an arbitration agreement.

So Coach, if you are reading this, that's my advice, for which my employer would normally charge $500 an hour. Instead of casting a wide net and catching both "good" buyers and "bad" buyers, protect yourself and give yourself the legal right to sue people (in your choice of forum) who breach your sales contract and resell. Put in the clause that if those people who resell and breach your sales contract lose the srbitration, they pay your legal fees. You won't be able to go after sales up through now, but you'll significantly cut them down in the future.

Of course, your outlet sales will also plummet. So pick your poison.
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Nice post!:tup:
 
#57
A few months ago I bought a bag and then returned it almost immediately (as in, I was still in the mall). I LOVED the bag but bought it FP and started having a mini panic attack about spending that much money on one bag. I have no problem with the prices or anything, but couldn't justify as a grad student. Its the only time I've done it but I feel like that is "letter worthy." OR at least more so than what you ladies have done.
 
#58
Earlier this month, I stopped by my local Coach outlet and immediately upon entering the store, I was informed by an SA that the leather gloves were marked down/clearance priced at $19.99, with an add'l 50% off. I purchased 12 pairs of leather gloves, 3 pair of mens and 9 pair of womens all of which were Valentine gifts for my BF, mom, dad, and myself. Since the gloves were only $9.99/pair, I ended up picking out a few styles in various colors.

While ringing up my purchases, the SA informed me that I couldn't purchase one add'l pair of the women's gloves because I'd already purchased three pairs of the same style. I forced the issue with the SA and told her that the add'l pair of gloves were for my mom as a Valentines gift and asked if she could get approval for the purchase from one of the store managers for me. Needless to say, the manager approved the add'l glove purchase without hesitation. My mom had a similar experience last month when wanting to purchase some of the clearance priced ($9.99) pony tail scarves. Luckily, I was with her and just told the SA to set the add'l two pony tail scarves aside as I would be purchasing those for my mom. Again, the scarves were for our personal use as my loves these scarves; at least a dozen, if not more, in her current collection and 1/2 dozen or so in mine.
 
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