Need Advice from the Moms on TPF!

[katev]

I recently purchased the MFF Coach crossgrain leather Baby Bag F57786 from the Factory Online Sale for $150 as a shower gift for a young relative. But I had concerns about the lack of a gift receipt and the ridiculous Coach 30 day return policy that might make this a poor gift - and I don't have any experience with baby bags or crossgrain leather, either. But I got some great advice from my fellow TPFers, including the comments from Tygriss below suggesting that the crossgrain may not be the best material and that the configuration of this bag may not be most convenient.

I've found the Vera Bradley bag at the link below for almost the same price ($158) and there is a video demo of the bag and it appears versatile and convenient. And it has the adjustable strap that Tygriss mentioned for hanging it on the stroller handles. Plus VB has a wide selection of baby bags and backpacks so that the Mother-to-Be could more easily exchange it for something else, if desired; and Vera Bradley has a 60 day refund policy.

I know that VB is not a designer bag but I want to get something useful for the new Mother, I am thinking of taking back the Coach Baby Bag and getting the VB bag, what are your opinions?

Super late reply, but I wanted to add that I bought myself a Coach diaper bag (wasn't in advance) and it's the animal print satin from the 2011-2012-ish time frame. It's been heavily used for the past two years. Currently toting the goods for two under two. It's held up incredibly well. No worn spots or tears. I remember a post previously on another thread (the one about the PacMan totes?) that mentioned crossgrain items show wear and tear relatively easy. So, maybe crossgrain isn't the way to go for a baby bag. I'd also look for one with a thick shoulder strap, as those are easily shortened to hang over stroller handles and is a huge plus.

https://www.verabradley.com/us/product/Stroll-Around-Baby-Bag/Vera-Vera-Classic-Black/14883-14883081?Ntt=VB-PDP-SEARCH--PDP-VB

 

[houseof999]

VB is so a designer bag! Just not a super high end one. I'd recommend VB for the benefits and the versatility mentioned above.

 

[Tygriss]

The Vera Bradley one looks perfect! The pockets on the ends are big enough to actually hold water bottles, which is huge. The pockets in the insides look like their a decent size as well. I really like the stroller straps and the shoulder straps. The receiver should be able to find this one very useful! Good choice!

 

[Suzanne B.]

If it were for me, I would have preferred the VB. When it comes to baby items, I think cloth over leather because it's easier to clean and less prone to permanent staining.......

 

[katev]

VB is so a designer bag! Just not a super high end one. I'd recommend VB for the benefits and the versatility mentioned above.

You're right! I have never been a fan of all the colorful, paisley patterns but I recognize that VB items are well-made and attractive. I have been using VB lunch totes for years because they are the best lunch bags that I've found and I also have a few VB accessories that I like a lot!

I also have 2 relatives that really like VB so I have bought several items for them as gifts, and they were great and much appreciated.

 

[katev]

VB is so a designer bag! Just not a super high end one. I'd recommend VB for the benefits and the versatility mentioned above.

The Vera Bradley one looks perfect! The pockets on the ends are big enough to actually hold water bottles, which is huge. The pockets in the insides look like their a decent size as well. I really like the stroller straps and the shoulder straps. The receiver should be able to find this one very useful! Good choice!

If it were for me, I would have preferred the VB. When it comes to baby items, I think cloth over leather because it's easier to clean and less prone to permanent staining.......

Thanks so much! I was uneasy about the Coach Baby Bag as a gift , but thanks to your advice I am now comfortable with buying the Vera Bradley Baby Bag - and I got an even better deal!

I had received a 25% off Gift Certificate from VB during my birthday month (March) that I never used - so I called the local VB retail store and asked if they would still honor it. The SA was lovely, she took my order over the phone and gave me the birthday discount - so the price was only $118! That's $32 cheaper than the Coach bag on the FOS, so now I can buy a little something to put inside the baby bag!

She also said that they have the bags in stock at the store, so she will pick out the nicest one and pack it up in a gift box with the gift receipt (keeping my receipt separate) and then ship it all to me for free. I should get it in plenty of time for the shower in 2 weeks, even though this is a long, holiday weekend!

I'm doing the Happy Dance right now!

 

[katev]

VB is so a designer bag! Just not a super high end one. I'd recommend VB for the benefits and the versatility mentioned above.

You know, I'm rethinking my rather arrogant statement that "Vera Bradley is not a designer bag!" because the Coach Baby Bag I originally purchased is MFF, so it is probably less of a designer bag than the retail Vera Bradley that I've ordered - even though it has the Coach name!

 

[katev]

The Vera Bradley retail baby bag came and it looks great and is in perfect condition. It's in a nice gift box with the gift receipt in a envelope and tucked into the pocket, and my receipt in an envelope outside the box, and it was all so easy to order over the phone and so nice of the SA to honor my expired birthday discount. I'll be heading back to the Coach outlet soon to return the crossgrain bag!

Thanks TPF Moms, you gave great advice!

 

[scoutmhen]

The Vera Bradley retail baby bag came and it looks great and is in perfect condition. It's in a nice gift box with the gift receipt in a envelope and tucked into the pocket, and my receipt in an envelope outside the box, and it was all so easy to order over the phone and so nice of the SA to honor my expired birthday discount. I'll be heading back to the Coach outlet soon to return the crossgrain bag!

Thanks TPF Moms, you gave great advice!

I think you made the right choice. My baby bag was a Vera Bradley. It got lots of use and still looks great even almost 8 years later! I obviously do not use it as a baby bag any longer but it makes a great travel bag too. I hope the mother-to-be loves it!

 

[K.E.W.]

I recently purchased the MFF Coach crossgrain leather Baby Bag F57786 from the Factory Online Sale for $150 as a shower gift for a young relative. But I had concerns about the lack of a gift receipt and the ridiculous Coach 30 day return policy that might make this a poor gift - and I don't have any experience with baby bags or crossgrain leather, either. But I got some great advice from my fellow TPFers, including the comments from Tygriss below suggesting that the crossgrain may not be the best material and that the configuration of this bag may not be most convenient.

I've found the Vera Bradley bag at the link below for almost the same price ($158) and there is a video demo of the bag and it appears versatile and convenient. And it has the adjustable strap that Tygriss mentioned for hanging it on the stroller handles. Plus VB has a wide selection of baby bags and backpacks so that the Mother-to-Be could more easily exchange it for something else, if desired; and Vera Bradley has a 60 day refund policy.

I know that VB is not a designer bag but I want to get something useful for the new Mother, I am thinking of taking back the Coach Baby Bag and getting the VB bag, what are your opinions?



https://www.verabradley.com/us/product/Stroll-Around-Baby-Bag/Vera-Vera-Classic-Black/14883-14883081?Ntt=VB-PDP-SEARCH--PDP-VB

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I'm not a mother (except for furballs), but have seen lots of baby bags over the years. I am very impressed with this VB bag, because the demo video points out all of its features, and I personally feel it's very stylish.

VB may not be an upscale designer, but her products are well-made. On a fashion level, she has expanded from that generic, dull, all-floral look that I used to make fun of, to what I consider to be hip and even fashion forward, with bold geometrics and even photo-print designs. I was drooling recently in a Macy's, over all the new VB merchandise. Since it's all affordable, I'll be getting at least a cosmetic bag in the near future.

Sorry, enough about me . I vote for the VB bag because there's no demo for the Coach bag, so its versatility as a baby bag has not been demonstrated, and the 60 day return policy is way more practical for the mother-to-be. Who knows what other similar gifts she may receive and she may need time to decide what she's keeping or not. And like you said, if she should want to exchange the bag, VB has more variety for an alternative. Even this bag comes in four colors. Just my 2 cents.


EDIT -- SO SORRY, I sent this BEFORE reading all replies!! Yay, you did well!!

 

[K.E.W.]

Thanks so much! I was uneasy about the Coach Baby Bag as a gift , but thanks to your advice I am now comfortable with buying the Vera Bradley Baby Bag - and I got an even better deal!

I had received a 25% off Gift Certificate from VB during my birthday month (March) that I never used - so I called the local VB retail store and asked if they would still honor it. The SA was lovely, she took my order over the phone and gave me the birthday discount - so the price was only $118! That's $32 cheaper than the Coach bag on the FOS, so now I can buy a little something to put inside the baby bag!

She also said that they have the bags in stock at the store, so she will pick out the nicest one and pack it up in a gift box with the gift receipt (keeping my receipt separate) and then ship it all to me for free. I should get it in plenty of time for the shower in 2 weeks, even though this is a long, holiday weekend!

I'm doing the Happy Dance right now!

Katev, I am so sorry that I hadn't read all these replies BEFORE I sent my opinion!! Next time I'll check the previous posts first, duh!

Anyway, I'm glad it all worked out, yay!!!

 

[K.E.W.]

You know, I'm rethinking my rather arrogant statement that "Vera Bradley is not a designer bag!" because the Coach Baby Bag I originally purchased is MFF, so it is probably less of a designer bag than the retail Vera Bradley that I've ordered - even though it has the Coach name!

Haha, honestly, I secretly thought that same thing when i saw that the Coach isn't even FP Boutique (meaning that it's not AS upscale). Of course, I bit my tongue because it would be rude for ME to point that out to you, lol. But you figured it out!