Quality getting worse.. Probably no more chanel :(
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I went into the Chanel boutique in Vancouver the other day with a vintage ('94) jumbo single flap, black lambskin with GHW, still in beautiful condition. The otherwise-aloof SA commented that she liked my bag, and when I innocently said that my last few non-SLG Chanel purchases have been vintage, she gave me a knowing look and said, "You're very lucky to have those bags, THOSE are of very good quality." I asked, "Better quality than now?" And she gave a diplomatic smile and repeated, "Those bags are of very good quality." 
All of the posts and photos on this thread are so heartbreaking. I so love Chanel but like all of you I’ve also noticed and experienced the quality just getting worse over the years.
With their price increase and snooty policy of not being able to repair bags within X time of purchase (which must be accompanied by a receipt, at least back in the US that’s what my SA told me) it’s just terrible customer service and experience.
Why should we pay more and have to deal with more problems from their lack of QA? Who even carries around and keeps all their receipts??
I’m sorry that all of you has had bad experiences with Chanel too. I’m taking a break from them and appreciating some of my older pieces and babying the heck out of them because I know Chanel doesn’t want to repair them. I’ll have to look for a reputable 3rd party leathersmith for repairs. Best of luck to everyone trying to repair their damaged goods!!
With their price increase and snooty policy of not being able to repair bags within X time of purchase (which must be accompanied by a receipt, at least back in the US that’s what my SA told me) it’s just terrible customer service and experience.
Why should we pay more and have to deal with more problems from their lack of QA? Who even carries around and keeps all their receipts??
I’m sorry that all of you has had bad experiences with Chanel too. I’m taking a break from them and appreciating some of my older pieces and babying the heck out of them because I know Chanel doesn’t want to repair them. I’ll have to look for a reputable 3rd party leathersmith for repairs. Best of luck to everyone trying to repair their damaged goods!!
I just got my square mini in caviar from 18S and it's BEAUTIFUL, no quality issues that I can identify immediately. The only thing that is "off" about it is that the chain is kinda twisted up and some of the links face the wrong way, but I just had to adjust it before wearing it.
Pre-loved square minis are also really hard to come by (may not be any easier than finding brand new), esp if you are looking for caviar. If you find one, it'll likely be priced at more than retail (retail is $3100 and I've seen them priced at around $3500-4000 before, might fluctuate depending on the condition). Lambskin seems to have better pre-loved resale value, and they are also easier to find (IMO). I did a bunch of research before I bought mine at retail, and decided retail was the way to go for this highly sought after style. Quality varies from season to season, for example the caviar leather from 18C was kinda meh, whereas 18S is beautiful. Also there were chain issues from one of the seasons last year (I think it was 17A, can't remember). Basically do your research and read people's thoughts on Purseforum about each season's leather and quality. Knowledge is power!
Hello! Just curious why you mentioned the caviar leather from 18C is meh... 18C has matte (which I have) and iridecsent while 18S is sort of in between... isn’t it just all different finishing/ leathers?
Hi! I felt like the leather from 18C looked too "plasticky" for my own preferences, the grains were really small, and I saw one person compare the red mini to a basketball. The caviar grains on 18S are more similar to the caviar on classic bags, and the leather itself is also softer and plushier compared to the classic bag caviar.
I see... I bought it before I got onto this website and seems like everyone is very careful about the type of leather they select on here!! So it just made me feel very insecure about my purchase because I never knew there was a difference not that the SA mentioned anyway... I just knew it was black and in the size I wanted. I suppose the only thing going for it is that I like the edge stitching and it may be as hard wearing as a basketball
Is it possible to take a picture of how the grains on yours look like? I am very curious to learn. I took my name off the waitlist for the mini square in black for this season wonder if I should ask to put it back on!! Not sure about how I can deal with both blacks but technically I assume they would look quite different
Honestly, black minis in caviar are so hard to come by that you are lucky to have one in general! I don't think you should feel insecure about yours. I think that's the danger about reading this site is that too much knowledge can also be dangerous. I was reading about how some people bought that coveted rose gold mini from last summer but then returned it because of some small quality flaw and everyone was like "no for that price it should be perfect!!" and now I read that those exact people have so much regret over returning it because that bag is worth a fortune now and everyone is looking for it (I myself passed on one which I have some regret over but I'm happy with my black because it is more wearable).I see... I bought it before I got onto this website and seems like everyone is very careful about the type of leather they select on here!! So it just made me feel very insecure about my purchase because I never knew there was a difference not that the SA mentioned anyway... I just knew it was black and in the size I wanted. I suppose the only thing going for it is that I like the edge stitching and it may be as hard wearing as a basketball
Here's a close-up shot of my caviar. I was inspecting mine more closely today and I feel like because the caviar is so supple and the grains seem pretty shallow and not too deeply stamped into the leather, that it may cause some of the grains to rub off around the edges. There are pros and cons to every leather, it's just a bag so it's not one is going to be 100% perfect.
Thank you for the reassurance
No I doubt they ever can be 100% perfect sadly for the price they really should be “perfect” to us in our heads...I know someone who has the rose gold but think that it is way too girly 
I think a lot of people buying Chanel these days are thinking of the resale value which really shouldn’t be a factor in our buying decisions. Congratulations on your mini it is gorgeous wear it in good health 
I am holding out for a beige mini square with ghw because it looks so elegant but black is really so much more carefree in terms of stains etc
Well said! I totally agree with every word. If The bag makes your heart sing go for it! I just bought a grey boy and the cc on the clasp doesn’t align with the point of the center quilt but it’s only off by 1/2 a stitch. If you aren’t staring at it you won’t see it. I had seen pictures of it from other stores that had it in stock and all bags of this size and color were slightly off center in the exact same way. I figured it must’ve been a super slight calibration issue during manufacturing. I know it’s a lot of money for these bags but it does make each season unique.
Agree with you too. Definitely should not buy a bag for resale - that is setting yourself up for disappointment. I also think because we pay sooo much for the bag we inspect it for any and every small flaw. I think about other bags I have that are non-Chanel and I do not check them with the same intensity for quality. Lol! Anyways very jelly you were able to get a black square mini! Hope you enjoy it for many years!Thank you for the reassurance
I am holding out for a beige mini square with ghw because it looks so elegant but black is really so much more carefree in terms of stains etc
I believe it is different finishing and treatment of the leather too... and individual preferences. I think even quality can be subjective - for example lambskin vs caviar vs calfskin? Each batch of caviar leather will be different and unique. What is meh to others may be beautiful in your eyes! My friend loves chanel bags in patent leather but I never do. Lol!
Got a mini square in lambskin pale pink in Paris early March... chain broke off the first time I used (in like 2 hours).... heartbroken and hubby drove me to boutique right away...... SA took my bag and said it would take 2 - 3 months to repair... I must have my jaw dropped so badly... and SA said they would do it for free this time (should I be grateful?) ... he took my bag and came back with papers for me to sign and I noticed that he took pics of the bag (which was procedure I understand) but in one picture, the bag was opened with the flap fully flat on the table (or tray?) to have the picture of the back of the bag taken... (my heart sank so much as it's lambskin and there s already crease) but the SA just said there d be crease under normal use anyway... I am not sure if I was more mad or sad... I reminded him to take extra care as it's brand new and I don't want crease this soon especially when it's not done by me... (I never fully open the flap as I baby my bagsssss)
the bag came back in a week... slight crease on the back... but I can only live with it.. as in my country, they don't even have mini square from S/S Act II......
I had many issues with fashion jewellery before and I managed to stop myself from buying... but have been wanting a vintage pink mini square for the longest time, in vain...... so i just decided to get a new one to end the crave....
but this time.... I really need to type this out to remind myself.... NO MORE CHANEL..... seriously!!! for this price tag!!! My fd who asked me not to get anymore just said "why are you still so upset after spending all these money?" Yes!! the worries, the disappointment, the fear.... it's just not worth it.... if anyone saw my excitement in my previous post about getting this baby at the S/S Act II thread, you may be able to imagine how much i have done to get this....
Lined up with at least 3 SAs in different countries since Feb, been to numerous boutiques just to get a bit of info and was always told "no info yet"... and eventually flew to Paris just to get this bag.....
right enough rage..... I hope my classic flag from 2011 would last forever... as I am sure I wouldn't be able to get the same bag with the same quality....
the bag came back in a week... slight crease on the back... but I can only live with it.. as in my country, they don't even have mini square from S/S Act II......
I had many issues with fashion jewellery before and I managed to stop myself from buying... but have been wanting a vintage pink mini square for the longest time, in vain...... so i just decided to get a new one to end the crave....
but this time.... I really need to type this out to remind myself.... NO MORE CHANEL..... seriously!!! for this price tag!!! My fd who asked me not to get anymore just said "why are you still so upset after spending all these money?" Yes!! the worries, the disappointment, the fear.... it's just not worth it.... if anyone saw my excitement in my previous post about getting this baby at the S/S Act II thread, you may be able to imagine how much i have done to get this....
Lined up with at least 3 SAs in different countries since Feb, been to numerous boutiques just to get a bit of info and was always told "no info yet"... and eventually flew to Paris just to get this bag.....
right enough rage..... I hope my classic flag from 2011 would last forever... as I am sure I wouldn't be able to get the same bag with the same quality....
Oh you better believe I check everything I buy with a ferocious intensity
I pinpoint the tiny flaws that people then go “oh I see it too”. Not a good thing unfortunately! The square mini is what pinkrose got! I got the rect but looking to add a square sometime down the line for sure just not sure when I want to bite the bullet given the price increases always