Quality getting worse.. Probably no more chanel :(

[honeybunch]

I looked at so many different classic flaps in black caviar before I settled on mine. I would not even have known how picky I had to be until a nice quality one and bad quality one were side by side in the store at the same time. The silver hardware one was so gorgeous! It looked nice and cushiony with a slight shine without it looking plasticy. It put a smile on my face. But I was looking for one with gold hardware at the time, and the gold one was so deflated and matte. I also wanted one made in France so I waited longer. I finally got a call from my SA that they got a France one in and I excitedly went to go look at it. It was horrible!! It was tilted forward just like you said. It would barely stand up. I held off and kept waiting. I eventually found a made in Italy one that worked for me. I realized it doesn’t matter if it’s Made in Italy or France or what series it is. You just have to go and look. Chanel’s quality control is horrible!!

I agree that it doesn’t matter if it’s made in France or Italy. I’ve been waiting weeks for the perfect flap as I returned the one with the crushed side. I was told it was a final return and I couldn’t exchange the new one. I was feeling quite stressed about it as my SA was bringing out several flaps and I wasn’t happy with any of them, and I was starting to feel embarrassed about it, as if I was being too picky. The seemingly perfectly constructed ones that she picked out for me had awful caviar, like sand paper, and two of them also had very wrinkled leather inside. I thought this one was truly perfect - nice sheen, slightly puffy, made in France. I did notice that it seemed to tilt forward when I set it down but I had never come across this issue before or thought to look for it, so I thought it was in my imagination. I was more concerned with checking the flap part was straight as I’ve seen a lot of crooked ones. It was only when I got home that I looked at the base of the bag and it’s not straight at all. When you turn the bag upside down and look at the base, one side is clearly higher than the other, so it causes it to lean forward when you put the bag down. Now that you’ve said you saw a bag like this, I know I’m not going mad. Even my husband who is not picky at all could see there was an issue and told me to return it. I kept looking at it after I‘d posted last night and It was driving me mad. The trouble is, I’m stuck with it due to the final exchange and I feel so upset because of how much money I’ve spent on it. I can’t believe it wasn’t far off 5K! I just hope people don’t think it’s a fake bag because it’s so poorly constructed. I wonder if with use the issue will improve? I’m just devastated!

 

[Ally ambrosio]

I would disagree here. I think it's up to Chanel to ensure their leathers are top quality. I was in the H boutique a few weeks ago, and she said Chanel is notorious for picking up other discarded lots of leather that were subpar to the more high end houses like Hermes. They are well known for making things as cheap as possible while still churning out bags in the tens of millions per year, all the while raising prices. Where does it not fall on them to ensure their factories obtain the best leathers available? Why do other much less expensive houses procure much finer leathers (much thicker, more supple and more beautiful) and charge half the price? Go check out a Givenchy mystic PLEASE. Just play with it a minute, the leather is STUNNING. It's not that finer leathers are no longer available, it's that Chanel thinks slapping a CC on a second rate leather will still be a cute trick to the masses who only want to be seen for wearing a CC. Oh the power of the logo.

Now I still buy plenty of Chanel, but more RTW these days where the quality hasn't suffered as much (including their leathers tsk tsk). Def more Hermes gal for the bags, but I stick to Chanel for the "fun factor".

Also their dye & tanning processes have really suffered. Their leathers are no longer dyed through, and as someone else pointed out, the thinner leathers make that already flawed process even more cost efficient.

One of my top SA for Chanel kind of right sized my thought process about Chanel leather goods. She said that Chanel was always a clothing house, and bags were just meant to show the clothes complete with accessories. Chanel has never touted itself as a leather goods specialist, nor should we ever expect that level of quality from them in that respect. First and foremost, they are haute couture and RTW, and leather and "jewelry" were just add-ons that were never meant to represent the brand the way they do now. (This is also why Chanel doesn't care too much for non-RTW customers).

Hey Chanel, if you're out there - charge me MORE! I don't care. But use the finest materials you can find, with impeccable craftsmanship. I will come back 100% b/c to me it's more about quality than price....

Thank you for sharing your point of view it’s always nice to have different opinions and share them so we can have a better prospective on things.
Not an H fan.I will never spend such money for just a bag. And the system
To acquire said bags? No thanks, I don’t wanna play their game even though it will be easier for me here in EU. I prefer put those said money for a house. Not my style either. Very basic and unpractical.
Don’t be offended please.
I will still stick with Chanel because it’s my “dream” fashion house. People have their dream bag, I don’t. I just love Chanel.

 

[Ally ambrosio]

Of course Chanel is a clothing brand. But let’s be honest: When the leather goods segment of Chanel’s business is doing so well that it is basically representing the house and brand just as well as tweed jackets, Chanel, as a company, has the responsibility to pay close attention to the details on their handbags. Saying or implying “handbags are not our focus when Coco founded Chanel 100 years ago, so we are just following this tradition.” is such BS. It’s not “They can’t”. It’s “They don’t want to”.

But why didn’t they? Well because they know they can milk the heck out of it lolol. As customers, why do we have to find all kinds of excuses for this billion dollar company?

Spot on!!!

 

[TraceySH]

Thank you for sharing your point of view it’s always nice to have different opinions and share them so we can have a better prospective on things.
Not an H fan.I will never spend such money for just a bag. And the system
To acquire said bags? No thanks, I don’t wanna play their game even though it will be easier for me here in EU. I prefer put those said money for a house. Not my style either. Very basic and unpractical.
Don’t be offended please.
I will still stick with Chanel because it’s my “dream” fashion house. People have their dream bag, I don’t. I just love Chanel.

I am not offended at all! And I still buy Chanel - I think 8 bags just this month! So I am not giving up on them, but I am more into exotics now too, so I have delved more into H and Delvaux to scratch that itch. Also the RTW for Chanel is still amazing for the most part (except for things that have CHANEL written all over them). Chanel prices are inching into H territory (this is their plan - to get classics up into the b/k/c range) and there are plenty of H bags that are less than a Chanel jumbo or 2.55 226 (both my favorite Chanel bags). I am not knocking it too hard again as I've easily purchased well into triple digits just over the last few years, but I too hate that I am conflicted with my loyalty over their subpar quality, etc. It's not a big secret though, all the SA know the quality of the leathers has declined as the bags are more and more mass produced. Hey my husband's not perfect either, but I love him to the moon and back

 

[Ally ambrosio]

I am not offended at all! And I still buy Chanel - I think 8 bags just this month! So I am not giving up on them, but I am more into exotics now too, so I have delved more into H and Delvaux to scratch that itch. Also the RTW for Chanel is still amazing for the most part (except for things that have CHANEL written all over them). Chanel prices are inching into H territory (this is their plan - to get classics up into the b/k/c range) and there are plenty of H bags that are less than a Chanel jumbo or 2.55 226 (both my favorite Chanel bags). I am not knocking it too hard again as I've easily purchased well into triple digits just over the last few years, but I too hate that I am conflicted with my loyalty over their subpar quality, etc. It's not a big secret though, all the SA know the quality of the leathers has declined as the bags are more and more mass produced. Hey my husband's not perfect either, but I love him to the moon and back

True we love what we love and sometimes close one or two eyes even though we are fully aware that it’s not perfect for our standards including hubby and partners
I heard that Chanel wants to compete with Hermès prices. To me it’s just ridiculous, they are two completely different brands and they shouldn’t play this game. At least I won’t buy anymore Chanel bags if and when the day they will equal to Hermès prices. No way.
Just putting out here... my father works in the fashion industry, he(his company/his boss) makes the embroidery/lace and so on for very BIG brands.
Now this is what he told me.
“You like expensive clothes don’t you? Wanna know a secret?
Valentino/Dior?” Just to name a few that his company works for.
“They pay for the cheapest material to make their canvas. Which means a 10K dress is made with the cheapest cotton and fabric because they ask for the lowest price.” This! This is insane!!!

 

[mzbaglady1]

True we love what we love and sometimes close one or two eyes even though we are fully aware that it’s not perfect for our standards including hubby and partners
I heard that Chanel wants to compete with Hermès prices. To me it’s just ridiculous, they are two completely different brands and they shouldn’t play this game. At least I won’t buy anymore Chanel bags if and when the day they will equal to Hermès prices. No way.
Just putting out here... my father works in the fashion industry, he(his company/his boss) makes the embroidery/lace and so on for very BIG brands.
Now this is what he told me.
“You like expensive clothes don’t you? Wanna know a secret?
Valentino/Dior?” Just to name a few that his company works for.
“They pay for the cheapest material to make their canvas. Which means a 10K dress is made with the cheapest cotton and fabric because they ask for the lowest price.” This! This is insane!!!

Your bottom response is why I would never pay full retail price for certain items that will eventually go on sale.

 

[SPBiaes]

Went to Bergdorf recently and the sweet SA's showed me so many CF's - none of them was in good shape. Then she showed me some 2.55 - same case. The flap was uneven, the base was crooked, bags did not sit up straight. It was truly shameful. Went to 57th and got some RTW instead.

 

[thebagqueen]

I have to chime in. I ordered a Moncler vest from NM earlier this year and it arrived with dog food in one pocket and headphones in the other. Completely disgraceful. The SA when I did the return looked horrified as well.
NM prides themselves on being a luxury department store, but this is just one of a few experiences I’ve had there that has left me really scratching my head.

That is just gross. Repugnant. Makes me wonder what the heck else was in that vest and how long it was worn before it was returned.

 

[English1221]

The chain of my new reissue camera case broke after using it for one day. The store had another one so I exchanged. If this breaks too I am going to ask for a refund.

 

[mk1919]

I recently purchased a CoCo handle. There are a bump and dents on the leather. The close up shows the granules of the Cavior leather were totally different from the normal sites. Is this leather defect? Thanks for your input. This definitely ruins the mood of owning a new Chanel bag.

 

[Mousy]

I recently purchased a CoCo handle. There are a bump and dents on the leather. The close up shows the granules of the Cavior leather were totally different from the normal sites. Is this leather defect? Thanks for your input. This definitely ruins the mood of owning a new Chanel bag.

I adore a chevron bag!
Those aren’t dents, those are small ripples from stitching the leather at too much of an angle in one area. In my attempts to sew, I became familiar with this subtle gathering of material because it wasn’t perfectly flat when I sewed it.
I’m sorry your bag has leather issues. It looks like it’s under the flap and resembles finger pressure points on the fluffy quilting. Thank goodness, it looks like it’s not that noticeable unless pointed out.

 

[Seren_HGH]

I am not offended at all! And I still buy Chanel - I think 8 bags just this month! So I am not giving up on them, but I am more into exotics now too, so I have delved more into H and Delvaux to scratch that itch. Also the RTW for Chanel is still amazing for the most part (except for things that have CHANEL written all over them). Chanel prices are inching into H territory (this is their plan - to get classics up into the b/k/c range) and there are plenty of H bags that are less than a Chanel jumbo or 2.55 226 (both my favorite Chanel bags). I am not knocking it too hard again as I've easily purchased well into triple digits just over the last few years, but I too hate that I am conflicted with my loyalty over their subpar quality, etc. It's not a big secret though, all the SA know the quality of the leathers has declined as the bags are more and more mass produced. Hey my husband's not perfect either, but I love him to the moon and back

I understand your points. As someone who purchased many designer bags in my twenties and took a break to carry a diaper bag for a good ten years I was shocked at the price increase across the bag world specifically Chanel. Do I think those price increases mean better leather, workmanship etc. Nope my bags from 2005-2010 definitely seem to be constructed better. I also agree with you in that there are different brands with lower price points who’s bags are constructed better with better materials - Fendi and Dior immediately comes to mind. However I will happily buy Chanel because I love the bags, and understand I’m not paying exclusively for quality but mostly for branding and design.

 

[JoeyLouis]

Just noticed that my new 20C white/blue espadrilles, the straw part is uneven on the right shoe. It looks like it has a cleft. Then I asked a friend and hers was uneven too. Does this make it the norm? I sure hope not!!

Bottom photo are my black espadrilles that rightfully passed QC and are even.

 

[mk1919]

I adore a chevron bag!
Those aren’t dents, those are small ripples from stitching the leather at too much of an angle in one area. In my attempts to sew, I became familiar with this subtle gathering of material because it wasn’t perfectly flat when I sewed it.
I’m sorry your bag has leather issues. It looks like it’s under the flap and resembles finger pressure points on the fluffy quilting. Thank goodness, it looks like it’s not that noticeable unless pointed out.

 

[mk1919]

I recently purchased a CoCo handle. There are a bump and dents on the leather. The close up shows the granules of the Cavior leather were totally different from the normal sites. Is this leather defect? Thanks for your input. This definitely ruins the mood of owning a new Chanel bag.

Thank you for your input. Chanel agreed to have it exchanged. However, CoCo handle is very hard to come by. will see about it. I couldn't believe I didn't see the flaw when I inspected the bag.
Chanel should have better quality control. We should be able to enjoy the bag as opposed to be like a Chanel police to inspect all crannies and nooks.