QUALITY: Why are there so many posts about declining quality?

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A lot of those posts come from first-time posters and first-time purchasers who tend to be overly concerned about every little issue concerning their bag. I'm not saying that declining quality is not an issue, but when you read the posts, keep in mind the post(er). Is this a person who owns many bags and has realistic expectations from a luxury company, or this someone new to the brand and new to high-end purchasing who has the expectation that they will receive a perfect item. This is nothing to be worried over imho, because no matter what company you purchase from you will have a "warranty" on your product and the ability to take it back in if something is wrong. Part of the $$$ you are spending is for the back-end customer service you may need.

True. I'll probably be flamed for saying this; however, I think when you obsess over every little detail, and call things defects when they're not...then you really can't afford the bag to begin with. Just because there's that money in the bank, doesn't translate into its equal purchasing power. Has nothing to do with one's salary, but whether there's retirement funds saved, level of your expenses, etc. Of course some can buy these bags financially speaking, but just feel uncomfortable about the pricing-and that totally makes sense.
 
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True. I'll probably be flamed for saying this; however, I think when you obsess over every little detail, and call things defects when they're not...then you really can't afford the bag to begin with. Just because there's that money in the bank, doesn't translate into its equal purchasing power. Has nothing to do with one's salary, but whether there's retirement funds saved, level of your expenses, etc. Of course some can buy the bags with financial ease, but just feel uncomfortable about the pricing-and that totally makes sense.
Probably also true for some.

Me, I'm just "particular" a fussy buyer :amuse: If I pay for new, as new or excellent used condition that's what I expect. I don't care about little quirks, it will make my bag unique. My most recent new to me Bal City (the one in my avatar btw, oh, did I really mention it before?! :angel: :biggrin: ) has a quirk only visible to authenticators, but it's authentic and came with all Bal receipts and tags. But I don't accept faults and details, even small ones, or sloppy packing/shipping handling that could potentially become a problem later on. If you send a brand new from a store Proenza Schouler to me with an unclosed staple in the dust bag pointed at the bag :whut: and luckily there was only a super tiny mark that's disappeared now, I will demand a refund because you don't treat my bags or my money like that. Yes, it happened and I got a refund :smile:

I think the problem is if a flawed new bag or expensive pre-owned one also comes with less than stellar customer service and I think it's this combination that mostly upsets buyers? Just as some customers/buyers are c***p, so are some SA:s/sellers. It can be a harrowing experience for somebody who's finally worked up the courage to enter one of the luxury stores to buy their dream bag. Maybe saved for it for a long time. And is treated condescendingly or pressured in to buying an inferior quality bag. It happens. Or decides to trust a seller who's maybe a member here, and buys an expensive pre-owned bag that turns out to have been rather overrated in the listing description. It happens.

I mean, what ever your means and purchasing power, you have the right to common sense good customer service regardless. And a bag with the quality corresponding to the amount you are paying.

But yes, it's good to know your current economical possibilities/limits and if you can only afford one or two luxury bags, think it through, think it through, think it through before you buy! And I think leechiyong is right, many of these bags are luxury bags, and some are delicate and not supposed to be carried around daily like a workhorse bag unless you for whatever reason don't care about the wear.
 
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Probably also true for some.

I mean, what ever your means and purchasing power, you have the right to common sense good customer service regardless. And a bag with the quality corresponding to the amount you are paying.

Sure, but in my post, I was mostly referring to buyers who would get upset about where a double stitch is on the bag, or who'd use printing paper (?) and water to clean the leather, then blame the brand for bad quality. And before you start laughing, these kinds of cases exist, and you can see some on the forum as well. Pinholes on the leather from bad packing are legitimate grievances. I myself return items that come squashed in boxes too small for them; not cool when you're paying $$ for a deformed bag.
 
Sure, but in my post, I was mostly referring to buyers who would get upset about where a double stitch is on the bag, or who'd use printing paper (?) and water to clean the leather, then blame the brand for bad quality. And before you start laughing, these kinds of cases exist, and you can see some on the forum as well. Pinholes on the leather from bad packing are legitimate grievances. I myself return items that come squashed in boxes too small for them; not cool when you're paying $$ for a deformed bag.
Of course I'm not laughing at you writing this :flowers: though I might laugh at the examples, it's hard to understand the logic behind some things people get up to with their bags despite all the good advice given here on tPF :smile: We rarely see this on the Balenciaga forum though, where I mostly hang out, but I've seen these kinds of posts about Hermès and Chanel bags iirc. And maybe it's the fact that H and Chanel are often a lot more expensive than for ex a Bal which makes people more irrational when something goes wrong. Buyers remorse after buying or having mistreated an H or a Chanel is probably a lot harder to deal with for most than many other brands would be :yes:

ETA: Or maybe Bal girls just love their precious Bals too much to do too crazy things to them ;) And we have the most amazing experienced long time Bal owners and authenticators on our forum to guide us through the buying and treatment of our Bals :hbeat:
 
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Of course I'm not laughing at you writing this :flowers: though I might laugh at the examples, it's hard to understand the logic behind some things people get up to with their bags despite all the good advice given here on tPF :smile: We rarely see this on the Balenciaga forum though, where I mostly hang out, but I've seen these kinds of posts about Hermès and Chanel bags iirc.

The examples I've listed were from LV and Gucci; the quest to get the best is clearly understandable, but sometimes it's carried to such extremes that's almost a little funny. I guess you Bal girls are just a peaceful bunch!
 
Buyers remorse after buying or having mistreated an H or a Chanel is probably a lot harder to deal with for most than many other brands would be :yes:

ETA: Or maybe Bal girls just love their precious Bals too much to do too crazy things to them
I don't own balenciaga.(your new bag in pretty:love:)
But I somehow cope with being crazy & scratching stuff.:lol:
[URL="https://forum.purseblog.com/threads/slouchy-vs-structured-bags.979776/page-2#post-32034846"]Slouchy vs. Structured Bags[/URL]
 
I don't own balenciaga.(your new bag in pretty:love:)
But I somehow cope with being crazy & scratching stuff.:lol:
Slouchy vs. Structured Bags
Aah, thank you dear, I'm silly giddy about this Ultra Violet :love: Something about that purple just lifts my spirits.

I treat my bags like fine jewellery :blush: The way I cope with doing crazy scratchy stuff is wearing an old backpack or just stuffing things in my pockets, très élégant moi :yes: :lol:

Lucky woman, I forgot you have le Reissue, my dream Chanel :girlsigh: I'm thinking of getting a small Reissue wallet just to try the style before I put a bag on my wish list.
 
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See, I think it’s just the opposite. I think people who obsess about a stitch being crooked have too much time on their hands. I’ve suspected the attitude is attributed to the idleness of the rich.

True. I'll probably be flamed for saying this; however, I think when you obsess over every little detail, and call things defects when they're not...then you really can't afford the bag to begin with. Just because there's that money in the bank, doesn't translate into its equal purchasing power. Has nothing to do with one's salary, but whether there's retirement funds saved, level of your expenses, etc. Of course some can buy these bags financially speaking, but just feel uncomfortable about the pricing-and that totally makes sense.
 
See, I think it’s just the opposite. I think people who obsess about a stitch being crooked have too much time on their hands. I’ve suspected the attitude is attributed to the idleness of the rich.

Interesting. If they're rich, couldn't they just go out and buy another? If money is no object to them. Somehow I think think the obsession is largely from the aspirational customers.
 
See, I think it’s just the opposite. I think people who obsess about a stitch being crooked have too much time on their hands. I’ve suspected the attitude is attributed to the idleness of the rich.
The idleness of the rich? Isn't that a bit of an oxymoron? ;) At least the ones making the riches, those oftentimes just living off of it, maybe. I get the sense though that the majority of women and men who are members here, are very hardworking.

When I was a young teenager, I worked extra at a very posh store. My experience was that it was never the rich and famous, including "trophy wives", who were obnoxious or entitled. Nor were the non rich who came in and sometimes told us that they had been saving a long time to be able to buy an item. Only wanna bee rich and what I can only call social climbers keeping up appearances (i e their banks literally "owned" them) were. They could be extremely demanding, and thought nothing of treating a SA working hard to accommodate them, like c***p. This also leads me to thinking that quite a few SA:s are from the wannabe category :P
 
My theory is that the complaining just gives them something to do.

Perhaps some of the nouveau riche, especially the 2nd or 3rd generation members; those who worked for their $$'s probably not going to lack something to do. Many of the old $$ constituents are actively involved in outreach and philanthropist causes, so I can't see them as being idle either. Like @SomethingGoodCanWork said, it's likely only the wannabe population who'll be sitting on their bums all day.
 
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If you like their styles, Coach is putting out excellent quality bags again. I am not talking about the outlet; I mean the Coach stores like you would find in a regular mall. The leather and stitching are impeccable, and the customer service is great. I’ve been loyal to LV and Gucci for many years. The quality and customer service just aren’t there for the prices being asked.

I agree with this 100%. I've completely fallen for the Coach 1941 line. Given the material and craftsmanship, they're a bargain compared to other brands. I know some people scoff at the thought of paying $800-1000 for a Coach, but they're better quality than bags that cost twice as much. And for a bit more, you can choose your own colors and materials with their Made To Order program. Even their 'regular' non-1941 line has improved lately. They've really gotten their ish together when it seems like everyone else has fallen apart. (I'm still not a huge fan of their outlet stuff, I think it all looks and feels exactly how you'd think made-for-outlet items would)
 
Perhaps some of the nouveau riche, especially the 2nd or 3rd generation members; those who worked for their $$'s probably not going to lack something to do. Many of the old $$ constituents are actively involved in outreach and philanthropist causes, so I can't see them as being idle either. Like @SomethingGoodCanWork said, it's likely only the wannabe population who'll be sitting on their bums all day.


Are you in the UK, like somethinggoodcanwork? There might be some differences between the US and the UK in this regard. Just about everyone rich in the US is nouveau riche.
 
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