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PF: I haven't bought a Dooney from QVC recently. But, in general, I think the quality of Dooney
bags is the same, regardless of where you buy them. The only exceptions might be stores that might buy bags that were designated irregular or customer return.
With any online purchase, you
run the risk of getting someone else's return. That doesn't mean it's defective, but since you can't
examine it until it arrives, it's always a risk. And some handbag collectors want fresh from
factory only bags. QVC seems to resell returns, and they are not all marked As Is or sold in
their outlets. According to customers, they have gotten bags that they believe are return
because of the way they are packaged and the lack of certain wrapping.
That said, for any given style of handbag, large customers, like QVC or Dillards, for example, often negotiate with Dooney (or any manufacturer) to meet certain price points or add/delete certain features. This can mean using a different leather or making the bag a little smaller or adding an outside pocket or making the strap 3 part instead of 2 part. So the changes can be improvements or not. The bag can go from a pebbled leather to an embossed exotic like lizard
or croco or ostrich as an exclusive for that store. Or a Florentine bag can be remade in a
pebbled leather version.
In the case of Florentine leather.... the newer crop appears to be thinner and have more wrinkling and pebblng.... at least according to some reviews. I don't know if that is unique to the QVC offerings, or just the variability of Florentine leather. The pebbling in Florentine is a natural part of the leather, not an embossing, like in generic pebbled leather collections. But.... is that natural pebbling something that makes that particular piece of leather less valuable than a piece that was
naturally smooth?
Many customers have complained about the heavy weight
of Florentine handbags, and a few years ago Dooney said they were making them lighter.
The quality of leather is measured by many things, and it's very complicated. The more I learn,
the less I realize I know. And of course, personal preference is a factor. Is a thinner, lighter piece of Florentine leather better or is a thicker, heavier piece better?
Many people prefer a
light weight, soft, glove leather like handbag..... they don't realize that those leathers may be
thinner and more processed than the heavier saddle leathers (full grain) that are characteristic
of Florentine leather.
I know this was a long and complicated answer, sorry. But I think about these things.
Does it all come down to our preferences? Is there some objective standard? Is it a question
of balancing the price we pay with what we get? Whether you are talking about diamonds
or handbags, there are some objective standards. If we had mega $$$$$$ to spend, we would
probably all want 'the best', what ever that was. But, we have to add not only our
definition of value and what we can afford, but also our personal taste and needs.
Don't get me started on diamonds.... we will be here for hours. It's one of my favorite subjects,
but the 'answer' alludes me there too.
bags is the same, regardless of where you buy them. The only exceptions might be stores that might buy bags that were designated irregular or customer return.
With any online purchase, yourun the risk of getting someone else's return. That doesn't mean it's defective, but since you can't
examine it until it arrives, it's always a risk. And some handbag collectors want fresh from
factory only bags. QVC seems to resell returns, and they are not all marked As Is or sold in
their outlets. According to customers, they have gotten bags that they believe are return
because of the way they are packaged and the lack of certain wrapping.
That said, for any given style of handbag, large customers, like QVC or Dillards, for example, often negotiate with Dooney (or any manufacturer) to meet certain price points or add/delete certain features. This can mean using a different leather or making the bag a little smaller or adding an outside pocket or making the strap 3 part instead of 2 part. So the changes can be improvements or not. The bag can go from a pebbled leather to an embossed exotic like lizard
or croco or ostrich as an exclusive for that store. Or a Florentine bag can be remade in a
pebbled leather version.
In the case of Florentine leather.... the newer crop appears to be thinner and have more wrinkling and pebblng.... at least according to some reviews. I don't know if that is unique to the QVC offerings, or just the variability of Florentine leather. The pebbling in Florentine is a natural part of the leather, not an embossing, like in generic pebbled leather collections. But.... is that natural pebbling something that makes that particular piece of leather less valuable than a piece that was
naturally smooth?
Many customers have complained about the heavy weight
of Florentine handbags, and a few years ago Dooney said they were making them lighter.
The quality of leather is measured by many things, and it's very complicated. The more I learn,
the less I realize I know. And of course, personal preference is a factor. Is a thinner, lighter piece of Florentine leather better or is a thicker, heavier piece better?
Many people prefer a
light weight, soft, glove leather like handbag..... they don't realize that those leathers may be
thinner and more processed than the heavier saddle leathers (full grain) that are characteristic
of Florentine leather.
I know this was a long and complicated answer, sorry. But I think about these things.
Does it all come down to our preferences? Is there some objective standard? Is it a question
of balancing the price we pay with what we get? Whether you are talking about diamonds
or handbags, there are some objective standards. If we had mega $$$$$$ to spend, we would
probably all want 'the best', what ever that was. But, we have to add not only our
definition of value and what we can afford, but also our personal taste and needs.
Don't get me started on diamonds.... we will be here for hours. It's one of my favorite subjects,
but the 'answer' alludes me there too.
D
Deleted 730019
Diamonds...I love those too! Crystal clear or more chocolate diamonds? That is always a question for me. As for Dooney...I will always go with the older heavier florentine. Thus, I returned most of my new florentine bags and hunt for the older ones with whipstitching. The older styles have a quality that is unmatched. The smell, the stitching, the quality, and thickness of the leather can last a lifetime. The newer flos don't even compare...I don't think most people will notice unless you have an older model. I figured QVC may cut some corners to make a deal with Dooney. Their flo domed buckle satchel is a smaller size than the one DB.com sells but the same price. I was shocked, their sales don't appear as good as ILD or DB.com either, but the option to pay over 5 months is alluring and their return policy is stellar.
It's easy to shop with QVC and to return. But over the years, returns have gotten more expensive
too. And with other online options, there are often better prices. But QVC still offers better
customer service and more flexible returns/exchanges, not to mention the option to pay over time which is important to many shoppers. As with any store, sometimes they
have a unique style or color you just have to have.
But I agree with you, I also prefer the older Florentine leather and the styling on the older
bags with whip stitching and belting and tassels. And you reminded me I always have
to recheck dimensions, because some of the newer bags are smaller than their originals....
not necessarily bad, but something to be aware of. Very often the width of the base isn't
mentioned during a presentation, and the base can make a big difference in a bags capacity.
One good thing about newer styles, the long strap is often 3 part (shoulder and cross body) while
the originals were either just shoulder or just cross body.
I have gotten a few Dooneys from QVC and been happy with all of them. I did not notice any difference in quality.
QVC is more expensive so I wait for a sale and free shipping. Makes it more manageable. Also and important , a few times I needed to ask QVC a question their chat customer service is almost always live where with dooney good luck getting someone on the phone. Emai? Could be a week before anyone responds.
I am not Dooney bashing , it sounds like I am LOL but like alot of other retailers they can be super annoying
QVC is more expensive so I wait for a sale and free shipping. Makes it more manageable. Also and important , a few times I needed to ask QVC a question their chat customer service is almost always live where with dooney good luck getting someone on the phone. Emai? Could be a week before anyone responds.
I am not Dooney bashing , it sounds like I am LOL but like alot of other retailers they can be super annoying
D
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I understand. Things have changed alot particularly with the pandemic. USPS services and delivery times have really changed....customer service across the board has changed. I am now more mindful about where I shop. So far qvc has been okay with returns. I wish thier Dooneys products were cheaper tho!
I did not, nor will I, purchase Florentine bags from QVC that have the flat handles that are sewn onto the bag. These bags have received poor reviews and I am not surprised. If they are cutting corners on the finer details that we love and have come to expect from a D&B handbag such as hardware and rolled handles and tassels and whip stitching or handles that fold down and leather trimmed pockets then what else has been diminished? Is the leather thinner or a lower grade? I do not know because I will not pay $300 to $400 for a Florentine bag that does not have thenhigh quality details I expect. QVC does sell the nicer Florentine bags, such as the domed satchel and Buckley and many of the older styles that they are bringing back. These are fine and I have seen them marked down at times. Remember that if you buy at full price and the bag goes on sale within 30 days, you can call CS for a price adjustment. I have done this many times and saved a lot of money.
As always, each bag is unique due to the leather. Sometimes you get a great one and sometimes not. Luckily you can exchange for free. If you return as “defective” it is also free.
As always, each bag is unique due to the leather. Sometimes you get a great one and sometimes not. Luckily you can exchange for free. If you return as “defective” it is also free.
LID: I prefer rolled handles also. Based on other customers comments, I thought I was the only one who didn't like flat strappy handles.
I hand carry bags, so rolled handles are more comfortable.(And I don't like the ones that Patricia Nash does with ropes inside).
I also prefer handles that are attached so that they
can fold down, as opposed to those that stand up at all times, until they soften and just flop.
But apparently handles/straps that are sewn on and stand up are part of handbag design,
so over time, the fashion shifts and lots of handbag manufacturers do this kind of handle.
Then the style swings back and they add hardware and handles/straps fold down again for a few years
and everyone comments on the fresh new design look..... again.
Of course, no one mentions that sewn on handles without hardware are probably less expensive for
manufacturers. Lots of 'design' elements translate to cost and changing the design can save a
manufacturer lots of money when it's calculated over thousands of handbags.