Saint Laurent - three questions

[Rstar]

Hi there,
I own 3 YSL pieces. Toy Lou Lou, Camera Bag, and Uptown Clutch. I hoping to invest in a bigger YSL piece. While doing research on what bigger piece I want to own, I ran into observations and hope you can help me with these 3 questions:

1. How come majority of Saint Laurent bags are flap bags? The only two I dont see is uptown tote, or e/w tote. There is not one satchel! Why is that?
2. Why is the resale market not so great for YSL bags? If I try to sell my Toy LouLou, I will be low balled for it at consignment shops or FF/RealReal. Why doesnt YSL hold their value on their bags? I love the leather, why is it shunned?
3. I read that Saint Laurent stores return and exchange is not so great either. Is this true? They don't refund their bags so youre stuck with it. So how do they handle factory problems after you take it home? and its not perfect.

 

[lill_canele]

1) While a lot of YSL bags are flap bag (or flap bag type of closures), they do have quite a variety of others:
- icare maxi
- Le 5 a 7 shoulder bag
- Le 5 a 7 soft hobo bag
- drawstring hobo bag
- nuit blanche chain bag
- suzanne hobo bag
- charlie shoulder bag (honestly more like a crossbody, still a flap closure, but shape is more different than other flap bags)
- monogramme bucket bag
- le monogramme cceur bag
- le mallion hook bucket bag
- emmanuelle bucket bag
- shopping tote in standard size and toy size, leather
- clear tote bag
- panier raffia bag
- rive gauche canvas tote
- rive gauche supple tote
- and a variety of clutches

Maybe their definition of satchel bags doesn't match yours:
- kaia small satchel
- solferino satchel
- le maillon satchel
- le carre satchel
- francoise satchel (probably more what you're thinking of)

Long story short, I think they've figured out that flap bags sell well. And I think that's what they've chosen to stick to as a business.


2) Resale market is governed by how others perceive the value, prestige, and exclusivity of the brand. YSL is just not on the same level as Chanel, Hermes, and Dior. (Though Dior resale value for bags is absolutely terrible, always an interesting oddity)

I love the leather too, I have 3 YSL bags and 2 YSL clutches. At least I don't feel that it's shunned.


3) I think that depends on the SA and the store management. While I have never returned a bag before, I have done repairs and exchanges with no issues. I only go to one store and so my history with that location is decent and have a good rapport with my SA and the managers.

​

 

[brnicutie]

Flap bags are what they're known for. YSL doesn't hold value because they go on sale at department stores and they have outlet stores. For any brand to hold value they can't discount their products. I have no idea about question number three. I've never had to return or exchange any of my bags. Their leathers have been holding up well for me.

 

[lill_canele]

Flap bags are what they're known for. YSL doesn't hold value because they go on sale at department stores and they have outlet stores. For any brand to hold value they can't discount their products. I have no idea about question number three. I've never had to return or exchange any of my bags. Their leathers have been holding up well for me.

Good points.

Though they have actually discontinued their boutique sale last year (at my boutique, they usually have a private sale and then a week or 2 later, it becomes a sale open to the public; both have been discontinued).
I heard that they were stopping sales and discounts on online platforms like FarFetch and Netaporter (but then again, someone always says there's a discount code floating around).

But of course, if they still are in outlet malls, not quite there yet.

 

[Tina1010]

Regarding your 3rd question, I recently had a great experience. I was able to exchange a bag that had a defect. At first they tried to give me a reason and send me on my way, but when they realized it was a genuine problem the manager allowed me to replace the bag as a one time courtesy. The replacement had a popped stitch which I noticed once I got home, so they ordered a new one and exchanged it once again. As long as you don't remove any of the protective packaging and use your bag, you can exchange a defected bag. But yes you don't get any refunds. Your experience will really depend on the SA and store manager.

They don't hold their value but that doesn't bother me as I never plan on reselling any of them.

 

[BlueCherry]

I have a SDJ, a college and a puffer. I had to exchange the college and had no problem doing so. Buying online from YSL and from luxury department stores have always allowed a refund. Boutiques generally are exchange only as a refund for change of mind is in fact a goodwill gesture they don’t have to offer.

About resale, I only ever considered selling my college. Mine is medium with silver hardware and I had it authenticated and valued. The value was more than I paid for it. When I asked why I was told that they rarely come up on the resale market and because of the recent price hikes.

As for sales, I bought two of mine at 20% off but I haven’t seen a YSL bag included in any sales or promotions. There is occasionally a non seasonal bag in the outlet but not too often.

 

[Rstar]

1) While a lot of YSL bags are flap bag (or flap bag type of closures), they do have quite a variety of others:
- icare maxi
- Le 5 a 7 shoulder bag
- Le 5 a 7 soft hobo bag
- drawstring hobo bag
- nuit blanche chain bag
- suzanne hobo bag
- charlie shoulder bag (honestly more like a crossbody, still a flap closure, but shape is more different than other flap bags)
- monogramme bucket bag
- le monogramme cceur bag
- le mallion hook bucket bag
- emmanuelle bucket bag
- shopping tote in standard size and toy size, leather
- clear tote bag
- panier raffia bag
- rive gauche canvas tote
- rive gauche supple tote
- and a variety of clutches

Maybe their definition of satchel bags doesn't match yours:
- kaia small satchel
- solferino satchel
- le maillon satchel
- le carre satchel
- francoise satchel (probably more what you're thinking of)

Long story short, I think they've figured out that flap bags sell well. And I think that's what they've chosen to stick to as a business.


2) Resale market is governed by how others perceive the value, prestige, and exclusivity of the brand. YSL is just not on the same level as Chanel, Hermes, and Dior. (Though Dior resale value for bags is absolutely terrible, always an interesting oddity)

I love the leather too, I have 3 YSL bags and 2 YSL clutches. At least I don't feel that it's shunned.


3) I think that depends on the SA and the store management. While I have never returned a bag before, I have done repairs and exchanges with no issues. I only go to one store and so my history with that location is decent and have a good rapport with my SA and the managers.

​

Wow, thank you for taking the time to give me the names of most YSL bags. I will google these and make an informed decision. I noticed YSL resale value is not the same as LV. I also agree that flap bags sell well for Saint Laurent.

 

[Rstar]

Good points.

Though they have actually discontinued their boutique sale last year (at my boutique, they usually have a private sale and then a week or 2 later, it becomes a sale open to the public; both have been discontinued).
I heard that they were stopping sales and discounts on online platforms like FarFetch and Netaporter (but then again, someone always says there's a discount code floating around).

But of course, if they still are in outlet malls, not quite there yet.

I looked forward to the boutique sales every black friday, and have bought items during these sales. But now, I will have to check out the saint laurent outlet stores.

 

[Rstar]

Flap bags are what they're known for. YSL doesn't hold value because they go on sale at department stores and they have outlet stores. For any brand to hold value they can't discount their products. I have no idea about question number three. I've never had to return or exchange any of my bags. Their leathers have been holding up well for me.

I gathered that Saint Laurent was known for their flap bags. I heard a horror story about question 3, where someone tried to take their camera bag back to the same store because of hardware scratches, and they were not offered any service to replace their bag.

 

[Rstar]

Regarding your 3rd question, I recently had a great experience. I was able to exchange a bag that had a defect. At first they tried to give me a reason and send me on my way, but when they realized it was a genuine problem the manager allowed me to replace the bag as a one time courtesy. The replacement had a popped stitch which I noticed once I got home, so they ordered a new one and exchanged it once again. As long as you don't remove any of the protective packaging and use your bag, you can exchange a defected bag. But yes you don't get any refunds. Your experience will really depend on the SA and store manager.

They don't hold their value but that doesn't bother me as I never plan on reselling any of them.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on Saint Laurent's customer service, I'm glad you had a good experience! They dont hold their value as good as LV (from what I noticed), but I feel that YSL's leather is far superior.

 

[Rstar]

I have a SDJ, a college and a puffer. I had to exchange the college and had no problem doing so. Buying online from YSL and from luxury department stores have always allowed a refund. Boutiques generally are exchange only as a refund for change of mind is in fact a goodwill gesture they don’t have to offer.

About resale, I only ever considered selling my college. Mine is medium with silver hardware and I had it authenticated and valued. The value was more than I paid for it. When I asked why I was told that they rarely come up on the resale market and because of the recent price hikes.

As for sales, I bought two of mine at 20% off but I haven’t seen a YSL bag included in any sales or promotions. There is occasionally a non seasonal bag in the outlet but not too often.

I'm glad your college is valued more than you paid for, I would sell it sooner than later as college is still a very hot bag right now. Thanks for taking the time to share your experience with your exchange.

 

[juneping]

i am curious when you said the college is still hot now.
i passed by the stores regularly, they never showcase the bag, i had to ask for it.....
maybe bc i am in HK. is it the same in the US??

I'm glad your college is valued more than you paid for, I would sell it sooner than later as college is still a very hot bag right now. Thanks for taking the time to share your experience with your exchange.

 

[bag hound]

I don't know if this is the right spot to ask this question, but I will try. I noticed pictures of the YSL Lou camera bag online and it looks like some of them now have an external back pocket. Is this possible? Does anyone know anything about this?

 

[cathavenicethings]

I don't know if this is the right spot to ask this question, but I will try. I noticed pictures of the YSL Lou camera bag online and it looks like some of them now have an external back pocket. Is this possible? Does anyone know anything about this?
View attachment 5632242

Somebody posted about this new feature recently so it appears to be true. I have not checked myself online or in store though

New Lou Camera bag with back pocket?

Hi Anyone seen this new Lou camera bag with back pocket? I saw this new version on Net-a-porter but couldn't find it on YSL website.

forum.purseblog.com

 

[Tina1010]

I don't know if this is the right spot to ask this question, but I will try. I noticed pictures of the YSL Lou camera bag online and it looks like some of them now have an external back pocket. Is this possible? Does anyone know anything about this?
View attachment 5632242

I asked a few weeks ago when I was at YSL and they did not know of it. It might be a fake.