Spend threshold for B/K/C

[Liv69]

You've received some wonderful advice and you have your mind made up, so I'll wish you the best of luck. However, I wonder, are you aware of the sunk-cost fallacy? If not, I'd recommend you read up on it because your post (and the bolded text, specifically) perfectly showcase what happens when we fall into that way of thinking.

I would strongly recommend, now that you're not feeling so emotional, that you reconsider the opinions put forth and have a look for reputable resellers. I understand that you're not looking for second hand, but you can get brand new via resellers, too.
The premium you pay going that route is nothing compared to what you're willing and likely to pay on pre-spends and trips to Paris, but more than money, the reseller route spares you the time and emotional struggles that you are exerting on this bag-hunt. That is time gone that you cannot get back, and stress endured that could be avoided.

In the end, the sooner you get the bag of your dreams, the sooner you can live your life with the bag of your dreams. Chasing it down, spending more and more on other items when it's clearly frustrating you to have to do so, and stressing about getting an offer are robbing you of your peace of mind, which is unnecessary when there is another solution.
I'd rather take a shortcut, even at a premium price, and spend my days enjoying my dream bag, rather than playing the long game and shedding tears along the way, as you have. No matter if you're an Aries, this level of stress is the opposite of what luxury shopping should be about.

Securing the bag will not be sweeter if you play the H game and win. It'll still just be a pretty bag. The winning is in saving yourself time and heartache on the way to the end goal. You can go to Paris for pleasure, not specifically to gain a lottery appointment and win over an SA.

Of course, this is your life, your time, your hobby and, ultimately, your choice. Do what is right for you. I just want you to consider if the sunk-cost fallacy applies to your situation and if you think the overall price you're paying is worthwhile. Best of luck to you, whatever final decision you make!

I love this point of view. It has reassured me that my decision to go down the reseller route is sound. I have no interest in Hermes pillows and fine bone china. I am way too clumsy for the latter and my pets would destroy the former. Most of all I do not like to be told when I am allowed to have something based on an arbitrary spend. Way too exhausting and stressful.

 

[hbr]

I know this has been asked before but I can’t seem to find the post. Do non QB bag purchases count towards pre spend?

 

[acrowcounted]

I know this has been asked before but I can’t seem to find the post. Do non QB bag purchases count towards pre spend?

No.

 

[hbr]

No.

@acrowcounted I knew I could count on you!

 

[benjinito]

I was offered a Kelly Elan at <2:1 (of B25) while waiting for my first B25, I declined and received my B25 soon after. Not sure if it’s because my boutique just happened to receive the KE

I just enquired about KE as 2nd QB and was told it would be easier than getting K25 but still require a long wait. My SA joked it would be lots easier if i aim for 2026 otherwise we will see 😅 i was offered KE while waiting for my first QB too but sticked to the original wishlist. Now I’m glad i did

Thank you! These are the exact feedback I was looking for

 

[benjinito]

I am based in the US in a competitive store- I have one from this year- I did not ask for it, it was offered to me. As the majority of the regular tpf members suggest: it is really based on the relationship with your sa, store etc and not so much on your prespend. I have did not have much (or any at all) pre spend for the Constance Elan. If you shop throughout the year, are not a reseller, and develop an account with your store (sa/sm) bags do follow. All the bags follows, it just takes time, sometimes years but bags of all colors styles and sizes will be offered. You will be offered so many bags you will pass on them. Patience and regular relationship is really the way.

Hope you get one soon! I really like it for travel so much so that i may want another one before they disappear again.

Thank you so much for the response! I would like to get a Kelly Elan, but it’s not at the top of my wishlist. I asked because if it’s tough to get (like a MKII), I don’t even want to bother asking my SA. But that doesn’t seem to be the case so I’ll ask him!

 

[Sharifshopping]

Ohhhh, depending on where your store is, Rose Sakura is a holy grail color in many locations for a B25 and even a 30, K25 and 28. I would expect those bags to only go to long time clients who have been waiting years for that color to come back and/or have 4.5x spend.

is this true for a picotin 18 too do you think?

 

[acrowcounted]

is this true for a picotin 18 too do you think?

These colors seem more readily available in “entry bags” like the Picotin and Evelyne, so no I don’t think you need to be a favored long standing customer to be offered one. (Rose Sakura especially is heavily made in Clemence, which is by far the most common leather for picotins and Evelyn’s while being rarely seen in Bs and Ks these days.)

 

[haute okole]

is this true for a picotin 18 too do you think?

Pico in Rose Sakura is a very desirable bag too, but does not require a prespend that I am aware of. However, I have never asked for a Pico. I heard they are hard to get for new collectors.

 

[Sharifshopping]

These colors seem more readily available in “entry bags” like the Picotin and Evelyne, so no I don’t think you need to be a favored long standing customer to be offered one. (Rose Sakura especially is heavily made in Clemence, which is by far the most common leather for picotins and Evelyn’s while being rarely seen in Bs and Ks these days.)

interesting; that makes sense. I'm also on fence b/w picotin 18 & a mini evelyn..

 

[880]

interesting; that makes sense. I'm also on fence b/w picotin 18 & a mini evelyn..

Agree with @addiCCted to keep the pico. To bring this back to topic, any bag these days (except that poor wallflower the bridado) seems to require luck (either at the store or website); an ongoing SA relationship; or a lot of profile or prespend

IMO, the pink pico is a lucky find; I think you might regret returning it.
handheld bags are more chic than shoulder or crossbody, but JMO. The mini e is entirely different. Holds less; more of a grab and go to the grocery. But to bring that back to thread topic, I have a solid prespwnd and profile and couldn’t get a gold mini e for my mom. At the time I asked, there was not one to be found (and I believe my SA). My mom got one in Singapore or Makati boutique.

 

[Sharifshopping]

Agree with @addiCCted to keep the pico. To bring this back to topic, any bag these days (except that poor wallflower the bridado) seems to require luck (either at the store or website); an ongoing SA relationship; or a lot of profile or prespend

IMO, the pink pico is a lucky find; I think you might regret returning it.
handheld bags are more chic than shoulder or crossbody, but JMO. The mini e is entirely different. Holds less; more of a grab and go to the grocery. But to bring that back to thread topic, I have a solid prespwnd and profile and couldn’t get a gold mini e for my mom. At the time I asked, there was not one to be found (and I believe my SA). My mom got one in Singapore or Makati boutique.

Agree with @addiCCted to keep the pico. To bring this back to topic, any bag these days (except that poor wallflower the bridado) seems to require luck (either at the store or website); an ongoing SA relationship; or a lot of profile or prespend

IMO, the pink pico is a lucky find; I think you might regret returning it.
handheld bags are more chic than shoulder or crossbody, but JMO. The mini e is entirely different. Holds less; more of a grab and go to the grocery. But to bring that back to thread topic, I have a solid prespwnd and profile and couldn’t get a gold mini e for my mom. At the time I asked, there was not one to be found (and I believe my SA). My mom got one in Singapore or Makati boutique.

wow this is all great to know; thank u!! yeah if the mini E holds less than the picotin, it will prob be too small for me. I do like the look of the mini neo (shoulder only). That's crazy that you weren't able to get one with your profile!

 

[parisistherapy]

I think it also depends on what specific exotic bag you want... if you want a exotic B30, I think they would be very happy to sell that to you with not a lot of purchase history (personal experience.) Same with a croc Constance. Can't tell you how many I've turned down LOL. But if you are interested in a croc MK or B25/K25, that would be much harder. As far as exotic leathers, I personally think ostrich is the easiest to get offered, then full croc, then full lizard due to its rarity. Not sure where touch croc and touch lizard fit in. Anyways, just my experience...

ETA: Also, not knowing anything about which store you shop at or your situation with your SA, I would say Madison would have the best stock of exotics in general.

Hi! I hope it’s ok to revert to this. I received my first QB of 2024 from my SA a couple months back and have since spent the recommended amount for my second QB of this year. I did share my interest in croc/alligator and there was a longggg pause before they acknowledged and said they’d try to find one for me.

Today I went to Madison and asked to see bags. I said I was interested in exotics. The SA pulled up my profile and said, since I’m working with someone else, they cannot give me a B/K (as expected) but can show me other exotic bags. They remarked that my store must be very difficult and I said yes, not just for leather but non leather.

I asked them if it’d be hard for my profile to get an alligator/croc B25 or 30 at Madison and they said it depends on what I’d purchase with them, but if I worked with them exclusively they would make it convenient for me since I’m closer to my current store than Madison. And that exotics are not reserved for tenured clients. I got the sense that they’re honest and given many opinions here I might have a better chance at getting an exotic from Madison than my store.

Now I enjoy shopping with my current SA and they’re very responsive (within minutes or hours). And I’m not on any timeline with the exotic bag. If you were in my shoes what would you do?

 

[acrowcounted]

Hi! I hope it’s ok to revert to this. I received my first QB of 2024 from my SA a couple months back and have since spent the recommended amount for my second QB of this year. I did share my interest in croc/alligator and there was a longggg pause before they acknowledged and said they’d try to find one for me.

Today I went to Madison and asked to see bags. I said I was interested in exotics. The SA pulled up my profile and said, since I’m working with someone else, they cannot give me a B/K (as expected) but can show me other exotic bags. They remarked that my store must be very difficult and I said yes, not just for leather but non leather.

I asked them if it’d be hard for my profile to get an alligator/croc B25 or 30 at Madison and they said it depends on what I’d purchase with them, but if I worked with them exclusively they would make it convenient for me since I’m closer to my current store than Madison. And that exotics are not reserved for tenured clients. I got the sense that they’re honest and given many opinions here I might have a better chance at getting an exotic from Madison than my store.

Now I enjoy shopping with my current SA and they’re very responsive (within minutes or hours). And I’m not on any timeline with the exotic bag. If you were in my shoes what would you do?

Stay the course with your current store.

 

[880]

Stay the course with your current store.

Agree, unless you are prepared to spend quite a bit. The phrase that gave me pause was

it depends on what I’d purchase with them,

JMO though, and YMMV