What have you learned through your handbag addiction?

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#256
StylishFarmer said:
I wasn't always like this with SAs. Like you I was very polite and didn't want to interrupt them but then I had an epiphany. They are getting paid to serve me! Just like I was getting paid to give great customer service to EVERYONE when I was a SA in an upscale department store.

Firstly, its about attitude. If you intend to buy something, be confident. Usually, I greet the closest SA before they get a chance to greet me. That means I'm watching them, they have acknowledged me and I ready to rumble.

Big smile, but stern voice. Hello, please show me the XYZ behind you, please. If they give attitude, again, I will say something along the lines of "not having a good day?" That usually breaks the ice.

If I get an eye roll or they sigh etc, again.. I acknowledge that and say something such as "If you're busy with another customer, please find me another SA, if not, show the XYZ."

Again - there's no grovelling. Remember, they don't own the merchandise. Rarely these days do the owners of stores, especially large ones, are the SAs. They don't own Chanel, or Celine or LV or Coach or even your local thrift shop. Remember that. It's you and your $ keeping them in a job.

There have been times when there are SAs on the phone to their boyfriend or making plans for their night out. I interrupt them. YES. I don't wait for them to finish their conversation. OTOH, if I hear them talking on the phone to a customer or another store - you can usually tell because they will be using sku's and codes etc, I wait.

If you were closer, I would take you shopping with me! There are so many subtlties and nuances to use in your voice and actions.

I know one thing that irks the SAs is when customers mishandle or mistreat merchandise. I had an experience in Chanel a couple of years ago. It was the boxing day sale. I was still looking around, it was busy but I made sure I spoke to a couple of SA's as I wondered around. A simple "Hello, busy day ahead for you". Anyway. I went up to have a look at some CJ. There was a lady standing next to me with her friend/sister. The SA was wearing a glove to show her a beautiful suede like jumbo. This customer, instead of being a gentle with it, grabbed it round the bottom and squashed it. I was so horrified I said to her in a loud voice "WHAT ARE YOU DOING??"

I could see the SA was horrified at what the customer was doing but could not say what I did. The SA mouthed a relieved "thank you". I tell you what, I received not great but AWESOME service, even putting aside sale items for me for a couple of days till I made up my mind or when I came in next. Drinks, private room, friendly chat etc.

Hope this all helps. Remember, it'your money and your time. They are there to serve you but you are not their master. A little respect and acknowledgement goes along way.
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Thank you! Some awesome tips here that I will certainly try to practice. The Chanel story made me smile. I wish you could take me shopping too! :laugh:
 
#257
I've learned not to buy a bag just for the sake of buying a bag. If I don't find something I love, I leave empty-handed. I've bought too many that I thought were nice, I could use for X, etc and ended up selling them later on. OTOH I have a couple that I walked in, saw and instantly knew they were IT for me and I use them faithfully. Also, function over form. If I can't use it for what it's intended, it will end up collecting dust in my closet. Oh and my hubby does know how to keep track. ;)
 
#258
1) I'd rather have a few high-quality, timeless bags I will use than a closet full of mediocre ones I won't. Therefore, I'm picky and don't buy on impulse or for an imaginary lifestyle. For instance, I never go to glam, black-tie events, so I don't need an evening bag.
2) You can find what you want at your price point if you're patient, do your homework and comparison shop.
3) Shoulder bags don't stay on my shoulder and are annoying. Satchels only.
4) Pay no attention to trends.
5) Logos are tacky.
6) Consignment shops and thrift stores are AWESOME.
 
#259
I agree with a lot of what's been said already! My main takeaways are:

1. A functional bag can be highly fashionable! You don't have to sacrifice one for the other. I don't buy any bags that are impractical anymore

2. Consignment shopping is where it's at. Same as for buying a car, why not let someone else pay the depreciation cost of "driving" the handbag out of the store? Great deals for gently used preloved bags abound! And, like a certified preloved car, you can always go to the boutique for service and additional dust bags

3. I prefer to have less higher quality bags than more bags (city living, limited closet space) so most of my purses serve multiple functions. Most can be dressed up or dressed down. Most have straps that can change from crossbody to shoulder or that can be removed entirely to become clutches. Since most of my purses serve multiple functions it feels like I have more bags than I actually do!

4. The best thing I've learned in this forum is how to be more organized with my purses. I used to have a ton of random objects floating around in the bottom of my purses and now they're zipped into smaller cosmetic bags and the like. Eventually I'll upgrade to better SLGs but for now giveaway bags from cosmetics are just fine! Plus when your essentials are organized you can rotate your purses more easily!
 
#260
1. If I can find a high quality contemporary bag at a cheaper price range with a similar look and functionality, I will settle. . . Not unless it's a bag that gives me sleepless nights
2. Sell bags that I don't use anymore. Dont let it gather dust in the closet.
3. Always go with what I love and what works for me instead of going with hubby's likes
 
#262
I've learned that:

1) I like large bags. Mini bags don't work for me. I've got stuff to carry so, a bag that fits my daily essentials works for me.

2) Shoulder bags are practical and keep your hands free.

3) Having an external pocket on a travel bag makes it easier for me to retrieve my documents while zipping through airport check-in and security.

4) A brand with a reputation for quality, customer service and repair/restoration service will save you a lot of stress in the long run.

5) My "handbag addiction" is my hobby. It keeps me happy :D
 
#263
Right now, I'm learning that there are other designers/brands that offer good quality bags at a more reasonable price point. For some time, I just focused my energies on premier/premium designers (not because they were premier/premium - it just so happens their bags are the ones that I liked most, plus since I haven't been into handbags that long, these were the ones I already knew). I do have 2 bags from contemporary designers, but everything else is premium. Now though, I am starting to look at Henri Bendel and Furla (not sure how those are classified). I think that if my handbag "addiction" didn't stick, I wouldn't have learned about others and my world would have just been confined to Bal, Prada, LV, Chanel, etc. Nothing necessarily wrong with that, but I am glad I'm learning more about others.
 
#268
That the perfect bag doesn´t exist simply because I´m not perfect or predictable - tastes evolve, needs change, budget expands (...or contracts), and clothes come and go and leave your HG-combo-outfit hopes dashed.

That consignment shop SAs know their job better, are more patient, and advice you with more fairness and objectivity than brand-store SAs (maybe because the choice is far more varied?).

That buying preloved is both smart and ecological :graucho:

That my close-to-ideal handbag is the Liebeskind Laptop 2, that for SLGs LV is the most practical for me, but for bags Chloé wins due to its durability and beautiful ageing, hands down.
 
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