First of all, I'm sorry you feel that people think the higher $$ you pay for a purse, the better quality or that you don't know what quality is unless you spend the $$. That's not what we are trying to say about Outlet v Retail v 1941 lines.
It is true that some materials are more luxurious than others and that's what the price sometimes shows. A Retail Nomad's leather is very luxurious especially with the leather-lined interior. The Outlet version to the Nomad is the Harley, the leather is different more lightweight, fabric lined interior. Does that mean one's quality is better than the other? No, it just means they are made with different quality materials and depending on the eye of the beholder, quality is different. I own both of these and overall prefer the Nomad because that's my taste just like there's people out there who prefer the Harley.
Some may not pay retail for the swagger but there's others who will because they believe the purse is worth it. (Like me). There's other handbags that I wouldn't pay retail for because of my taste but I wouldn't knock people who do, just like I have my reasons for paying retail, they do too.
My problem is with the individuals who go into an outlet store, pick up a product and judges the whole Coach line on this product. They then start wondering why people like me pay what I do for a "Coach". It's frustrating to me when people see my Rogue and immediately say "why?", the outlet sells handbags and they are way cheaper.... they judge the Rogue/Coach based on what they see and feel at the Outlet. Once they look at my Rogue, notice/feel the thick leather and suede, they see the difference. Doesn't mean they'll go buy a Rogue but they understand there's a difference. Same goes for those that are Retail Coach shoppers who walk into an outlet and see the handbags there and "think" poor quality because they are used to different materials. Is one better than the other? Again, quality is based on the materials and quality is best judged for each individual type of material. Now that doesn't mean a $700 bag is better than a $100 one, just means they are different and should be judge on what you believe is important (reality is too that some raw materials cost more too, thus higher price tag) Glovetanned leather is suppose to be the best type of leather, some are willing to pay for that, others are not as some don't like how easy it scratches, thus their perception may be that's it's not the best quality.
Bottom line to me is, buy what you want and are willing to pay for BUT know the differences before making blanket judgments about a product.
Please note, this post is not meant to attack anyone or reply to an individual, my apologies if that's how it's read, just trying to sort thru the whole outlet v retail v 1941 line.
