"What was I thinking?" Bag purchases you regret...

[CoachCruiser]

Awhile ago, I bought an Alexander Wang Diego bucket bag and promptly returned it the next day to Barneys. I tried my things in it when I got home and it was so exhausting trying to find stuff in it and dig them out. I was so disappointed because I loved the style, and I still think it's really cool and different.

I returned it the next day and the girl was very snooty about my returning it so fast, as I had taken awhile looking at it and thinking about it the day before. I said, "Well, this is the bag from HELL and I'm not keeping it, and you're returning it for me."

She did.

 

[ninjanna]

My Alexander Wang Devere in metallic silver. Sigh. I've only worn it probably twice and got it early last year I think.

I've just had no opportunities to wear it and it doesn't fit as much stuff as I want to. Plus it's a little hard to match. And I'd rather wear my PS11. :/

 

[jeya13]

My first couple LVs we're not right for me and ended up either being returned immediately or sold a few months later. I have bought tons of bags of different names that have stayed with me for such a short time that I could easily say I regret buying them in the first place. I'm finally at a place as a collector where I have a few items that have been with me for over a year. This was not the case back in 2010-2012 when I bought and sold constantly in pursuit of bags that work for me (after starting a collection of contemporary handbags that I wasn't used to spending more than $100 on). Before 2010, I never imagined spending more than that on a handbag. It was my first Coach that did me in

 

[Rocket_girl]

I regret buying a Black Givenchy Pandora (medium), bought for full price @ Barney's.

I loved it and wore it every day for more than a month. The first day I had the urge to change out of it, I was horrified: "how could I spend that much and want to carry ANYTHING but this bag?"

For nearly a year, it sat - taunting me. I stopped carrying it with intent to sell. I had never sold a bag, so I was stuck: no idea where or how to begin.

During that time, I discovered tPF, and Bonanza, and Tradesy (knew about eBay, and never wanted to go there..). I bought some used bags - learned a bit about selling. Sold a couple of iThings on Glyde.com, and learned that Tradesy uses an identical approach. I felt OK about listing such an expensive bag with their system.

After many months, I wore her again - she was the PERFECT bag for whatever it was I needed that day. I fell back in love with her, and put her back into rotation. I decided to keep her and love her the way she deserved - to free myself from the guild and let myself love her. I removed the sale listing

Many months later, I received email, saying "Your Bag has Sold for $,$$$". To this day, I do not know how the listing I removed became active again. I called them; learned I could cancel the sale), I deliberated (should I just sell it or not???). I sold her, and I don't regret it.

So why do I regret buying the bag I loved--- then felt guilty about -- then let myself love again? Because it raised my threshold. That bag cost >$2k -more than double what I had spent for any single bag prior to buying her. Thanks to Panda, I learned that I do not want to be at that price point again -- or that if I am tempted (and believe me I have been) - that the happiness to be found there is not proportionately greater. Or, if it feels like the joy is greater, so, too will be the guilt!. (even now, I am coveting a Ferragamo Sookie. See thread: Celebrate - What we Did Not Buy)

It was hard to part with her, but I have learned that I can live without her. (I also purchased Anya Hindmarch maxi zip satchel as a replacement - for less than half what Pandora cost. Still too much, but less-too-much).

What I regret is that Pandora raised my price ceiling. I can now rationalize other purchases with this: "It is not $2,000 - it is only half that!" (see: vintage Chanel bucket, large Ferragamo Sofia, and Anya Hindmarch maxi zip satchel - all four-digit purchases, among many other sub-four digit purchases).

So, this.

 

[elation]

What an insightful post. I've been wondering about this myself since I was thinking of taking the plunge into the four-digit purchases, in the $2K realm. I'm afraid of all the things you mentioned- the falling in and out of love, the price ceiling jump, the future justifications (cause there will always be another One right).

Thank you for sharing.

I regret buying a Black Givenchy Pandora (medium), bought for full price @ Barney's.

I loved it and wore it every day for more than a month. The first day I had the urge to change out of it, I was horrified: "how could I spend that much and want to carry ANYTHING but this bag?"

For nearly a year, it sat - taunting me. I stopped carrying it with intent to sell. I had never sold a bag, so I was stuck: no idea where or how to begin.

During that time, I discovered tPF, and Bonanza, and Tradesy (knew about eBay, and never wanted to go there..). I bought some used bags - learned a bit about selling. Sold a couple of iThings on Glyde.com, and learned that Tradesy uses an identical approach. I felt OK about listing such an expensive bag with their system.

After many months, I wore her again - she was the PERFECT bag for whatever it was I needed that day. I fell back in love with her, and put her back into rotation. I decided to keep her and love her the way she deserved - to free myself from the guild and let myself love her. I removed the sale listing

Many months later, I received email, saying "Your Bag has Sold for $,$$$". To this day, I do not know how the listing I removed became active again. I called them; learned I could cancel the sale), I deliberated (should I just sell it or not???). I sold her, and I don't regret it.

So why do I regret buying the bag I loved--- then felt guilty about -- then let myself love again? Because it raised my threshold. That bag cost >$2k -more than double what I had spent for any single bag prior to buying her. Thanks to Panda, I learned that I do not want to be at that price point again -- or that if I am tempted (and believe me I have been) - that the happiness to be found there is not proportionately greater. Or, if it feels like the joy is greater, so, too will be the guilt!. (even now, I am coveting a Ferragamo Sookie. See thread: Celebrate - What we Did Not Buy)

It was hard to part with her, but I have learned that I can live without her. (I also purchased Anya Hindmarch maxi zip satchel as a replacement - for less than half what Pandora cost. Still too much, but less-too-much).

What I regret is that Pandora raised my price ceiling. I can now rationalize other purchases with this: "It is not $2,000 - it is only half that!" (see: vintage Chanel bucket, large Ferragamo Sofia, and Anya Hindmarch maxi zip satchel - all four-digit purchases, among many other sub-four digit purchases).

So, this.

 

[ChanelGirlE]

I totally regret my Fendi Spy, and MJ Stam... both bags were quite pricey since I bought them at their height of popularity at full price and both I never use! I've been steering away from "it" bags and going towards more classic/timeless purchases.

 

[Shopmore]

Mine are an Alexander Wang Rocco and Isabella Fiore (too heavy), a Paul and Joe bag I bought at a Gilt Warehouse sale, and my LV Neverfull. I haven't worn the LV in years because I realized that I don't like its openness.

 

[Rocket_girl]

What an insightful post. I've been wondering about this myself since I was thinking of taking the plunge into the four-digit purchases, in the $2K realm. I'm afraid of all the things you mentioned- the falling in and out of love, the price ceiling jump, the future justifications (cause there will always be another One right).

Thank you for sharing.

You're welcome . The things you're afraid of are very real - once you hit that next higher price point, it stays there. And that scares me A LOT!!


And yes, you're right - there will ALWAYS be another ONE!!!

 

[afsweet]

LV Marjorie bag. I never used it, and I don't even like it much.

I could've lived without most of the MBMJ bags and Juicy Couture bags I bought when I was in hs and college. I hate parting with them since most are barely used- feels so wasteful!

 

[gayboy]

Before I was really into bags, I bought this unlabeled bag at a market. I have no idea why. I thought it was cool, but didn't think of the functionality. I hate it, it doesn't look good with any of my outfits and I gave up selling it after listing it on ebay 3 times!

 

[Save_the_Rhinos]

Oh, gosh! Where does one even begin? Well, for starters, mine would be a seasonal Proenza Schouler foldover tennis bag that I found on the Bay for $500 (originally $1250) and still in current season when purchased. I've used it twice and since it is not cross-body It has been sitting in my closet for three years! I thought about reselling but I don't really want to bite the $500 knowing full well I'll get less than half of that, and also I don't trust eBay buyers anymore. I've been scammed too many times (lucky me I always got my money back) but it's too much hassle.

Another semi-regret is buying the Givenchy panther and iris print clutch, which I actually ABSOLUTELY LOVE, but I regret paying $1200 for it since I keep seeing it on eBay for as low as $300. I use the bag often, but I should have waited, I guess.

Finally, the Coach Borough bag, which I thought I liked and yet it sat in my closet for three months, unused, only to be returned last week. It was my first Coach purchase (I also have the saffiano mini satchel but I bought that at Saks) and so I paid cash for it because I didn't want them sending ads to my house and having DH finding out about spending that money (Coach is more recognizeable as "expensive" than the less common real designer bags. If he only knew, lol). I returned it last week, though oddly the SA said they only had $50 dollars cash on hand (I think she was lying) and would have to mail me a check for the difference. Now I'm biting my nails hoping that check does come, since I paid cash (I really should have paid on my CC , but I was extra paranoid that DH would see the statement).

Sigh! So much hassle!!! But I realized that the borough was just to plain Jane boring for me. Now, though, I have my eyes set on the Coach Vevers collection and that fringed messenger bag Hopefully that one will be a keeper!

 

[dreamoflv]

I really do not have a particular bag I regret buying because I have A LOT of bags I regret buying I have classic designer pieces from LV, Vivienne Westwood and Fendi but I also bought signature bags before because I find them "nice" and "cheaply-priced", whether they're pre-owned or brand new. But after a few days and after seeing yet some more bags (and purchasing them eventually), I fell out of love with those bags.

But I'm glad I was and still am able to sell those bags that I don't want anymore. Though I make money out of them, I could've gotten a few more classic designer bags (I wouldn't mind adding 3 more to make a total of 7!) if I've just saved my money and didn't buy those bags. Plus I'll have more closet space with fewer bags.

Lesson learned!

 

[Watalie1976]

Chloe Edith... Beautiful but ....... far far too heavy.

It's heavy with nothing in it but even putting a coin purse in it adds about a house brick in weight to it.

 

[joy14]

I have a wallet purchase I regret. I needed a new one and decided to get a leopard zippy one from Target... And I loved it until 3 weeks later when a cashier excitedly asked me if it was a Mickael Kors wallet... Come to find out Target ripped off the MK design! :angry: I wouldn't have purchased a knock off if I had known. From now on, only designer purchases for me!

 

[lenarmc]

I regretted buying a Michael Kors that was the same shape as an LV Speedy. I returned it the next day because I realized that I don't like bags without a shoulder strap. My other regret is a Luella Bartley Gisele. Cute bag, but too dang hard to get into. I won't sell it because I just like looking at it. Besides, I bought it secondhand for a song.