What's behind the reason you buy a bag?

[chikapinku]

Interesting thread!

I'm a bit of all the above as well. I see something I like and normally do research on it (this being what led me to tPF in the first instance) and from there I will try and find a good deal and then go ahead and purchase. I must admit that carrying what I consider to be a nice bag makes me feel better about myself; "nice" bags not necessarily premier designer but something that I consider aesthetically pleasing for whatever reason. Whilst I realize that any old bag will fulfill the same purpose, a nice bag makes me hold my head a little bit higher and makes even any old outfit look that much better.

tPF has definitely influenced my purchases insofar as introducing me to different brands I'd never have known about otherwise. I'm trying to think out my purchases more nowadays and even though my last purchase was another one I'd never have made if not for tPF (new brand for me) I like to think my purchases aren't spontaneous.

 

[indiaink]

...If I see a bag for the first time and fall hard in love with it right then and there, I would probably buy it on the spot if it's a reasonable price, a rarity, and very different from what I already have.

I thought that was the very definition of 'impulse buy' - ? Unplanned and unexpected?

What a great topic for a thread, indiaink. Reading all this has really got me thinking...

Thanks, and that was the point, really, to get us thinking. And by posting our responses, give others something to think about, and so on ...

Planned planned planned...planned as only a Type A, control freak, perfectionist can.

Yay for you - you do not go crazy buying, then!

BUT, to be honest, I think tPF also has an "enabling" effect (so I'm trying to cut down on my number of visits on the forum ).

As are a few ladies ... but it's hard, when you like to 'talk' and read what your tPF acquaintances are saying. There are a number of people here who have formed tight relationships!

DO you guys like this bag?

I'm glad you made your own thread!

I must admit that carrying what I consider to be a nice bag makes me feel better about myself...
Whilst I realize that any old bag will fulfill the same purpose, a nice bag makes me hold my head a little bit higher and makes even any old outfit look that much better.

So this is like buying anything new (or having something old) that makes you feel good ... not necessarily "about yourself", but just plain old 'feeling good' - I have some clothing that makes me feel good, and therefore I feel and act more confident.

 

[NagaJolokia]

I thought that was the very definition of 'impulse buy' - ? Unplanned and unexpected?

I equate "impulse buy" to inadequate forethought in its implication in addition to unplanned and unexpected. If one only thinks and accepts a fraction of the factors they normally would review before buying something in a moment, then buy it right then- that's rather impulsive. If I can take into account everything that I need and want to know about a buy in a moment like normal, I'll only waste time or opportunity if I simply allow myself unnecessary time to go over it. Ironically, it'd rather be impulsive to think "just give it time" as a generic thought in this case.

 

[indiaink]

I equate "impulse buy" to inadequate forethought in its implication in addition to unplanned and unexpected.

OK, that makes sense. Thanks for the clarification! It's like if I unexpectedly saw a bag that attracted me immediately but was like no other bag I'd ever carried or even wanted, but bought it right then because of the unknown attraction with no further thought. Impulsive! But - if I unexpectedly saw a bag that fit with my idea of what I wanted and fit the qualifications, then - not impulsive so much as "YES, this is my style', so to speak.

 

[COACH ADDICT]

LOL... I said tPF because I see more gorgeous bags and find out about lines on here than any place else but as a rule if I see a bag I like I buy it....

 

[indiaink]

LOL... I said tPF because I see more gorgeous bags and find out about lines on here than any place else but as a rule if I see a bag I like I buy it....

You know, that's funny - out of all the lines I've been interested in, I've only seen two in the wild (I knew of them outside of here) - Hayden-Harnett (which brought me to tPF to begin with) and 49 Sq. Mi. (which I'd discovered at Von Maur while scoping out Hayden-Harnett.) This was at the beginning of my time here - now, I see Rebecca Minkoff at N*rdstrom and N*rdstrom Rack. Balenciaga, Dooney and Bourke, and Coach have been around forever (so knew of them before tPF) so - . tPF just gives us all so much information!

 

[psychedelico]

Planned.

I planned for all my purchase for designer bags.
Actually the fact that I don't need so many bags (or other bags), classic ones that suit your style, your needs is good enough!
But if you can afford more, just go ahead!
Life is short!

 

[oggers86]

I buy bags because I like them.

 

[indiaink]

Life is short!

Very true, and that is helping me cull my collection, as there is not enough time to carry so many bags!

I buy bags because I like them.

Well, yes, oggers, we all like bags - but why? Do you buy every bag you like? Is there not some order or plan to it? When you see a bag you like, had you seen it before or heard about it before?

 

[indiaink]

I appreciate all the responses - hope to get more - there's been over 500 views but not nearly the matching poll-taking. You don't have to post, just take the poll

 

[bonniekir]

I'm in to the bags now a few years because of Tpf
Before I had all sorts of bags, but no more than 12-15 from ethnic hand made to expensive high-end bags. Just because I liked them.. and needed them to carry my stuff, generally and for work!
So my reason of buying bags now is a mix of impulse and tpf...and because I'm a collector type of person! Before bags I was into collecting scents. I'm also slowing drastically down with bags..because I have far more than I can use, and now I have got a bit tired of this too..and slowly begun collecting scents again..LOL!
DH is making fun of me, because we live in a rural area, I'm not working, but occupied with my dogs all day long, so I really don't need to smell good or carry dogstuff in nice bags!
But I enjoy this for now and as long as I do, I will continue. I understand some on tpf are having major economical problems as well as the 'need' to have expensive bags, but I will never ever put myself in a situation like this !

BTW..my vote on the poll was TPF!

 

[hermes_lemming]

Hm. Well I always loved handbags and bought the best that I could afford at the time. For the longest, I was always a one bag person. Then when I turned 29, I decided that I need to upgrade to something special for my 30th and chose a LV. I did my research and planned for quite some time before making my purchase.

Since then - through many trials and tribulations, I discovered what handbags styles worked for me and expanded my collection to more than one.

 

[suigenerisB]

I chose "planned" because I buy bags out of the necessity to have bags that can coordinate with any outfit. I think a bag can really make or break an outfit so that's why it's really important to me. I actually have a list of colors I need to buy... I have another list for brands or styles I'm interested in, but it's mostly about color now. I'm really picky about bags so unless I win the lotto you'd never see me buy something spontaneously!

 

[DisCo]

Most of the bags I like are unfortunately, above 1K (GULP!) that's why I can't really afford to make spur-of-the-moment purchases unless I know that the store has a generous return/exchange policy. Right now, I buy based on the type of bag that I need (travel, everyday, etc) then either research on specific styles that I already like or have heard of through friends or tPF or go to a boutique (of a specific brand I'm loyal to) then browse around (sometimes I could get impulsive and get the bags right there--but it's always on the type of bag that I needed at that time).

 

[chloehandbags]

When bags weren't so hideously expensive (I'm talking 9, or 10, years ago, now!), I was more spur of the moment.

Not that I was a spendthrift (although, my partner might disagree!), but more that, if I saw something that I felt was really amazing and perfect for me, I would just pull the trigger, from time-to-time.

Now, I tend to be more planned in my purchases, as bags are generally so overpriced for what you get.