Why do u spend thousands on a bag?!

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#181
Sorry...I kinda went off on a rant there, but to answer the OP's question... I spend thousands on some bags because I feel I deserve it! I like to spoil myself rotten and couldn't really see myself carrying something less-than-amazing. I just simply feel better about myself when I carry nice/pricey things. I can honestly say that I feel so much more confident about myself when I go out carrying an amazing designer bag and wearing designer jewelry. I wouldn't feel like this if I were wearing a bunch of no-name accessories. There's just this amazing feeling that comes over me...like an "I ROCK!" attitude...lol.

I also spend alot on bags for the exclusivity and unique-ness of them. Like someone else on here also stated, I too, live in hick-ville. Everyone is a bunch of hillbilly rednecks who do not know OR care about designers. The so-called "rich" people in my area carry Coach, and that is about the extent of it...lol. It makes me laugh watching the snooty looking older women who prance around with their Coach bags and their noses up in the air...lol. I'm am soooo NOT one of these people. I used to like Coach and THOSE kind of people killed it for me. I like to be different, stand out, and be in good taste...not have the same bag as everyone else.

And as someone else stated, I totally do NOT spend $ on bags to show off or get attention. It's totally a personal thing for me-I just love the quality and beauty of them! No one even KNOWS what designer is in my area. Fakes are HUGE here, and most people assume that I get all my bags at the local flea markets...lol... They see no difference between my beautifully crafted Italian leather handbags and the plastic-y fakes at the markets. If I told most people what I spend on bags they most likely wouldn't believe me...lol.
 
#183
nchid2700 said:
WOW... *This is the REALEST most honest post that Ive read in awhile. You actually just took the words right out of my mouth, as I was thinking of posting something like this for quite some time. I still might... *I think so many of us on here can fully identify with this, although I believe many don't like to admit it...

When you really think about it, it's no different than a drug addiction... *With any drug, it starts off as something recreational at first...or a "once in a lifetime" thing. Then you like the feeling, so the use becomes more frequent. You then need MORE because you start developing a tolerance to the drug. *From that point on, your tolerance keeps going up, up, UP! What used to be enough to satisfy you and make you feel good when you first started is NOW not enough... *You eventually get to the point where nothing is EVER enough anymore. Nothing can or WILL make you feel as good as the early days..."
See the similarities? *That's the way it is for me with bags. *It's NEVER
enough. I'm NEVER ever satisfied. *I keep craving more, more, more! *I remember when a $40 knockoff bag from the flea market would make me
ecstatic! *(that's what fueled this whole designer addiction...lol). Then when one wasn't enough, I had to have more! Then I realized they were junk and
got upset when they fell apart. *That's when I had to start "splurging" on bags that would last. *I remember how psyched I was when I bought my first "designer" bag. The Nicky Hilton/Samantha Thavasa "you're a star" bag. I
lusted over that bag for over 2 years. Back then I couldn't justify spending $300+ dollars on a bag, so I treated it like it was a diamond encrusted Hermes!!! *Thennn I remember how happy I was when I got my first Coach!
*And then my first LV!!! *Even though I had an LV, I still loved and used my
lower-end bags... *All was fine.*
But then somewhere, somehow my addiction spiraled out of control. *I started shopping on sites like giltgroupe and, even though I've always loved eBay, I
found some truly amazing eBay sellers and started checking their listings daily
*I started becoming a bag snob, and suddenly Coach and Dooney weren't good
enough for me. *I could only carry premier designers now! *
And nowww, at this point in my life, "premier designer" doesn't just stop at handbags for me... *I now NEED designer jewelry. Designer shoes. Designer
iPhone case. *More, more, MORE!!! *Walmart makeup? *Pssshhht! *I need Chanel...Dior... *And I never in a million years thought that I could EVER
justify paying $600 for a piece of plastic...that is, until I started buying LV bag charms! Then last week I just bought a plastic, er..."lucite" Chanel bangle.*I'm
seriously out of control.*Luckily, I DO get alot of my bags brand new at
FANTASTIC prices, but really,what comes next? *I have LV, Chanel, Chloe, Balenciaga, Gucci, etc., so it obviously takes ALOT more to satisfy me and make me happy now. *I don't even get excited about LV anymore, so what
WILL finally satisfy me? *Hermes??? *AND THEN WHAT...? *FYI, I'm from a major hick-town where no one even knows or CARES about designer things, so
why must I be this way? *Everyone asks me ALL THE TIME which "flea
market" I purchased my "knock-off" at... *I also don't make a ton of money.
*Frankly, there's NO way someone like me should be able to afford the kinds
of things that I do, but I always find a way...
It really does scare me now because my standards are set so unbelievably high. *And they just keep going up, up, up!!! *Nothing ever seems good
enough... *Around Xmas time, I was showing my bf some things that I
wanted, and he goes, "Why can't you be like everyone else? *Any other girl in this town would be thrilled to get even a Coach bag for Xmas!" *My
answer..."Because I'm not just ANY girl...Im special! *If you want someone
who's just like everyone else, go out w SOMEONE ELSE!". Truth is, I'd like to
THINK that I'd be happy with ANYTHING he got me for Xmas, but deep down I know if he got me a Coach bag, I'd be MAJORLY disappointed! *(Poor guy had
to sell a CAR just to get me a few lv goodies...lol). *I just feel like my values
are so distorted, and it's truly hard for me to appreciate anything anymore.
*It's like, where do I go from here? * *
Click to expand...

First:hugs: I so feel your pain. You sound so much like me only that you have been out of control a bit longer. I can see I was headed in the same direction. Already I was branching out from just bags as well. Let me share with you
something that a poster said on here that hit me WHAM... my aha moment. I wish I could remember the poster or the exact quote but she said people like us are not really wanting the bags or the other things but that we are
searching to fill some void in our lives. Maybe love or marriage or wealth or a life style, or kids or something else that we feel we deserve and that is missing. Well I knew immediately! For me it was the loss of a beloved pet who
shared my life for 18 glorious years. I loved him so much more than anything
in this world. That was 18 months ago and corresponded exactly to the subsequent purchase of my first Prada. And it escalated from there. I was
trying to fill the emptiness, ease the pain, get momentary solace with bag highs. And it worked, for just awhile I could get out of the pain by shopping
therapy. Realizing that was such a freeing thing. It didn't fix it but it was the start. And people on here were so kind and generous with their condolences
and encouragement (and didn't even complain that I'd deviated from the thread big time) That helped, really helped! I realized that I had a weak
support system in my real life. My husband and family cared but just didn't seem to "get it" what I had lost. A lot of them DID get it and oh, it so helped. I will be forever in their debt. I have since joined a grief counseling group and
am on a bag ban. The ban thread here has been good help there.
It was the statement you made that "somewhere, somehow, things spiraled
out of control" that shook me. Try to think back to when that occured and you may find the cause. Be prepared for tears, when you start to cry you will know
you've hit upon the truth. :hugs:
Now I am not through with bags or other nice things. That is part of my personality, but it flamed out of control when my crisis hit. For someone else it might have been alcohol or drugs. luckily I was a "shopper" by nature and so it just escalated.
So I urge you to examine your life and what you feel in your gut is going on
You may need counseling to get to the bottom of it, but I'm betting somewhere in your heart you know the missing piece. Once you acknowledge it there is an instant relief. Then you may need counciling to overcome. You say
you live in a hick town. I do to and there are not counciling services on every
corner but there is usually one and the Internet has wonderful support groups for almost everything that plagues us humans.
I just had to speak up because you sound so much like me. And someone helped me. I would love to pay it forward. :hugs:
 
#184
ME: Yes we have had our "DEEP" session, now on to fun
topic
nchid2700 said:
I just simply feel better about myself when I carry nice/pricey things. I can honestly say that I feel so much more confident about myself when I go out carrying an amazing designer bag and wearing designer jewelry. I wouldn't feel like this if I were wearing a bunch of no-name accessories. There's just this amazing feeling that comes over me...like an "I ROCK!" attitude...lol.
Me: I so know what you mean!!! It's about how they make me feel!

You:I also spend alot on bags for the exclusivity and unique-ness of them. Like someone else on here also stated, I too, live in hick-ville. Everyone is a bunch of hillbilly rednecks who do not know OR care about designers. The so-called "rich" people in my area carry Coach, and that is about the extent of it...lol. It makes me laugh watching the snooty looking older women who prance around with their Coach bags and their noses up in the air...lol.

Me: lol I think we are neighbors and I am the older woman proudly toting her
Coach. Poke me next time and I will take a closer (appreciative) look at what
you are carrying Lol Seriously I may carry anything on any given day if it suits mymood or outfit. But I have Prada & Gucci & (2nd hand) Hermes in the closet (or on the floor, or doorknob or somewhere...

YOU:And as someone else stated, I totally do NOT spend $ on bags to show off
or get attention. It's totally a personal thing for me-I just love the quality and beauty of them! No one even KNOWS what designer is in my area. Fakes are
HUGE here, and most people assume that I get all my bags at the local flea
markets...lol... They see no difference between my beautifully crafted Italian leather handbags and the plastic-y fakes at the markets. If I told most people
what I spend on bags they most likely wouldn't believe me...lol.
Click to expand...

ME: oh you are soooo right! Seriously I wonder if we are close geographically
as it is exact same here. Very irritating too that these rednecks here admire a trashy Dooney I may carry and not my Hermes ( I know they think it is a
Dollar store bag) It's no point in spending here to impress cause they haven't
got a clue! But it would be nice if they could appreciate a nice leather. To prove a point to my husband about how redneck his gallery are ( he is an
auctioneer) I once placed several bags in a box for him to sell " choice". They were all used in good condition. There were all no name leathers, such as Liz Claiborne, St Johns Bay, Flea market atrocities, and one Chloe Marcie. They
Never choose the Chloe!! Case closed!!!:lolots: (but I was holding my breath...:sweatdrop:
 
#188
I dish out for nice high end bags because:

1. They are gorgeous and last years. :D

2. They make me feel elegant, stylish and make some envious. :laugh:

3. Store associates seem to treat me much better. :p

And I come from the land of if you don't look like you're FROM Asia, the associates more or less ignore you. And I am Asian-American but we look and carry ourselves differently than those FROM Asia. It's kind of sad to be judged that if we look local we don't have money to buy high end.
 
#189
Originally Posted by sunbyrd
I think the most ridiculous rationalization I have read is the many who are planning to pass these bags down to their daughters!! *do you actually think they will be the least interested in those old bags??

If my mother had a classic Chanel flap that she gave to me you can bet your last dollar I'd be interested!!!!
 
#190
I'm sure there are forums for guys who are into cars, electronics, knives, guns, girls, etc. I'd betcha a Balenciaga that they do not beat themselves up about their hobbies. And that's what they call them. Hobbies. They do not get all angst-ridden and beat themselves up. They do not see themselves as 'addicted' and 'crazy' or sick. (Their wives probably think they are, but the guys wouldn't ever admit to it, I'm sure.)

A male relative of mine is into hunting, guns and knives. He makes a lot of us look like very reasonable, controlled people. He spends money on vehicles, real estate (!!!), gun accessories, more guns, more knives, more cammo clothing, more gun club memberships, hunting tags/licenses, meat processing fees, gas for his truck to transport him to thither and yon buying and doing all the above. And he does all this without apology. He enjoys himself. He's not rich, but he knows it's important to enjoy life.

I"m not saying to be irresponsible, but I am saying that a lot of us are too hard on ourselves. There is a balance to all this, but seriously ladies, go easy on yourselves. Life is short.
 
#192
OlgaMUA said:
Originally Posted by sunbyrd
I think the most ridiculous rationalization I have read is the many who are planning to pass these bags down to their daughters!! *do you actually think they will be the least interested in those old bags??

If my mother had a classic Chanel flap that she gave to me you can bet your last dollar I'd be interested!!!!
Click to expand...

LOL!! My mother actually did (give me a Chanel flap) and I ended up getting rid of it because it was just not my style. We have totally different styles and always have. I don't doubt that my daughters will too!
 
#193
I just figured out why I can't stop buying bags. Each bag is a sculpture of its own and I see beauty in them.
It's the same feeling as art collectors keep buying paintings if they could afford them.
 
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#195
shibumiflowers said:
I have a passion for beauty and art. I have spent portions of my life in museums staring endlessly at pieces I feel a connection with. I covet them and wish to acquire them so that I may have immediate and limitless access to them when I feel the need. Alas, for many of these pieces I cannot (yet? optimistic here) afford and so I continue haunting the galleries and halls to gain access to them but this is alone is never satisfactory. To me, some of the bags I have and want are like these pieces of art in 3D. I like the way they look, the feel, the smell, the emotions they evoke. Some are outrageously expensive, yes, and I cannot really justify their cost singularly. However, I cannot also fathom their value because how can one value emotion? I buy them, some at many thousands of dollars, to use them, look at them, feel them, smell them, and derive certain contentment and satisfaction from having them. Yet, I consider that I don't spend the equivalent on a car - I don't care for automobiles; I don't indulge in mind/body altering substances and procedures (alcohol, cigarettes, drugs, soda, cosmetic procedures, etc; I do not spend the national average on entertainment (I do not want network nor cable TV in my home); I do not purchase nor care for trinkets, jewelry, trendy fashion. Therefore, from a fiduciary perspective, I judge that the cost of a bag vis a vis the cost of all other frivolity, I'm still within reasonable limits.
Click to expand...

Great post!!! I hear constantly how I "waste" my money on bags. Maybe to people who aren't into bags it WOULD be a waste, but to me it isn't. I always hear, "why don't you save your money and buy a house?". Or "why don't you put your money toward something worthwhile?". Like what??? Nothing else would bring me the joy that my handbags bring me. And frankly, I don't WANT to own my own house cuz it's too much upkeep and responsibility for me. I'm perfectly FINE renting! Plus my boyfriend OWNS a house that he is remodeling, that we are eventually going to move into! So why on earth do these people think I NEED a house? Lol. I also have a brand new vehicle that I'm in love with, all the gagets and electronics I could ever need, NO KIDS!!!, andddd I am still able to afford to go on lots of vacations! So why CAN'T I spend money on bags? My bills are paid and I'm HAPPY!!!

Might I add that this is coming from people who are married and/or have kids, who spend their money on trinkets and stupid crap! They're always buying crafts for their houses and crap jewelry, and longaberger baskets and whatnot! Lol...sorry I'm not into that kind of stuff. I think it's wasteful of them to spend their money on crap that has no resale value, but hey...who am I to judge!

And, off topic a bit, but it totally cracks me up when these people are dissing me for spending so much money on a "plastic" LV or Chanel bracelet, asking me why I don't wear "real" jewelry...lol. Ummm...how about when I get tired of my plastic bracelets and you get tired of your diamond earrings, let's both list them on eBay and see who makes out better, shall we...?

Lol. It's a losing battle though. People don't understand. But NO ONE should tell me how to spend my money. I work hard. And I bet if ANYTHING could bring these people as much joy as handbags bring to me, they'd be spending money too!
 
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