What about the core customers that liked quality leather products at the prior price point. I've been buying Coach for 30 years. The leather from back then is much nicer IN MY OPINION, than some of the new stuff that is out there. I'll probably still continue to buy from Coach but...
Why Goldman Sachs Believes Coach's (COH) Turnaround Is Alienating Consumers
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What about the core customers that liked quality leather products at the prior price point. I've been buying Coach for 30 years. The leather from back then is much nicer IN MY OPINION, than some of the new stuff that is out there. I'll probably still continue to buy from Coach but...
I agree.
What I like about Coach's new approach is that they still have bags at their former fp price point while they have added bags at a bit higher price point.
Now I am not taking into account 50-70% off of "retail" prices at the outlet, I am talking about the fp Coach price points. I think there is a wide range of prices represented with the new line.
I'm glad to see other people thinking the same thing as me.
I have bought over 20 (might be more, lost count) coach purses over the years, and only until recently I've stopped.
Reason? Unjustified high price + high-end knock-off 'designs' + poor leather quality. This combo is pretty lethal, and this brand is losing me as a customer.
All of my coach purses have been leather and a fare share of them were limited edition too, because I liked the classic design and the premium quality leather. I go to the outlet stores sometimes, not most of my purchases have been in full price stores.
Now that all of the qualities I liked about coach is gone, I'm done, and ready to move on. I'll probably still buy the discontinued older designs at department stores though...
Sorry about my rant...I guess I'm more upset about the downfall of Coach than I thought I was...
I have bought over 20 (might be more, lost count) coach purses over the years, and only until recently I've stopped.
Reason? Unjustified high price + high-end knock-off 'designs' + poor leather quality. This combo is pretty lethal, and this brand is losing me as a customer.
All of my coach purses have been leather and a fare share of them were limited edition too, because I liked the classic design and the premium quality leather. I go to the outlet stores sometimes, not most of my purchases have been in full price stores.
Now that all of the qualities I liked about coach is gone, I'm done, and ready to move on. I'll probably still buy the discontinued older designs at department stores though...
Sorry about my rant...I guess I'm more upset about the downfall of Coach than I thought I was...
Curious to know which styles you see as "high end knock off designs"? Also, where are you seeing quality issues? We've seen QA issues on random bags from Coach for years, but also from every other brand...but in general they hold up well. What has changed for you?
The only "quality" let down for me was the change in FP lining and the lack of feet on many of their structured bags. Other than that its just been a series of "great almost" in design details. I thought many of the studded bags would have been better if identical front/back considering the higher price point, the Snoopy goods mostly in negative or filled black style instead of the traditional colorful drawings was disappointing, and wished the latest Winter Garden floral designs were set on a jet black background instead of the muted brownish one so the colors would pop out, feels more like Autumn Garden. And the new Taxi Totes just don't feel inspired as did the older gathered leather ones when they first came out - they remind me of MFF totes. Finally, this doesn't apply just to Coach but I'm getting really tired of the continual winged bags this late in the game.
That said, I do like so many of their wallets; and in bags - the recent emphasis on the use of turnlocks that look really solid, and the use of bright colors along with the basic neutrals. The Daily bag was a surprise hit in my book and I wished they did more in terms of color and texture within that price point. Overall, I've found it really important to see an item IRL (like front/back and check weight before taking the plunge more than before, especially with the new return policy. I think Coach will eventually make a comeback but as for joining the ranks of premier designers, I don't think so.
That said, I do like so many of their wallets; and in bags - the recent emphasis on the use of turnlocks that look really solid, and the use of bright colors along with the basic neutrals. The Daily bag was a surprise hit in my book and I wished they did more in terms of color and texture within that price point. Overall, I've found it really important to see an item IRL (like front/back and check weight before taking the plunge more than before, especially with the new return policy. I think Coach will eventually make a comeback but as for joining the ranks of premier designers, I don't think so.
The winged bags (crosby) are celine knockoffs.
The bags in the Spring line up that have studs are Valentino knockoffs.
The Rhyders, especially the wallets, are balenciaga knockoffs.
The Gramercy is a fendi knockoff.
I think that about covers it.
As far as the new styles go...just to list a few, I see a lot of Birkin in Gramercy , Balenciaga in Rhyder, and the gathered leather bags just screams MiuMiu...and what is the deal with "saffiano leather"? I thought that was Prada's thing... but hey, that might just be me.
While I understand designers get 'inspired' by great designs, this big wave of 'hey lets do what's popular and 'it'! ' annoys me.
And when it comes to quality, I guess I'm more talking about the decline in material quality than the craftsmanship.
Last weekend I went to a boutique and pretty much touched every single bag on the floor. Wasn't impressed. There are so many styles with either 'coated' or 'embossed' leather that looks plastic and feels stiff, might as well be vinyl under there, I wouldn't know. What made me realise the decline in leather quality were the Rhyder bags though. They ( I guess some of them, since it comes in different leather finishes) had thin, bumpy leather that looks most fake, and feels low end to the touch. Some people might like that finish, but not me.
I'm not bashing all of the coach bags though. There were still a few bags in the store that I wouldn't might having, at 50% off.
Oh, and the sales. The lady who was helping me told me about Coach's change in direction, about their new wonderful designer, about their wanting to be more 'exclusive' and high-end and having sales and coupon events won't fit into that...
Anyway, all my favourite styles have been discontinued and replaced with the new hip creations...which I don't care for, so I don't know, it's more like Coach not wanting me as a customer, than me choosing to spend my bag money somewhere else...
But judging by this long reply/another rant, you can probably tell I'm not yet over this breakup haha
Also Brooklyn reminds me a lil of PS1 and Christie reminds me of Prada. I don't mind these inspirations too much as long as they are not blatant copies. If I like the style and the quality matches the price, I will still buy it.The winged bags (crosby) are celine knockoffs.
The bags in the Spring line up that have studs are Valentino knockoffs.
The Rhyders, especially the wallets, are balenciaga knockoffs.
The Gramercy is a fendi knockoff.
I think that about covers it.
Me too, I still think Coach is value for the money and is not completely copying designs, but the rhyder wallet is too similar to the balenciaga wallet. It looks like a cheap knockoff a street merchant would sell.
I agree on the Brooklyn being like the PS1
As far as the new styles go...just to list a few, I see a lot of Birkin in Gramercy , Balenciaga in Rhyder, and the gathered leather bags just screams MiuMiu...and what is the deal with "saffiano leather"? I thought that was Prada's thing... but hey, that might just be me.
While I understand designers get 'inspired' by great designs, this big wave of 'hey lets do what's popular and 'it'! ' annoys me.
And when it comes to quality, I guess I'm more talking about the decline in material quality than the craftsmanship.
Last weekend I went to a boutique and pretty much touched every single bag on the floor. Wasn't impressed. There are so many styles with either 'coated' or 'embossed' leather that looks plastic and feels stiff, might as well be vinyl under there, I wouldn't know. What made me realise the decline in leather quality were the Rhyder bags though. They ( I guess some of them, since it comes in different leather finishes) had thin, bumpy leather that looks most fake, and feels low end to the touch. Some people might like that finish, but not me.
I'm not bashing all of the coach bags though. There were still a few bags in the store that I wouldn't might having, at 50% off.
Oh, and the sales. The lady who was helping me told me about Coach's change in direction, about their new wonderful designer, about their wanting to be more 'exclusive' and high-end and having sales and coupon events won't fit into that...
Anyway, all my favourite styles have been discontinued and replaced with the new hip creations...which I don't care for, so I don't know, it's more like Coach not wanting me as a customer, than me choosing to spend my bag money somewhere else...
But judging by this long reply/another rant, you can probably tell I'm not yet over this breakup haha
I don't follow the other brands you mentioned, and I agree with you, just from the limited exposure I've had on the tPF forum to those brands.
I still don't get how Coach is trying to become more "exclusive." My SA told me that was their goal with the new line. I asked her how Coach is going to achieve exclusivity when anyone can go to the outlet, get a cheap siggy bag and flaunt their new Coach all around the mall. Sure enough, the shoppers who came in to look at the new stuff were carrying their mff siggy bags and gawking at the prices in the store. It made me sad to see every customer walk out empty handed and (dare I say) pissed off.
I think the issue for me has been that there are so few types of bags...typically there is something for almost everyone, but right now the options are so limited. So, if you don't want a Rhyder or Dakota, or one of the few other options, there just isn't anything to get excited about.
I just don't think they are creating the "buzz" they hoped for since most of the bags aren't quite buzzworthy enough to make Coach "exclusive".
I just don't think they are creating the "buzz" they hoped for since most of the bags aren't quite buzzworthy enough to make Coach "exclusive".
Interesting article. Coach is mentioned as well as MK, and Tory Burch. But Kate Spade is Wall Street's darling now
Kate Spade Winning the Handbag Wars (Coach stock down 40%)
http://money.cnn.com/2014/11/06/inv...s-coach-handbag/index.html?source=yahoo_quote
Kate Spade Winning the Handbag Wars (Coach stock down 40%)
http://money.cnn.com/2014/11/06/inv...s-coach-handbag/index.html?source=yahoo_quote
I didn't know the stock was down that much. Coach is tanking and needs to get it together fast.