WHY: One In and One Out.... Does This Concept Really Make Sense?

[rainnebeauxday]

I think both of the posters mentioned in the original post are members here, maybe this is something you can PM them about for clarity? I almost feel that it is unfair to mention this topic without letting them weigh in first. (I don't want to call them out & post their user names, but I think it is possible to contact them on Instagram to ask if they would like to post on this thread).

 

[tealocean]

This is great food for thought! I'm new and stumbled into this forum because of the title and don't own any Hermes though I find them beautiful. I only got my first designer bag (contemporary designer) only a few years ago and have become addicted to them since then. I ask for them for my birthday and Christmas and have realized I now have (almost) ENOUGH bags, but I keep seeing new ones I want, and that's crazy because I have bags in black, red, scarlet, gray, white, teal, aqua, turquoise, and pink! Thank you for sharing this! It's been on my mind lately that I need to get this in check. I made a list of the bag styles I still really really want, and there are just 2 bags I still really want-one is colorful the other is dressy. I don't want to become a hoarder-I've actually been on a path to becoming more minimalistic - by that I mean getting rid of all the things I don't love and use to make space for what I do. But now my closet (and under the bed!) are getting filled with a rainbow of leather handbags. So my point in all this, especially as I've been decluttering things I don't actually use, is that I agree it's better to sell or give away your unloved, unused bags and leave the space open for something better. You don't have to bring in another bag, but the opening will be there if you happen to stumble upon one and are able to add it to your collection.

 

[LovEmAll]

I don’t want to speak for the lovely @Rami00 () but I understand her one in one out article as going hand in hand with her no more than 10 bags article. She’s a minimalist - and so am I. While we love Chanel and Hermes, I at least don’t want to have a rainbow of bags. To those that do, that’s awesome and I hope you get the most gorgeous of rainbows but back to topic....say you have your bag number in mind (a total of 5, 10, 50, 100...whatever the number is) if you want to be strong and stick to that number, then the one in one out rule comes in when you find your self loving another bag. So the question becomes: do I already have a bag in this color family or style? If yes, do I love what I have more? If yes, keep what you have. If not, what’s the harm in a little trading.
To me it’s not about making money...is about using what you have and thinking about what you have and what you purchase wisely.
Now...if that little bag you just feel in love with is totally different than anything you own and it truly fills a void...maybe you up your count to 11 bags (or 51 or 101). The point really is to make us all think about what we are buying and why. HTH

 

[vanillamochi]

I don’t want to speak for the lovely @Rami00 () but I understand her one in one out article as going hand in hand with her no more than 10 bags article. She’s a minimalist - and so am I. While we love Chanel and Hermes, I at least don’t want to have a rainbow of bags. To those that do, that’s awesome and I hope you get the most gorgeous of rainbows but back to topic....say you have your bag number in mind (a total of 5, 10, 50, 100...whatever the number is) if you want to be strong and stick to that number, then the one in one out rule comes in when you find your self loving another bag. So the question becomes: do I already have a bag in this color family or style? If yes, do I love what I have more? If yes, keep what you have. If not, what’s the harm in a little trading.
To me it’s not about making money...is about using what you have and thinking about what you have and what you purchase wisely.
Now...if that little bag you just feel in love with is totally different than anything you own and it truly fills a void...maybe you up your count to 11 bags (or 51 or 101). The point really is to make us all think about what we are buying and why. HTH

Agree - I think the philosophy is more about having enough bags to have a variety but also to get maximum use out of the bag -- not to maximize resell value to apply to new purchases. Personally, I use a sturdy mini Timbuk2 backpack for work M-F, so while I love bags and have a long wishlist, I acknowledge that my lifestyle just simply doesn't suit having more than a certain number of bags at a time. Inevitably, I will use some bags more and less, and for some people, since bags can be a huge financial decision for them, they want to maximize usage.

 

[anitsirk]

I don’t have a strict ‘one in one out’ rule but I do try to curate my collection and will sell anything I don’t use anymore. I think long and hard before purchasing a new bag, but we all make mistakes and sometimes you do have to sell something at a loss. For me (and I think for a lot of people) it’s not about the money but about the clutter, both physical and mental, that keeping things you don’t use causes. Selling something, even at a loss, frees up closet space and gives you at least some money towards buying something you will use.. better than letting it sit in a closet.

Also I find that owning useless things really distresses me. I can’t stand knick knacks, keeping clothes that have gone out of style, or items that I just don’t like at all anymore.. it keeps me up at night lol. I keep my room very simple and clean, and I do have clothes and bags that I rarely wear but I make sure that I still like them and would wear them (usually it is because the bag/clothing is very delicate, too formal, doesn’t match with the weather etc..).

I would love for @Rami00 to weigh in
I don’t think she intended to use her mini as a placeholder for the Constance?

 

[Gigllee]

One in , one out philosophy is also somewhat based on the assumption that bags are that easy to sell. I think the reseller/preowned market is over supplied, weakening liquidity and profitability of reselling. I only buy classics and rarely get tired of my bags or outgrow them. Therefore one in , one out might become a money losing strategy for me. I was chatting up a consignment owner about the Cartier love bracelet and their liquidity- her advice was to only buy the love bracelet if you plan to wear it endlessly and enjoy it in all its glory. Not as an investment piece cos you are bound to take a significant loss due to it’s ubiquity - both authentic and replica. I see Chanel and Hermes gradually morphing into that. More Mindful purchases and less impulsive buys help keep my collection manageable - 1 or 2 handbags per year and no disco ball colors. Instagram influencers who are always unboxing luxury purchases more frequently might find the one in, one out approach more suitable for managing their collection/lifestyle. More so they have established credibility among their tens of thousands instagram followers that makes reselling much easier than it would be for Jane Doe like me trying to sell a bag. My 2 cents!

 

[dragonette]

In the ideal world we would have the good sense to only buy the perfect bag(s) we want and use forever, and never regret our purchase or feel the need to "upgrade", and get the right pieces for our collection in one single attempt. Our lifestyle needs would never change and we would never have a change in taste/style.

In the real world, this is quite difficult.

 

[ladysarah]

I'm sorry maybe I'm just tired. Is your point that you should just hold onto what you buy and be more careful about you buy so you never have to sell anything? I think the main counter point to consider is that personal styles and priorities change as you evolve so it can make sense to shed what you aren't using or loving anymore, even if it is at a loss.

I have to agree. I mean lifestyles evolve and so do the items we use. I dont like hoarding suff, which essentially just becomes clutter, albeit expensive clutter.

 

[chicinthecity777]

As long as you can afford them and have storage, I say buy as many as you like! And if your life style change and you no longer use a bag, feel free to sell. Why setting those artificial rules?

 

[susanq]

For me, I stumbled upon her article recently, but have admired @Rami00 on here for years. I liked her philosophy not because I want to be a minimalist, but because it made me appreciate what I have a lot more. I was sitting in my closet earlier in 2017 (I was about to say this year LOL) and I didn't feel like I wanted to use any bag, but I had to. I had to use that classic flap I bought 5 years ago because I haven't used in 5 years and they didn't bring me joy, but I just felt overwhelmed. I don't consider myself to be a collector, but was staring at 20 Chanel bags and saying I don't have a bag to use. Often I just end up grabbing my black classic flap or WOC because I don't have to think about it. My black birkin sat untouched for a very long time because I had it. I have absolutely taken a loss on these bags, but I try to sell them person to person. I like to think that I am giving someone the joy I first felt when i started buying handbags. It excites me to see someone wearing my Chanel bag or saying "this is the first Chanel bag I have bought" because I remember that joy and excitement. In reducing my collection, I have become excited again about handbags and about using the ones I have. I will keep on buying bags because I am not a minimalist, but I am not buying bags because I think they're going to hold their value or because they're classics, but simply because they bring me joy to look at. Also something I have been doing for about 8 months that has worked remarkably well has been forcing myself to buy bags that at least 50% of the bag is money from resold goods. It keeps me in check with how much/what I am buying and makes me feel better about it. It also gives me much more satisfaction than just buying them!

 

[Rami00]

Thank you for starting this thread.
I don’t consider bags as an investment but always aim to buy something that has at least some resale value.

For example: I am currently considering B25, I reached out to my friends, tpf members who own this size and asked for advice, opinions, read reviews before diving into it. I have been sitting on the idea of adding it to my collection for a while now. And guess what, I already have a bag ready to swap from my collection. Will I get tired from B25 that I am so excited to get right now? I don’t have an answer to that but if I did, it would be outta my closet.

Your Math: cost of mini $3200 – $2447 = $753 loss,
My Math: cost of mini $3200 + kept it = $3200 loss, now I am also stuck with a similar color, plus loss of space in my closet

Why not sell and use money towards a new purchase/upgrade? I have no desire to add whole $7250 plus another bag to my closet, I rather go on a vacation, or eat/drink that money. I wish, I had endless supply of money trees growing in my backyard …well, even if I did, I still wouldn’t do it. I think of it as a revolving closet, the number of bags work for me, why create a museum – I am not a collector or have a lifestyle, I am extremely realistic. Lot of people also forget that “no more than 10 bags” is a narrative, something that works for me. Your number could land at 20,50,100, everybody is different. I never have attentions to mock people with larger than life closets..

The owner of the consignment shop is a very good friend so I haven’t lost a penny on a bag yet, except $500 on LV alma couple of years ago but again that’s LV for you, I made $300 on square mini because it was a seasonal color. I heard about some consignment shops in the States, the percentage sucks. The bag in question for B25 replacement is selling for the same price as I would pay for it today and some extra.

Why I bought a Chanel square mini and didn’t wait for a Constance? We all know how the H game is played, right? Reseller route was a no go for me, I never felt comfortable. The Montreal boutique wasn’t ordering the C18s, besides C24 offers that I wasn't interested in. I had a target of blue bag in a mini size to add to my collection and Chanel came out with a perfect piece that season.
As many members of our awesome community mentioned here.. the lifestyle/taste change as we grow older, move, new baby to the family, empty nester etc. etc. and there is no point of keeping expensive clutter in our closets. I don’t own unlimited numbers of outfits, shoes, jewelry pieces...My IG has repeated outfits and bags, just like in real life we wouldn’t wear a whole new outfit, every single day – minimalist by nature, I intend to own just a few but right items.

Thank you everyone for jumping in. I have learnt a great deal of things here from every single one of you

 

[Yoshi1296]

Thank you for starting this thread.
I don’t consider bags as an investment but always aim to buy something that has at least some resale value.

For example: I am currently considering B25, I reached out to my friends, tpf members who own this size and asked for advice, opinions, read reviews before diving into it. I have been sitting on the idea of adding it to my collection for a while now. And guess what, I already have a bag ready to swap from my collection. Will I get tired from B25 that I am so excited to get right now? I don’t have an answer to that but if I did, it would be outta my closet.

Your Math: cost of mini $3200 – $2447 = $753 loss,
My Math: cost of mini $3200 – kept it = $3200 loss, now I am also stuck with a similar color, plus loss of space in my closet

Why not sell and use money towards a new purchase/upgrade? I have no desire to add whole $7250 plus another bag to my closet, I rather go on a vacation, or eat/drink that money. I wish, I had endless supply of money trees growing in my backyard …well, even if I did, I still wouldn’t do it. I think of it as a revolving closet, the number of bags work for me, why create a museum – I am not a collector or have a lifestyle, I am extremely realistic. Lot of people also forget that “no more than 10 bags” is a narrative, something that works for me. Your number could land at 20,50,100, everybody is different. I never have attentions to mock people with larger than life closets..

The owner of the consignment shop is a very good friend so I haven’t lost a penny on a bag yet, except $500 on LV alma couple of years ago but again that’s LV for you, I made $300 on square mini because it was a seasonal color. I heard about some consignment shops in the States, the percentage sucks. The bag in question for B25 replacement is selling for the same price as I would pay for it today and some extra.

Why I bought a Chanel square mini and didn’t wait for a Constance? We all know how the H game is played, right? Reseller route was a no go for me, I never felt comfortable. The Montreal boutique wasn’t ordering the C18s, besides C24 offers that I wasn't interested in. I had a target of blue bag in a mini size to add to my collection and Chanel came out with a perfect piece that season.
As many members of our awesome community mentioned here.. the lifestyle/taste change as we grow older, move, new baby to the family, empty nester etc. etc. and there is no point of keeping expensive clutter in our closets. I don’t own unlimited numbers of outfits, shoes, jewelry pieces...My IG has repeated outfits and bags, just like in real life we wouldn’t wear a whole new outfit, every single day – minimalist by nature, I intend to own just a few but right items.

Thank you everyone for jumping in. I have learnt a great deal of things here from every single one of you

OMG lol I didn't know that was you!!! Love your collection!

 

[DollyDoll]

Thank you for starting this thread.
I don’t consider bags as an investment but always aim to buy something that has at least some resale value.

For example: I am currently considering B25, I reached out to my friends, tpf members who own this size and asked for advice, opinions, read reviews before diving into it. I have been sitting on the idea of adding it to my collection for a while now. And guess what, I already have a bag ready to swap from my collection. Will I get tired from B25 that I am so excited to get right now? I don’t have an answer to that but if I did, it would be outta my closet.

Your Math: cost of mini $3200 – $2447 = $753 loss,
My Math: cost of mini $3200 – kept it = $3200 loss, now I am also stuck with a similar color, plus loss of space in my closet

Why not sell and use money towards a new purchase/upgrade? I have no desire to add whole $7250 plus another bag to my closet, I rather go on a vacation, or eat/drink that money. I wish, I had endless supply of money trees growing in my backyard …well, even if I did, I still wouldn’t do it. I think of it as a revolving closet, the number of bags work for me, why create a museum – I am not a collector or have a lifestyle, I am extremely realistic. Lot of people also forget that “no more than 10 bags” is a narrative, something that works for me. Your number could land at 20,50,100, everybody is different. I never have attentions to mock people with larger than life closets..

The owner of the consignment shop is a very good friend so I haven’t lost a penny on a bag yet, except $500 on LV alma couple of years ago but again that’s LV for you, I made $300 on square mini because it was a seasonal color. I heard about some consignment shops in the States, the percentage sucks. The bag in question for B25 replacement is selling for the same price as I would pay for it today and some extra.

Why I bought a Chanel square mini and didn’t wait for a Constance? We all know how the H game is played, right? Reseller route was a no go for me, I never felt comfortable. The Montreal boutique wasn’t ordering the C18s, besides C24 offers that I wasn't interested in. I had a target of blue bag in a mini size to add to my collection and Chanel came out with a perfect piece that season.
As many members of our awesome community mentioned here.. the lifestyle/taste change as we grow older, move, new baby to the family, empty nester etc. etc. and there is no point of keeping expensive clutter in our closets. I don’t own unlimited numbers of outfits, shoes, jewelry pieces...My IG has repeated outfits and bags, just like in real life we wouldn’t wear a whole new outfit, every single day – minimalist by nature, I intend to own just a few but right items.

Thank you everyone for jumping in. I have learnt a great deal of things here from every single one of you

My goal isn’t to put you on the defensive rather it’s to caution others that buying a high priced item with the hopes of using for sometime and selling on the resell market can cost you more and be more of a hassle than they think.

Congratulations on such a wonderful relationship with your reseller. Most people take a lost on LV and Chanel bags even if they are brand new never worn. It is a very rare occasion when someone makes a profit on a non hermes handbag in the resell market. Selling these bags especially on consignment and take months. Resellers are not our friends many will low ball and give the lowest possible price for a bag.

My Math included taxes as I mentioned. I however didn’t include the time and effort that it takes to sell a bag after market and the hassle if it goes wrong.

My Math was
Chanel Bag $3200 + 9% tax ($288) = $3488
$3488 - $2447 = $1041

(this is unlikely most people bag will fall in the very good category)

Yes it may be nice to get that item out of the closet and make some feel good with the mindset that some how they received money for a not used bag. But why not especially for the seasoned handbag person and newbie ask Do I really need to spend $3488 for a handbag that I may not use especially if I can’t truly afford to lose $3488. Why not see the bag wait a few days and really think do I need this item. Can I see myself wearing this item 10 or 20 years from now.

$3488 in your account and feeling that you didn’t settle or buy on impulse is even better!

I understand why you would give in and go for the Chanel. Hermes can seem tricky but in recent years it has gotten much easier to get the hermes bag of your dreams from the boutique if you are willing to be patient.

 

[thel]

I don't do one in one out strictly, but I like the concept of comparing any potential new acquisitions to what you already have. If it's not better in some way, then it seems silly to get new things just for the sake of newness.

 

[DollyDoll]

Thank you for starting this thread.
I don’t consider bags as an investment but always aim to buy something that has at least some resale value.

For example: I am currently considering B25, I reached out to my friends, tpf members who own this size and asked for advice, opinions, read reviews before diving into it. I have been sitting on the idea of adding it to my collection for a while now.

Why not sell and use money towards a new purchase/upgrade? I have no desire to add whole $7250 plus another bag to my closet, I rather go on a vacation, or eat/drink that money. I wish, I had endless supply of money trees growing in my backyard …..

:

Congratulations on adding a B25 to your collection. This mini Birkin looks amazing in croc and ostrich and is great for evening out in any material. I hope you get exactly what you want! I’ve seen a lot of these available in recent years.

In adding the Constance for $7250 plus tax and other items maybe purchased at hermes with the bag: You are not only adding $7250 plus tax but you losing $1041. I see you and some others look at it half full and say well I’m getting $1041 back from what I spent originally. I can add that to my purchase. Or save that for something else. But if you didn’t buy the original bag to begin with that full amount would have been saved. Unrealistic because some people will say I have to have it why wait.