Coach bag or not - Update

[NYCDiane]

A few weeks ago, I posted about how I saved about $300 and was going to treat myself for my b'day and was considering buying a Coach bag at the outlets. Well, here's an update.

My daughter and I went to the outlets yesterday --- that place is HUGE!!! Anyway, our first stop was the Coach store. They had plenty of great bags and amazing prices. Alas, I didn't find "the one" so it was no Coach bag for me this time around

I did get a couple of much-needed items in the other stores though --- I got a couple of bras & undies and then over to Bass and got a great pair of sandals for only $20 including tax. I got my daughter back to school Sketchers for only $20 and 2 of those scarf things that the girls like to wear now for only $2 each at Claires.

I still have some money left but I'm going to go to the store today and get myself a couple of pairs of slacks and tops for work. Whatever $$ is left is going back in the jar.

I'm not as disappointed as I thought I would be about not getting a Coach bag. The bags they had were really beautiful, but just not what I was looking for. I looked in a few of the other stores (Nine West, Wilson's, etc) but couldn't find a bag there, either. I guess my "classic Coach" will have to do for just a bit longer.

 

[crisi]

That's kinda funny....I did the same thing - decided to treat myself to a designer purse. And discovered that I'm too "purse picky" - could not find a bag I loved. I'll spend $40 or $50 on a bag I like - and I'll drop $10 on a cute bag at Target that I'll use three times because its cute, but I'm not spending a few hundred unless I love it.

 

[pilesoflaundry]

I used to want one so bad, mostly for qulaity and because I thought they looked nice. Then I realized everyone has one and it's no big deal anymore and I don't want the same purse for 10 years and that is what I would end up doing if I get a coach. It would last that long and I would want to use it for that long to get my moneys worth and I would get sick of looking at it.

So I gave up unless I see one that I just have to have. Good luck on your search!

 

[bookgirl]

Hey it happens, the last outlet I went to I didn't buy one. I just didn't like any of the styles they had. Time before last I spent a couple hundred on just one bag (not a purse but a large overnighter tote bag), so I figure it evens itself out in the long run. I say hang on to your money and wait for THE BAG. It was a great choice, and now that you've decided that you should get to buy one it'll be just that more fun to save up for it some more and plan another trip to see if you find anything you like.

 

[PinkRhombus]

It's not so much that everyone has a Coach, it's that so many of them are fake. People have purse parties around here.

I'd rather spend $60 on a Vera Bradley.

I did get a REALLY awesome purse (it's giant) at JCPenney's the other day for $20. Kind of a pearly ivory color.

I bought a great yellow bag at Target. I LOVE this thing, but it got stained by rubbing up against my jeans I suppose. But I cannot get it to come off. I've tried EVERYTHING. Bummer.

 

[stitchlovestink]

Well good for you to decide that you are worth it!
But better yet good for you for deciding that even though you really wanted one, you didn't just throw your $$ at a bag just because it was a Coach bag. You didn't buy one because you didn't see the one that was meant to be yours. You decided to wait to find the right one, and you will. You will know it when you see it. I do love Coach bags. They're well made, stylish and last for a long long time. Good luck find the right one for you, it will happen.

 

[NeverlandClub23]

I have three Coach bags (two given to me as gifts) and, while I do love them, now that I own them I don't look it as anything special. But the one good thing it has done is I have gone from buying 5-6 ($20-$50) purses a year to not having bought a purse in almost 3 years. It's really cleared out a big chunk of my closet as I've given all of my old purses away and now just have my 3 Coach's and 4 or 5 D&B.

The one I bought myself was $325 at the Outlet and the matching wallet was $95 back in 2006. After I bought them and I got in the car I was like "WTH did I just spend over $400 on?!" I even sat there for about 20 minutes considering taking it back. I kept it but I decided right then that it was the last "designer" purse I was going to buy. Even though I loved it, it didn't feel that important to me to own that bag once I owned it (if that makes any sense ). Before that I had considered saving $900 for a Louis Vuitton purse I really wanted. I thought about the MAJOR feeling of disappointment I would feel if I had done that!

Not that I don't think designer purses are worth it. Don't get me wrong, I love mine (they take SO much abuse! Just ask the bucket Coach bag I have in my closet right now that went with me on a trip to Disney and had an entire refillable mug of sweet tea spilled inside of it ) and it has kept me from spending more money than I did. I just think I'm done with my "collection" .

 

[cmjaffe]

We just checked out the Coach outlet in Clinton, CT and my DD the "shopper" found something (50%)-- a pair of sneakers and a little purse. A week earlier we picked up 2 pairs of Coach sneakers at L&T for $28 each (50% reduced price plus 15% on line coupon -- can't beat that from orig $88). So now she'll decide which ones she'll keep (luckily coach has that unlimited return policy at ANY shop -- so won't have to travel all the way out to outlet). Have 2 other purses that we had picked up (DH picked up one on a business trip in May 50% off reduced price but still a bit dear for a 13yo) and the other that we picked up in April. Libby always checks out what's in the 50% marked downs (got her trained right .
Did you go to the outlets in Riverhead? I just got back from a trip out to Long Island and only got as far as The Source. Didn't want to travel much farther out since I'd have a really long drive back to CT on a Friday night. What styles did you find and how were the discounts. We found that this trip the majority of things were 30% and few at 50%+. Last time in April before Easter there were a bit more things at 50% which included a gorgeous briefcase/computer case that I should have gotten for DH leather, but still a bit dear$$.
Glad you treated yourself to some much-needed wardrobe additions.

 

[a1tinkfans]

Too Funny, I was headed out to Riverhead this weekend to go to coach myself, but did not make it out there. I am looking for a swingpack (the one that goes across your body).
Its to replace the last one, alas a fake for $22 that was purchased off the streets of NYC about 2 years ago.

I gave it away to someone that wanted one so bad and could not even afford the $22 at the time. She's happy and me, well, it was the only fake I have ever bought, so I was glad to give it to someone having used it a while.

I actually love the Gucci's I have, but I do not want to spend hundreds again and would really like something cross body style but not bulky.

If anyone was out at Riverhead outlet, did you happen to notice this style. I think retail they are like 120ish.....
I am looking for the one thats like 7 by 8" and in brown with long 48" strap. I have seen some called "scribble" style, white background and pale colors...

I was considering ebay, but really don't want to chance it....

TIA!

 

[LanaJae]

Hope you find the "one" next time!

I went to the Coach Factory Store on the 16th and brought home these for my birthday (all 3 came to $180 pre-tax with the 20% emailed coupon):

 

[CarolinaMomOf3boys]

Hmmmm I LOVE Coach! My wonderful husband just bought me a new on last friday

Kuddos to you for waiting....you'll know 'the one' when you see it~

 

[NYCDiane]

If anyone was out at Riverhead outlet, did you happen to notice this style. I think retail they are like 120ish.....
I am looking for the one thats like 7 by 8" and in brown with long 48" strap. I have seen some called "scribble" style, white background and pale colors...

I was at the Riverhead outlet and I'm pretty sure they had the one you're talking about. It's almost like a square with a long strap, right? I didn't look closely at them or price them b/c that wasn't what I was looking for but I'm pretty sure I saw them there. You can always call ahead to see if they have them. Everyone in the store was really nice/helpful.

 

[NYCDiane]

Did you go to the outlets in Riverhead? I just got back from a trip out to Long Island and only got as far as The Source. Didn't want to travel much farther out since I'd have a really long drive back to CT on a Friday night. What styles did you find and how were the discounts.

I went to Riverhead. It was great. I had never been to this outlet and didn't realize how huge it is (Tanger 1 & 2).

They had so many styles of purses, plus a lot of wallets and wristlets. The prices were great --- many items were 50% off and they also had items that were heavily marked down + an extra 30% off the markdown.

 

[NYCDiane]

Thank you for all the other great replies

I'm sure I'll find "the" bag when the time is right!

 

[a1tinkfans]

THANK YOU, where does one get a discount or emailed coupon...do you join something.....
I think I will head out there this week after all.............

 

[WeLuvDiznee]

I love,love,love my Coach bags! I've had a few for years now,and my daughters will get them when old enough to appreciate them-they'll be vintage by then! I used to spend a few dollars for alot of purses that would fray and break after awhile.Now I buy a nice purse,that will last a long time. I have a few for each season-(which is 2 in Florida) and I also have a few Vera Bradley purses. But, I'm a purse *****! I love them!

 

[NYCDiane]

THANK YOU, where does one get a discount or emailed coupon...do you join something.....
I think I will head out there this week after all.............

Unfortunately, Coach doesn't give out coupons and the Tanger coupons don't apply to Coach.

Last week's Sunday paper had the 20% off Tanger coupons (the stores that accept them were listed on the back). You can also join "Tanger Club" at the Shopper's Service office. It's $10 and they give you a really nice tote bag, a free coupon book, and a $10 gift card during your b'day month. When you're at Shopper Services, you can also ask them for the 20% off coupons. You could probably also call the main Tanger Corporate Customer service # and maybe they'll e-mail them to you.

Those 20% off coupons were a great help ---- that's how I got the $50 sandals for $20 (50% off at Bass plus the 20% coupon). The Skechers, too. They were on sale for $25 minus the 20% off coupon... $20 for a pair of sneakers that were originally $55 (or probably more --- the outlet price was $55).

Anyway, make a day of it and plan the day. Get those coupons, print out the Tanger map from the site, mark the stores you want to go to and have a blast!!!!

 

[DiznyDi]

The next time you're shopping at the outlet or retail Coach location, make sure they have your email address in their system. Just last week I was emailed a '20% off your total purchase coupon' good at the outlet only on all merchandise, including clearance. I purchased a $548.00 large leather Zoe bag for $140.00 with a matching $198.00 wallet that was $35.99.
You should also be able to register your email address at the Coach website and also on Facebook.

NYCDiane I remember when you posted with your dilemma. So sorry you didn't find what you were looking for this time. As your time permits, keep looking. Your bag is out there just waiting to be found! Good Luck!

 

[Mish19]

I went to the Riverhead outlets this weekend too! I love Coach and I was able to find a cute bag for 50% off.
Actually Coach does mail out 20% off coupons to random people on their mailing list. There's no way to ask to be put on the list, it's all decided at Coach headquarters.

 

[GoofyforDisney3]

Unfortunately, Coach doesn't give out coupons and the Tanger coupons don't apply to Coach.

Last week's Sunday paper had the 20% off Tanger coupons (the stores that accept them were listed on the back). You can also join "Tanger Club" and the service office. It's $10 and they give you a really nice tote bag, a free coupon book, and a $10 gift card during your b'day month. When you're at Shopper Services, you can also ask them for the 20% off coupons. You could probably also call the main Tanger Corporate Customer service # and maybe they'll e-mail them to you.

Those 20% off coupons were a great help ---- that's how I got the $50 sandals for $20 (50% off at Bass plus the 20% coupon). The Skechers, too. They were on sale for $25 minus the 20% off coupon... $20 for a pair of sneakers that were originally $55 (or probably more --- the outlet price was $55).

Anyway, make a day of it and plan the day. Get those coupons, print out the Tanger map from the site, mark the stores you want to go to and have a blast!!!!

Actually Coach does occasionally give out coupons. I was in two different Coach stores last month and each one was doing a special coupon worth 20% off and gave one to everyone as you walked in the door.

I was never a Coach girl until recently. I went to an outlet in the spring and could not believe the deals available at the outlet store. I fell in love with a bag that happened to be marked down on clearance that also had an additional 50% off. Ended up paying about $90 for a $300 bag. Fast forward to last month and I found the same bag in multiple colors. Since I loved the bag so much I had to go ahead and get another one in a "fall" color. What luck that it was marked down 50% off and then the coupon for 20% off, ended up paying about $120 for the bag. Not a bad deal at all.