Coach bag or not?

[NYCDiane]

Okay, so every payday, my money goes to bills, bills, bills. It is a very rare day that I get to buy myself anything, no less go out. Seriously, I haven't had my hair done in MONTHS, manicure? Never. Clothes? Desperately need new. However, if there is ever any "extra" money, it always seems that something comes up and the money has to go there.

I love taking my daughter to B'way shows and we have a jar that we throw coins in. Once we have enough, we find a discount code and get tickets to whatever show it is that we want to see.

Well, I've been saving coins and dollars in a separate (secret! LOL!) jar and now have about $300 (probably more). My b'day is in about 3 weeks and I would love to go to the outlet center and get myself a Coach bag. I know the outlet store has a 50% off (outlet price) section and their regular prices are about 30-40% off retail. I'm sure I can get myself a nice bag for about $300.

Now, here's the problem:

I'll probably feel guilty as anything knowing that the $300 (or however much) could have gone to a bill, stocking groceries, or toward a credit card payment instead of an expensive handbag.

Any opinions?

 

[sameyeyam]

I say NOT!

Here is my thought, go spend $30-$50 and buy a look alike purse. Then take the rest of the money and go on a shopping spree at Goodwill, garage sales, Ross or any other bargain stores. You'll end up with way more for the money. Sure, the purse might be nice to start with, but after a couple of months it's just a used purse.

Of course I'm so frugal there is no way I would even spend $50 on a knock off purse. I'd go hit the clearance bins and find 3 or 4 purses that cost less than $5 each.

I really do think you should spend the money on yourself. But if it were me I would stretch it and make it go a lot further, so I have lots of choices.

 

[ilovejack02]

Okay, so every payday, my money goes to bills, bills, bills. It is a very rare day that I get to buy myself anything, no less go out. Seriously, I haven't had my hair done in MONTHS, manicure? Never. Clothes? Desperately need new. However, if there is ever any "extra" money, it always seems that something comes up and the money has to go there.

I love taking my daughter to B'way shows and we have a jar that we throw coins in. Once we have enough, we find a discount code and get tickets to whatever show it is that we want to see.

Well, I've been saving coins and dollars in a separate (secret! LOL!) jar and now have about $300 (probably more). My b'day is in about 3 weeks and I would love to go to the outlet center and get myself a Coach bag. I know the outlet store has a 50% off (outlet price) section and their regular prices are about 30-40% off retail. I'm sure I can get myself a nice bag for about $300.

Now, here's the problem:

I'll probably feel guilty as anything knowing that the $300 (or however much) could have gone to a bill, stocking groceries, or toward a credit card payment instead of an expensive handbag.

Any opinions?

I have never spent that much money on a bag at the outlet and i bet you will find something you love for much less. I just bought a gorgeous one last week for 127.00 after tax. It had been 400.00.
My purchase the year before was about 280.00 after tax and that was for 1 large leather bag and a small party purse ,plus a coin bag.

I have kept all my coach bags for well over two years if not longer switching them out for the seasons, cleaning them up and storing in bags.

For Valentines day hubby bought me one at Dillard's for 198.00 before tax. It was on a day that clearance was all an extra 30% off. It was originally 398.00.

I love my bags and take good care them and always pay cash for them.

They will last forever if taken care of. I have friends that laugh at me, but then are at Target or Walmart buying 20-40.00 bags several times a year.

I tend to only get one a year sometimes, its a little longer than that. This year buying two was a big TREAT!!

Its ok to treat yourself sometimes!

Im not a knock off girl as far as buying a bag that is a fake Coach. I dont like buying things made in sweatshops.

 

[sunnyday123]

NYC Diane???


are you IN NYC?? if so , there's this little place called Canal Street..... And you'll spend $35 tops...depending on how good of a negotiator you are!

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

I got a beautiful Coach bag at the outlet for $175, regular price was $398 and I don't regret it one minute. You have to treat yourself once in a while. I will have this bag for many years to come.

Suzanne

 

[Tinkerjane]

When I was in Orlando in March, I went to the Coach outlet store. My niece had hinted that she wanted a Coach bag. Everything was on sale but there was a section that was an additional 50% off the sale price. I ended up getting her a really, really nice purse for $99.00 and she was elated.

 

[brianheather]

I say go for it....
the most I have spent is 184.00 on a bag at the Coach Outlet. And its Beautiful. So any extra you can tuck away... The bag that I got was regularly 400.00
Hope you find one and post a pic if you get one.

 

[bennyrn12]

GO FOR IT!!! I have the same mentality, I would rather spend the money on bills or whatever then on myself. For christmas this past year my mom, sister and husband got me a beautiful coach bag, matching wallet and keychain for 200!! I was at the outlet last week and got a great bag for 78 dollars that was originally over 200. I look at it like this... You can spend 30-40 for a fake and have it ruined after one season or spend 100-150 on the real thing and have it around for years. Treat yourself!!! Warning though.... coach is addictive

 

[Tinkerbelle32]

There is no way you will need to spend anywhere close to $300 for a bag at the outlet stores. I just bought a beautiful whiskey brown Coach bag while we were in Orlando. It's at least med. sized, brown leather, with buckles. Price with % off was $91, with tax $98. Treat yourself and go buy a good bag. They will last forever. It's origanal price was $398!

 

[ilovejack02]

I say go for it....
the most I have spent is 184.00 on a bag at the Coach Outlet. And its Beautiful. So any extra you can tuck away... The bag that I got was regularly 400.00
Hope you find one and post a pic if you get one.

Yes please do post pic!!

LOL funny story I used one of my older ones the other day, I bought prob 3 years ago.. all leather a gorgeous dark purplish pink large bag.
Little teenager at the grocery store gushed all over it and then promptly asked me if it was real. haha I said yes, asked me how much I paid for it, I think it was about 150.00. She freaked out because her mom had just bought her a fake cloth one for 80.00 and it was already losing some stitching.

 

[ilovejack02]

Warning though.... coach is addictive

IT IS!!! My best friend has most of her Coach bags from the last 20 years in her closet hanging on display on a large wall.
There must be at least 25 of them and when we have Mom's night at her house we all go in there and touch them and play with them LOL. She doesnt quite do the bargain Coach shopping that I do though, but still has the same thoughts, she gets one or two a year and continues to reuse over and over.

 

[mjhd]

Just do it! It will make you feel great! I love purses and the Coach outlet. If you can wait it out, they often have 25% off coupons too! Please do not buy a fake - even good ones do not compare to the real thing - treat yourself.

 

[Tinkerbelle32]

I have to agree the quality in a fake bag will be horrible. I did it once many years ago, when I was out of college. Well, the handle ripped right off in the first year. Buying a Coach bag is something you will never regret!

 

[NYCDiane]

I have kept all my coach bags for well over two years if not longer switching them out for the seasons, cleaning them up and storing in bags.

I agree... I have 2 Coach bags now. One, I've had for about 11 years. I don't use it that often, though, and it still looks like new. The other, I've had for over 9 years, use it daily, and it's still in great condition and I get compliments on it all the time (especially since it's considered "classic Coach" or "vintage Coach" now. LOL)

Im not a knock off girl as far as buying a bag that is a fake Coach. I dont like buying things made in sweatshops.

I agree... I don't like knockoff anything. For one, those are made in shops where people (children) are abused, forced to work insane hours for very little pay, and the money made off these bags typically goes to no good. Second, I can spot a fake from a mile away and it always strikes me as being "Tacky McMacky".

 

[NYCDiane]

NYC Diane???


are you IN NYC?? if so , there's this little place called Canal Street..... And you'll spend $35 tops...depending on how good of a negotiator you are!

I won't buy the fakes in Chinatown (or anywhere else for that matter).

 

[ilovejack02]

I agree... I don't like knockoff anything. For one, those are made in shops where people (children) are abused, forced to work insane hours for very little pay, and the money made off these bags typically goes to no good. Second, I can spot a fake from a mile away and it always strikes me as being "Tacky McMacky".

http://www.allposters.com/-sp/I-Can-Tell-Your-Purse-Is-Fake-Posters_i1702643_.htm

I have this magnet on my fridge. It is so stinking funny, even my hubby has been known to say.. I think that girl's bag is fake while we are out HAHA!

 

[PinkRhombus]

Don't waste your money on the fake ones. Buy the quality if you're going to spend the money. ALWAYS worth it in the long run. Construction is better. Zippers are better even.

I have a couple. I can't bring myself to get them more often. Have gone the Vera Bradley route because they're washable (great with 2 younger kids) not to mention less expensive.

 

[NYCDiane]

Just do it! It will make you feel great! I love purses and the Coach outlet. If you can wait it out, they often have 25% off coupons too! Please do not buy a fake - even good ones do not compare to the real thing - treat yourself.

I was thinking that since I missed the July 4th sales at the outlet, maybe I'll wait until they have the Labor Day sales. Yes, I'll have to wait a month or 5 weeks to buy it, but I'll probably be able to get some coupons or something to use. Of course, I'll check out the sales before then and if they have a good sale going on, I'll be there!

I think I'm going to go for it! I didn't realize the prices at the Coach outlet were so reasonable. I can buy the bag and keep whatever is left and put toward Christmas or back to school for my DD.

 

[ilovejack02]

Don't waste your money on the fake ones. Buy the quality if you're going to spend the money. ALWAYS worth it in the long run. Construction is better. Zippers are better even.

I have a couple. I can't bring myself to get them more often. Have gone the Vera Bradley route because they're washable (great with 2 younger kids) not to mention less expensive.

I love my Vera Bradley bags, have the luggage set from several years ago in red. It was a gift and I know my mom got it on clearance, still looks great even after being washed . I got a pink bag two years ago and was bummed, after two washings it was faded, but bought several over the years as gifts for my mom and they all still look great. Must have just been the pink one I got that had issues.

 

[englishteacha]

I agree with SamEyeAm. I could never spend $300 on a purse. The only thing I've spent that much on was my wedding gown, and I still felt a bit guilty about that. I'd take the $300 and treat myself to something, though. I say hit TJ Maxx and other discount stores for some new clothes/accessories and scope out the purses/bags there. I've gotten some really cute purses (not Coach, but still fashionable and cute) for under $10, and they last me a year or so with every day use. I don't treat my purses gently! If you must have Coach, then keep checking the outlet till you find something you really love that is considerably marked down. I'd try not to spend over $100 on it. Personally, I'd never spend that much on a purse because then I'd be afraid to use it! Knowing my luck, a pen would explode in it and leak all the way through, ruining the bag within a week. It's like sunglasses. I can't seem to lose the ones I buy at the Dollar Store, but the nice ones I've bought in the past get broken or lost within a month.