Geez LOUISE!

[drgnfly30]

I a huge Coach & LV fan... I'm currently trying to convince myself that I NEED the LV Cabas Piano

They have some really cute Coach bags out now that would be perfect for a younger girl.

I know there are a ton of LV (& Coach) fakes out there but a real purse fan can certainly tell the difference between an authentic & a knock off... I can spot one a mile away!

 

[ceecee]

Shortly after I got my last Dooney bag, someone tried to pull it off my shoulder in the mall. I held on to the purse and this teenage girl was pulling on the strap, she then let go and ran off (she was with two other teens). Forget that...........not even worth the trouble! I bought a SAK next. I wouldn't buy a child an expensive purse, what do they have to look forward to, if they get everything they want now. I would be afraid of theft or them losing it. In my DD's school two "bling bling" Limited Too purses have come up "missing" and they only cost $26.00.

 

[dis ms.]

I wouldn't buy a child an expensive purse...I would be afraid of theft or them losing it.

I agree with this. That's a lot of responsibility for someone so young. Heck, I don't even trust myself with an expensive purse!

However, if someone else wants to buy their DD a purse that costs several hundred dollars, that's their prerogative.

 

[HunnyPots]

Maybe its because I was raised by depression-era parents but I just can't help but think of how many more "useful" things I could buy with the money some people spend on a purse! $200; that's two new tires for my van. $1000; that's more than my monthly mortgage payment!
I spend $10-$15 on one from Target or some other such place and carry it till it falls apart. I just don't get it...

 

[JoyG]

Be careful, you might start a lifetime purse addiction if you give her one now!

I carried an authentic Gucci purse when I was in High School back in the late 80's. My grandmother who was (and is still) the biggest fashion diva I know gave it to me from her own collection. I loved that bag. I carried it everyday. Once I did leave it in a class and another student stole $20 out of it, but I got the purse itself back! The thief probably didn't know what he was looking at!

To this day, I only buy quality purses. I am a cheapo in every other area, but my purse is expensive. I usually wear the same one everyday and they last a few years. So I buy a new purse once every 3 years or so. I love Coach bags, and currently carry a Kate Spade. I also only buy my purses from outlet stores or places like overstock.com.

I would give your daughter a quality purse...to teach her how to appreciate quality things...but I would probably give her a smaller version of a Coach. As someone stated you could get it at an outlet store for about $100.

 

[shades]

Being in the military, I've never spent much money on purses or shoes. It was always too much of a hassle to switch purses and I had to carry a solid black with no ornamentation purse for 20yrs. Once I retired, I just happened to stumble across a Coach bag that I really wanted. I ordered it from the Coach website and paid tax & shp. I figured I could find it cheaper on Ebay, but - then would be concerned it was a fake. Naturally, I had to have the matching wallet and eventually decided to buy the other color the bag came in and a matching wallet for it, too. After that, I was "temporarily" hooked on Coach and bought 2 more bags - all within a 2mos. period. I spent about $2600.00 total and I'm sure these purses will last me a lifetime. I've only used one so far and the purse and wallet both look like they were just taken out of the box.

Now, if my 13 or 15 dd's asked for a Coach bag (or, any expensive designer bag), it would depend on the circumstances surrounding the request. It would also depend on the cost of the bag. They know approx how much money we spend on them for gifts and they know it will be futile to ask for anything above & beyond that range unless it is a very special occassion - like a graduation. If the cost of the bag is in that range, then they are good to go. Fortunately, the 13yr never wants anything. Unfortunately, the 15 yr always "needs" something.

 

[cats mom]

Yep, prices for Louis Vuitton bags are waaay up there.
You could get an authentic LV key chain for $270

My teenage DD decided she wanted one for Christmas last year. (the bag, not the keychain)
Didn't happen.


Instead DD#1 picked out a really nice, classic Coach bag that will most likely last her for years.

DD#2 has to be more trendy so she went with a DB in the tartan plaid pattern. Very cute, but I tried to tell her it will be 'so last year' in no time... didn't matter, she just HAD to have it.

Hope Grandma comes up with the bucks again when she wants to get a new one.
Mom & dad won't.

 

[formernyer]

Maybe its because I was raised by depression-era parents but I just can't help but think of how many more "useful" things I could buy with the money some people spend on a purse! $200; that's two new tires for my van. $1000; that's more than my monthly mortgage payment!
I spend $10-$15 on one from Target or some other such place and carry it till it falls apart. I just don't get it...

At last somebody who has her priorities straight!

Clearly this is a discussion among rich people with lots of $$ to burn.

 

[Lorikr65]

Don't know how close you are to NYC, but they have knock offs on every corner!! We went a few years ago and were taken to a building (my SIL had been there before - I would have never gone in otherwise!!) that had about 5 separate rooms full of LV, Coach, Kate Spade, D&B, etc. I think most all were $25, although they could be talked down.

The only way I can tell real LV is that they look really crappy when they get old, the handles are usually darker and the whole bag seems to lose its shape. I'd rather pay a fraction of the cost and get a new one every year!! I have a real Gucci that my mom got on a cruise for me years ago that have really held up (I think it cost her $150 - not too bad).

Good luck!!

 

[goodeats]

I would think one of the black kate spade shoulder bags would be a very nice present for a high school aged girl.

 

[JulieEck]

I, like several others here, only like to spend $10-15 on a purse. I tell people that I don't like to carry around a purse that costs more than I am willing to carry IN it. I just can't imagine carrying $1000 in cash around. Makes me nervous!

 

[imsayin]

Clearly this is a discussion among rich people with lots of $$ to burn.

Either that or as I tell my kids, just because Mr. Jones is driving that fancy new BMW, it doesn't mean he is rich or can afford it.

 

[Belle5]

Either that or as I tell my kids, just because Mr. Jones is driving that fancy new BMW, it doesn't mean he is rich or can afford it.

Amen! I have a cousin who name-drops purses and shoes and everything else. She has raised a daughter just like her. Now she doesn't understand why her soon to be married daughter is so spoiled and has to have the best of everything.

They never took family vacations but were always dressed to kill. My $15 target purse has carried me and my large family to WDW twenty times in the past 11 years and to lots of other family memory making places as well.

I may not be teaching my children to appreciate the "finer things in life" but I sure think they have a fine life...

Isn't this the budget board?

 

[JoyG]

Either that or as I tell my kids, just because Mr. Jones is driving that fancy new BMW, it doesn't mean he is rich or can afford it.

Or it could be that people put priorities on different things. Like I said before, I am a cheapo in every other area...I don't have all the cable channels like HBO...just the basic stations here...we are a one car family...we have a modest mortgage....I shop at Aldis....I just happen to like purses. My purse by itself is always more expensive than the rest of my outfit put together. If I am frugal in other areas (and I am frugal) I can afford to buy the things that I enjoy...purses (and vacations). Life is about making choices. That is a lesson for the OP as well, if the daughter wants a purse she should be forced to make a choice about using the money for it.

I'm definitely not rich...when we had the poll about annual income not too long ago, mine fell in the bottom third of the responses. It's all about spending your money wisely so you can do what you enjoy.

Clearly purses don't hold the same appeal to others, therefore that money gets diverted to buying tires for the van. I divert the money I would have spent on the cable bill to the tires for the van.

Joy

 

[imsayin]

Quote:
Originally Posted by imsayin
Either that or as I tell my kids, just because Mr. Jones is driving that fancy new BMW, it doesn't mean he is rich or can afford it.

Or it could be that people put priorities on different things.

I posted the 1st comment above, but I do agree with your statement.

 

[Stepht5]

At last somebody who has her priorities straight!

Clearly this is a discussion among rich people with lots of $$ to burn.

How funny! All of my bills get paid every month. I outright own 2 2006 vehicles, no debt --- we did just buy a second home and that has a mortgage ..... for now.... Our children have college funds.... we have retirement funds.....

So, I think my priorities are plenty straight. I do love a nice purse though. And I have bought a D & B for my 14dd.... SO, what? I have a teenage dd that really asks for nothing -- she didn't ask for the purse but, I knew she had been looking at it.... so, I bought it for her!

 

[Ilovestitch]

Whatever you do, DON'T buy a fake! It is illegal to sell fakes and buy purchasing it you are supporting terrorism and child labor. Counterfits are a several billion dollar a year industry.

Wait til they go on sale and buy a nice Coach at a dept. store.

I have a few LV bags but that's my guilty pleasure when it comes to fashion. I hardly spend anything on shoes (only have 3 or 4 pair) or clothes.

 

[First-timer]

I've seen D&B at TJ Maxx. Not sure of the exact prices.

i bought my dd 15 a D&B from TJ max reg. price is 180 i got it for 80.00 it is the barrel with the number 2 on it she loves it vicki

 

[new_mouser]

Or it could be that people put priorities on different things. Like I said before, I am a cheapo in every other area...I don't have all the cable channels like HBO...just the basic stations here...we are a one car family...we have a modest mortgage....I shop at Aldis....I just happen to like purses. My purse by itself is always more expensive than the rest of my outfit put together. If I am frugal in other areas (and I am frugal) I can afford to buy the things that I enjoy...purses (and vacations). Life is about making choices. That is a lesson for the OP as well, if the daughter wants a purse she should be forced to make a choice about using the money for it.

I'm definitely not rich...when we had the poll about annual income not too long ago, mine fell in the bottom third of the responses. It's all about spending your money wisely so you can do what you enjoy.

Clearly purses don't hold the same appeal to others, therefore that money gets diverted to buying tires for the van. I divert the money I would have spent on the cable bill to the tires for the van.

Joy

Joy, I agree with you. I was raised by Depression-era parents, but my mother lived in Europe for several years where, according to her, it didn't matter what you wore as long as you had a great handbag and a great pair of shoes. I'm frugal in many areas, though, and can stretch a penny into a nickle. Oh, and we don't have HBO either - just basic, non-digital cable

 

[NeverlandClub23]

I have a couple of D&B and Coach purses and have always wanted a LV bag. Until recently. Now that I'm really working on getting my own house, affording vacations, and the little luxuries in life, I could care less what kind of purse I have. Yes having an LV bag would be great but I would feel just like I did when I shelled out the few hundred dollars on my other purses. It felt great for a week or two and now it's just a purse to me. Just like ever owning a Mercedes or BMW, I could never see spending big bucks on something when I can have something nice and with all the same bells and whistles for half of the price. I'm sure your daughter would be thrilled but everytime I see anyone with a LV bag I immediately think it's fake (they make some really good fakes, some with the LV print all the way around like the real ones), because I could never see spending that much money on a purse. But on the other hand, I used to buy 10-15 purses a year for $20-80 a piece. Ever since I bought my last D&B purse two years ago I haven't bought another purse since and I've worn it every day.