Vera Bradley questions

[Aliceacc]

I'm a teacher who is recovering from a mastectomy. I now need to ditch my leather briefcase and purse in favor of something lighter, since I've been told that I'll need to switch both to my left hand. The replacements that come to mind first are Vera Bradley.

I know I can order their discontinued patterns at a discount, and that a $75 purchase gives me free shipping from the website. But I do have a few additional questions:

- Can I assume that the quality will hold up to a teacher with 3 kids who isn't always-- shall we say "delicate" with her stuff? Or am I better off with a cheap knockoff? (I suspect VB will come up the winner here, but wanted to check.)

- Any particular style/pattern you would or would not recommend? I'm thinking mostly in terms of keeping it clean and shlepping a lot of stuff around.

- Is anyone aware of any codes or specials that I can use to make this a bit more budget friendly? I have a wonderful leather briefcase I hate to retire, but apparently have no choice.

- Anything else you want to add??

 

[UGAFan0829]

I love Vera Bradley purses...mainly because you can wash them, but also because they come in so many styles and patterns.
I think that the quality is very good. I have had several (8 or 9) different style bags, and I've never had a problem with them holding up. I usually carry them for 5 or 6 months at a time. I don't know how big of a bag you're looking for, so it's hard to recommend a style. Right now I'm carrying the Bucket Tote, and I really like it a lot. It may not be as big as what you're looking for though. Some of the other larger styles are the Super Tote, Large Tic Tac Tote, Miller Bag, Curvy Tote and the Baby Bag. I don't know of any other discounts other than the one that you mentioned for free shipping over $75. Good luck deciding on something...I think you'll love VB!

 

[disalways]

First, I hope your recovery goes smoothly.

Now, about the VB bags... I just ordered a few things though them, and I did have to pay shipping. I don't know if you are thinking of deal that is recent... but last week I paid for shipping. As far as quality goes, my dd used one of the bigger bags as her school book bag last year, and it held up very nicely. She lugged all kinds of things in it, and the bag still looks great. The only thing wrong was the button broke within a month or two of her owning it. Other than that... the quality was great.

 

[tripplanner]

My daughter used a Vera Bradley Messenger bag (a great replacement for a briefcase) as her bookbag in High School. It held up amazingly well. She had a light color. It was on the floor constantly at school. I really loved the fact that it was washable. We didn't purchase directly from Vera Bradley. We got a new one off eBay at a much lower price.

 

[Hedy]

I'm a teacher who is recovering from a mastectomy. I now need to ditch my leather briefcase and purse in favor of something lighter, since I've been told that I'll need to switch both to my left hand. The replacements that come to mind first are Vera Bradley.

I know I can order their discontinued patterns at a discount, and that a $75 purchase gives me free shipping from the website. But I do have a few additional questions:

- Can I assume that the quality will hold up to a teacher with 3 kids who isn't always-- shall we say "delicate" with her stuff? Or am I better off with a cheap knockoff? (I suspect VB will come up the winner here, but wanted to check.)

- Any particular style/pattern you would or would not recommend? I'm thinking mostly in terms of keeping it clean and shlepping a lot of stuff around.

- Is anyone aware of any codes or specials that I can use to make this a bit more budget friendly? I have a wonderful leather briefcase I hate to retire, but apparently have no choice.

- Anything else you want to add??

Best wishes in your fight against cancer!

I use a VB messenger bag as my work bag-it's light and easy to clean-I'd check out eBay and eBags for cheaper options than Vera Bradley.com.

 

[clutter]

This summer, I was in line at DW behind a woman with a VB knock-off backpack. She was holding it because BOTH straps became detached. That's my only impression of knock-offs.

 

[wdwfan1]

LeSportsac also has some nice lightweight options.

Glad you are on the mend.

 

[mickey58729]

Hope you are feeling better. I recently bought a brand called Lemon Hill from QVC. They are very similar to the VB bags but are less expensive. I have used the bag that I bought to carry my laptop after surgery and have no problems with it...

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

Vera Bradley will NOT disappoint you in terms of quality. Ever. I love mine and I have never had an issue with it standing up to multiple washings and day work/travel.

Instead of ordering from the website, I call my closest corporate Vera Bradley store (in my case it's the Vera Bradley store in San Francisco) and order through them. They do not charge me shipping. Also, if you spend a certain amount, they toss in a freebie keychain or coin purse in the pattern of your choice. The website won't. Call your closest VB store (or call the one in San Francisco Center) and tell them the last time you visited the gal said shipping would be free. They will honor that and send your stuff out that day if it's early enough.

Good luck!

 

[Parksfamily5]

My 12 yr old uses a Vera Bradley messenger bag. It stands up to anything. Trust me, she is not so gentle with her stuff. We have lots of Vera Bradley bags and they have all held up well.
If you have a local store that sells them, sometimes you can find them clearanced out at a great price.
Just pick out a pattern that you like. There are so many cute ones.

Good luck finding your Vera and Good luck in your journey.

 

[canwegosoon]

I have had 20+ Vera Bradley bags...and I have to say...sometimes the fabric does not hold up...it can really wear if it is consistantly held in the same spots. I would recommend a LL bean bag since there is a great warantee with their products. But if you are looking to replace the bag every year or 2 VB will hold up for that. The 2 fabrics that I found did not hold up well were, the recent red bandana one(recently retired-and frequently copied) and the Masion Blue( several years ago).

Gook luck on your recovery and quest for the perfect bag.

 

[HappyDznyCamper]

Don't forget that a portion of the proceeds from certain VB colors go to breast cancer research.

 

[summerrluvv]

If you like VB a lot, check out Lemon Hill on QVC.com. They hold up great and are similar in style.

 

[sherry7]

I don't buy Vera Bradley, but here's another option. Have you thought about buying a ballistic nylon bag? They're very light, and extremely durable...you'll probably be retired before one wears out. They're not quite as pretty as Vera Bradley, but I think Vera will be a passing fad anyway.

I was at Target today, and back in the luggage section, they had a bunch of stuff for 75% off. I bought a really nice Eddie Bauer ballistic nylon tote bag for only $9.98. It's shaped sort of like a nice messenger bag, and has a padded compartment for a laptop. I also saw a larger one, for just a couple of dollars more.

Feel better soon!

 

[fakereadhed]

I love VB, but I am very careful with my bags. They do look slightly faded after 3 or 4 washings(the newer ones from China) but are made pretty well. If I was harder on them, and didn't change bags frequently I'm not so sure. They are lightweight and hold tons of stuff. I like the prices on ebags.com a little better than the VB site and they often have free shipping.

 

[disneymarie]

I looked at the VB in our local store last week to try out style, size and color. I left thinking that there is no way it is going to hold up to the use of everyday for the $70-95 investment.

I ended up buying a messanger bag, but I also brought out my back pack onwheels from Office Max. That bag went through three years of college, three middle school, and it still looks new.

I have cervical herniations, nerve damage, carpel tunnel, fybromyalgia spasms in the shoulders, head and neck... so I love the rolling bag. But for meeting and daily notebook and documents I use the messenger bag. For my ourse I have a Bagellinie I just got with a code from on the Budget site a few weeks ago. I like that it lays against my body, no straps to fall, and one handed use. It is a balistic type material, I would not want the Buxton one advertised. I hear the zippers break easily.

A speedy recovery,
dianne

I was on the LL Bean site last night and there is a great looking messenger bag/brief case.It stands without falling over and has lots of great pockets; computer, files, storage, pencils, calculator, pens etc. The colors are many, burnt Red and moss green, a periwinkle along with the traditional for $49.
The life time warrenty is great too check it out under luggage section. I am getting one in the gray color. It matches the leather one I had for years, without the weight.
good luck hunting

 

[RumpleMom]

I have seen many teachers using the bags on wheels.

 

[megthewonderful]

I hope you are doing well!

I use a VB Messenger! With 3 kids and of the junk they constantly want me to hold for them, it has held up great. It is washable and very durable. Check out eBay for some great deals on new ones.

 

[CajunDixie]

I don't buy Vera Bradley, but here's another option. Have you thought about buying a ballistic nylon bag? They're very light, and extremely durable...you'll probably be retired before one wears out. They're not quite as pretty as Vera Bradley, but I think Vera will be a passing fad anyway.

Vera Bradley has been around here since 1982!! It's not a fad, it's a successful business! They just built a new facility in Fort Wayne by the GM Plant along side I-69.

For the OP: I have several of the VB bags and love them all. Yes, they will eventually wear out but by that time you'll be tired of the print anyway. Mine get tossed all over the place and I don't have any problems with them. Ebay will have tons of VB after Oct 5 as there is another outlet sale in Ft Wayne Oct 2nd-5th.

 

[DJT]

As far as colors, I have a red VB backpack and when I got out in the rain, it bled on my clothes.

Donna