<p>oldfort, this is what makes the basis of my assumption: Nordstrom, Macy’s and Neiman do not add a premium to the prices of their merchandise sold in HI (I shop Ala Moana every time we visit Honolulu). Gucci and some other designers do not have “HI pricing” either (but they offer “HI exclusives” that are not sold elsewhere), and LV even underprices their bags in HI compared to mainland. I assume they all have to pay more for RE and shipping, but only Coach and a handful of others chose to increase prices in HI (I’m not talking about food because it is a totally different category). I would think that Coach’s shipping costs to HI will be less $$ since, unlike Prada and LV, they manufacture their bags in China.</p>
<p>Per TPF (which I can’t link here) Coach is very popular in Japan. Everything form the US costs more in Japan, so Japanese tourists do take advantage of the US prices when they visit. Add some US vacationers who do not have enough $$ for a Chanel but can spend some cash on a Coach bag that could serve as a memento of their fabulous vacation… Coach probably figured out that it can take advantage of being the “affordable luxury” brand and hike the prices a few $$$ without hurting the demand side. There is nothing wrong with that, but I also see why HIMom would be upset (just like I was really ticked off by the clueless B&N sales folks).</p>
<p>BB - I am going to have to take your word for it about shopping in HI. I haven’t been there in years. In speaking with my friends(s) who go to HI few times a year, they do find Prada and Gucci cheaper sometimes. </p>
<p>I still don’t see why HIMom is upset. She doesn’t need to buy the Coach bag in HI if the price is higher, she could buy it online or go to mainland to buy it. If tourists and other locals are buying up all of those bags, then the price must be right.</p>
<p>My brother was a paperboy when he was in high school. He decided to jack up the price for the papers, some customers complained about it, he told them if they didn’t like it they could get up 6am in the morning to get their own paper. No one stopped his service because they knew it was still a good deal.</p>
<p>All I can say is…COACH OUTLET…we recently went to the one in Vacaville CA on Labor Day weekend—everything at big discounts—then another 30% off. Yes this stuff is overpriced to start with…but a $400 Coach messenger bag for $90 seemed reasonable!</p>
<p>Didn’t know that it was more expensive in HI, as I normally don’t shop for high end bags and had never previously shopped for at that store, only outlets. Yes, I have learned my lesson and will move forward accordingly. Interesting to read the different viewpoints expressed. Will go back to the no name handbags I prefer for the future, or at least places that don’t jack up prices in HI stores.</p>
<p>I rarely spend much on a bag. I have spent more in recent years, but I am still very hard on them and then can toss them when they wear out. Recently, my DH was visiting family and they went to the BX on base. They had a Coach store in the BX with prices 30% off list price and no tax. So I let him buy me a present He got me this one, in a tan/brown color. [Coach</a> :: New Arrivals](<a href=“Shop Purses & Bags | COACH®”>Shop Purses & Bags | COACH®) I don’t know how extensive their selection was, but its the thought that counts.</p>
<p>** link many not take you to it- its the new chelsea signature matelasse</p>
<p>I too remember the days when you got a promotion and you upgraded to a nice leather Coach bag or briefcase! I don’t care for the logo-covered stuff, it’s too ubiquitous, but I carry a plum-colored patent leather Coach bag for the fall that I get a lot of compliments on.</p>
<p>Update: Just got a letter back from Coach. As a one-time gesture of goodwill, they will be recrediting my CC with a portion of the marked up price! I’m happy and will be a more careful shopper (probably doing my coach shopping at discount outlets in other states). I prefer the understated bags rather than ones that SCREAM the manufacturer all over it. Am mostly quite pleased with my purchase and even moreso now that I got a further price reduction. :)</p>
<p>Yay! It is good to hear that Coach still listens to their customers.</p>
<p>(I do not like to wear logos either - did I just pay the big $$ fro the privilege to be a walking billboard for your brand? I think you have to pay ME for that! DH gave me a designer bag with logos all over it. I politely wore it during one vacation trip, but it is now collecting dust in my closet…)</p>
<p>No one in our nuclear family likes to parade logos around (tho several of my sisters like it). To me subtle and elegant is just so much better in all ways. Yes, I am pleased that Coach did decide to pay attention to the letter and offer a one-time adjustment. I will have to be more attentive in the future.</p>
<p>S did buy a very few selective logo items with his college on it, but otherwise, we tend to stay very understated. ;)</p>
<p>HImom, congratulations. Coach knows what they’re doing. They gave you the credit so you’re happy, and now you’ve shared that news with about 200 of your closest virtual friends, so now we think well of the company too!</p>
<p>DDs have purchased their Coach(s) & D&B and some other higher end than Coach at TJ Maxx. Usually 75% off MSRP, and that is the regular TJ Maxx price, some go lower with a clearance mark down. Other location they pick them up is Dillard’s New Years Day 50% off clearance sale. Some are already marked down 50% to 75% off then you receive an additional 50% off and this includes the leather line as well, all current since it is not in an outlet rather retail at Dillards.</p>
<p>They will buy one for them and then several for ebay, they used to call it their “book scholarship!” But now since they graduated college it is their “wedding fund” or in son’s case (their gift to him) money for living expenses while in med school.</p>
<p>Have done it for 5 New Year’s Days…it literally has covered all their books and other out of pocket expenses…</p>
<p>We are supposed to be getting a TJ Maxx–don’t have one now. I did like Dillards when I went to their Vegas store decades back. We don’t have that one either. Glad your DDs have figured out what works for them. Not sure that S will do that but he does seem to find ebay & Craigslist interesting places to buy & sell.</p>
<p>Cole Haan is having a nice sale right now on some very classic styles that would appeal to Coach lovers!
(I have no idea if Coach or Cole Haan make their goods in the US or overseas, caveat emptor LOL)</p>
<p>Another 'not fan of the logo ’ purses here. I’ve never understood why Coach took a very classic style and turned it into something that screamed ‘designer label’ purchase. I have several beautiful coach bags from years gone by but you couldn’t pay me enough to buy one of their current logo bags. They just look tacky to me. They do, however, have some very nice leather bags. I was just looking at their website.</p>
<p>Yes, I’m very pleased with the Kristen Hippie in black that I got. It’s understated and fits my calendar and essentials nicely. Unfortunately, if I wanted to carry the double epi-pen pack as I really am SUPPOSED to, I should carry a bigger bag. Have never in my life NEEDED the epi-pen, but have been prescribed it as a precaution.</p>
<p>I’m not into logos much–they seem mostly too tacky for my taste. Others do seem to think it’s classy–we’re all so different.</p>
<p>Designers put logos everywhere when it sells (& they get free publicity)–if it doesn’t they stop bothering to make it that way.</p>
<p>I like the JPK fabric bags for travel especially. I own a very large one I use as a carry on, a regular one in a bright summer color which I really don’t like because things are hard to find in it and a new style that opens wider. My newest style is black with black hardware.
My favorite everyday bag is a brown, simulated alligator tote made by Bhramin, in a rich shade of brown that goes well with black too. I like the tote style for everyday.</p>
<p>My family knows I appreciate real leather purses and keeps threatening to buy me a Coach purse for my birthday or Christmas…sounds like a kind ideas but the thought of my 25 yr old son deciding exactly which style/color/price bag to buy makes me shudder!</p>
<p>I told him to stick with Amazon Kindle gift cards!</p>
<p>I used to always buy Coach bags, but haven’t seen one that appealed to me in years. That is a huge sign of a problem for Coach, since I tend to be “the heavy half” in marketing lingo! I now buy Tano bags- like the prices and I can have more of them! My most expensive bag is a Tod’s, and it has lasted forever and I still love it.</p>
<p>I actually like all of my Coach bags and don’t mind the logo on the side. It’s part of the bag. I buy them because I like the size…and I always seem to find colors I like too.</p>
<p>my favorite travel bag is a bag I bought in Kyoto, made out of Kimono fabric (silk, but not shining). It is very light, big enough to put magazines and small laptop in it. I’ve had it for 10+ years, the bag still looks the same. The bag cost me $45. I get compliment for it every time I get on a plane.</p>
He got me this one, in a tan/brown color. [Coach</a> :: New Arrivals](<a href=“