<p>Here’s how I’m thinking something like this could work, if there were interest. First of all, probably best to go with a bag that’s not too big and fairly light to cut down on shipping costs. We’d need to decide what we want this purse to look like – conservative or outrageous, anything will do or decent. If we went for something that’s not too expensive I’d be willing to spring for the purse and get the ball rolling. Somebody would have to be willing to give out their address via PM or email and I’d send it out to the first recipient. Or somebody else who has a purse they think would be fun to see have a new life could set one sail instead. After the purse has had a couple of days out the person who has it lets the group know it’s ready for its next adventure, and somebody who wants to be the next recipient can speak up. </p>
<p>What do you think? Too out there? Ignore post or just silly enough to do? I come up with hairbrained ideas from time to time so I won’t be crushed if this is not of interest. Just change the subject. ;)</p>
<p>Thanks to you people I bought TWO bags today…ok ok at consignment so only spent about $100 total…but I’ve been wanting to move away from the big heavy bags and bought a cross body Hobo bag ($29) and a slightly larger cross body Coach in a tan (no initials etc) for $69…I was a Coach fan in the 90’s and own a lovely old worn brown bucket bag and three or four other classic ones. Now I have to leave and never return to this thread!</p>
<p>A quick story, not purse related. When I was a child I thought it would be cool to have a pen-pal. We had an almanac that showed the population of towns/cities. I wrote to the postmaster of a couple of teensy weensy towns, told them my age, and asked them if they knew a little girl who would like a pen-pal. That, and responding to someone looking for a pen-pal in Tiger Beat magazine, is how I got my first pen-pals. ;)</p>
<p>My CC page says I should order from Dover Saddlery.
I like most of the bags posted. The Kyoto bag Mathmom posted is a style I tend to find myself drawn to. I am trying to branch out and get more color and style into my closet. I think my next purchase will be a classic bag but maybe in a color that isn’t black, brown or tan.
I love the Chanel on the chain. My best female friend has that bag and I love the style and size. I knew it was expensive but am shocked at how expensive. My friend has lots of expensive beautiful bags. I also have two sisters who love handbags.
I recently went into the Longchamps store in Paris. I didn’t buy one but they had some beautiful leather bags.</p>
<p>I just switched purses…just for a few weeks until I switch to my brown pebble leather Fossil (a cheapie bag by comparison on this thread). I’m using a black Baggalini small tote type bag…not a crossover like many of their bags. It’s very nice for my end of summer black and white wardrobe. I’ll switch to the brown in late September for the fall.</p>
<p>This is a great thread. I need a new purse. My car was stolen in May and one of my fav purses (empty) was in there. (Who the heck steals a car from a hospital parking lot??!!)</p>
<p>In part due to this thread and some bad influences on CC (I am looking at you, BB ;)), I am considering purchasing a classic Chanel handbag or tote as a gift for some one else. Used/vintage etc. is good, knock off not.</p>
<p>I am monitoring the RealReal website as recommended by some one upthread, and will be happy for other suggestions. Think it needs to be black, easily identifiable as Chanel, possibly quilted, but can range in size from the wallet on a chain to a tote.</p>
<p>My beloved Longchamp tote of 2 years’ constant use was coming apart where the strap is attached to the bag. It also has frayed corners, and was run through the washing machine after a can of spray sun screen exploded and left the inside a mess. (trick I picked up on CC when you’re desperate - and the bag was clean and eventually lost that beach smell).</p>
<p>I walked into a Longchamp store today to buy a replacement (planned to transfer the contents in the store and figured I’d take the old bag to a shoe repair and have strap reattached) and the sales woman said “we’ll fix that for you, and repair the corners, too.” So it’s off to the Longchamp hospital, at no charge. I have more than gotten my money’s worth.</p>
<p>A friend of my daughter’s regularly washes her Longchamp in the washing machine. Veryhappy, you can get the list of stores on the Longchamp website.</p>
<p>Really? My Longchamps bag has little corner tears despite using the VH packing tape tip in the inside. Will they really fix that for free? Really?</p>
<p>I asked how they do it, and they reopen the seam, cut off the frayed part and restitch. Maybe you lose a quarter inch. Not sure if a department store would offer this service, you might have to visit a Longchamp store.</p>
<p>Re: repairing bags. You used to be able to walk into what I think was the actual Coach factory on 10th in the low 30s. They would take in your bag or briefcase and repair it for free. (My briefcase went in more than once in the late 80s/early 90s.) There are probably luxury high-rises on that location now—or maybe part of the High Line.</p>
<p>The Tod’s shop on Madison will also take in and repair Tod’s bags free of charge. I am not sure if they will still repair Hogan bags though.</p>
<p>CJane, sorry I’ve been such a bad influence. It would be really hard to find a Chanel bag that fits your criteria and costs significantly less than a new one. I tried! Those Chanels seem to never depreciate! The economy is on the mend, as my “Yoox index” tells me (I.e. designer goods do not get discounted 90% any longer)… You can check Malleries and Ann’s Fab Finds in addition to the already mentioned websites. I personally have no experience with those sites and cannot say anything about about their customer service. There is fake stuff on Malleries and eBay, so my recommendation is to go to a department store that sells Chanel (Neiman and flagship Nordie) and get familiar with what authentic bags look like, e.g. tags, stitching, dust bags…</p>
<p>LasMa - yes! Google TPF (The Purse Forum). Not a very intellectually stimulating place, but has great purse experts :)</p>
<p>When we were at Nordstrom Rack seeing what they had available in the way of luggage today, I ended up meandering my way over to the purses. Shortly thereafter, my husband calls to me to turn around, “Look, this is the one!” He has this big grin on his face. You don’t even want to know what purse he recommended for us. I think it could have won an award for most atrocious Flat Stanley purse if there were such a thing. ;)</p>
<p>CJane–be careful buying high-end purses from web sites like ebay. I wanted a Goyard tote and saw one on eBay for significantly less than it sold for in Barneys. Photos were detailed and the tote on sale was the real deal. I bought it and waited and waited–after several email exchanges with the seller–who had family issues and couldn’t mail immediately–I received a certified letter from the seller. It was a very large padded envelope with a note inside that said “please be patient”. </p>
<p>At that point I started a complaint procedure with eBay and Paypal. Both found in favor of the seller because he had my signature/receipt from the certified letter and this was proof for them that I received my tote. I was beside myself for getting scammed. Since I made the purchase with an Amex card–I called to rescind the payment and told them the story. I had saved the envelope and note–took photos and also sent them to Amex along with email correspondence. That worked. </p>
<p>Later I found out the seller was banned from eBay. Also, read about the scam on the Purse Forum–I wasnt the only one. Anyway–I bought my Goyard tote from Barney’s. Since you want a vintage Channel bag, you may have to deal with a private seller. Beside BB’s advice on watching out for fakes, I’d pay with Amex or another card that offers similar protections .</p>
It would be really hard to find a Chanel bag that fits your criteria and costs significantly less than a new one. 
I tried! Those Chanels seem to never depreciate! The economy is on the mend, as my “Yoox index” tells me (I.e. designer goods do not get discounted 90% any longer)… You can check Malleries and Ann’s Fab Finds in addition to the already mentioned websites. I personally have no experience with those sites and cannot say anything about about their customer service. There is fake stuff on Malleries and eBay, so my recommendation is to go to a department store that sells Chanel (Neiman and flagship Nordie) and get familiar with what authentic bags look like, e.g. tags, stitching, dust bags…</p>