Sale PSA: A nice cozy mohair sweater from Acne, now under $300 (I also really like this cardigan), a great merino cardigan from Vince, now 48% off, chic leather slides from Marsell, now 50% off, and a short parka from Moncler, now 30% off.
For quite some time I haven’t kept up to date with Chanel. I used to be a big fan, and still am from afar (I like looking at the runway pictures each season, if just to be inspired by some nice photos) but haven’t felt the urge to shop. I know that there have been TONS of price increases but for some reason it didn’t really hit home for me until I read this WSJ article about the price of a classic flap going from $5200 in 2019 to $8200 today.
Wow! That’s a lot! I know it’s near Hermes prices but is it really the same quality? I kind of feel if I had a problem with a Chanel bag, it would take me months to work up the courage to enter the boutique; and then I would and they would probably be totally nice of course, but there’s a chance they would be snooty, I just don’t have a good feeling about it all. So that’s enough for me not to spend $8K right there (aside from the obvious one – the price tag).
I still like the shoes. But I haven’t been able to try them on. As there’s always a line to get into the store. And anyway, will they be more comfortable than Birkenstocks?
I really love the look of the classic flap. It’s beautiful! But I like the look of the reissue even more. And – if we are being honest – I don’t find either of their straps comfortable on the shoulder for over an hour. Especially if it’s summer and I’m wearing a tank.
What do you think of the price hikes? Would you still buy a classic flap?
13 Comments
Sharon
February 7, 2022 at 9:25 amI have one Chanel bag…the Petite Shopping tote. I haven’t used it in years…but will keep it. I am not in the position to spend that kind of money on any bag…not Chanel or Hermes…but have read enough about quality issues with Chanel to never entertain the idea of spending over $8000 on one. I’d do a bag from Hermes before that…and it would be one that is much lower than $8000, like an Evelyne. More suited to my retired pandemic lifestyle, that I don’t see changing…ever!
Electra
February 7, 2022 at 9:36 amI already buy Chanel bags pre-owned, and I’m still not paying more for them. If the prices of used bags go up because retail prices go up, I just won’t get them; I’m not paying 6k for a used bag I previously purchased for 3.5k
Now, when it comes to 8k for a basic Chanel bag(new)…I’d rather just save a little longer and buy a Hermes.
I think they’re really going to miss the mark with this astronomical price for a too-available bag. It’s hard to take what was once ‘accessible’ and make it elusive, unless they drastically reduce production as well. I’m interested to see how/what other strategies they combine with their pricing strategy to keep sales totals up.
Alisa Gabriel
February 7, 2022 at 9:43 amLike the other commenters, if I’m going to spend 8k+ on a bag, it’s going to be Hermès. Not only is the quality better (across all price points) but their repair center does phenomenal work and the stores are very welcoming in both the US and Europe (with the exception of FSH, which seems mostly geared towards mega-purchasers and generally ignores everyone else).
Glad I bought my Chanel classic flaps years ago — they are beautiful but I honestly don’t use them much either, as they are too “fancy” for my casual life these days.
NINA
February 7, 2022 at 10:52 amThe only regret I have is not holding on to my classic flap longer and selling it later! I bought mine in Europe in 2014 for 3100 euros and sold it to a couple years ago FF for $4000, since I just wasn’t reaching for it. I’ve hang on to my reissue and am still loving it to this day. I like the unique chain, and have no problem using it as a crossbody when traveling (not against bare skin). I’ve heard stories that Chanel does not accept items for repair that is more than 5 years old and an SA had directed someone to a local cobbler for their bag repair.
Jenny
February 7, 2022 at 2:00 pmIt feels a bit of a farce at this point. To the folks where $8k really doesn’t matter, it would never really matter because their view of the classic flap is inelastic. It just feels a bit like the emperor is wearing no clothes because at $8k, what are you really paying for when it’s not the quality or the after-sale service. Is the brand association worth $8k?
Anonymous
February 7, 2022 at 5:47 pmMy only Chanel is the reissue 226, which I bought over 10 years ago, back when Heathrow sold classics duty-free. I only wear it on certain trips/outings, but I find the chain to be fine for several hours even with a thin top. I love the look and feel of this bag. In many ways it is the perfect bag, if there is such a thing! I’ve never seriously looked into getting any other Chanel bags.
S in the USA
February 7, 2022 at 6:27 pmI toyed with the idea of getting a fun tiny Chanel but the price increases and quality concerns are pretty off-putting. I really prefer sticking with Hermes whose items have really looked great over time.
For shoes – I think the Chanel ballet flats are really pretty but they never really fit my feet. Oh, well. You’re right Kat, they won’t be anywhere nearly as comfortable as my Birkenstocks.
Ps – did you see the Elda espadrilles from Hermes? Just lovely! I’d rather those than the Chanel shoes.
Jeannine520
February 8, 2022 at 3:23 amNot gonna buy the classic flap. I’m sticking with the reissue as I really prefer everything about it. I’m a big fan of Chanel shoes though.
A V A
February 8, 2022 at 3:56 pmHi Kat,
Wow! I had no idea that this price hike was THIS much! Such an interesting topic you bring up as usual 🙂
For me, no, I would not purchase anymore Chanel anything. I have enough and am even considering selling some as I have them in their original boxes with tags, but am moving at a snail’s pace on doing so since they still bring me joy.
For those of your readers who are fans of their shoes, the best and only time to purchase them would be when they go on sale (if you’re willing to risk not getting the exact color and style). You get them for a far better price and hopefully you have a few choices so you can text your SA to let them know what you want in which color way as sale can get spotty. And the best part, while you are shopping remotely, when you let your SA know what size you are but say they sold out in the style you want, more often than not your SA will show you something you didn’t even see the first go-round on sale that is just stunning! This, unfortunately (or fortunately) has happened to me a few times and shoes I would NEVER have considered, I ended up getting and they turned out to be so delightful and incidentally, the ones every magazine put a highlight on!
I am not sure if you have done this already, but if you could do an article on your two best SA experience from your readers, I think that would be fascinating to read. Either being gifted something by the SA or the SA going out of their way to make your experience memorable, anything from any store both before COVID and post-COVID since I think there is a huge change with COVID in our lives and I am curious how luxury brands manage that “special care” when there is minimal in-store contact for many? Well, I know you’re extremely busy, but if you had time wouldn’t it be a light and fun read? 🙂
Thank you for all you do, always, and Happy Belated Lunar New Year and Happy Early Valentine’s Day!
xx
A
Jo
February 8, 2022 at 7:35 pmSticking to whatever I already have. It is also incredibly hard to get anything these days (price notwithstanding). Luxury shopping has really lost its lustre.
MP
February 9, 2022 at 2:59 pmThe price increases are really quite extreme, in my opinion. I do believe the quality is high (I worked as a manager at the Beverly Hills Chanel Boutique for almost 10 years) but not on par with Hermes. And what you mentioned about having to wrap your head around getting into the store to deal with a repair is something I can see happening with many people. I oversaw the repair department (at the time many repairs were done locally and not sent out to NJ) but sales associates (and managers!) tend to not want to deal with the hassle with customers bring in repairs. If they have a choice between working with a client who is immediately going to purchase something so they can earn their commission vs dealing with writing up a repair which can take forever then the customer with the repair is going to get the short end of the stick. Many of the Chanel Boutiques now have someone dedicated to repairs so maybe this is less of an issue now?
Maria
February 13, 2022 at 12:24 pmMP – this is interesting and confirms what I have witnessed too. I’ve even been chatting with an SA who saw a repair come in the door, and decided to “help me” with something else as they admitted they didn’t want to deal with a repair, and thanked me for being there to keep them looking busy.
I cannot recall how many years ago that Chanel stated bags older than five years will not be repaired, and not without an original receipt. I presumed they wanted to keep the newly purchased used bags from coming in for repair. So many bags are purchased and sold for a big profit on the secondary market. But what if someone received their grandmother’s Chanel bag, original receipt long gone, but cannot get the company to repair it. Wouldn’t you rather have the source repair it?
Alas, their prices are increasing and the quality is going down in the opposite direction. They are riding the wave, presuming that if they keep the prices high(er), they will eliminate the average customer and then pretend to only deal with VIP money. I don’t mind paying for quality, even if I grumble at the price tag. But not when the prices increase for no reason other than greed and there is no sigh of an increase in quality. You look at the website, and you can see uneven stitching on the bags – and these are the bags they use in their own website! How hard could it have been to find a better version to photograph?
There are a few bags I would like, if I could have them modified. I wish Chanel would offer “custom” orders the way that Hermès does. Perhaps they do, but I’m not at the level of customer that would get such.
Yes I admit the straps are uncomfortable to wear, the chains are heavy.
Petti
March 23, 2022 at 12:12 amI missed my chance to get Chanel few years ago when it’s still 3K for a seasonal style. Now it’s close to 10K for a classic (w/ tax) and I’m not going to spend that much on a bag. (if I do spend that much it would be Hermes). Recently I got a Dior Caro instead and I’m happy about the quality and it’s better price point too.