Leather Coach purse $1 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Punk Glam Queen]

I never gave Fossil bags a second look either until this year when I saw how much some of them go for on Ebay!  I would grab a nice all leather bag if I saw one at a cheap price.  I did see a new-looking Dooney & Bourke handbag the other day, cute newer style.  It was $5.99, I was tempted to buy it but it is so hard to tell the authenticity of the newer Dooney's because some are actually made in China now, so the fact that it had a made in China tag is not neccessarily bad.  It did also have a real looking Dooney & Bourke tag inside w/serial number.  I decided it wasn't worth the headache in the event is was not authentic.  If I had wanted it for myself I would have bought it.

This is the problem -- fakes have gotten so good now that they even carry fake serial numbers! The easiest way to tell is to become familiar with the brand in a retail store. Check how its made, the trimmings, the interior (lining as well as seams). The lining as well as what the bag is made out of is also another big hint. Often fakes will use low-grade leather, and synthetic linings. Also look to see if the design matches at the seams -- fakes are notorious for having mismatched seams, and higher end bags such as Gucci or LV have the design matched at the seams. I think you're right with your last line -- if its not something you want for yourself and you aren't sure, pass it by. You may be passing up a deal, or you maybe buying  a fake. Fakes are made under horrific working conditions and often contribute to illegal activities far and beyond the act of design piracy. Personally, I save my money and buy where I know I'm buying the real thing as I want no part of that industry.

[valleythriftshopper]

Found a large Coach bag just like this one (except mine has brass feet on the bottom, which is even better) for 2 bucks!

http://cgi.ebay.com/classic-coach-orginal-large-shoulder-bag-mint-condtion_W0QQitemZ250387078865QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_CSA_WH_Handbags?hash=item250387078865&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A1%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50

I wonder if someone didn't notice the Coach hangtag.  They get a ton of handbags at this thrift, the regional warehouse ships up more than they can handle so I could see how they would not be careful in looking them over.  Yay for me, though.  I can try out my new leather conditioner, Harness Honey, too.  I got a big 32 ounce jug of it a few months ago at the SA for 3 bucks which is pretty good because I think that size bottle sells for 20 bucks online or in a store. 

[Punk Glam Queen]

Found a large Coach bag just like this one (except mine has brass feet on the bottom, which is even better) for 2 bucks!

http://cgi.ebay.com/classic-coach-orginal-large-shoulder-bag-mint-condtion_W0QQitemZ250387078865QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_CSA_WH_Handbags?hash=item250387078865&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A1%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50

I wonder if someone didn't notice the Coach hangtag.  They get a ton of handbags at this thrift, the regional warehouse ships up more than they can handle so I could see how they would not be careful in looking them over.  Yay for me, though.  I can try out my new leather conditioner, Harness Honey, too.  I got a big 32 ounce jug of it a few months ago at the SA for 3 bucks which is pretty good because I think that size bottle sells for 20 bucks online or in a store. 

Great score -- have you had time to use it? It looks like its a nice sturdy bag, and you are right, those little feet are even better. I've found they keep the bottoms from getting all scraped up and ragged looking. Good luck with your new find!

[valleythriftshopper]

No, I put two applications of Harness Honey on though, which is great and helped blend in little scuffs, etc. 

[Boguesbest]

I love all vintage and quality handbags and have collected over 200 of them... they are everywhere... closets, attic... I recently had  a girlfriend reunion and one of the biggest hits of the weekend was when I let them pick out a purse from my collection that they liked.. they were fighting over the stuff and none of the purses cost me more than $2.60 from the Goodwills in Atlanta...

[valleythriftshopper]

What a nice friend you are!  What is the best purse you have found so far?

[genuineimitation]

ok - this is NOT a $1 find, and i really should feel bad about spending so much money.. but i went to a favorite consignment shop recently and got a used coach wallet. i have been looking for a new wallet for a long time. and i have been looking for a new (used) red leather purse. so, i found a RED wallet. it is beautiful. i love it. i paid premium for it, but i feel like it's money well spent. i don't want to keep buying NEW leather, and this was in great condition, and because it is coach it is of course well designed. so, i won't put this down as a great bargain, but it was certainly an economic buy in that i was able to get it used, and it is PERFECT. i know i will use it for years..

[valleythriftshopper]

As long as you condition the leather occasionally it will probably last you a lifetime, sounds like a beauty.  I agree it is better to use the leather that is already out there rather than buy new. 

[Punk Glam Queen]

ok - this is NOT a $1 find, and i really should feel bad about spending so much money.. but i went to a favorite consignment shop recently and got a used coach wallet. i have been looking for a new wallet for a long time. and i have been looking for a new (used) red leather purse. so, i found a RED wallet. it is beautiful. i love it. i paid premium for it, but i feel like it's money well spent. i don't want to keep buying NEW leather, and this was in great condition, and because it is coach it is of course well designed. so, i won't put this down as a great bargain, but it was certainly an economic buy in that i was able to get it used, and it is PERFECT. i know i will use it for years..

No way should you feel bad for dropping a bit of cash on quality! If its something you love and you use it frequently then its definitely money well spent. I've paid a lot for quality shoes and handbags at consignment shops, but I've gotten years of use already and know I have years of wear left so I don't feel bad about the cost. Sounds like you found a beauty, and I agree 100%, if you can find quality leather second-hand no sense in buying new leather. I'm at the point now where I've collected so much that I only focus on quality pieces (although you def have me beat on the handbag count! but I'm sure my shoe collection beats 200 pairs!) Cutting consumption levels back and trying to buy second hand is always better for your pocket, as well as the planet! 

PS so sweet of you to let your friends choose handbags from your collection! Spread the thrifty love! I'm curious: do you display your collection?? And if so, how?

[Frchgrl]

I love all vintage and quality handbags and have collected over 200 of them... they are everywhere... closets, attic... I recently had  a girlfriend reunion and one of the biggest hits of the weekend was when I let them pick out a purse from my collection that they liked.. they were fighting over the stuff and none of the purses cost me more than $2.60 from the Goodwills in Atlanta...

How nice of you. Oooh, a vintage swap, wouldn't that be fun? Okay troops, we need to start a vintage swap party in Vegas or something? Or a retro palm springs hotel!

[mccoysnina]

Several years ago I found two bags of designer scarves,  most of them new with  tags still on, at a church rummage sale. Anne Klein, Calvin Klein, among others.  There must have been close to 100  scarves that my daughter and I bought for a grand total of $4. 
We each took what we liked,  my sisters took what they wanted, a couple of Dd's friend took what they wanted and there were still some left.  My MIL was having a party for her Sunday school class and was looking for party favors.  I took the remaining scarves to her and she gave them out a favors, telling the ladies they could look thru, trade or do as they wanted.  Turned out to be the hit of the party, everyone trading and laughing.  When they we redone, and there were still a few left, I took them to my favorite thrift and donated them so someone else could benefit from them.
We had a lot of fun for $4.
Jeannie

[joyantionette]

dewster[/color]
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Not only that but LV bags are notorious for being pirated.  I'd wager any amount of money that for every legitimate LV bag there is in the USA, there are at least 50 fakes.

Unless they were going to GUARANTEE its authenticity, then they can keep the bag, even for $10.00, because that's what it'd cost you on Canal Street in NYC.

SYNT
BFN
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[joyantionette]

dewster[/color]

Not only that but LV bags are notorious for being pirated.  I'd wager any amount of money that for every legitimate LV bag there is in the USA, there are at least 50 fakes.

Unless they were going to GUARANTEE its authenticity, then they can keep the bag, even for $10.00, because that's what it'd cost you on Canal Street in NYC.

SYNT

Exactly why I would not spend more than a buck or two but I will say the older leather Coach styles are not as frequently pirated, they use cheaper materials for fakes, and I do prefer the durability of the all leather older styles.  Today's fashion.....who the he__ cares!!!!!!!!!
BFN
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[Searching4stars2009]

Congrats to all for the great purse buys. 

[thriftstoreaddict]

I don't know if this is true for ALL the Thrift Towns but the one on El Camino in Sacramento Ca has THE BEST purse finds in the world! Although I have been stymied (aloong with with some of the TT staff) by some really good designer fakes, I have found mulitple Fossils, 2 coaches, and a Prada in the last 2 weeks. I have found after your first run of the purse "walk" if you go away and hunt something else down for 15 or so minutes and come back, there are always new ones you somehow "didn't" see.