CartArchive for the 'Handbag Education' Category
Sunday, June 29th, 2008
Costco to sell handbags
Bulk Shopping can be really addicting. I always seem to get carried away. The warehouses just always seem to have what I need. And while most people are there for the bulk savings on groceries and edibles, I find myself more attracted to the other things Costco has to offer. For example, I bought a really nice Cartier watch for my dad on Father’s day; and on Mother’s day we got her the wood flooring she always wanted for the kitchen. But Costco has never really been known to be a good place to get your fashion accessories. However that may start to change, Costco is now offering handbags to relieve you of the cash in your wallet. Lately, I have been seeing brands like Perlina and Liz Claiborne in store and brands like Fendi and Burberry online. Of course we all know Costco itself loves to get in on the action as well so they also have created their own line, the Kirkland Signature handbags which is actually pretty good quality. I am not sure how they do it but every time I go into the warehouse, I don’t come out empty handed.
Saturday, June 21st, 2008
How to make a handbag with a pair of jeans
It’s amazing how creative people can be these days. Just a few weeks ago i saw a girl carrying a cute little bag. I asked her where she got it and she said that she made it. We got to talking and she started to talk about how she made them by cutting off the pant legs and sewing the bottom shut. Then using the scraps from the pant leg to make the straps, I thought to myself what a resourceful way to recycle an old pair of jeans.
Friday, June 6th, 2008
Pass on plastic, use a greener alternative.
Straw bags are a hit this summer, and I can easily see why. Straw bags are eco-friendly, cheap to make, and not to mention the bag itself doesn’t weigh very much at all. But, think twice before you start rushing out to the nearest store to buy one. With a little time and effort, one can knit their own unique straw bag with just simple supplies from your local arts and craft store. There are many options and patterns are available on the internet, and a quick Google would yield some good information.
If you are not the do it yourself type, Straw Studio makes some very cute straw handbags, the one that particularly peaks my interest is the Polka Dot Cornhusk Satchel. I think they would go perfectly with my big floppy beach hat and my Kate Spade sunglasses.
Saturday, May 24th, 2008
NO HANDBAG = FREEDOM!
Never again will I bring a purse to a theme park.
Recently a couple of friends and I went to the Disneyland and for not going to a theme park for quite some time, I forgot how annoying it is to have to carry your bag around while waiting in line for rides. Maybe some like to pack goodies to a theme park but I realize I did not need anything inside of it (it’s a different story for mothers). Since our bodies can be so inefficient, ladies who carry light can feel like they are carrying a brick or two in their handbags after a long period of time. Carrying my bag did not ruin my day at the happiest place on earth however, I did get tired of holding it and we all know that asking your bf to hold your bag is a big NO NO. So two weeks after we went to California Adventure (got the two-fer deal) and instead of carrying a handbag, I only brought my cell phone and an ID case containing my ID (of course), a credit card, and some cash. To be honest, at first I felt a little bit naked, like I’m missing something and I need that little weight on my shoulder for comfort or to be at ease. We are all so customed to having carrying things with us that having that extra load becomes a part of us but EVERYTHING WILL BE OKAY if it’s not there. It is actually quite liberating. For occasions such as going to a theme park, you don’t need much and a simple ID case can do wonders. It is also nice not having to worry about your designer bag for a day or two. So a little reminder to the ladies, leave your bag at home once in awhile and have a little fun without the extra weight on the shoulders.
Friday, May 16th, 2008
HELP! My Bag Fell Apart!
You’re excited. You just got your new handbag. You spend days, nights, hours, maybe even months picking out the perfect one. And for those of you who are like me, saving up part of my salary each month just for that one perfect designer bag. Then one day, you’re sporting it down the street and KAPUTT! Something breaks! Your first reaction, “WHAT THE HECK!”
Now, what do you do? First find out what the warranty policy from the manufacturer. If you bought it from a department store, it’s highly unlikely that they can do anything for you. Either way you’ll have to contact the manufacturer. Check to see if there is a registration and a warranty card that already came with you bag when you first bought it. It will give you the appropriate contact information and what their policy covers.
Most handbags range from one year to five years and luggages range from five years to life time warranty. Most of the time the manufacturer won’t cover normal wear and tear, but they will cover a defect that has clearly nothing to do with you.
Steps to Make Sure Your Bag Gets Fixed:
1. Look for and keep warranty cards
- Read it and store it in a safe place- don’t just toss it in the trash!
2. Register your Handbag.
- If you bag didn’t come with a registration card, it’s okay-you can simply go to the manufacturers website and most of them will have a place for you to register you bag. This will help if you ever need to send your bag back for repair because they will already have it on record.
3. Find the appropriate contact numbers
- CALL someone before you send anything back. By calling, you can check to make sure what the return procedures are to get your bag repaired. You might also need a case number and an address. This ensures that you can track you bag.
4. Take pictures of your bag
- You want photos of you bag and the part that was damaged. It serves as proof just in case anything happens, lost, or is confused later on.
5. Follow up
- Make sure to follow up on your bag and keep records. Make sure you insure and place a tracking number on your bag when you ship it back. When you talk to a representative, ask them for a ballpark time of when you bag will be finished and returned. This way if it’s months and you haven’t heard from them, it’s time to give them and call and check up on them.
** Watch out for hidden fees. Some companies like COACH charge $20 for shipping and handling for EACH item submitted for repair. Applicable state taxes apply as well. If you’re unsure ASK!**
Wednesday, May 14th, 2008
Handbag Weighing You Down?
Purses and handbags have become essential in our society of overpopulated women. A typical modern purse today holds AT LEAST a wallet (or two), keys and cell phone. Then for the kicks of it, we throw in a small cosmetic bag, some pepper spray, a digital camera, a planner, a few pens, a coin purse, and last but not least our favorite scented lotion.
Luckily, all women were created differently—some choose to carry fewer items in their bags while others choose to lug an elephant in their purses. Unfortunately, many of the items in our handbags should be categorized as extras rather than necessities. It is true that a woman can possibly get rid of her curling iron and save approximately 3 pounds of unnecessary weight. However, I guess one’s curls may get untangled. The thing that women tend to forget is that big purses already consist of a hefty weight.
It’s been said that women should not carry any more than 10% of her body weight on her shoulder. For those of us who carry laptops, it is very easy to go over that ten percent. Our modern technology is improving by the day, for ladies are able to save some weight by using their Motorola RAZR and pocket Sony Cybershot digital camera. Handbags these days have become larger and more decorative (consisting of heavy chains and hardware). However, carrying too much weight on one’s shoulder or on one’s back may have its consequences.
Carrying heavy bags may lead to neck spasms, shoulder damage, lower back pain, and at times can lead to scoliosis. Though one may not be able to notice these symptoms instantaneously, one’s mood may be affected by this type of discomfort and pain. So women out there, I hope that this little write-up will remind us ladies to clean out purses or bags every once in a while.
*Future shopping tip: Next time when shopping for a purse, try choosing a bag with wider straps and make sure the bag does not hang too low (exceeding below one’s belly button).
Friday, May 9th, 2008
I Got it on eBay!
Let’s face it, now and days the truth of the matter is, we want our designer handbags and we want them at the lowest price that we can get them at. Because of this mentality more and more consumers have turned to places like EBay in search for the best bargain designer bag. Admit it, if you haven’t bought one on EBay, then you have at least looked at them on EBay.
So what’s the problem you ask? Well, how do you know if the Gucci bag you’re getting for $300 that was originally $1200 is real? While I personally haven’t purchased a designer handbag on EBay before, these are cautions tips and red-flags and were told to me when I was considering it.
1. Do your Research
- Physically go to the retail and department stores and check out the merchandise first hand. Feel the texture and familiarize yourself with the latest styles out by this designer. Look into the company. Where are their factories? Where are the majority of the bags made?
2. More is not Better
- Great! You know the bag you want and you found a listing on EBay. But WAIT! Check to make sure the same seller hasn’t listed the same item multiple times. IF he/she has it’s a sign that what’s they’re selling is a fake.
3. Home Country
- Where is the item coming from? Be careful to see if the seller is from overseas. Stay clear of bags coming straight from overseas, but be aware that most designer bags do have factories in third world countries such and China and Italy.
4. Exercise Active Reading Skills
- Leave the “I don’t want to read” attitude behind. When shopping on EBay, EVERY word COUNTS. Be careful of descriptions such as “Designer Brand (insert name) inspired” or “just like designer brand (insert name)”. This can be tricky and problematic later when you want to file a claim against the person for selling you a fake bag.
5. Be Anal
- Look for as many items as possible to support the authenticity of the bag. Designer bags usually come with tags, booklets, care cards, and warranty cards. Also ask for the designer tissue paper, the dust bag, and gift boxes that come with the bag when purchased at an authorized reseller store. Even go as far to ask if they kept their purchase or gift receipt.
6. 20/20 Vision
- Make sure there are pictures! Then make sure they’re crystal CLEAR! The more pictures the better. Are they just images on the website or where they physically taken? Many of the ones that are taken manually will include the Seller’s ID in the picture. Look at the quality and consistency of stitching in these pictures. Also look for pictures with the serial numbers, patches and designer engravings. Beware of Photoshop! IF IN DOUBT ASK FOR MORE AND CLEARER PICTURES!
7. Interrogate the Seller
- Look for seller’s return and exchange policy. You want MONEY BACK guarantee. Make sure they offer safe methods of payments such as PayPal. Buy from sellers that offer insurance and tracking.
8. Slow down Horsey
- Many counterfeits auctions end early, so beware of auctions that only last 1-3days. Be wary of PRIVATE listings. Why can’t you see their ID, unless they’ve got something to hide? Look at shipping costs as well. If they have an inflated amount and their policy doesn’t include the cost of shipping in their refund, you might want to reconsider.
9. CONFIRM ALL INFORMATION WITH THE SELLER.
10. If in doubt ask questions. There is no such thing as too many or a stupid one.
Truthfully, I’ve seen auctions for designer handbags and the amount they end at, and usually you really don’t save that much from even retail stores. If anything you might end up paying more. So, word of the wise- try the outlets first for your designer bag. It just may be cheaper and you’ll save yourself the worry in the long run- cuz peace of mind is worth a lot these days.
Wednesday, April 23rd, 2008
FOR SALE - $20,000
That’s right folks, this bag is only $20,000 dollars. Though the decision of purchasing a Coach handbag over a fuel efficient Toyota Camry may be a tough one, I would truly expect one to choose the latter. I mean, who really needs a car that seats five? By the way, to our newer viewers, I usually have biased sarcastic opinions. However seriously speaking though, what makes this Coach handbag so expensive?
So, what makes this handbag a hole in one’s wallet? Well first off, this handbag is made out of alligator leather—one of the rarest leathers on the market. If we were not dozing off in our high school Economic class, we should have a recollection of one of the principles of supply and demand (rare commodity + demand for the commodity = increase in cost for the commodity). Besides the fact that alligator leather is rare, alligator leather is also extremely difficult to cut and prepare. Since alligator skin cannot be stretched like calf hide, it must therefore be trimmed and cut only by skilled and trained experts (this way not to waste the precious alligator hide). Anyhow, let’s talk more about the styling of the bag.
To be honest, I truly dislike the totality of this Coach satchel. As a matter of fact, I would not even consider buying the bag for even half the price. Call me distasteful, for I feel that this bag does NOT make a statement or even portray itself as an expensive bag. I guess this bag is meant for the true alligator enthusiasts.
Tuesday, April 22nd, 2008
Handbag Insurance
Would you feel safer about losing your handbag if you had insurance on it? Me neither. But our friends across the pond think differently. Esure.com, a British insurance company, is providing a service geared towards women to give them piece of mind. By insuring handbags from being stolen or lost coupled with a road side assistance that have representatives trained to avoid using technical jargon and vocabulary. Seems silly to me, I’ll listen to “tech talk” and not pay “Opps, I forgot my bag” premiums any day of the week thank you very much.
Tuesday, April 8th, 2008
Backpacks: Geek or Chic?
Everyone has one, but unless you are on the go a lot, not many people need one. Nonetheless, designers have figured out ways to make the dual (sometimes single) strap device that you wear on your back fashionable again. In short, people usually just call it a backpack. The once boring piece used primarily to shuttle school books and classroom accessories is now finding their way back to being excellent fashion accessories. Top designers like Louis Vuitton, Prada, Coach and who could forget Rioni have all made cute backpacks. They have a point, freeing up your arms and shoulders so you can do something else is advantageous over handbags and I am sure not everyone likes to look like a hitch hiker when they are on the go. But, handbags still win my vote; the ability to access all my things quickly is indispensible. So what do you think Geek or Chic?
