Last week, we brought you the news that Chanel raised prices on its Classic Flap bags, ranging from 6.5% to 8.2%. Most people knew that meant additional price increases would follow, so they asked their local sale associates in hopes of getting additional information or purchased bags on their wishlist before the price went up again.
I have bad news for you if you were looking to buy a Chanel WOC (Wallet on Chain Bag) or Chanel small leather goods: the prices on those pieces went up last week, including an increase of a whopping $400 for a Chanel WOC. The previous price of the standard leather WOC was $2,100, and it is now $2,500. The dollar amount of that increase is the same as it was for the majority Chanel Classic Flap Bag sizes, but on a bag that is much smaller and costs less. The percentage increase on the Chanel WOC is an astounding 19%.
We don’t have specific information on prices on every WOC before and after this increase, but the starting WOC price was $2,100 and across the board that has increased to $2,500. There was confusion amongst stores, sales associates, and shoppers as some members of PurseForum were seeing price tags of $2,500 back in December but the store would only charge them $2,100. The prices changed officially on January 5th, 2018, so if you had your heart set on a Chanel WOC, you’ll need to find an additional $400.
Chanel WOC: Was $2,100, now $2,500
Some small leather goods were affected as well, with increases between $50 and $100. On these items, the increase is still substantial as a percentage of the final price, as the price point is lower to begin with.
Price Increase Rumors
As for the next price increase at Chanel, rumor has it the Boy Bag will be increased in the next few months, and one member of the PurseForum heard from her sales associate that it will also be $400. There’s always a lot of frustration over price increases, mostly because the increase is so high and shoppers often don’t find any commensurate increase in quality; on the contrary, Chanel bags have been reported by many of our PurseForum members to have had recent quality control issues.
But that doesn’t change the fact that many people absolutely adore Chanel and continue to buy the bags no matter what the increase may be. I suppose it’s part of why Chanel can continue to raise prices like it does: the brand knows people will continue to buy.
But when is enough enough? To me, it seems that after a certain point, increases and quality issues will leave some customers deciding to move on to different brands.
Chanel is no longer synonymous with quality craftsmanship. I’ve moved on, more budget to spend at Hermes which besides BKC have some more reasonably priced and practical sturdy handmade bags. I could’ve bought the highly sought after caviar classics and mini but didn’t. There were obvious flaws with each new bag, crooked lining, twisted chains, uneven flaps, peeled leather, you name it, the flaws were so obvious that even my friend (a devoted chanel lover) was disgusted .
During the last few trips to the store I’ve managed to bump into disgruntled customers every SINGLE time asking for repair. One is even suing Chanel for the inferior quality as her newer bags have fallen apart while her 15 yr old vintages are still going strong!!!
I have several women in my life I buy Chanel for. I have been buying Chanel for over a decade and their designs become less and less compelling. I see a lot of better designs on vintage sites online. Better quality too.
I do admit running to buy Chanel items on sale such as scarves, clothes, jewelry, and shoes. I bought these shoes for my girlfriend last winter and they were “fantasy leather”. However I paid over 800$ for them. I can still justify spending on them as these items do go on sale but I really questioned myself in getting fake leather for $800+.
But bags aside from the classic I just would not feel right buying at all. Take for example the boy bag. It does not have the heritage, history or the lux detailing of the classic flap bag yet the price is outrageous.
(No complaints about the GST. )
Yet the bag is a best seller for Chanel proving it does not matter, people have the income and desire to pay that price for it.
However that being said the luxury market is in a pretty sad state. A lot of brands copy Chanel and are often rewarded for it. Individuality and creativity do not get celebrated. I guess that is to be expected now that the fashion industry is run like a bank. Where the bottom line is max profit for the shareholder and costs are minimum hence buying inferior leather and using other cheaper materials.