As sustainability becomes a higher priority for brands and consumers alike, more companies are looking to change the retail landscape as we know it. If you have read any of my previous articles, you may know that I try my best to invest in vintage or preowned pieces, whether it’s in my home, in my closet, or on my arm – I try my best to consume as thoughtfully as possible. So when I heard about Coach’s new (Re)Loved exchange program and workshop, it seemed like something I should check out right away.
The Concept
The idea behind Coach (Re)Loved is simple: you can bring in your preloved leather Coach bags that are in gently worn condition to a Coach location near you. A specialist will evaluate your bag and determine if it is eligible for trade-in. Currently, Coach is only accepting all leather retail bags, so, unfortunately, canvas and other fabric bags and outlet items are not being accepted into the program. When I arrived at the Coach flagship on Madison Avenue, I got to see the process in action.
Eligibility
The bags have to be gently worn, with no tears and only with minimal scratches and wrinkles. They also accept bags in need of two or fewer repairs, as long as they meet Coach’s standard repair guidelines. If you still have all your bag accessories, it’s a good idea to bring those with you as well. Based on your item’s condition and the original value of your item, you’ll receive a store credit ranging anywhere from $10 to $140. Coach also offers Zoom or FaceTime appointments with their store associates so you can gauge whether your bag is eligible for trade-in before coming into the store.
A Re(Loved) Makeover
Is your bag not eligible? Maybe you aren’t ready to completely let go? That’s ok! Coach’s craftsmen also offer different ways to reimagine your old bag with customizations like charm embellishments and embossments. They even have various hang-tags to choose from if you want to give your bag a fresh pop of color. Personally, I love customizations and find them to be a great way to make your bag feel yours uniquely. It also gives your bag a personalized story.
Some of my favorite charms were the NYC-themed ones, but they have everything from stars to skulls. There are also numbers, which I love because I always want my lucky numbers embossed on my bags, and most of the time, letters are offered but not numbers. Speaking of embossments, there’s also a press at the Craftsmanship bar for customizations on either your bag, a hang-tag, or a key chain.
Craftsmanship and quality are two of the most important things to me as a bag buyer. When it comes to shopping sustainability, the longevity of an item is also important. Knowing that your item is high enough quality that it can be repaired and mended instead of just tossed and replaced is something that matters to sustainably-minded shoppers. It’s always awe-inspiring to see how leather can be repaired and restored, and the expert craftsmen at Coach are really knowledgeable on the subject. There’s a certain satisfaction that comes along with watching an expert in action, as they truly are capable of breathing new life into a bag.
Why We (Re)Love
One of my favorite things about this program is that it shines a light on vintage bags. I am fascinated with history and love items that tell a story, and this program offers many opportunities to create or buy a bag that does just that! Now when you enter a Coach store, you can look at and purchase a variety of bags the brand has offered over the years which are on display at the (Re)Loved wall by the craftsmanship bar. Plus, if you participated in the trade-in program, you can use your voucher right then and there to bring home a new bag to love.
I love this program from Coach, especially because it helps make luxury items last longer while keeping more waste out of landfills. With all that being said, I’d love to hear what our Coach community has to say about this program. Please share your thoughts and experiences below in the comments.
Mulberry does this too but its the same thing where the price point for them to take your bag back is so immaterial that it’s not even really worth the hassle. They advertise it as a way to be sustainable but it’s really just another way for them to make money. If they really want people to do this, and are pushing the sustainability aspect of it, then offer people more money to take their gently used bags.
The prices seem to be really low. I wonder if it wouldn’t be more sustainable to simply donate the bags to a local charity that supports women re-entering the professional life rather than feed the corporate beast.
I like the idea of selling my barely used, barely touched leather bag but I don’t want a store credit. I can make more on Poshmark and not be committed to Coach. It will be interesting if purse collectors find a max $140 coach credit valuable.
I mean most people wouldn’t pay that much for a used coach bag anyway and if someone is asking for more than that then it better be in new condition. I know there’s a market for vintage coach and I have seen them go for higher prices but included original box and accessories. I think if they’re asking $300+ for a coach bag, it would be better to put that towards a higher end bag.
Introducing? This has been on offer for a while. Why hand over your bag for $10? Sell it yourself and get more.
I was interested up until the price/credit offered for the trade-in. Considering the price of the rogue (for instance) and the fact that I’m trading in a quality leather bag to even qualify, doesn’t seem like much of a deal when I can just wait for the bag to go on sale OR just buy it at full price (which is already pretty decent), and still get to keep my quality leather Coach or just sell it elsewhere and get more.
Love this concept, but agree that the price points seem off. If you are willing to go through the trouble of selling, you can recoup more of your cost. And…every time I look at the vintage/restored bags, they are already 95% sold out (and are on the high end in terms of pricing, IMO).
Off topic slightly but that Coach TRex is so cool, I’ve seen it a few times and always impressed.
Coach Create, now “rebranded” as Coach Re(Loved) and Coach Upcrafted, is not new. Coach has been trying to get customers to customize their bags for years. The only difference now is that Coach is buying customer’s bags back to resell them under their new Upcrafted line (at pretty high prices). It’s not a bad strategy and everything that has been dropped under their Re(Loved) and Upcrafted section on the website has sold out in hours after dropping. I even have a few pieces myself.
Hi Jade – what is the secret to catching these before they sell out (if you’re willing to share)? I always seem to be late to the party.
I have an SA at Nordstrom in NYC that keeps me updated with vintage bags.
I have some bags that I’m trying to get rid of. At this point, I’m pretty sure that I’ll take whatever they give me. I don’t want the hassle of selling them I’m too busy. I may give it a try as my local Coach boutique has the service.
Would you accept the $20 or would you rather donate them or give them away?
Why should I give them away? They’re mine to do as I please.
❤️❤️❤️ this concept and idea ❤️❤️❤️
I used to collect Coach bags.. I have alot. But I pulled one out to use for summer and every where there was leather it looked as if it was melting. I only used this bag during the summer. Everything part that was not leather is perfect! I sent it in they sent it back. So much for buying any more Coach from them.
Funny thing about them re branding GO TO GOODWILL I picked up a black leather with purple lining for $4.00.
I wish the original coach would come back
Very nice rawhide I have four.(Bring it back)
I have an older, plain, coach cross body bag, that I added coach charms to, & sewed in matching “c”’s from a different coach bag (that was ripped). The purse came out amazing! Does this qualify as “re-loved”? Or is it “upcycled”? Also, how do we get our re-loved Coach bags on the coach website with the other re-loved bags?
thanks!