View Full Version : Perception
I had to laugh. I have a large don't know the brand purse/tote I purchased from I think Macy's about 3 years ago. It was in the discount bin but it met all my need for being able to carry my wallet, essentials and some work items. I had it sitting on my desk the other day and several of my associates complemented me on it. They THOUGHT it was a Coach bag, because they kept telling me how lucky I was. I found it interesting that their perception of that bag was better because they thought it was a name brand. I just had to giggle because it strikes me as odd that someone would think something is better just because of how it is labeled or what they THINK it is. Ok..back to my own little weird world. :~)
In the shopping universe it's all about the image. Stopped into a Prada store over Christmas (party, long story). They had sweat pants for $395. They didn't look as durable or as comfortable as my Nike version at home that cost $45. I thought the Nikes were expensive, but the girl in the store assured me they would sell out fast and that my wife would love them. She obviously doesn't know my wife.
sweetana3
2-20-13, 10:10am
Sweats for $45, we use Walmart (I know I know) that were $6 and years later are still in use and no holes. Even the elastic is still good which is something I have a problem with in some clothes.
I had a friend who told me she could get me a Coach bag like hers really cheaply. When I asked her what a Coach bag was she about had a heart attack. I think I shattered her world by not oohing and ahhing over her bag (it was ugly too!). I had no idea what it was - never even heard of it and didn't appreciate it once I knew what it was. Guess preception (and knock offs) would be lost on me :-)!
ApatheticNoMore
2-20-13, 3:30pm
I had it sitting on my desk the other day and several of my associates complemented me on it.
They THOUGHT it was a Coach bag, because they kept telling me how lucky I was.
Oh yea that sure is lucky, you have a Coach bag, how lucky is that. I mean I guess one might be in some sense lucky to be able to afford it compared to someone who is not able to, but having a bag itself is somehow lucky ... that's just weird. And the complements are weird too, I can see complementing something if it looks nice, but just because it's Coach is odd.
I found it interesting that their perception of that bag was better because they thought it was a name brand. I just had to giggle because it strikes me as odd that someone would think something is better just because of how it is labeled or what they THINK it is.
It might sometimes be better, when people buy that stuff they justify it as paying for quality, something that will last a long time etc.. The thing is sometimes it's just the illusion of quality since more and more those expensive brands are mass manufactured in China just like everything else. See:
http://www.amazon.com/Deluxe-How-Luxury-Lost-Luster/dp/0143113704/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1361387767&sr=8-2&keywords=luxury
And even if it is quality whether it makes sense to pay much more for quality is a simple math question (cheap purse replaced every five years compared to very expensive purse that lasts 30 years). Still the latter might be greener, so might a purse from the Salvation Army :)
I only know Coach because I had a roommmate who's mother would send them to her in a care package. I got popcorn (yum), she got a Coach purse. I didn't know that they were a brand or expensive until I went on her birthday with her to get a new one. My jaw hit the floor when she purchased an $85 wallet and $300 purse. This was back in 1997.
An $85 wallet to carry my $20?
That's about all I usually have on me if I'm not out to purposely buy something.
I wear a beat up, battered Barbour coat. They're made in England, the royal family wears them, they've been around for ages, and they're really expensive. Looks like crap but no one compliments me on it. They would if they knew the price, right?
Yes Pony Mom--probably. I just find it funny that people are driven by labels rather than by someon's character. :)
Maxamillion
2-20-13, 5:24pm
A few years ago my sister bought me a Coach bag for Christmas. I opened it up and was like, "Thanks, nice bag." And she told me it was Coach. I was like, "Coach??? What's that?" She seemed a little put out, I think she was hoping to impress me.
lol
I found a coach bag at the salvation army one year. I purchased it, took it to a leather/shoe repair shop who refurbished it. I paid $13. I then gave it to my friend, who was super into brands and hoping for a coach bag.
She said "i can't accept this, you can't afford it!" and I said "I paid $13 for it, so it was well within your birthday budget of $20." And she got really offended by the fact that I bought (and refurbished) a used coach bag, and so she refused to accept it on those grounds (and I had to go and get her another gift, which I spent $7 on but didn't tell her that), and my mother wanted the bag really badly because she "needed" it for her lifestyle (ie, what she was carrying and at the time I didn't carry any bags), and she sitll uses it to this day.
I always find the "finds." :)
Zoebird, all my coach bags were found at thrift stores or garage sales. They look great still. In fact, I wore one out using it 365 days a year for over 12 years. The leather actually wore thru. No problem as I just went into the closet and shopped what I had stored. I dont like changing bags.
Hubby can give me a thrift find any day.
Not having the slightest clue what a http://www.coach.com/online/handbags/-limitededitions-us-us-5000000000000247801-en?t1Id=5000000000000213801&t2Id=5000000000000247801&tier=2&LOC=hrimgtile Coach bag looked like, I had to check. Thing that there may be others who are as clueless as I am.
I use my Mom's Coach bag from the 80's, which she got as a gift & never used, when I get dressed up for some formal business thing. It's all black leather & brass, nice size. I did take off the annoying tag with the brand name on it. The bags are well made. Nonetheless, I won't spend over $10 at GW for any kind of conveyance container, except for a suitcase. I spent $50 on a Craigslist quad rolly bag, which I love.
I cannot imagine spending retail $$ for brand names. I will at GW if the item is well made, what I need, and reasonably priced. There are a few designer labeled lines that fit me well, like Eileen Fisher. I like finding these and LL Bean clothing at GW. Never buy them retail!
My nice Coach bag came from a consignment store. Its well made, with really nice thick leather. Very classic. Discontinued style, likely from the 80's. The Coach stuff, nowadays, not so much. The one I have screams Coach only if you know what Coach bags (used to) look like. The new Coach screams Coach, because that's what it says on the outside. As part of the fabric. Ick. Along with lots of bling. That isn't the Coach I'm comfortable with.
goldensmom
2-20-13, 9:10pm
My sister-in-law loudly and proudly announced that she got a Coach bag at a garage sale for $35. I had no idea what she was so excited about because when I hear the word 'coach' I think economy seating, what a horse pulls or the head guy for an athletic team. She had to explain to me what all the hubbub was about. You can't impress someone if they don't know what you are talking about. Totally took the wind out of her sails.
Wow. I can't believe a Coach bag is what impresses people. A good Coach bag costs $400. If you follow luxury fashion, which I don't but there are people in my social circle who do, Coach bags are what the hoi polloi carry. If you really want to impress somebody with your handbag, you'd better be carrying a $1700 Prada handbag or a $4000 one from Louis Vuitton. Or if you are really out to impress, drop $22k and buy the crocodile leather handbag from Marc Jacobs new line. Now *that's* high fashion, people! And about as impractical as you can possibly get!!! :moon:
iris lily
2-21-13, 12:44am
I don't carry a "bag" and I can't relate to that whole obsession, but I did spend a lot (for me!) in Switzerland some years ago for a reaaaaaaaaaaaly bright red billfold like this:
http://tinyurl.com/b3884fa
...it's red patent leather! it's quite distinctive! I had not spent any money on chotchkes in Switzerland so I thought "why not?" and I wanted a bright red billfold that I could easily see in the depths of my black backpack, so I bought it.
I remember being surprised way back in 1989 when a random American woman in Asia asked me if my "bag" was a real whatever. No, I had purchased it specifically at Goodwill to go on this Asian vacation and it was some cheap knock off. I don't normally carry a "bag" and it was fairly ugly and I thought cheaply made, I bought it only for the unique shape, and didn't realize that the logo all over it was high end. But this was one cheap ugly bag so I can't imagine that the real thing would be nice enough for me to want it even at a low end price.
iris lily
2-21-13, 12:50am
Sweats for $45, we use Walmart (I know I know) that were $6 and years later are still in use and no holes. Even the elastic is still good which is something I have a problem with in some clothes.
Oh you social climbers who are obsessed with image! I pay only $3 for my sweatpants that I bought at Goodwill just last Sunday.
hahaha I'm just kidding you.
iris lily
2-21-13, 12:54am
A few years ago my sister bought me a Coach bag for Christmas. I opened it up and was like, "Thanks, nice bag." And she told me it was Coach. I was like, "Coach??? What's that?" She seemed a little put out, I think she was hoping to impress me.
that's funny!
I walk by the Michael Kors store in our small, high end mall here in St. Louis and I think yeah baby, that's the fashion biz to get into because you make only one size and it's much easier to stock and deal with.
goldensmom
2-21-13, 7:32am
Here's another family story. A cousin couple came to a family event each sporting a brand new, real (not a replica) Rolex watch. When no one commented (everyone noticed because it's hard to not see big, shiney watches) they kept asking each other what time it was even though there was a wall clock and each had a cell phone in front of them. I haven't worn a watch for more than 15 years and with so many cell phones around now I know a lot of other people who don't wear watches. On the other end of the spectrum, I got 3 pair of nearly new Russell sweat pants (noting the brand because of the quality) plus other a bunch of other stuff at a church bag sale for $1 a bag.
Back to the Coach bag. I've never looked at bags at thrift stores but I am going to start just for kicks.
When you go looking at Coach bags, remember that many of us are using the old heavy leather solid color last forever Coach bags. The newer ones look like all the other bags out there to me.
My hubby buys all his polo shirts new with tag at our local Value World thrift. Usually 80 cents but we had a 50% off coupon and they were 40 cents. Of course, he advertises whatever is on the pocket but has done that for decades. First with advertising pocket protectors when he wore dress shirts (required) and later on polos when they changed to business casual. So much for branding.
I guess I'm not the norm but I can't stand brand labels showing on my clothes or accessories. I won't buy anything new or used that has an obvious label showing.
MissMandy
2-21-13, 11:30am
I had to laugh. I have a large don't know the brand purse/tote I purchased from I think Macy's about 3 years ago. It was in the discount bin but it met all my need for being able to carry my wallet, essentials and some work items. I had it sitting on my desk the other day and several of my associates complemented me on it. They THOUGHT it was a Coach bag, because they kept telling me how lucky I was. I found it interesting that their perception of that bag was better because they thought it was a name brand. I just had to giggle because it strikes me as odd that someone would think something is better just because of how it is labeled or what they THINK it is. Ok..back to my own little weird world. :~)
Could not agree more. People can be such sheep sometimes..
My hubby buys all his polo shirts new with tag at our local Value World thrift. Usually 80 cents but we had a 50% off coupon and they were 40 cents. Of course, he advertises whatever is on the pocket but has done that for decades. First with advertising pocket protectors when he wore dress shirts (required) and later on polos when they changed to business casual. So much for branding.
Lol. DD was shopping in a thrift store somewhere last year and ended up buying me a Obama/Biden polo for a laugh. She's evil that way. Not sure what she paid, but guessing $1 or less. I wore it (on purpose) to my weekly golf league one day. That got the party started!
A Coach bag is a tag or signifier like a cloth grocery bag or a piercing or an "I brake for garage sales" bumper sticker. We're like NASCAR drivers who cruise around advertising our "brand," making it easier to identify each other in a crowd. I like nice accessories, so when I see someone sporting something that appeals to me, I make a subliminal connection. We all do it all the time, reverse snobbery tags included--like people who wear flip flops to weddings to show how anti-fashion/unconventional they are. Social media bring it all together, allowing us to find like-minded tribe members with a minimum of effort.
treehugger
2-21-13, 1:39pm
A Coach bag is a tag or signifier like a cloth grocery bag or a piercing or an "I brake for garage sales" bumper sticker. We're like NASCAR drivers who cruise around advertising our "brand," making it easier to identify each other in a crowd.
I think this is a good reminder, Jane, that we all (generic we, meaning all humans) have and buy and use things that announce to others what we think is important. So while I do think spending that much money on a purse is kinda silly (and I reserve the right to think that to myself!), I am sure I spend money on things that other people think are silly. How much I spend on my dogs, is one example. Or maybe my "Recycle Yourself; Be an Organ Donor" license plate frame, which, if I was be entirely truthful, I have because I want people to ask me about organ donation. I have a kidney donor T-shirt, too. :)
I know I've mentioned this here before, but my DH and I make fun of ourselves by saying we "have the smug" about this or that. We have it about driving small cars. We have it about using cloth grocery bags and not ever buying paper towels. Some people here have the smug about never paying more than $3 for a pair of pants, for instance. And that's totally fine! But I think it's good to remember to keep it in perspective and have a sense of humor about it.
One of the (many!) reasons why my DH and I think the show Portlandia is so hilarious, for instance, is that we can recognize our own tendencies in it. We are always laughing at ourselves.
Kara
I got through about five minutes of Portlandia before I had to switch away to something more uplifting (like Who the Bleep Did I Marry? maybe. Or Finding Bigfoot.) A little smugness goes a long way with me.
treehugger
2-21-13, 2:00pm
I got through about five minutes of Portlandia before I had to switch away to something more uplifting (like Who the Bleep Did I Marry? maybe. Or Finding Bigfoot.) A little smugness goes a long way with me.
You probably live too close to those people. ;) I'm more removed way down here in the Bay Area. Of course, we have our own brands of smugness. But again, being able to laugh at/with it makes it livable.
Kara
ApatheticNoMore
2-21-13, 3:48pm
If it was so easy to signal yourself with products, why bother with online dating or meetups or etc., just flash the magic signal and instant soul mates. Of course it's not and so the bothering with the rest of it. I have ocassionally when I forgot my bag wondered what others would think if they saw me using a paper bag! :0! But mostly I use the cloth bags because I feel bad if I don't, anyway they charge money for bags nowdays.
If it was so easy to signal yourself with products, why bother with online dating or meetups or etc., just flash the magic signal and instant soul mates. Of course it's not and so the bothering with the rest of it. I have ocassionally when I forgot my bag wondered what others would think if they saw me using a paper bag! :0! But mostly I use the cloth bags because I feel bad if I don't, anyway they charge money for bags nowdays.
Hmmm... maybe I should buy a $500 Coach or Prada bag to put my volleyballs in to take to my volleyball meet ups. Then I will attract only the trendyist of volleyball players (who of course will all be MUCH better players just bcause, of course, the wealthy and trendy are ALWAYS better at everything) and let "the little people" play amongst themselves :-)
My version of a Coach bag:
http://www.simplelivingforum.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=1140&d=1361481088
[QUOTE=Spartana;129875]Hmmm... maybe I should buy a $500 Coach or Prada bag to put my volleyballs in to take to my volleyball meet ups. Then I will attract only the trendyist of volleyball players (who of course will all be MUCH better players just bcause, of course, the wealthy and trendy are ALWAYS better at everything) and let "the little people" play amongst themselves :-)
...
You carry your own balls?
[QUOTE=Spartana;129875]Hmmm... maybe I should buy a $500 Coach or Prada bag to put my volleyballs in to take to my volleyball meet ups. Then I will attract only the trendyist of volleyball players (who of course will all be MUCH better players just bcause, of course, the wealthy and trendy are ALWAYS better at everything) and let "the little people" play amongst themselves :-)
...
You carry your own balls?Well of course not silly! How droll would that be. Sven, my volleyball ball-boy, suntan lotion applier, drink fetcher, and sand wiper-offer (we all must have one, musten't we) does that for me. But I wouldn't want him to be seen by anyone near me in anything but the best. One does want all their possessions to reflect well upon one's self doesn't one.
When you go looking at Coach bags, remember that many of us are using the old heavy leather solid color last forever Coach bags. The newer ones look like all the other bags out there to me.
I have one of those too. I've had it for almost a decade. It looks brand new and it's the only purse I've used. I can't seem to even scuff it up. It looks great and I've never done anything to it. I'm kind of sold on them to be honest.
[QUOTE=JaneV2.0;129892]Well of course not silly! How droll would that be. Sven, my volleyball ball-boy, suntan lotion applier, drink fetcher, and sand wiper-offer (we all must have one, musten't we) does that for me. But I wouldn't want him to be seen by anyone near me in anything but the best. One does want all their possessions to reflect well upon one's self doesn't one.
Wait--you're seeing Sven? :0!
If it was so easy to signal yourself with products, why bother with online dating or meetups or etc., just flash the magic signal and instant soul mates. .
So funny - reminds me of the time in the 1980s when I met a Republican who drove a VW Bug - geez, man, he ruined that stereotype!
So funny - reminds me of the time in the 1980s when I met a Republican who drove a VW Bug - geez, man, he ruined that stereotype!
What we need is some kind of matrix so we can plug all an individual's tags into a program and get a detailed analysis. I like people whose identifiers are all over the place, personally.
(Re the VW driver above--I met a guy once who was impressed with my German forebears and VW beetle because he was a wannabe Nazi. We were brought together by a mutual friend; God knows what she thought I'd see in him. He was later arrested for unauthorized weapons sales, if I remember correctly. But I digress...)
I like people whose identifiers are all over the place, personally.
Me too. It gets boring otherwise.
[QUOTE=Spartana;129893]
Wait--you're seeing Sven? :0!Only in my dreams :devil:
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