Sometimes, I would rather buy a purse than a new shirt because a) it will last longer and b) it can make any outfit I already have pop.
So after I bought Speedy for my birthday, which was quite an investment, I decided to put myself on "purse buying notice" and wait six months before I buy another one.
Really, I only buy purses when a) it's a good, even great, deal and b) when the "urge" has returned. My habit needs to be fed, but fortunately that doesn't come around on a regular basis.
Anyhow, Nordstrom's annual women's sale is going on, which usually means amazing deals on fall items. I found knit Uggs for $58, Cole Haan bag for $178 (down from $350) and my fave DKNY tights for 25 percent off. I love walking through the racks, flipping for the deals and trying on ridiculous sunglasses for laughs.
During the sale, I will traditionally not buy anything because I'm still in "saving mode" for Christmas and have self-control, that is until last week.
Now, let me show you a picture of this Kate Spade bag that I've been lusting over for three seasons.
Behold the Tarrytown Quinn. Boarskin leather, classic shape and my favorite shade of deep red. More like Bucky Badger red. And because I get Nordstrom's "Level 2" benefits for the rest of the year, I can ship it to Wisconsin and not pay sales tax or shipping fees.
So......I bought it because it was such a good deal. But now I need some help convincing me if I should keep it or return it.
My pro/con list on this issue is below, please leave a comment and help me decide what to do!
Pro
- 40 percent off retail price (with option of price adjustment later)
- No sales tax or shipping (part of Level 2 benefit and no Nordstrom's in Wisconsin)
- It's pretty
- Have wanted it for three seasons but always missed it on sale
- I need a red bag
- Can fit all my stuff
- Get double Nordstrom's points
Con
- I don't need another purse right away
- Although on a great sale, still not as dirt cheap as I wanted
- I don't wear a lot of red
Also, the customer service person I bought this from had a little attitude, but that's a story for another day. But let's just say, she asked if I was still hungover from the night before and implied that I have credit card debt. Neither point is true.
So help a bloggy girl out, what should I do?
46 comments:
Let me be the first to say that you don't need to wear a lot of read to carry a red purse. I like accessories that are a bold contrast to an otherwise neutral outfit. So, i guess that's a yay vote?
You know my thoughts already!
You know what everyone is going to say...keep it. And I was going to say the same thing. And I still think you should...unless you can't afford it and if it's going to put in debt that you don't want/need. But on the other side, will you regret not getting it? Esp. since you've been wanting it for the past 3 seasons?
I'm no help, am I?
um buy it and give it to me?
haha no. seriously buy it because red looks great with EVERYTHING! (except green and thats because you'll look like a christmas tree...)
but only if it's really good quality because a purse like that is one that will last/be in style forever so it better be a worthwhile investment.
it looks large enough for a laptop. is it?
Red is a good winter color! If you truly love and it is a money thing see if you can cut back else where to make up the difference.
A purse is something I carry everyday, so I rationalize all sorts of splurges. And that is one fine-looking bag. However, I don't like the idea of giving snotty saleslady that commission, so I'm torn.
First off, forget that chick who was talking crap to you. Seriously, what does she know? Put her out your mind and don't ever think of her again.
Now, should you keep the bag? Of course I'm going to say yes because you can never really have too many bags. But I will point one thing out to you-you have a lot more pro's on your list than con's. That gives you your answer right there I think.
KEEP IT! It's gorgeous!
I had a red bad that I love and adore...I don't wear a lot of red at all, but a red bag goes with everything.
A red bag will get you far in life: a little black dress with a pop of color in the bag; Jeans and a basic button up shirt styled with a red bag. plus if you love it, you'll love carrying it and it will show as you walk down the street. So keep it!
I agree, nothing makes you feel better about yourself than having a pretty red bag to stroke lovingly when you're feeling low! Keep it, it's Christmas soon anyway, so a touch of red will make everything festive!
Your not wearing a lot of red is the exact reason why you need a red bag. Imagine how it'll pop!
That deftly eliminates one of your cons now, doesn't it? :)
Buy it. It's pretty. Girls need to surround themselves with prettiness. :)
If you've liked it for 3 years, then it's clearly in line with your aesthetic, and not just a fleeting crush. You might not get to use it a ton, but that just means it'll last longer, and it's clearly something you'll love for a long time. I say keep it.
I say keep it! Every girl can use a red bag, and there's no need to have a lot of red in your wardrobe to own a red purse!
well..you already have it and returning things is SUCH a hassle!! I vote to keep! :)
i allow myself two expensive handbag purchases a year. i got my botkier duffel last year when i won 1K at work. and i got my red chloe when like you i had been lusting over it for a while and it was 40% off.
you know where i'm going with this don't you?
KEEP IT.
I am an enabler: keep it.
KEEP IT!! Its lovely and like other said, you dont have to wear a lot of red to carry a red bag. Consider it an early Christmas present to yourself. Doing your part to stimulate the economy. :-)
I'm the worst shopping partner because I can rationalize just about ANYthing. Maybe that makes me the best shopping partner...? Anyway, I say keep it. I just bought a handful of new accessories (orange scarf, mustard-yellow Mary Janes, gray leg warmers, and purple tights) after I told myself I couldn't afford a whole new outfit... I've been debating returning the shoes and the scarf since Sunday, but I just can't bring myself to do that... Keep it! It's adorable!
ehh keep it!
do they have regular uggs on sale? i need to replace mine
As long as you love it then I say keepsie!! lol Yea, I'm not good at talking people out of buying things heh.
Accessories are the spice of life. Keep it.
Keep it and then beat the sales girl with it
Oh buyers remorse is the worst!
If you can afford it, keep it. If you can't afford it, don't keep it. Red & having been lusted over for a long time notwithstanding, you won't enjoy it if it's going to cause you financial stress.
But if it won't, then why not keep it? = )
I say, KEEP KEEP KEEP! The bag is classic and will never go out of style. It's a good thing you don't wear red...the bag will be your splash of color!
I have been lusting over a bag myself, maybe I should venture over to Nordstroms, you have inpired me to take the plunge! :)
Hi there! I just recently stumbled across your blog and I'm happy to see that we share a love of purses! :)
This hot little red Kate Spade number is a must! I agree with everyone who said it adds the perfect pop of color. Besides, great quality purses are an investment!
Two years ago, I found a black KS purse on bluefly.com for dirt cheap and didn't purchase it. I still think about that purse!
So, my vote: keep it! :)
You know everyone is going to tell you to keep it - that's why shopping with other women is so fun, but HORRIBLE for your wallet! :-P
Heehee.
It's cute, though! If you don't think you should keep it, don't. If you think you should, do!
But you don't gotta wear red to carry a red purse!
Stand alone, do you love it?
I'm glad I'm not the first person to respond to this ... because I've never been one to lust over high fashion. I find under $50 bags all the time and save the $200 for not buying name brand. What's funny is I get compliments on those bags all the time ... and the few times I've bought a name brand bag, no one notices.
I say buy it. It is an investment because it won't ever go out of style and also I think no matter what colors you are wearing that day a red purse will look amazing with your outfit.
keep it. red bags can be carried with almost any color outfit!
Keep. It sounds too good to be true!
oh, it's so funny you wrote about that purse. when my friend was in town this weekend, we went into kate spade just to look as neither one of us could afford, or justify, a purchase there. she looked at that bag, in the pretty gray, but decided to go with the other style in the same leather (the tarrytown logan). the sales going on were what got her to make the purchase. everything was 25% off, plus that bag was an extra 25% off. she just couldn't justify NOT buying it.
ooooh i say keep it :)
i always endorse unnecessary spending on cute things.
totally keep it! plus, the fact that you don't wear a lot of red should be on the pro-list. There's no fear of clashing that way!
KEEP IT!!!
red is a color that pretty much goes with any neutral (grays, blacks, white, tans) so not wearing a lot of red is a non-issue now.
And for the sales rep, I say call the customer service line and complain. simple as that.
I think I'm going to play devil's advocate and ask if you think you will be able to enjoy it without feeling guilty? when I spend more than I should I end up thinking about that everytime I see whatever it is I shouldn't have bought and then it's not fun anymore... any chance you could get your dad to "buy" it for you for christmas??
It is awful cute though... ;-)
I say keep it. Unless you'll feel guilty forever about it because then you wouldn't be able to fully enjoy it.
Okay, out of curiosity I just googled the purse and did the math on the price you paid. I'm now gagging in my chair. But our priorities are very different. I would never pay more than $200 for a purse, but I guess I spend that at the grocery store when I plan a party.
Also, given that you put it out there for the blosse to decide (and you already knew in your heart that 90% would tell you to buy it), you definitely want to keep it. So you should ; )
Keep it!! But call to complain about the saleslady!
It looks as though it could be a great work bag...which I'm currently looking for, so I say KEEP IT! Plus, red? Favorite color ever.
That purse is absolutely ADORABLE, and even if you don't wear a lot of red, you can make it work with other colors. I think you should get it!
Red is such a fab colour for accessories - looks great with everything. Unless you're going to feel guilty every time you use it (as happened with me with a pair of shoes I just had to have) I suggest you keep it!
KEEP IT! No question. It's pretty. The pros faaar outway the cons.
I went through a crazy purse phase over the summer... partially facilitated by The Purse Forum, you might want to check them out! (but it's dangerous ;))
Love the Kate Spade! Have you checked how much it's selling for on ebay?
You might want to check out Rebecca Minkoff purses too!
I'm sure you're not surprised to hear my vote is: KEEP IT! I love my red bag and I don't wear any red. It's all good--and the bag pops even more IMO b/c it's not a color you see in my clothes. I think it's gorgeous--gor for it, girl!
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