Do you all know that those Coach bags are made in China?

[The Backlash Cometh]

You know those $300.00 bags which the advertisements claim are made in America? If you have one, open it up and read the label. They're made in China. A friend who bought them because of the made in America advertisements called the company up and the company refused to tell her the name of the cities in the US where the bags were exclusively made in the US. They said that the materials and work could come from anywhere in the world, including China. All three of her bags claimed China.

Not sure if this is relevant to anyone on DU, but, she was aghast because she comes from modest means and saved her money throughout the year for one luxury: To collect Coach bags because it was made in America.

[cali]

1. I didn't know that.

I own several Coach bags- some of them are 25 years old. I haven't bought one is 5 years or so.

[The Backlash Cometh]

4. Look at the labels and tell me what you find.

She had one that was ten years old that had the China label.

[xxqqqzme]

8. I have a Coach bag that is 31 years old.

All I've ever done is clean it up w/ saddle soap a couple of times. Bet the leather quality is inferior now as well as the workmanship.

[bean fidhleir]

28. I bought mine about the same time, and I've had the same experience

I bought it to carry when wearing a suit, but ended up carrying it all the time til I retired and stopped wearing skirts. So it's a bit ratty and worn, but still in very good shape. And it's US-made. And has a serial number!

It's a pity they followed the bean-counters' advice to cut back the quality - it'll kill their business once word gets around. Their quality was the only thing they had to offer.

[Orrex]

2. $300?!? For that kind of money, it better include a Chinese guy.

Who'd pay that much for a sack?

Not that I condemn anyone's purchasing power; if you've got the money, then it's yours to spend. But $300?!?

[cali]

5. I carry a Coach bag that I bought 25 years ago

Don't remember exactly what I paid but I think it was around $100 bucks even back then. I haven't bought a coach handbag in some years so I don't know if they're still as well made, but buying something that lasts for a quarter of a century, isn't a bad investment.

[Orrex]

7. I suppose.

But, for the price, the current bags should still include a Chinese guy, at least a small one.

[entanglement]

37. Do you have a fetish for small Chinese guys or something? n/t

[Orrex]

41. Well, if I'm paying $300 for a bag that probably cost $0.50 to make...

It would be nice if they'd throw the guy in, too, in case the bag needs repairs at some point.


No fetish, though. As long as the included individual is fairly representative of the overpriced bag's place of manufacture, I'm cool with it.

[The Backlash Cometh]

6. It's crazy.

I just heard about this five years ago. It's a status symbol. I'm not sure that it's going to matter to many women where they're purchased, but, this particular woman was very upset because she really doesn't have the money to spend and hangs around Republican circles that are opposed to outsourcing. i.e. blue collar, hard working, first to lose their jobs in this economy.

[Sheltiemama]

46. Here's how I look at it.

I'll carry a well-made leather purse for years and years, so the cost is worth it. You can wear a neutral-colored leather bag with any outfit. I don't mind paying a little more for something I know will last. That being said, I buy almost everything on sale. I just got a leather Dooney for half-price at a store that was going out of business. At that same store, I got two leather bags that started at $200 for $50 each (75 percent off!), and I enjoy carrying them just as much. My mother, who has way more designer bags than I do, also has some bags she got on sale at Kohl's that she loves.

[Mandate My Ass]

3. I never owned one

In fact, I never owned a purse that cost more than $25. If that's all I'm going to carry inside it, I don't see the need to carry my $25 in a $400 bag. :shrug:

[The Backlash Cometh]

9. The running joke is that women who have expensive bags talk about

what they would do if they were mugged and the reply is, they would tell the burglar, "You can have everything in the bag, just leave the bag, please."

[Mandate My Ass]

11. LOL

I never thought about that. Another reason not to carry one. I'd be sending out a signal to mug me because I'm rolling in it. :-)

[Princess Turandot]

27. Uhm..

I was robbed at knife-point years ago, a few weeks after I bought one of the bags I just checked. The guy demanded cash; actually - and this is no lie - he demanded just $20. Now I did not say to him 'don't take the bag' but I did think it. I was also concerned that he might stab it lol.

[malaise]

12. We had a family reunion this summer

We had a shopping day and split up with different sisters during the day. What was striking to me was that the two of us who do not live in the US are much more practical when it comes to shopping. I couldn't believe the prices some of my siblings were willing to pay for name brand crap. I don't mind paying for quality and I remember buying gorgeous Italian luggage from Marshall's a few years ago. Of course it was all on sale and I had no problem fixing an inside pocket zip.

One of my sisters is a collector of bags and is addicted to Coach bags. I bought a nice office bag reduced from $160 to $105 and it's good for at least three years. When big sis, who lives in Europe, saw mine, she got one for herself. One sister took me into Nordstrom and I had a good laugh. They have lovely stuff but I wouldn't waste my hard earned money in there. The cheapest bad was over $300.

One problem with purses though - even a decent wallet (and I don't mean name brand) is close to $50 these days.

[The Backlash Cometh]

17. If you know where to look, you can get the Coach bags for $95.00

They're not big, but that's what she paid for one in an outlet in Manchester, N.H.

[shanti]

36. don't forget ebay

you can get just about any brand of bag for less than retail - but you have to be careful about fakes.

[madaboutharry]

10. This stuff is all made in China.

Coach and Dooney and Bourke.

The exception is Louis Vuitton, which is made in France, Spain, and the United States. I guess you have to spend $1000 now to buy something NOT made in China.

Thomasville and Ethan Allen furniture is also made in China.

No wonder we're in the toilet.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

13. The AMERICAN exception is Brahmin

I've bought their stuff for years because they make a terrific and beautiful product, but also because they advertise clearly that their leather comes from Italy, but all their products are made in the United States.

They're pricier than Coach, but not by much, I think.

http://www.brahmin.com/index.asp

I have had nothing but great experiences with them. Once, when I couldn't find the bag I'd wanted, I called them in Fairhaven, MA, and the woman I talked to told me that that particular bag had gone out of production.

I was devastated. But, she said, there's one in our store here, where we sell seconds and discontinued bags. Would you like me to go get it for you?

I said YES!

Not only did I get the bag I wanted - and their packaging is a sight to behold - but it cost me HALF of what the retail price had been because it was discontinued.

And now, that beautiful bag is a collector's item.

Buy American. Buy Brahmin.

[Sheltiemama]

49. My mother has two Brahmins.

Now those are some sturdy bags! She got one this summer for half-price at a store that was going out of business. They're gorgeous.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

51. They have a great deal -

If you already own a Brahmin bag, and it's old or worn or you just don't like it anymore, you can trade it in on a new Brahmin bag, and get a 50% discount! That's right - half off!

Now, it may be that they no longer do that, but as recently as a couple of years ago, I got some fine Brahmin products that way.

They ARE gorgeous, aren't they? And beautifully made, too. The only other bags I buy are Oroton, Australian-made of all-Italian leather.

Buying stuff made in China - no.

And, Welcome To DU!!!

[Sheltiemama]

52. Do they ever wear out?

Mom won't ever stop liking hers!

I'll have to check into Oroton. I've never heard of it.

I've been on DU for years, but I mostly lurk. I'm here almost every day, though!

[Tangerine LaBamba]

56. No, they never wear out

As a matter of fact, the more you use them, the better they look. And people recognize them. They're hot.

Oroton can't be purchased in the United States. The place to buy any of their products - if you can find them - is on eBay, of all places. Lots of crap there, really battered stuff, but I've sold some old Oroton things there, and bought them, too, and they're just beautiful. Classics. Also very recognizable to those who know.

It's a fun place, DU, isn't it? I'm glad you posted. Thank you.

[cali]

14. well, Ethan Allen still makes furniture in Orleans Vermont

but who knows how long that will last?

[madaboutharry]

18. I just bought a dining room set from Ethan Allen.

It was made in China. It kind of pisses me off.

[ogneopasno]

31. Some of it. We were looking for a made in USA chair

and the Ethan Allen guy assured us that this chair, which we were willing to pay quite a lot of money for, was made in USA. We special-ordered it, and when it came, it had "Made in China" stamped all over the box and on the tag on the chair. We sent it back, told them off, and have never bought anything from them again.

We got this MADE IN USA chair instead:

http://www.dwr.com/product/categories/seating+collections/portola+collection/portola-armchair-leather.do?search=basic&keyword=chair+leather&sortby=ourPicks&page=4

[The Backlash Cometh]

33. Nice chair!

[ogneopasno]

39. Thanks! I DO have to say

we got it several years ago on major markdown...it looks like its popularity has risen, and so the price has too. ;) On the other hand, we paid for quality and for the knowledge that it was made in a country where labor laws are actually written down on a piece of paper, and the chair will last for a long, long time.

[kath]

34. NIce furniture made in the USA:

http://www.smithbrosfurn.com/

we bought a sofa made by them last year, and are very happy with it.

[ogneopasno]

38. Awesome. Thanks for the link.

We bought a bunch of furniture made by Flexsteel and we love it.

Alternatives are out there; people just have to look for them.

[OHdem10]

15. Is D&B now considered the American Luxury???

[Sheltiemama]

50. I'm carrying one right now.

It's made out of black/brown pebbled leather that I can tell will hold up. I got it for half-price. I wouldn't have paid full price for it, though. They have a good sale section on their Web site.

[rucky]

16. I'd feel like a sucker...

If I paid that much for any bag, no matter where it was made.

[The Backlash Cometh]

19. What is the photo in your post all about?

Looks like Jesus is a referee in a game and he's signaling, "Touchdown!"

Oh, is the subliminal message, "Jesus is on our side?"

[rucky]

24. It the hugely non-subliminal Big Butter Jesus on I-75, north of Cinci.

a.k.a. "Touchdown Jesus"

photoshopped.

[poiuytsister]

32. old country song

Song from Bobby Bare Greatest Hits, Bareworks Inc.
Words and music by Paul Craft.
CD, BWCD-040292

Drop kick me Jesus through the goal posts of life
End over end neither left nor to right
Straight through the heart of them righteous uprights
Drop kick me Jesus through the goal posts of life.

Make me, oh make me, Lord more than I am
Make me a piece in your master game plan
Free from the earthly tempestion below
I’ve got the will, Lord if you’ve got the toe.

Drop kick me Jesus through the goal posts of life
End over end neither left nor to right
Straight through the heart of them righteous uprights
Drop kick me Jesus through the goal posts of life.

Take all the brothers who’ve gone on before
And all of the sisters who’ve knocked on your door
All the departed dear loved ones of mine
Stick’em up front in the offensive line.

Drop kick me Jesus through the goal posts of life
End over end neither left nor to right
Straight through the heart of them righteous uprights
Drop kick me Jesus through the goal posts of life.

Yeah, Drop kick me Jesus through the goal posts of life
End over end neither left nor to right
Straight through the heart of them righteous uprights
Drop kick me Jesus through the goal posts of life.

[Princess Turandot]

20. I just checked..

I have some rather old Coach bags; at the bottom of a stamped leather description inside of the bag, it says 'made in the USA'. (Actually, the oldest one says 'made in New York'.) I have one that I bought about 7 years ago: it's got the same stamped description but it no longer shows a 'made in'. Interesting.

Correction: I checked again. The stamp on the bag says its made in Italy. (I hadn't read through it all.)

[The Backlash Cometh]

22. I'm actually wondering if Coach has two sets of bags out there.

Those, like yours, that hold up to the "Made in America" advertisements, and those that they sell for cheaper at outlets that are made elsewhere? The person on the phone told my friend they could not give her the information she sought, so who knows?

[Princess Turandot]

26. I know for sure that I bought the one w/o the 'made in'..

at their flagship store in NYC. (I remember because the saleswoman looked a little strangely at my well 'ventilated' jeans lol.)

Years ago, they made their bags on 34th Street in NYC, a few blocks west of Macy's. They also only sold them in their own store in NYC, until around 20 years ago. I would never have imagined that they would have stooped to this.

[AlCzervik]

47. i bought a bag at The Coach store, not the outlet, i just checked the matching wallet, Made in china

[Warpy]

21. Not only that, but those expensive designer handbags

are going to be worth only a shocking K-Mart price of five bucks or so when they have that desperation yard sale to make up the difference between their income and that month's expenses.

There are a lot of very shocked yuppies in this town who think somebody will always pay at least half of the retail price on designer label junk made in China by the same vendors who supply Wally's.

[JustAnotherGen]

23. This is good information

Now all those folks down in Chinatown buying the 'knock offs' should know precisely WHY the knock offs look so damn close. I don't own a Coach bag but I'll look into Brahmin.

I'm not really a handbag person in the first place (way too hard on them) - but I'd buy an LV or this Brahmin just to one up the enemy.

[Dorian Gray]

62. When I lived in Hong Kong

there were some fantastic knock offs to buy. They were advertised as being made in the same factories as the originals, and there would only be one small detail that was different. (Like a stitch somewhere out of place, or different interior lining.) The materials and the looks were almost exactly the same as the original.

[ogneopasno]

25. Everyone should spend one day looking at the labels of everything they use.

Clothes, coffee mugs, things they buy throughout the day, pens, tools, shoes, car parts...it makes you sick when you see where it all comes from.

[bean fidhleir]

29. Yes, isn't THAT the truth!

I'm trying to be more conscious of where things come from, and it's sickening to see how much comes from some sweatshop country, particularly China.

[ogneopasno]

30. I really think people

-- even involved progressive people -- have very little idea how much is made in China. It's very easy to see a Wrangler or Levi's commercial and feel good about buying them, and then when people look at the tags, it's a total surprise. Seriously, I recommend everyone look at the tags of what they're wearing right now.

[Skittles]

54. when shopping just try to find Made in America

it does indeed make me sick

[subterranean]

35. I just checked the label on my wife's Coach bag.

It was not easy to read because the text was indented on a black leather label, but sure enough, it said, "Handcrafted in China from the finest materials." Color me surprised. I guess I assumed the authentic designer bags were not made in China.

[The Backlash Cometh]

40. Nice looking label, too. Isn't it?

And now you have something you can use to stop your wife from buying another over-priced purse.

[TheCentepedeShoes]

42. I had no idea

but I guess I shouldn't be surprised.
Never had a Coach, but have 3 Oroton bags, made in Australia.

[knitter4democracy]

43. Wow. Yet another reason I shouldn't have bought the damn thing.

I was with MIL, returning the purselet thingy she got me for Christmas when I fell for the pretty turquoise bag and figured I'd get the money off from the return. Most I have ever spent on a purse, and I've felt guilty about it ever since. I have another purse I use on and off with this one, and Hubby already knows that our daughter has to inherit this one in order to work off the blood debt on this freakin' bag.

[Sheltiemama]

44. I'll have to check mine.

I have two leather one I bought years ago. I bet they were made here. I suspect the newer generation, the fabric ones with all the C's on them, are the ones made overseas. My mother has one of those that I gave her for Christmas a couple of years ago. I'll have to check it, too.

I also seem to remember the company was sold several years back. This may have something to do with it.

[The Backlash Cometh]

58. PM me when you find out and respond to the thread, please.

Thanks!

[AlCzervik]

45. i wish you were wrong but you aren't. I did just check 3 pairs of jeans i own though

and they are all made in America, they were expensive but at least they were made here.

[The Backlash Cometh]

59. I was shocked to hear it too.

[AllieB]

48. Cole Haan is made in China now too.

I try to buy clothes made in America, Europe, Canada, or Central/South America. When I was in Paris this summer, the cheapie clothes in stores like H&M are made in eastern Europe, Turkey, and North Africa. Why does our crap come from China when there are other markets who can supply it as cheaply?

[The Backlash Cometh]

60. Well, Carlyle was trying to do business in China when Bush came to power.

It's a real nice two punch. Do business with us, or we'll bury you in a carpet of bombs. Looks like China got the better part of the deal.

[Skittles]

53. those are some ugly fucking bags

[The Backlash Cometh]

61. The big ones certainly look ugly.

They make them in all shapes, and some of them would meet my standards.

[demmiblue]

55. I saw one at the thrift shop for $75!

I didn't think at the time to check were it was made, but wow!

The only thing I can think of that I have bought recently that wasn't made in China (non-food) was Aquafresh toothpaste!

I try to buy American made when I can... but, damn, sometimes it is just too expensive. For instance, I would love to be able to afford "American Made" New Balance tennis shoes, but they are just too much money for my budget!

[The Backlash Cometh]

63. I think that you're conscious of it and trying to do the right thing when

you can, is all that anyone can ask for.

[SeattleGirl]

57. Just looked at the label on mine, and yep, made in China.

The label says "handcrafted in China". That supposed to make it better?

Damn, I love my Coach bag. I really had no idea (and I often do look at labels to find out where an item was made).