# Rent an Expensive Handbag (very mild RO) **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [April 24, 2008, 9:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rent-an-expensive-handbag-very-mild-ro/446657 "2008-04-24T09:15:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Omegaman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e480ec/32.png) [@Omegaman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omegaman)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2008, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rent-an-expensive-handbag-very-mild-ro/446657/41 "2008-04-24T15:08:23Z")
[QUOTE=Sarahfeena] Quick personal anecdote…when my sister was in Paris maybe 10 years ago, she bought a Chanel bag, which was :eek: to me in terms of price. The thing is, she will probably keep that bag forever, as it’s good quality and a classic style. If I added up the number of times she’s carried it, and how many more times she probably will in her life, it will amortize out to a few cents per use, if that. So what’s the issue, really? Why not invest in something that you really love that will last a long time? [/QUOTE] I’m glad you posted this. My wife owns many fine handbags and I encourage her to purchase them. Something that is of good quality will last for many years and in fact she regularly rotates them only purchasing new ones every three to six months as the mood strikes her. Whereas I could care less about the clothes I wear other than that they cover me and don’t look ratty she, being a woman, takes great pride and solace in knowing she looks “cute” on a regular basis. Only in the last five years or so have I been able to convince her to purchase quality shoes, something that I do as well. I have boots that are ten years old and I still wear them when needed and they don’t look bad and still perform as they were intended. Many things last if you only care for them and as I grew up a little on the poor side, I learned young to take care of my things. I clean and oil her handbags too and they remain in good condition. I feel that society today throws too many things away and furthermore I feel this is in part due to things being of a lower quality not to mention we live in a consuming society. I think the rental idea is great as I realize that not all women can afford to have the better quality things but I know you women love to be fashionable. Any thing that brings my wife joy whether it is looking “cute” or getting a foot rub is something I enjoy providing for her. ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2008, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rent-an-expensive-handbag-very-mild-ro/446657/42 "2008-04-24T15:11:49Z")
[QUOTE=as\_u\_wish] So why outrage over the rental of a \*\*feminine \*\*adornment? [/QUOTE] Honestly, I think that’s the answer right there. ---
**Author:** ![HazelNutCoffee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ac91a4/32.png) [@HazelNutCoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HazelNutCoffee)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2008, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rent-an-expensive-handbag-very-mild-ro/446657/43 "2008-04-24T15:27:17Z")
[QUOTE=Gukumatz] By Og, please don’t buy those pilot ones. Please? [/QUOTE] Ew. Do I look like a middle-aged man stuck in the 70s to you? :dubious: **Sarahfeena** , I bought a Gucci bag a few years ago and I will most likely be buried with it. While I like pretty things, I’m not huge on trends, so I’m always looking for stuff that will wear well no matter what happens to be in fashion. I do agree with **alice** , though - for the price of borrowing, you can probably buy the damn thing at a consignment shop or on eBay. Plus I use my bags pretty hard - I’d never be able to return a bag in the condition I got it in. ---
**Author:** ![Sarahfeena](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sarahfeena/32/519_2.png) [@Sarahfeena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sarahfeena)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2008, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rent-an-expensive-handbag-very-mild-ro/446657/44 "2008-04-24T15:30:55Z")
[QUOTE=HazelNutCoffee] Ew. Do I look like a middle-aged man stuck in the 70s to you? :dubious: **Sarahfeena** , I bought a Gucci bag a few years ago and I will most likely be buried with it. While I like pretty things, I’m not huge on trends, so I’m always looking for stuff that will wear well no matter what happens to be in fashion. I do agree with **alice** , though - for the price of borrowing, you can probably buy the damn thing at a consignment shop or on eBay. Plus I use my bags pretty hard - I’d never be able to return a bag in the condition I got it in. [/QUOTE] This is another reason I don’t buy a lot of expensive bags. I’m the type who spills things and otherwise wrecks stuff. My sister is the opposite of me…that bag looks like it did the day she bought it. Her apartment looks like no one lives in it, too! When she comes to my house, she picks up toys because she can’t stand the way the kids strew them around. Maybe some people are meant to have nice things, and some aren’t! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![HazelNutCoffee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ac91a4/32.png) [@HazelNutCoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HazelNutCoffee)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2008, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rent-an-expensive-handbag-very-mild-ro/446657/45 "2008-04-24T15:45:05Z")
[QUOTE=Sarahfeena] Maybe some people are meant to have nice things, and some aren’t! 🙂 [/QUOTE] I have a friend who buys designer bags fairly often. I think she has several Chanel purses (her grandfather owns a vineyard or something). She treats her purses like children. Those things get their own chair when we go out for dinner together. 😛 I, on the other hand, stuff my bags full of crap and leave them to fend for themselves on the floor half the time. The Gucci tote bags, though, do stand up to a lot of wear and tear. **Really Not All That Bright** , by “help” I’m assuming the kind of help that involves me sending you the receipt. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2008, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rent-an-expensive-handbag-very-mild-ro/446657/46 "2008-04-24T15:46:42Z")
[QUOTE=HazelNutCoffee] **Really Not All That Bright** , by “help” I’m assuming the kind of help that involves me sending you the receipt. 😉 [/QUOTE] For that sort of help I’d want Eliot Spitzer attention. If you find a style you like, though… ---
**Author:** ![Sarahfeena](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sarahfeena/32/519_2.png) [@Sarahfeena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sarahfeena)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2008, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rent-an-expensive-handbag-very-mild-ro/446657/47 "2008-04-24T15:51:21Z")
[QUOTE=HazelNutCoffee] I have a friend who buys designer bags fairly often. I think she has several Chanel purses (her grandfather owns a vineyard or something). She treats her purses like children. Those things get their own chair when we go out for dinner together. 😛 I, on the other hand, stuff my bags full of crap and leave them to fend for themselves on the floor half the time. The Gucci tote bags, though, do stand up to a lot of wear and tear. [/QUOTE] You definitely sound more like me. I am not allowed to breathe on the Chanel bag! I have caught glimpses of it from time to time. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![tremorviolet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e47774/32.png) [@tremorviolet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tremorviolet)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2008, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rent-an-expensive-handbag-very-mild-ro/446657/48 "2008-04-24T16:34:51Z")
[QUOTE=Sarahfeena] Quick personal anecdote…when my sister was in Paris maybe 10 years ago, she bought a Chanel bag, which was :eek: to me in terms of price. The thing is, she will probably keep that bag forever, as it’s good quality and a classic style. If I added up the number of times she’s carried it, and how many more times she probably will in her life, it will amortize out to a few cents per use, if that. So what’s the issue, really? Why not invest in something that you really love that will last a long time? [/QUOTE] If you love and will use it, I think it’s worth it. I invested in a quality bag\* a couple of years ago and it still looks great. I still get compliments every day. And I’m not a bag person so this great bag will last me until I’m old and grey. If I liked trendy bags, I might consider the rental site but I’m happy with a classic. But I’ve made my feelings on this issue known numerous times and they’re basically a carbon copy of **HazelNutCoffee** ’s. \*Not the designer version (which is over $20k) but a very good copy (not counterfeit, no logo infingement) from Hong Kong. Wanna see it? [my bag](http://www.desiremall.com/Birkin/Kelly/bolide/hermes/crocodile/30cm%20black%20croco%20march%202006/30cm%20black%20croco%20birkin.htm) ---
**Author:** ![Una\_Persson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/una_persson/32/346_2.png) [@Una\_Persson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Una_Persson)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2008, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rent-an-expensive-handbag-very-mild-ro/446657/49 "2008-04-24T16:40:49Z")
[QUOTE=DianaG] Well congratulations. Having taken an abnormal psych class or two, clearly you win. Perhaps now you can move on to art history? I’ll concede being more of a Vermeer girl myself. [/QUOTE] I’m afraid I don’t understand - I’ve won because you have taken the classes? I’m not trying to win anything. Did your courses not cover the impact of mass manias and fashions as a borderline mental disorder? And all I was saying by responding to your art comment is that a huge number of things are subject to this same mania. Why are Van Gogh’s hideous swirlings worth 7-figures, for example? > [@](#): > > But I find that the sort of people who throw hissy fits over how shallow fashion is are mostly just insecure about their appearance and/or their means, and have convinced themselves that it’s not that they’re incompetent at or making themselves presentable, or unable to afford the pretty things they covet, it’s just that they’re too deep to care. I guess if someone throws a hissy fit over fashion then that’s not good. What do you call a person who recognizes that paying $1000 for a pair of shoes which is functionally identical and possibly worse quality than a $100 pair of shoes is at best a pretty stupid thing to spend your money on, and indicative (but not necessarily always so) of a person who makes unwise financial decisions? ---
**Author:** ![Una\_Persson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/una_persson/32/346_2.png) [@Una\_Persson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Una_Persson)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2008, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rent-an-expensive-handbag-very-mild-ro/446657/50 "2008-04-24T16:56:52Z")
[QUOTE=alice\_in\_wonderland] Humm, so I’ve taken an abnormal psych course or three (well, an entire degree’s worth, actually), and I still like expensive handbags. So, does that mean that I’m crazy? Slept through my entire degree? [/QUOTE] I don’t believe that’s what I posted. > [@](#): > > Or perhaps it means that a person can like and own an expensive purse without it meaning that she’s a total nutter. Perhaps, as opposed to crazy, it means that she has an appreciation for finely crafted leather goods. Read my post above. I left it _deliberately vague_ because I was just making conversation and the general point that while some believe following fad and fashion can be harmless, I want to note that it can also be self-destructive. Obviously limited cases of splurging are fun and probably harmless. I do that myself. But is there actually a dispute that there are not large numbers of people out there buying **very** expensive clothing and accessories that are no better than - or even worse than - much less expensive and highly similar items, based purely on a label and peer pressure? (And I _sincerely_ doubt that a Gucci purse is worth the money due to its alleged high quality.) > [@](#): > > I realize that particular explanation isn’t quite as much fun as it doesn’t allow you to look down your nose at us purse folks, but I’d wager it’s just as valid as the other possible explanations. I did not enter this thread to commit anti-purse hate-crimes, sorry. ---
**Author:** ![tremorviolet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e47774/32.png) [@tremorviolet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tremorviolet)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2008, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rent-an-expensive-handbag-very-mild-ro/446657/51 "2008-04-24T17:02:06Z")
[QUOTE=Una Persson] I guess if someone throws a hissy fit over fashion then that’s not good. What do you call a person who recognizes that paying $1000 for a pair of shoes which is functionally identical and possibly worse quality than a $100 pair of shoes is at best a pretty stupid thing to spend your money on, and indicative (but not necessarily always so) of a person who makes unwise financial decisions? [/QUOTE] Well, there is a pretty big quality difference between a $100 pair and a $500 pair. The $100 will usually be machine made with a manmade sole and lining as opposed to a hand finished pair with real leather. But between the $500 and the $1000? You’re right, not so much. But you’re paying for the artistry. Would you think it was the same finacially rash decision for someone to buy a $1000 painting they love versus a framed poster for about $100? Today, I’m wearing a pair of shoes from the Spring 2005 season that retailed for around $550. Far more people get to see my shoes than would ever see a painting in my house and I get compliments every time I wear them (at least once weekly for the past three years). How was that an unwise financial decision? ---
**Author:** ![HazelNutCoffee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ac91a4/32.png) [@HazelNutCoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HazelNutCoffee)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2008, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rent-an-expensive-handbag-very-mild-ro/446657/52 "2008-04-24T17:08:44Z")
[QUOTE=Una Persson] What do you call a person who recognizes that paying $1000 for a pair of shoes which is functionally identical and possibly worse quality than a $100 pair of shoes is at best a pretty stupid thing to spend your money on, and indicative (but not necessarily always so) of a person who makes unwise financial decisions? [/QUOTE] I’ve re-read this sentence several times, and I’m still not sure what you’re trying to say. There _are_ women who buy $1000 bags when they’re three months behind on rent. There are men who do the same thing with cars, or TVs. In fact, there are plenty of things people spend money unwisely on. A lot of us are just tired of this fact coming up in every single fashion accessories-related thread on the Dope, when it is rarely brought up in relation to any other commodity. ETA: **tremorviolet** , I love that bag. You have awesome fashion sense. ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2008, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rent-an-expensive-handbag-very-mild-ro/446657/53 "2008-04-24T17:19:30Z")
Renting a handbag? It’s one of those ideas that made me think, “Why didn’t I think of that, and then license the idea?” We should also be able to rent shoes and watches and all the other things we might only want once or twice. Why is this limited to tuxes? (That being said, I don’t _get_ the allure of handbags. Many seem so clunky and ugly, but then I have the same reaction to a lot of watches. But I’m the guy who irrationally wants the chain-mail T-shirt, so who am I to complain about other’ choices? I’ll add, though, that going after any luxury while being unable to, say, buy food, is a Bad Idea.) ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Plastic\_Ninja](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f07891/32.png) [@Little\_Plastic\_Ninja](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Plastic_Ninja)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2008, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rent-an-expensive-handbag-very-mild-ro/446657/54 "2008-04-24T17:19:45Z")
I’m not a very girly girl – my shoe collection consists of maybe five pairs of normal shoes, one of which is a step above utilitarian and workhorse. But I’m very very hard on my belongings. My iPod is a scratched mess, my phone is battered, the soles of my shoes are wearing out (I discovered this today, augh :eek: ), and the $20 pleather messenger bag I got from Target disintegrated after flying back and forth to Toronto and getting lugged rather gently around town for most of a week. By contrast, I purchased one of [these](http://www.coach.com/content/product.aspx?product_no=10949&category_id=240) from the Coach outlet last summer. I wanted a little bag that was big enough to carry wallet, phone, keys, and iPod without bursting at the seams. While that does stuff it to the gills, it has no problem containing all of them and looks now very much as it did the day I bought it. And I abuse the HELL out of this thing – it hangs on my wrist all the time, it gets swung, smacked, thrown, dropped, tossed, left in the car, stepped on, and otherwise abused. There’s nary a scuff on it. The zipper zips smoothly and without trouble. It looks like it did when I got it from the store. ---
**Author:** ![alice\_in\_wonderland](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alice_in_wonderland/32/176_2.png) [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2008, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rent-an-expensive-handbag-very-mild-ro/446657/55 "2008-04-24T17:21:46Z")
[QUOTE=HazelNutCoffee] There _are_ women who buy $1000 bags when they’re three months behind on rent. There are men who do the same thing with cars, or TVs. In fact, there are plenty of things people spend money unwisely on. A lot of us are just tired of this fact coming up in every single fashion accessories-related thread on the Dope, when it is rarely brought up in relation to any other commodity. [/QUOTE] Exactly. There are people who snort thousands of $$ up their nose in blow when they have children to feed. What that has to do with my collection of designer handbags is a mystery to me. It’s a silly point to make. If I posted that I had just bought a new car that was something above a 1978 rusted out pinto, I don’t think people would jump all over my shit with comments about how buying a good quality car was the sign of a mental illness. **Una Person** you can back pedal as much as you want, but bringing up abnormal psychology when people are talking about liking nice purses pretty clearly looks like you’re trying to make a rather unflattering point. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2008, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rent-an-expensive-handbag-very-mild-ro/446657/56 "2008-04-24T17:22:49Z")
[QUOTE=HazelNutCoffee] There _are_ women who buy $1000 bags when they’re three months behind on rent. There are men who do the same thing with cars, or TVs. [/QUOTE] There are men who do the same thing with handbags. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Una\_Persson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/una_persson/32/346_2.png) [@Una\_Persson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Una_Persson)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2008, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rent-an-expensive-handbag-very-mild-ro/446657/57 "2008-04-24T17:47:18Z")
[QUOTE=alice\_in\_wonderland] **Una Person** you can back pedal as much as you want, but bringing up abnormal psychology when people are talking about liking nice purses pretty clearly looks like you’re trying to make a rather unflattering point. [/QUOTE] You have no response other than to drag out a dishonest accusation of “back pedal(ing)” when someone tries to better explain their point? There was no other possible interpretation? How very unfortunate. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2008, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rent-an-expensive-handbag-very-mild-ro/446657/58 "2008-04-24T17:47:27Z")
Amusing anecdote time? I was out with a friend last night, and this sketchy looking guy walked by. We were in a sort of secluded area where we could have been vulnerable to all sorts of weirdos and perverts. The area has a history of attacks. When the guy finally passed us by, my friend expressed relief that he didn’t grab her purse. True, she only paid a dollar for it at a yard sale, but it was a **Coach** purse after all. I decided not to laugh at her and tell her that if Mr. Sketchy did take it, he was probably more interested in what was inside of it than the purse itself. After all, he’s a man, and therefore clueless about the value of such things. ---
**Author:** ![Omegaman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e480ec/32.png) [@Omegaman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omegaman)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2008, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rent-an-expensive-handbag-very-mild-ro/446657/59 "2008-04-24T17:59:20Z")
[QUOTE=Una Persson] I don’t believe that’s what I posted. Read my post above. I left it _deliberately vague_ because I was just making conversation and the general point that while some believe following fad and fashion can be harmless, I want to note that it can also be self-destructive. Obviously limited cases of splurging are fun and probably harmless. I do that myself. But is there actually a dispute that there are not large numbers of people out there buying **very** expensive clothing and accessories that are no better than - or even worse than - much less expensive and highly similar items, based purely on a label and peer pressure? (And I _sincerely_ doubt that a Gucci purse is worth the money due to its alleged high quality.) I did not enter this thread to commit anti-purse hate-crimes, sorry. [/QUOTE] As I have never examined a 2000 dollar purse I can’t speak to the quality difference between a 200 to 300 dollar one. I will say this, I seriously doubt there is one. At some point the price differiential rises above the point of quality and into the realm of style and desirablity. The same can be said for many automobiles, a field I am somewhat more familiar with. Peer pressure is something that transcends almost any concern whether it be price or quality. As they say, there’s no accounting for taste. ---
**Author:** ![Una\_Persson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/una_persson/32/346_2.png) [@Una\_Persson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Una_Persson)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2008, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rent-an-expensive-handbag-very-mild-ro/446657/60 "2008-04-24T18:08:26Z")
[QUOTE=HazelNutCoffee] There _are_ women who buy $1000 bags when they’re three months behind on rent. There are men who do the same thing with cars, or TVs. In fact, there are plenty of things people spend money unwisely on. A lot of us are just tired of this fact coming up in every single fashion accessories-related thread on the Dope, when it is rarely brought up in relation to any other commodity. [/QUOTE] My first post in this thread was directly addressing a person who said they wept for humanity when anyone thought buying a super expensive purse was shallow. I presented that psych teaches us that it’s not just shallowness - _sometimes_ it’s an actual problem. No one has actually refuted my point; rather they choose to believe that I sat down at lunch and decided to openly assault via words the people in here who like expensive purses. I admitted I splurge on things too. I spent $500 on a silly Renn Faire dress I wear twice a year, and Fierra gave me a $200 purse custom made to match my costume (and I’ve got a $3,000 sword too, FTR, but I can’t wear it thanks to Osama…you know how useless a sword is you can’t wear with your costume? At least one can _use_ a purse). I’m hardly one to cast stones at other’s glass houses. Please understand I was making a general analytical point only, and not trying to attack people in here. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rent-an-expensive-handbag-very-mild-ro/446657.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rent-an-expensive-handbag-very-mild-ro/446657.md?page=4)