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Original poster

How do you decide whether to make an expensive purchase or not?

33 replies

u32ng · 04/05/2015 21:44

Just wondering what people's method is? Just so I can make sure I've really thought this through!

I've seen a 2nd hand Mulberry bag for sale locally and it's a lot more than I have ever spent on a bag but I've always liked the Alexa and the colour is quite bright and different from anything else I own. It's £649 thoShock Shop owner is flexible so can do it in instalments but I need to make sure I've really thought it through before I make a duff decision.

I can technically afford this outright but I suppose it's more the thought of "hmm what else should I be spending that on?"

Is there some golden rule when it comes to whether to spend or not to spend??

OP posts:
mirpuppet · 04/05/2015 22:00

How much is the bag new? That is alot for second hand in my uninformed opinion.

123Jump · 04/05/2015 22:02

Well, if it is second hand you might not have too long to think about it, as it could go.
When I'm thinking of buying something expensive, I tend to take my time.
I will try it on, whether jewellery/clothes/shoes more than once.
I will go back a few times over a few weeks, this gives me time to really decide whether it will work for me. Fit in with what I have etc.
I'll also look online at images etc.
Finally, when I buy, I'll keep trying it on or whatever every day for a week, then decide if keeping it returning.
Not sure that is going to help you!

Original poster
u32ng · 04/05/2015 22:06

Mirmuppet: they usually retail for a ridiculous £1100! Or at least that's what the black/brown ones are on net-a-porter. It is still a lot but it's been barely used judging by the pics (long strap still bound up) and the description. I'm guessing that's why.

Think I need to get along and see it in real life then. Think I have a fairly good idea of the colour from google images but best to see it for real I suppose eh?

OP posts:
libertychick · 04/05/2015 22:09

Do you love it?
Will it work with all (or most) your jackets and coats?
Is it a practical size for daily use i.e. will it hold all your essentials and not be too heavy?
Is it in good condition, i.e. working zips, no frayed edges, intact lining (if any)?

Yes to all of the above then it's worth considering my final question...

Would you use it? If you are the type of person who would worry excessively about damage to a nice bag and then as a result just keep it 'for good use' then don't buy it!! If this is a lot of money for you then you must feel completely sure you would actually use it.

Yes to the final question, then provided you can afford it - go for it!

WhoNickedMyName · 04/05/2015 22:16

I try and work out how much I'd use/wear it, and work out the cost per wear to see if it's worth it.

So my mum is horrified that I use my Mulberry on a daily basis, because she keeps anything half decent "for best".

I reckon my Mulberry which is used probably at least 200 days per year has worked out cheaper cost per wear than her cheap £150 "for best" leather handbag which only sees the light of day for special occasions - so about 10 times a year max.

Laquila · 04/05/2015 22:22

I dither, Google, dither some more, ask on MN, read some reviews, dither a bit, look for it styles in Pinterest and then dither some more. Eventually I inevitably buy it (whatever it is) and then vow to be more decisive next time. Repeat til fade.

To be fair, I hardly ever regret buying something expensive (and expensive for me is still always under the £200ish mark) because even if I'm unsure about it once I've bought it, I'm a natural hoarder and don't throw anything away, so I can generally bring it out five years down the line and love it again :

Pretty much the only expensive (for me) thing I've ever seen bought that I regretted was a Whistles jacket with bracelet sleeves that I never wore because of the stupid sleeves. That was a lesson learnt, though!

MsMcWoodle · 04/05/2015 22:28

Too expensive. Phone the mulberry outlets for the price of a new one. The official ones. You can buy over the phone.
Either that or go to Labels most Wanted.

MoustacheofRonSwanson · 05/05/2015 06:03

I usually ask myself "Will I love and keep it a long time and use it enough to get it down to £1 per wear/use?"

Then

shadesofwinter · 05/05/2015 07:12

I think you need to actually see it.

I have 2 Mulberry bags in bright colours and I use them almost every day so for me the cost per use thing makes it worth while. That said, I didn't buy them myself (both presents at some point from my fabulous DH!) so I didn't have your dilemma.

You say the colour is different from anything else you own - will it still coordinate?

mirpuppet · 05/05/2015 10:48

If I have any doubts I do not buy. But I suffer from buyers remorse. And I return alot of things.

I will spend money on shoes, bags & coats as long as they are quality materials and built to last.

I agree you need to see the bag. And call Mulberry outlet to get sense of prices if you compromise on colour.

Original poster
u32ng · 05/05/2015 13:15

It definitely wouldn't be 'kept for good'! I have a few Marc by Marc Jacobs bags and I use them whenever I can (unless it's pissing down with rain!) and even though my oldest one is about 4 years old now I still love getting it out to wear - same with the rest.

I have been mentally going through my wardrobe and if it's the shade it looks like online then it will go with quite a lot of what I own. I tend to stick to similar colours anyway so my clothes inadvertently end up coordinating!

Good idea about calling mulberry outlet to get a general price for this particular colour. The seller is reputable but maybe I could wangle a bit of a haggle??Grin

So call mulberry and then go and see it is the plan for now I reckon.

(Haha about the dither, Google, dither, Pinterest, buy method! This is very much like me!! Almost lost out on a sale purchase because of this. Thankfully not and its one of my favourite bags nowSmile)

OP posts:
AddToBasket · 05/05/2015 13:28

Hmmm, I'd go and see it. Several of my purchasing disasters have been where something was second hand or last in the shop and I didn't want to miss out so I hurried over my decision.

If this is a lot of money to you (it would be to me) then make sure that you get a classic colour so that if you do put it to the back of the wardrobe, at least if you have a funeral/job interview you can get it to match things and look smart.

MilkThistle187 · 05/05/2015 14:04

That is a lot for second hand, I would look on ebay. Don't listen to the scaremongers who tell you it's full of fakes - there are some of course, but they are easy enough to spot. I would expect to pay 350-400 for an Alexa.

Carpaccio · 05/05/2015 15:43

I'm not too sure it's such a great price.

First off, are you sure it is genuine? The fakes can be hard to spot for people who don't know what to look for.
Is it a sub?

Have you checked other sites selling second hand Mulberry bags? If not, it is worth looking - you can find a list on the mulberry subforum on the purseforum.
It might also be worth looking at ebay and post in the mulberry authentication thread on the purseforum.

Annarose2014 · 05/05/2015 15:58

2nd going over to PurseForum first. I have heard some people over there found the Alexa a bit annoying to get into, with the straps. There'll be an Alexa thread over there.

seaoflove · 05/05/2015 16:03

I have more second hand/sale Mulberry bags than full price ones, I highly recommend it. BUT... that is on the pricey side for a second hand Alexa.

I highly recommend this lady for genuine second hand bags. Her prices are on the high side too, compared with eBay (but you're paying for the peace of mind of getting a genuine bag) so why not have a look at her selection?

www.npnbags.co.uk/naughtipidginsnestshop/cat_401404-Mulberry.html

carrielou2007 · 05/05/2015 17:48

That's a lot for a second hand Alexa! Mine is selling fir lot less than that on eBay Wink. I have bought several of my Mulberry's from the outlet at Shepton Mallet, most are £626/£796 and unless a sub they will post out for £7.50.

Saurus72 · 05/05/2015 20:53

I wouldn't buy a second hand bag. The only time I have done that (from eBay), although it was a lovely bag in great condition, I could never get over the fact that it felt like someone else's bag - women's handbags are hotbeds of germs at the best of times and I could never get over the feeling that someone else's hands had been all over the bag.

I would either check out Mulberry outlet stores, wait for the sale, or just go for a less expensive bag.

mooth · 05/05/2015 20:57

I do spend quite a bit on clothes etc but personally, I wouldn't spend £649 on a second hand bag that has had someone else's tissues and hairbrush in it.

Original poster
u32ng · 06/05/2015 09:08

What's a sub? Is that another word for a seconds?

OP posts:
seaoflove · 06/05/2015 09:52

Substandard, I guess!

I used to feel icky about second hand bags, but I like to make them "mine" as soon as they arrive; with leather cleaner, leather gel and waterproofing spray Smile

VacantExpression · 06/05/2015 10:23

I've never thought about the potential ickiness of second hand bags Blush.

abear · 06/05/2015 10:48

Have a look here: www.mulberryoultetuk.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=245

seaoflove · 06/05/2015 10:55

The Mulberry outlets aren't online abear, so that would be a site selling fakes. All supposed online Mulberry outlets are selling fakes.

abear · 06/05/2015 11:11

seaoflove thank you - I missed that crucial point. Very bad.