Best Way to Make The Most of Purchasing a Céline Handbag?

LDustyAfternoon on 28/11/2022 - 00:51

A Céline handbag’s made its way onto the birthday/Christmas/anniversary gift wishlist, and I’m looking at making the most of the $2,750 pricetag, despite knowing nothing about luxury goods.

What I’ve got so far
  • 10% GST writeoff by taking it out of the country within 60 days.
  • Purchasing with a CommBank Ultimate Awards, as it’s the last major bank on my churning odyssey and has a $5k minimum spend.
What I want to know
  • It looks like there are two Céline stores near me, one in Westfield and one across the road at David Jones. What’s the difference? Why are they opposite each other?
  • Is there any cashback that could work? (Noting it’s available in an online store )
  • Are the prices of these things negotiable, like with watches or electronics? Or is it a take-it-or-leave-it deal?
  • What are the change of mind return policies on these sorts of things?

Appreciate this is a bit outside the usual wheelhouse of OzBargain, but if it can steal a several-thousand dollar monitor, it can help me be a bit smarter about my graphics-card-priced handbag.

Find Me A Bargain Celine Handbag

Comments

  • Quantumcat on 28/11/2022 - 07:01
    +5

    I have no advice for you, as that seems like an astronomical waste of money to me, and I'm female. There are so many useful things you could spend $2,750 on, and you choose a handbag, when there is less and less reason to even carry a handbag around when we can pay with our phones and have ID on our phones etc (I haven't carried a handbag in 3 years, myself)? I am flabbergasted.
    I think the only way I could consider it would be if I was left money in a will and the will said it had to be spent on a handbag or else you're not getting it. Even then I would probably try to find out if it could be donated to a charity rather than wasted on a bag.

    • DustyAfternoon on 28/11/2022 - 07:19

      I’m not gonna pretend I think it’s a good use of money. I’d rather have the graphics card. But (apparently) for a handbag it’s reasonably priced.

      If she decides she doesn’t want it, she can always return it and get something else. (Assuming these things have a change-of-mind return policy?)

      • Quantumcat on 28/11/2022 - 07:42

        Oh I see I thought it was for you. Thinking about it further, bags should really top out at a few hundred dollars at most, if they're made of finely grained leather, really good quality manufacturing so they'll never fall apart etc. Looking at that handbag it honestly looks like a $20 Kmart special. But the heart wants what it wants, I guess?? I'm sorry that that happens to be what your wife really wants!!
        Something else you could add to your strategy is to use a credit card with price protection, so if it goes on sale closer to Christmas or just after, you can get a refund of the difference. And if you are going overseas then you will have gotten the GST refund for the higher price.

      • bobbified on 28/11/2022 - 08:56

        But (apparently) for a handbag it’s reasonably priced.

        haha… no! 😬

        (But if you've got the cash and can afford it, go and enjoy it.)

      • Franc-T on 28/11/2022 - 09:00

        But (apparently) for a handbag it’s reasonably priced.

        Time for a divorce.

      • tallkid123 on 28/11/2022 - 10:21
        +1

        But (apparently) for a handbag it’s reasonably priced.

        My wife bought a $7k Chanel mini rectangular flap bag thing last month.

        So yep to me, your Céline reasonably priced.

        • Quantumcat on 28/11/2022 - 11:24
          -1

          Wow I am so sorry. I hope you guys have separate spending money accounts so at least she is only wasting money she would have spent on herself for other things anyway??

          • tallkid123 on 28/11/2022 - 11:57
            +2

            @Quantumcat:

            I hope you guys have separate spending money accounts so at least she is only wasting money she would have spent on herself for other things anyway??

            My wife is a very high earner and can afford the handbag.

            Also, all the handbags she buys have risen in value since date of purchase. Dare say more of a better investment choice than my video game collection.

            • Quantumcat on 28/11/2022 - 11:59
              +1

              @tallkid123: As a partnership the money belongs to both of you though. It could be used for investing, or for items that can help both of you

              • Ughhh on 28/11/2022 - 17:21

                @Quantumcat: You don't have any depreciating 'assets' that you love? Whether it be fancy home decor, a car that cost more than $2k, clothes that cost more than kmart/OP shop?

                • Quantumcat on 28/11/2022 - 20:10

                  @Ughhh: For clothes, I buy good quality ones because they'll last longer. Eg I would pay up to $400 for a very good pair of shoes that'll last five plus years but not $2000. I would pay up to $200 for a very very good quality pair of jeans that'll last 3+ years but not $1000. I paid $8000 for my cello but that is because it sounds good and I'm expecting to probably keep it the rest of my life and not need to upgrade. Even if I had the money you wouldn't catch me buying a $1mil cello, that is only the price because it has a particular history and is very old, and doesn't sound any better than a $100,000 cello. So no I don't think I own anything just to have it that I don't have a use for, and that the price is justified in the goodness of that use, if that makes sense.

                  • Ughhh on 29/11/2022 - 13:45

                    @Quantumcat: What would be the resale value of those items you bought? Is there a market for those? There's a huge market for lux handbags (secondhand and new), some you could make a nice profit or get your money back.

                    • Quantumcat on 29/11/2022 - 13:55

                      @Ughhh: If it is a collector's item that you make money from like Nike runners and Lego then it makes more sense. But there must be someone at the end of chain that buys them to use. People can't keep buying them for higher and higher prices forever. Whoever buys them to finally use is the illogical one (paying ten times as much as you need to for an equivalent item of the same quality, comfort, and longevity).

                      • Ughhh on 29/11/2022 - 15:04
                        +1

                        @Quantumcat:

                        Eg I would pay up to $400 for a very good pair of shoes that'll last five plus years

                        I've owned a pair of sneakers that I've worn for more than 5 years now, but only paid ~$50. So I could say that you're wasting money and being illogical?

                        What sparks joy for you may be different for other people. Perhaps you value quality over design, but some value design or design+quality over just quality. People collect items for difference reasons, not all is about money. I do agree that it's illogical/silly to pay that much and ruin it by wearing it, but I think the ones who do, value the status / showing off etc more than the profit from reselling. Given the whole current toxic social media culture, some people probably made their money back from wearing your dream item. I think a lot of people find pleasure from making others jealous.

                        You only live once. I know someone who has saved up a lot of money his entire life, always buying bargain clearance stuff. He now has cancer and while he can probably buy all the stuff loved/ wanted with cash, he can't use them. Basically working his ass off so someone else can treat themselves- maybe he's ok with that, may not, dunno. As long as you're being sensible, can afford it and makes you happy, go for it.

                        • Quantumcat on 29/11/2022 - 17:50

                          @Ughhh:

                          I've owned a pair of sneakers that I've worn for more than 5 years now, but only paid ~$50

                          I was thinking boots and hiking boots which you probably can't get for $50

                          I do get what you mean about only living once etc but in the case of the handbag the buyer isn't getting anything beyond what they could get with a $500 handbag. On other spending on luxury things you do actually get something for your money. Eg a $5,000 backpacking holiday in Europe doing the cheapest activities and eating the cheapest food versus a $50,000 Europe holiday staying in high-end hotels and participating in expensive activities and eating in high-end restaurants. The latter provides a very different experience. Some people (who can afford it) might think the different experience is worth the money and some people might not, but you do actually get something for that extra money.

                          • Ughhh on 29/11/2022 - 18:35

                            @Quantumcat:

                            case of the handbag the buyer isn't getting anything beyond what they could get with a $500 handbag

                            I assume Ops partner wanted a Celine bag, because it's Celine and whatever design it is, rather than just wanting a bag. Can you get that Celine bag for $500?
                            Perhaps the question to ask is whether Celine is worth the price tag.

                            Some may pay $$$ for a lux handbag because it looks good and theyre expecting to probably keep it the rest of their life and not need to upgrade.

                            • Quantumcat on 29/11/2022 - 22:11

                              @Ughhh: It's just a label though, it has nothing to do with how good it is (as I said a $500 bag would be as good quality as you can get) - assuming you liked Mercedes cars, would you pay $100k for a Holden barina that was in a Mercedes-shaped outer shell (or replace "Mercedes" with whatever luxury car brand you like)?

          • bobbified on 28/11/2022 - 14:18

            @Quantumcat: Some girls (especially asian girls!) like that kind of thing more than anything else. I don't understand it because it's a damn bag, but then some of them don't really understand the expensive stuff I'm into either (like cars and travel).

    • dust on 28/11/2022 - 11:49
      +1

      I would agree with you if someone bought it to use but apparently luxury hand bags have gone up in price a lot over the past few years and are actually a very reasonable investment choice. Turns out pandemics and turbulent market conditions don't affect the super rich like it does the rest of us.

      • Quantumcat on 28/11/2022 - 11:57

        Oh ok, so it is more of a collector's thing like Nike runners?

  • Archi on 28/11/2022 - 09:14

    it's much like a $20K KIA VS a $100K Mercedes,

    does exactly the same thing (intended purpose that is) but if you can afford the luxury, why not,

    • Quantumcat on 28/11/2022 - 09:34
      +3

      I think it is completely different. True, I would never spend 100k on a car, but you do actually get something for your money. A 100k Mercedes comes with a lot more features and might be more comfortable to drive etc. A $2750 handbag is just a handbag. It doesn't have any more features than a $20 handbag (once it has got some conveniently sized and placed pockets, and the zips slide smoothly and don't come apart, there's nothing really else it can bring to the table). And it can't be any better quality than a $500 handbag, there's not enough scope for using better quality materials once you get near that price point.

      I was also thinking about what kinds of things I would not spend lots of money on but that do legitimately have something to offer for the extra price. A car is a good one, but I was also thinking coffee machines. I don't feel the need to buy the $3000 coffee machine that I see on OzBargain from time to time, I'm quite happy with my $150 delonghi dedica. But I can understand what other people see in it, and why they would choose to spend that much, even if I wouldn't do it myself. Similarly with fancy keyboards or fancy computer chairs. I wouldn't spend the money but I can see what the value is in it that they're choosing to pay for. The handbag has absolutely zero to offer other than the brand name.

      • ozbargainsam on 28/11/2022 - 14:31
        +1

        The handbag has absolutely zero to offer other than the brand name.

        You're so close to getting it.

        You get (luxury things you understand) but you don't get (luxury things you don't understand).

        The working class have a utility mindset. Once you transcend a certain level of wealth, you'll stop wasting time on saving trivial amounts of money

  • Seraphin7 on 28/11/2022 - 09:21
    +2

    It looks like there are two Céline stores near me, one in Westfield and one across the road at David Jones. What’s the difference? Why are they opposite each other?

    One is a standalone store, the other is the concession within David Jones. No fundamental difference, although if you purchase from David Jones (I believe) you are subject to their returns policy. That may or may not be advantageous to you. On the other hand, the standalone store may have a greater range of stock (but the DJs concession may still be able to get it in for you) They are opposite each other effectively by co-incidence.

    Is there any cashback that could work? (Noting it’s available in an online store)

    DYOR, but I would suggest cashback is more likely via DJs.

    Are the prices of these things negotiable, like with watches or electronics? Or is it a take-it-or-leave-it deal?

    Anything is negotiable, but these do tend to me more take it or leave it.

    What are the change of mind return policies on these sorts of things?

    DYOR as each company will potentially have their own policy. As ever, confirm prior to making any purchase.

    • DustyAfternoon on 28/11/2022 - 09:55
      +1

      Thanks, that’s helpful. Do concessions within DJ accept gift cards? (Thinking of if I can pick up a discounted gift card or twenty.)

      • Seraphin7 on 28/11/2022 - 10:18

        I believe so, in that you are effectively purchasing from DJs. But as ever, always confirm before making any purchases.

  • SF3 on 28/11/2022 - 09:51

    A Céline handbag’s made its way onto the birthday/Christmas/anniversary gift wishlist

    We feel for you.

    Because when you get a Boxster you wish you had a 911, and you know what people who have 911s wish they had? They wish they had a Ferrari.

  • pharkurnell on 28/11/2022 - 10:26

    A Céline handbag’s made its way onto the birthday/Christmas/anniversary gift wishlist,

    Doesnt mean you have to buy it…. 2700 for a bag? LMAO!!!!!!!!!! one born every minute.

    Better off with a $20 bag and $2680 in cash inside it.

    • DustyAfternoon on 28/11/2022 - 10:33

      "Hey babe, I got you a prop out of Breaking Bad".

      (You're not wrong, though.)

    • Archi on 28/11/2022 - 10:38

      then she will take the cash and buy the bag herself.

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