A woman has sparked debate online after sharing feelings of buyer’s remorse following the purchase of her dream $5,400 Chanel handbag.
The Reddit user, u/One_Buy8092, posted in the r/handbags subreddit, asking fellow users for advice after making her first Chanel purchase.
“Anyone experience buyers regret?! I finally purchased my dream bag, but sitting here thinking if it’s worth it. I could have used this money for a trip but was worried about price increases and not being able to afford one in the future. This is my first Chanel purchase, is lamb skin a mistake?” the user wrote.
A Milestone Purchase
The image shared shows a classic Chanel mini flap bag, featuring the brand’s signature quilted leather, chain strap, and interlocking CC logo.
Buyers regret
by u/One_Buy8092 in handbags
In the comments, the woman explained that the bag is a Chanel mini flap, a style that currently only comes in lambskin leather. She said the bag cost $5,400, while a small flap bag in caviar leather now retails for close to $10,000.
She added that the purchase was made ahead of her 40th birthday after her husband gave her the money as a gift. While she noted that the couple has no credit card debt, she admitted it was emotionally difficult to spend so much on a handbag, explaining that she grew up poor.
Lambskin vs. Caviar
According to Retail Boss, lambskin is prized for its soft, smooth texture and high-end appearance but is more delicate and prone to scratches. Caviar leather, a pebbled calfskin, is far more durable and often favored for everyday use, though some buyers feel it lacks the luxurious feel of lambskin.
Why Buyer’s Remorse Starts Early
Shampaigne Graves, a consumer research strategist, told Newsweek that buyer’s remorse often begins before the purchase is even completed.
“Buyers remorse starts BEFORE the purchase is even made—a phenomenon I call ‘Purchase Panic.’ As women we are socialized to constantly question and justify any of our decisions. This is no different during the purchasing process. If a woman is making such a large purchase for the first time on something that is not a necessity; the guilt starts at the acknowledgment that the item isn’t a need but a want. The justification of ‘self care or treating yourself’ just simply isn’t enough to quell purchasing anxiety,” she told Newsweek.
Graves added that luxury pricing and scarcity influence decision-making, particularly among aspirational shoppers who save for years to make a single high-end purchase.
“These shoppers are often not coached on the lifetime value of the item,” she said, noting that this can heighten uncertainty after checkout.
Regret or Post-Purchase Anxiety?
Graves explained that genuine regret tends to stem from functional issues with the product, while post-purchase anxiety is emotional.
“Not knowing if you’ll wear the bag enough or imagining better uses for the money is anxiety, not regret,” she told Newsweek.
Reddit Weighs In
Redditors offered mixed but supportive reactions.
“It’s beautiful and if you can afford it now then wear it and use it and love it,” one user wrote.
“As someone who always has buyers remorse about expensive purchases I totally get it,” another commenter shared.
“Typically I buy caviar but the lambskin looks luxe and beautiful on this,” a third user said.
“You can always return it!” one Redditor suggested.
“Use that money towards a vacation!” another added.
“Lambskin is my preference always. It is the more luxurious leather. It looks and feels more lux than the stamped and coated Caviar,” a user commented.
Newsweek reached out to u/One_Buy8092 for comment via Reddit. We could not verify the details of the case.
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