Disappointed in coach outlet quality - YouLookFab Forum

Category

Shopping

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Disappointed in coach outlet quality

abc

Veteran

I bought this clutch at the coach outlet about 5-6 months ago and it's already showing heavy signs of wear, and I don't use it anywhere near daily. I'm really disappointed. I know some brands make special lines just for the outlets (lower price point and lower quality sometimes) but I really didn't expect this from Coach. Guess I will have to stick to the full price store from here on out (or other brands altogether). Sad because I love the functionality, size and shine of this exact clutch.

Anyone have input on other Coach outlet items? Maybe I just got unlucky?

This post has 1 photo. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

Shopping

20 replies

Latest reply was from In My Joi

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Wow. That looks terrible. I would complain about it -- this does not seem right at all.

Anonymous

Ugh. And that looks like a really nice clutch too.

I had a Coach Outlet bag maybe a decade ago and the stitching on the straps came undone. I think I took it in to a Coach store to see if it could be repaired, and they just gave me a coupon for some discount on future stuff instead.

MuseumGal

Veteran

I have a Coach wristlet just like that in suede and I've used it every day (as a wallet) for like 10 years and it looks way better than that! Take that sucker back.

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

Take it back. My Coach outlet clutch I've used for > 1 year and it looks the same as the day I bought it.

abc

Veteran

Thx for the feedback. I think I will take it back and see what they say. I don't know if I still have my receipt. I'm hoping they can find the purchase in their system - does anyone know if they can? I might be searching for a while to find that old receipt if I even still have it.

Thx for the validation that this shouldn't have happened also.

K. Period.

Veteran

Ugh. That's awful. Quick question though: is it a metallic? Metallic finishes are the worst. They aren't a polish (as my cobbler explained to me), they are more like a paint that they put over the leather. If it is metallic, you should be able to re-treat it, but it will never wear like regular leather. And booooo for them. They shouldn't have sold something that wasn't going to wear the way it should for the $, at least without a special disclaimer telling you that it was extremely delicate.

deb

Veteran

I had this problem with my metallic shoes last year. I swore off metallic.

lava

The goods at the Coach outlets are not the same as what you'll find at the regular stores. Visit both and you'll note the difference in leather quality, amount and style of detailing and finishes, and so on. Disappointing, but there are so many outlets stores now that I guess it makes business sense for Coach to produce specifically for them.

I remember when you could actually find last season's (or even this season's) goods in the outlet stores -- I used to stalk things I loved until they appeared in the outlets. This has not happened in some years.

Not that any of this will fix your purse, abc, but just to let you know you are not alone in noting the differences bewtween regular retail and outlet.

Emily

Veteran

Oh, that's really disappointing! I agree with Lyn* - if you are close to the store, see if there's anything they can do for you. I have a white leather bag from coach outlet that has stood up well to reasonable use.

Thistle

Veteran

If you hadn't bought it at Coach, I would almost think it a knock off the quality is so poor. I would definitely take it back and see what they can do. Maybe nothing, but then you know to steer clear of them and can tell others to do the same!

chadya

Veteran

Coach Outlet products are made for that store and are much lower quality and design. They sometimes have the "regular" line there but not much.
Sorry you had to find that out the hard way.

viva

Veteran

Lava, I remember those days too; sigh. Now pretty much all outlets sell a factory line, which is manufactured differently from retail. If you talk to any salesperson they will refer to the retail brand versus the outlet brand -- or they will try to avoid that conversation altogether. (I worked in a JCrew outlet part-time during one Christmas season.) The materials are usually a grade lower, so that may be what is happening here, although I also suspect the metallic finish is an issue. Coach has always had good customer service in my experience so I would bring it back and see what they will do for you.
BTW, I have bought from our Coach outlet and have had good experiences with the product, so I wouldn't say it's all terrible. Same with the JCrew outlet. You just have to be choosy.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I would return it. That's awful.

Re: metallics. I have a metallic clutch I have used a ton, and it looks fine. It's by Melie Bianco and was not expensive. So I don't agree that metallics are inherently more prone to wearing badly.

ironkurtin

Veteran

My JCrew wallet did the same thing, I believe what some people are saying about metallic being a finish rather than a dye.

JAileen

Veteran

I'm really for your disappointment. If you got this at an outlet then it is probably MFF, or Made For Factory. They are lower quality, unfortunately, but with the Coach name attached.

I think Coach has made a serious error in not giving their MFF a different brand name. Because then people think Coach is low quality product.

Lisa

Veteran

I think Coach is one of the many brands that has two lines, retail and outlet versions. Unfortunately the quality is not always the same. I would take it back because it's worth a shot to see what they say. But I would try another brand for a metallic bag. Sorry the bag did not work out.

cade

Your bag should not look this worn for sure, but manufacturers produce an outlet line specifically. That's why you cannot return outlet purchases at their regular department stores.

cuffcat

I would take the bag back to the outlet. They probably keep a record in their register if you paid via credit card. I can recall being asked my name when purchasing. But, if they don't, typically they let you return with a driver's license. Even if it was made for an outlet, the bag should wear better.

Also too, all outlets are not the same. My outlet in Alabama carries a lot of non leather bags including non leather trim. But, when I go home up north, I find leather in my 2 outlets. Good luck! Hope it works in your favor.

chadya

Veteran

@JAileen
I agree with you, but the last time I was at the outlet stores the Coach outlet was mobbed with customers.

However I have to say the the now the JCrew outlet has really stepped up their game and their offerings are pretty good with sales all the time, almost no need to shop at the regular store.

In My Joi

(website)

Veteran

Wow, that is awful! :(I have been a faithful Coach customer
for just about 20 years now, and I have never experienced this. I will say that
I have noticed a change in the past few years with some of the merchandise in
Coach Outlet stores. Yet, this is certainly inexcusable! I would return it, and or
contact them directly at HQ.