There have been rumors swirling about the internet for weeks, but it has finally been confirmed by a legitimate source: Chanel will no longer offer its refurbishment/refinishing services for handbags 5 years after initial purchase. In addition, Chanel will require proof of purchase before repairing any products within the 5 year timeframe.
Understandably, many fans are upset with the new policy change. People buy Chanel bags with the intention of keeping them for decades. Some even consider their Classic Flaps to be family heirlooms. So it is especially disappointing that such a renowned brand would choose to pursue this course of action and alienate many longtime customers.
Chanel is allegedly doing this to combat resales. Vintage handbags make up a significant portion of the secondhand market. Yet, Chanel's heavy-handedness may do more harm than good. When people buy a Chanel handbag, they expect the quality craftsmanship and customer service that comes with the exorbitant price. With all of the recent changes, people may not feel as tempted to spend their money at Chanel when there are better options at a similar price point. Chanel's actions sound suspiciously like planned obsolescence. As one commenter put it: "This 5-year policy will inevitably result in 5-year thread, 5-year finishes, etc. That's just the way economics works."
Is this the final nail in the coffin? Probably not, since Chanel is such an iconic brand and people will continue to buy anything with the double-C logo. Still, the brand has made many unpopular business decisions such as soaring prices and deteriorating quality. According to Racked, Chanel pricing increases an average of 15% each year. The Classic Flap that cost $1,650 in 2005 now costs almost $5,000. Handbags used to feature 24K gold-plated hardware until 2009; now they use mixed metal alloys. Megs from Purseblog shared her story of how her Reissue 227 broke after a little over a year. As much as I would love to own a Classic Flap or a Boy Bag, I feel wary of investing money in a company that won't stand by its supposedly "timeless" products.
Update: Purseblog has posted an official statement from a Chanel spokesperson
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