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Coach
Started
by Steph
on December 27, 2009
I received a Coach bag for Christmas and I'm not sure what to do with it. It is a canvas bag with the C's blasted all over it and I'm not really a logo-wearing kind of gal. It was purchased at the Coach store so I can only exchange it for another logo'd bag or a leather one which I do not want to do either.
I hate to seem ungrateful ~ there is no way I can ask the gift-giver to just return the present because I know it would hurt her feelings. I also hate that this is going to be a waste of money if I don't use the bag.
What would you do?
what if you exchanged it for something other than a purse? maybe a pair of sunglasses, a scarf or two, umbrella, watch or jewelry?
you know whats crazy is that im a vegan but i have always been obsessed with coach. and for christmas my hubby bought me a new pair of coach shoes which i love. and it kinda clicked... why is it not ok to kill animals for meat but it is ok for fashion? i know all their products have leather which sucks B-(
I got a Coach bag from my Aunt a few years ago, before becoming vegan, which I still wear because as an environmentalist, buying new things to replace old is just as bad as wearing old non-vegan things...so don't feel guilty if you still own leather purses or wool coats, just don't buy them anymore...
As for gifts, I always tell my family not to buy me things made out of animals, but even after that they still get me stuff that is, which I exchange for store credit, and hopefully the store has stuff not made out of animals...as far as coach is concerned that's a toughie because all their purses have some leather in them, even the canvas bag's straps are made out of leather...
but heleno5o had a great idea...exchange the purse for non-leather items like sun glasses, etc, and if you really don't like wearing labels, then just save the item and re-gift it or donate it to a homeless shelter, that way it won't go to waste...
Thanks for the suggestions, ladies! I haven't quite decided what to do, but you've given me some great ideas. :)
you could always regift it. I know regifting has a bad rap, but if you know of anyone that would really appreciate the gift, save it for their birthday or even next christmas. or exchange it for a small gift like a keychain and store credit to give a small gift and a gift card to someone as a gift. although it make not make you happy to give the (possible) gift of an animal byproduct, nothing would go to waste and you would make a someone w/ different values very happy.
thank you for the great ideas! I have decided to use the bag as a work tote... It will last for a very long time; but it won't bother me that it's not a reflection of my style since business casual clothes I'm required to wear aren't really a reflection of my style either! I will also feel better about not having to explain why I don't own it anymore, but I have a whole year to let my family and friends know that I do not want any more animal products as gifts.
Sounds like a good compromise, Steph.
Just let your family members know a little in advance of the next holiday that you don't want leather products anymore.... my family is funny now. They get all excited trying to find me nice non-leather bags and such around the holidays!
OH btw... if that same family member is fond of getting you expensive bags... tell them you want Matt & Nat next year! It's all non-leather, and SOO NICE.
Great ideas, everyone! When I stopped using leather, I had a beautiful Coach that my friends had given me for a birthday present a year earlier. I explained to them why I no longer wanted to use it, and then gave it to a friend with the condition that, instead of paying me for it (since I did not buy it) she would make a donation to the animal charity of my choice. Turned out to be a win-win situation! :)
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