Welcome back to Online Finds, the semi-weekly segment where we flip off our shoes, pick up our phones, find a reclusive corner far from the boss’ desk, and shop. Consider this a pregame to your happy hour. It’s Monday. You deserve it. Let’s get started.
Last week I read that a certain beyloved celebrity spent the price of a house on a single pair of shoes – over $300,000 in fact. My initial thoughts? “Who am I to judge”, immediately followed by, “Good grief but if I had that type of cash I certainly wouldn’t spend it on shoes.*” I like to think of myself as an attentive student of finance who would never, even if my bank account said I could, spend the price of a property on a pure adornment like shoes. No siree Bob. Now, a handbag? Maybe. Yea, no, I totally would.
“With shoes and handbags, the quality is worth the price. A lot goes into it. Everything is about the process from design to pattern making… Handbags are really expensive to make. The leather, the hardware, the patterns…The process is incredible.” – Brand Consultant Soma Lisa Choudhury for Fashion Bomb Daily.
Of course, bags aren’t cheap either. For Lollapalooza weekend, I set my eyes and heart on a sturdy leather backpack designed by MCM. It’s a Visetos Stark Monogram Backpack and it comes with a laptop compartment and a few other goodies. What isn’t so good about the bag? The price.
Come again?! Why, Sway? Explain to me what anointed child this bag was made for? Is this from the Obama collection? Is this the backpack Blue Ivy commissioned for her first day of K-5? I need answers! This bag might as well cost one billion dollars because either way it’s too expensive for me to even dream about.
A clear solution to my dilemma presented itself on, of all places, Instagram. It is here that we find this week’s Online Find.
It seems a few of my favorite ‘grammers have been toting the latest luxury bags for less than a quarter of the item’s ticket price. How? Bag Borrow Steal. Yes, you’ve heard of them but have you ever tried them? Everyone else has.
I was missing out and wanted in. After doing a bit of research, I realized Bag Borrow or Steal was clearly the best option to scoring a thousand dollar bag for only $100. Here’s some things to note about the luxury loan company:
- Available bags may be borrowed on a month to month basis.
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All bags are cleaned professionally prior to being loaned.
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All merchandise comes with a manufacturer’s proof of authenticity.
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Shipping and returns are FREE.
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UPDATE: Your credit card is charged at the point of shipping and renewed automatically for another month if the item is not returned within 30 days.
Aside from special events, I could also see using Bag Borrow or Steal as a try before I buy alternative. Before investing a good amount of money in a bag, I can try it out first for not even close to the item’s cost.
After setting up an account with BBS, my bag arrived quickly and in pristine condition.
When I’m ready, I’ll simply print the return label from my account page and return the bag free of charge. So fabulously simple.
BBS did not approach me to review their service but I am happy to do so. They have communicated with me clearly, the process to borrow is super simple, and I probably will sell a few of my own gently used bags on their website in the future – they also offer a consignment service.
Try them out for 20% off of your first borrowed bag fee. Let me know what you think!
*Okay. I might also spend it on shoes.
A big thank you to Bag Borrow or Steal for allowing me to use their service, free of charge, for one month. All opinions expressed here are my own and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Bag Borrow or Steal.