Shelby's Life and Whatnot

Bag, Borrow, or Steal

I've never been one for shoes and handbags. I really don't get it. Why would people spend hundreds or thousands of dollars on these things (and let's face it, by "people" I mean "women")? It's not that I'm a cheapskate. Okay, I am kind of a cheapskate for certain things. I'm willing to pay decent money for a bag or shoes that are going to last me for some time and look cute. I just don't get buying these things in volume. I buy a pair of shoes and wear them until they get a hole or something. I own two handbags--one for everyday, and an $8.00 black velvet one for dressing up (way dressing up)--both from Target.

So where am I going with this? Bag, Borrow, or Steal. It's a website that allows you to borrow handbags--essentially a Netflix for purses. You pay a monthly fee and are allowed to borrow one handbag (although if you upgrade, you can get 2!) for as long as you want. Send it back and get another. There are three levels, or "closets": Trendsetter ($19.95 per month), Princess ($49.95 per month) and Diva ($99.95 per month). Yes, you read that correctly. One hundred dollars per month to rent a handbag. And on top of that, you have to pay an additional $9.95 for shipping and handling each time you get a bag.

Okay, I can hear you fashionistas saying, 20 bucks a month to tote around a Prada? Sounds reasonable. After all, a Prada costs at least $100.00. Oh no, no, no. At the "Trendsetter" level--I mean "closet"--you only get to rent "innovative and emerging designers." In other words, people you've never heard of. You have to upgrade to the Princess or Diva levels to get a Prada.

And what happens if this very expensive handbag you're paying $100.00 a month for happens to get scuffed or dirty, or god forbid, the handle falls off? Well they're extremely vague about that. Sure, they expect "everyday wear" but expect to get saddled with the entire cost of the handbag if something drastic happens (I wonder if they deduct your $100.00 a month from the overall cost?).

Oh, and did I mention the initial trial period of a minimum of 3 month's membership?

I don't get it. I really, really don't. I think Kevin would lay a golden Twinkie if I declared I wanted to join a $100.00 Purse-of-the-Month club. Hell, I'd lay a golden Twinkie if I wanted to do that. I can't help but wonder if it wouldn't be more cost-effective to just buy the bag at your local discount e-tailer, use it for a month, then sell it as nearly new on Ebay. (I should ask my sister in law--she's a total Ebay expert)

For the record, I've gotten several complements on my current purse, which was purchased for under $20 at Target. This was the purse I took to Europe and therefore had several demanding requirements. It had to be a durable fabric (this one is a black canvas backpack-type material). It had to be relatively small, and it had to have a flap that completely covered the opening that I could wear next to my side so that someone couldn't just reach in and grab my wallet. Done, done, and done. And it's already totally paid off! Imagine that.