So the Chinese are the most materialist culture....

rsutoratosu

Platinum Member
Feb 18, 2011
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they like to show off, my wife bought her mom a channel bag behind my back.. i think it was 4k, my friend saw it on facebook and told me.. i dont really care.. when she dies, ill reclaim it and sell it

i like to dress like a homeless so i dont get mugged.
 

piasabird

Lifer
Feb 6, 2002
17,168
60
91
China is an interesting culture. You can only have one child. So every child in China is likely to be a spoiled brat. This also makes Chinese Women a rare commodity, highly sought after who only care about money. Very interesting. Chinese are probably on the edge of extinction with a policy like this.
 

smackababy

Lifer
Oct 30, 2008
27,024
79
86
they like to show off, my wife bought her mom a channel bag behind my back.. i think it was 4k, my friend saw it on facebook and told me.. i dont really care.. when she dies, ill reclaim it and sell it

i like to dress like a homeless so i dont get mugged.

Hate to be the one to tell you this, but when she dies, the bag won't be worth even bothering to resell. The people who care about high end stuff like that don't want old, used, last season stuff. So, unless you have one that is of a "timeless style", like they make the same style every season (like Rolex, they don't really change their designs, so they never go out of style), you won't be able to resell it.


In regards to the OP, who cares? Some people equate success with what they can attain, because that makes them happy. Would I be happy making $25k a year, scraping by? Probably, but I damn sure don't want to give up my nice things.
 

Svnla

Lifer
Nov 10, 2003
17,986
1,388
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I think the nouveau riche in Asia (not just in china) are the most vocal and obsessive brand name whores that I know. Heck, that's how I make my money for my business. Bring brand name goods from US to Asia ==> handsome profit. <Happy Panda>
 

SlitheryDee

Lifer
Feb 2, 2005
17,252
19
81
They're just more honest about it. China is becoming a newly wealthy country. It's kind of like the rappers who go from the hood straight to millions of dollars. Conspicuous consumption is usually the way they choose to show off their wealth.

The U.S. is more like "old money". We've had cool things and the money to buy it with for long enough that we've started telling ourselves that the money isn't that important anymore. The truth is that once you can take something for granted it takes a back seat to other things in your mind. Money and the things that it buys is VERY important to us, we've just had it for so long that we look down our noses at it. They'll get there eventually as well.
 

Ns1

No Lifer
Jun 17, 2001
55,420
1,600
126
Hate to be the one to tell you this, but when she dies, the bag won't be worth even bothering to resell. The people who care about high end stuff like that don't want old, used, last season stuff.

eBay + consignment stores tell a different story.
 

yuchai

Senior member
Aug 24, 2004
980
2
76
I'm not sure of the exact wording they used in the survey, but I think part of it is a case of lost in translation.

The commonly used word in Chinese for "owning" something is not necessarily tied to materialistic possessions. For example, it is common to refer to "owning" a family, or love.
 

Insomniator

Diamond Member
Oct 23, 2002
6,294
171
106
China is an interesting culture. You can only have one child. So every child in China is likely to be a spoiled brat. This also makes Chinese Women a rare commodity, highly sought after who only care about money. Very interesting. Chinese are probably on the edge of extinction with a policy like this.

edge of extinction is probably a strong phrase for the most populated country in the world
 

smackababy

Lifer
Oct 30, 2008
27,024
79
86
eBay + consignment stores tell a different story.

The exact bag he linked (from my quick search) is maybe 1/3rd of the price RIGHT NOW, while it is in season. Check again when the spring collection comes out. All the unused stock will be hitting outlet malls and the used prices will plummet. The second hand market for things like designer hand bags is terrible.
 

Ns1

No Lifer
Jun 17, 2001
55,420
1,600
126
The exact bag he linked (from my quick search) is maybe 1/3rd of the price RIGHT NOW, while it is in season. Check again when the spring collection comes out. All the unused stock will be hitting outlet malls and the used prices will plummet. The second hand market for things like designer hand bags is terrible.

eh, I sell my fiance's handbags all the time and we're pretty happy with the returns.

Of course, they're not 4 digit handbags either. I'm also not stupid enough to expect 100% back on MSRP.
 

steppinthrax

Diamond Member
Jul 17, 2006
3,990
6
81
Examples would be in my area (Maryland). Montgomery county is one of the richest counties in Maryland. The same goes for Fairfax County, VA. As you can expect they have some of the best schools, best city/county services etc (by whatever you define best???). Anyway many Chinese will burn a hole in their wallet to try to get a house in that area. Even if it's a shitty little slum. They will then brag to their friends on how they live in Rockville, etc.... I've seen this for a while and never understood the logic....
 

TallBill

Lifer
Apr 29, 2001
46,017
62
91
they like to show off, my wife bought her mom a channel bag behind my back.. i think it was 4k, my friend saw it on facebook and told me.. i dont really care.. when she dies, ill reclaim it and sell it

i like to dress like a homeless so i dont get mugged.

I'd be ready for a divorce over that.
 

rsutoratosu

Platinum Member
Feb 18, 2011
2,716
4
81
Hate to be the one to tell you this, but when she dies, the bag won't be worth even bothering to resell. The people who care about high end stuff like that don't want old, used, last season stuff. So, unless you have one that is of a "timeless style", like they make the same style every season (like Rolex, they don't really change their designs, so they never go out of style), you won't be able to resell it.


In regards to the OP, who cares? Some people equate success with what they can attain, because that makes them happy. Would I be happy making $25k a year, scraping by? Probably, but I damn sure don't want to give up my nice things.

dont worry, other chinese people would buy it...
 

ponyo

Lifer
Feb 14, 2002
19,688
2,811
126
The exact bag he linked (from my quick search) is maybe 1/3rd of the price RIGHT NOW, while it is in season. Check again when the spring collection comes out. All the unused stock will be hitting outlet malls and the used prices will plummet. The second hand market for things like designer hand bags is terrible.

I don't know which outlet malls you're shopping at but I don't think I've ever seen Chanel bags there. I've never seen new authentic Chanel bag discounted 33%. Never. Not even during the financial meltdown couple years back.
 

smackababy

Lifer
Oct 30, 2008
27,024
79
86
They just opened a Chanel outlet near Chicago. Haven't been there, but I'd assume they sell bags.

And, as I stated, I did an eBay search and his $6,500 bag was around $2,300 buy it now. Assuming that is in season and real (which is dubious at best, when dealing with eBay), in a year or two, it won't be worth nearly that.
 
May 13, 2009
12,333
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I'm personally downsizing my material possessions and it's very liberating. Seriously. Junk consumes us.
 

steppinthrax

Diamond Member
Jul 17, 2006
3,990
6
81
Luckily my wife is not like this (she is from china).

I bought her a Coach bag a few years ago. She kept it, but she tends to buy these cheap low-qual bags from Ross, Burlington coat factory. I told her to get a nice bag (at least stone mountain etc...) Or even a coach...
 

steppinthrax

Diamond Member
Jul 17, 2006
3,990
6
81
They just opened a Chanel outlet near Chicago. Haven't been there, but I'd assume they sell bags.

And, as I stated, I did an eBay search and his $6,500 bag was around $2,300 buy it now. Assuming that is in season and real (which is dubious at best, when dealing with eBay), in a year or two, it won't be worth nearly that.

I heard a lot of people will settle for fakes if they are good fakes. Some of they are so well made that you can't tell the diff....
 

Dari

Lifer
Oct 25, 2002
17,133
38
91
Not sure if "materialistic" is the right word. I would say they're very image conscious. So, so long as they look good to others then it's A-ok. Doesn't matter if there is fraud, corruption, or faking going on, what matters is perception to the people of China.