topic Re: If you Owned Vera Bradley... in Shoes

If you Owned Vera Bradley...

sunala — Sat, 31 Jan 2015 22:13:06 GMT

How would you improve your company?

I'd add more quilted pockets and more zipper compartments.

I'd quilt the straps to make them sturdier.

I'd bring back the Villager since so many people seem to love it.

I'd stop retiring patterns so quickly, and stop bringing on new patterns so quickly.

I'd immediately stop making the new bags with a solid color interior. So boring!

More coupons.

It just seems that they're "cheapening" their brand and it shows. They'd better watch what they're doing because people are going to revolt and stop buying as much.

What do you all think?

Re: If you Owned Vera Bradley...

Nightowlz — Sat, 31 Jan 2015 22:23:38 GMT

I would also roll the handle part of the different travel bags. It's easier to hold them. I would also replace the cardboard piece they put in the bottom of some of them with a heavy duty piece of plastic that can be removed & cleaned. I use one of the travel totes when we travel to put a change of clothes in & pjs etc in those smaller vacuum seal bags so we don't have to take all our luggage into the hotel when we stop. I agree about not retiring patterns. Makes it hard to buy more matching pieces.

Re: If you Owned Vera Bradley...

hicindy2 — Sun, 01 Feb 2015 19:29:26 GMT

I would do more of the straps like the small trimmed Vera. Sturdy and secure. I would do either zipper tops or turnlock closures.

I would do more options in the solid microfiber in colors that would coordinate with the current prints available. I would occasionally bring back a beloved print or shape at a certain time of year so you could add to your collection and anticipate the event. Retro Days.

Since they send out a ton of e-mails, I would send out a quick online survey to see what the customer actually wants, not what marketing thinks they want.

I would create a "club" the way Chicos does and send you notice of special events and give you a loyalty discount.

Re: If you Owned Vera Bradley...

Denise in PA — Sun, 01 Feb 2015 20:39:41 GMT

It is my understanding that VB bags are no longer made in USA. I would return production to the USA.

Fewer release of new patterns - they come out so quickly. Give us time to use the current patterns/

Re: If you Owned Vera Bradley...

beatlefan — Sun, 01 Feb 2015 21:29:31 GMT

I would bring back the Cargo Sling and offer it in the solid microfiber colors. This would be the perfect bag for me.

Re: If you Owned Vera Bradley...

Pepper22 — Wed, 04 Feb 2015 02:13:06 GMT

I agree with what you ladies have posted. I'm fairly new to the VB line....about 6 years ago. Anyhow, I think they bring out too many new patterns a year and retire way too fast. I would hope that the company would put out surveys to those who purchase their products for their opinions.

I would love to see more coupons and deals.

I also love their solid microfiber line.

Re: If you Owned Vera Bradley...

KittyGurl — Wed, 04 Feb 2015 02:47:19 GMT

I agree with you guys on all of this. It is way too fast so I stopped buying. I fell in love with a lilac pattern and just started collecting and it was out the door. I would rather have everything available in fewer colors than more colors with limited styles. I really like their home stuff, but they don't make all the patterns in placemats, etc. I have office supplies too which I love but I didn't get it all in the matching color because it was gone. Frustrating. I used to live by one of their stores in Honolulu and same thing, their patterns changed fast.

Re: If you Owned Vera Bradley...

AnotherView2 — Wed, 04 Feb 2015 02:59:02 GMT

I would make their sales reps be more polite to the people who work in the department stores where they sell their merchandise. I used to work for Dillard's in the handbag dept. and the VB rep was a foul person. Because she was so awful, their brand was the last on our list to point out to customers.

Re: If you Owned Vera Bradley...

lovesrecess — Wed, 04 Feb 2015 03:19:58 GMT

VB is in the midst of a major reinvention; there was a 2 page story in our paper last year about it; they were not in good shape and hired new people at the top. They did a lot of customer surveys, etc. There strategy is to offer leather, more solids, fewer patterns but more frequent turnover (as we now see), drop the baby line, and increase clothing (eventually). I agree with other posters....am not a fan of the microfiber or solids.....it is the vibrant patterns that made VB popular in the first place and it seems like they are moving away from that. Let's hope they continue to get feedback from customers and take it to heart. I think just lowering their shipping alone would help a lot.

Re: If you Owned Vera Bradley...

hopi — Wed, 04 Feb 2015 03:45:34 GMT

sunala,

I feel they have cheapened their brand over the short few years I have purchased from them. Also they so many of them come with "issues". When you charge as much for the fabric bags and you can get a Dooney or Coach leather bag on clearance for about the same price your product needs to be flawless.

Re: If you Owned Vera Bradley...

retiredgal69 — Fri, 06 Feb 2015 23:18:51 GMT

bring more solid colors and not just the intense colors of blue and red (and black). I would love to see solid colors in a range of hues. I got rid of my Vera Bradley bags because I hated the contrast of my print bags with the prints on my clothing. Plus I think they are overpriced. Many of their quilted bags cost as much as leather bag on sale. That makes no sense.

Re: If you Owned Vera Bradley...

sfnative — Fri, 06 Feb 2015 23:33:38 GMT

I agree with just about everything you've all said, but would like to add that the VB prints offered here I find sub-par from an artistic and coloration perspective. To me, at least 60% of them are downright ugly. The ones I would purchase go so quickly, I've always lost out on a purchase.

Shortly after I retired and had some time on my hands, I took a look at VB goods: not the VB offered at the Q and really like a lot more of what I saw. Coincidentally, several months later as we were transferring flights in Vegas, I dropped into a big gift shop and found a terrific VB wallet. That thing just about flew at me, I loved it so much. The colors, print, vibrancy - all in one package. Love it!

Thanks for this thread. I'll be on the look-out in the months to come. It'll be interesting to see where corporate takes VB.

Re: If you Owned Vera Bradley...

violann — Sat, 07 Feb 2015 15:34:13 GMT

Vera bags were actually better when I started using them. I still love them for the "JOY" , but buy much less, because of the fewer zippers, less secure closings, changing designs ......Still a fan, but a much more careful buyer than in the past.

Re: If you Owned Vera Bradley...

Quiltlady — Tue, 10 Feb 2015 19:10:11 GMT

I love VB but I've never used any of their printed bags as a real handbag. I own about three totes and two weekender bags. I now own two of their solid colored, quilted, microfiber cross body bags which I am very happy with. I got the first one that is black on the Q and love it so much I went to the VB site and ordered the fuchsia color which the Q never offered. I paid full price for it but it is worth it to me since I really like the bag. I see they are now offered real leather wallets etc. I think they are being smart by bringing in solid items. Not every one wants a printed everything.

Re: If you Owned Vera Bradley...

Sooner — Tue, 10 Feb 2015 19:14:23 GMT

On 2/1/2015 Denise in PA said:
It is my understanding that VB bags are no longer made in USA. I would return production to the USA.

Fewer release of new patterns - they come out so quickly. Give us time to use the current patterns/

AMEN to everything you said!!!!!!!! BRAVA!!!!!

Re: If you Owned Vera Bradley...

paigiepooh — Tue, 10 Feb 2015 20:17:58 GMT

I'd make some with solids on the outside with coordinated colors on the inside. I do not think solids are boring. I think they're classy. My husband bought me two bags for Christmas and each time I see them I wish they didn't have a print. Otherwise I like the bags.

Re: If you Owned Vera Bradley...

morning glory — Wed, 11 Feb 2015 14:23:31 GMT

I buy the totes for my knitting and I love the wristlets and buy a lot of those. I like them in my purse to keep my checkbook and pen in. I have them in all different colors to go with my purses. I like the new microfiber items a lot. I would like to see more of those but with a different lining. They all have the same lining.

Re: If you Owned Vera Bradley...

redtabby — Wed, 11 Feb 2015 20:52:01 GMT

I am really disappointed that they are adding leather to their line, I started buying VB precisely because they do not use leather. Smaller prints would be nice, I like the coordinated prints inside. I agree with those that would like to see more solid colors, not just black and that bright blue. They need to change the wristlets to accomodate larger phones.

Re: If you Owned Vera Bradley...

LogoFan — Wed, 11 Feb 2015 22:35:41 GMT

I would stop doing leather details on bags, and stick to fabric.

Would definitely make more solid microfiber handbags

Would design a cross body bag that is larger, has more depth, and a strap that adjusts to at least 24-26" long.

These are my desires.

Re: If you Owned Vera Bradley...

Morechocolate — Wed, 18 Feb 2015 01:22:37 GMT

I used to love VB bags when they were well made.....when the inside of the bag and the pockets were quilted and the inside lining was sewn to the outside of the bag. You could feel the solid construction. Now the linings are inferior quality material that is not quilted nor sewn to the outside of the bag and they fell cheap. In some of the bags when you try to remove an item from an inside pocket the whole lining of the bag tries to come out.

I too would like to see more solid color microfiber bags and I especially want a bright interior lining on a purse so I can see what's inside. The vibrant patterns both inside and outside are usually just too much for me.

I have a whole closet full of older bags and patterns that I love and will continue to use until they wear out. But the new stuff....not so much.