Another Black Chanel Wallet . . .

Measurements: 4" x 4.5" x 0.75"

Starting Bid: $65, 0 Bids

S&H: $13.50

Ends: October 24, 2010; 9:40PM PST

Now THIS is one I want . . . quilted (not really, but lines give illusion), thin, black, metal hardware.  Makes me realize no settling on the other, Chanel or not.  A little wary, though: (1) int'l seller; and (2) listing says, aside from corners scuffed, scratches, and wear, that wallet has "strong pungent odor," logos "tarnished," and "rivets rusted."  Wonder what pungent odor is.  In any case, prob won't stay low -- max bid?

A -- 10/18/10: What's the seller's rating?  It looks fine in the pics, but yah that description is worrisome.  Ask what the odor is!  How old is this wallet?  I like the inside, but I don't like the imitation quilting on the outside, I'd say wait for the real deal.  Max $70, add $25 for your personallove, so $95 (sans shipping).

Man there should be a formula we use for maxbid calculations lol

T, 10/18/10:  LOL, okay, emailed seller re: odor and age.  Seller's rating is high (99.1% with 1597 reviews) -- no doubt to its authenticity, just wary of int'l sellers (does that make me a nationalist?).  Fond of faux quilt -- less bulk.  Btw, looked up ways to remove leather smells, seems possible, so may be worth it . . .

T, 10/18/10:  Seller wrote back:  "The odor is musty.  It is strong.  We are afraid we cannot tell the age of the wallet."  LOL, think I'll still try for it.  From what I'm reading, the "musty" smell is from mold, and a lot of reviews laud vinegar as a great mold killer for leather . . . it should work.

T, 10/24/10: Upped my max from $75 to $80, and SOOO glad I did . . . won as the 6th bid for $77!!! :)  For a little over $30, I got the Chanel I wanted v. the other one I would've bought solely because it was Chanel.  I think the diff is worth the desire.  My first Chanel . . . :)

T, 10/29/10: Just received, LOVE!!!  My first Chanel has made me giddy. :) No stench (maybe a very faint smell of old leather, but it's not musty/gross).  Looks even better in person.  Aside from me pointlessly stressing about customs fees/charges, I would totes buy from this seller again (jpn vtg ftw!).  Sad that I bought this wallet after you bought your korean snowbunny, from a seller halfway across the world, and it still arrived faster . . . keeping fingers crossed for your purchase!

A -- 10/30/10: Congrats!!!!!  You have got to figure out a way to post a pic of the realdeal onto the blog!!  (I still need to do that for the RR top, and I will whenever the rabbitfur FINALLY gets here)

T, 11/7/10: saw another listing of the exact same wallet -- except no stated "odor," and hardware is actually gold (and not worn like mine).  Also jpn seller.  Auction said wallet was first issued in 1996; started at $0.99; ended at $132.50 (S&H $12).  Been watching all wk terrified it'll go for less than mine and contemplated bidding just to drive it up (schadenfreude, anyone?).  Glad to know I got a good deal (prob tks to the non-existent "odor"). :)

T, 11/16/10: since I'm neurotic, I continuously check eBay for chanel wallets, still . . . and my wallet keeps appearing.  Makes me feel a little less special about my vtg find (because we all know vtg = unique), but I did see a listing that said the wallet retailed for $725.  Quelle horreur!