Comments on: Globe article about Bag, Borrow or Steal

By: Lita

Lita — Sat, 05 Feb 2011 01:47:49 +0000

I went through the process to rent a Prada bag through BBOS, provided all information requested, and I even took the time to read their ENTIRE Terms and Conditions page, which indicated I might be asked for a deposit. So I was fine with that. After reading all of this, I went through with my purchase, secured the bag with a credit card (which was charged 30 seconds later for the full amount of the rental) and received a confirmation email stating I should expect the bag on February 8th, five business days later. Everything was going as expected, until the next day when I received an email from Avelle stating the bag I rented had a required credit check, and their attempt to pull my credit had been unsuccessful using the information I provided. I was to call their Customer Service number and provide them with my Social Security number.

Avelle, you realize that’s illegal, right? You can’t pull a copy of my credit report without my express consent. Your “Terms and Conditions” page says ABSOLUTELY NOTHING about credit inquiries needed to rent bags. The reason you couldn’t find me with my address information (thankfully!) is because I recently moved. And it will be a cold day in hell when I give you full access to my identity to rent a damn purse (which I already paid for!) As of this moment (ok, give me 5 minutes to finish this sentence and navigate to the website), I am filling a complaint with the BBB. And I see I’m not alone, 21 other people have filed complaints against Avelle in the last 36 months. Do business with this company at your own peril.

By: ImaDoll

ImaDoll — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 23:26:54 +0000

I found it laughable how they are trying to rent out Juicy Couture bags. Don’t get me wrong it’s nice stuff but not too pay $80 a week for! I can walk into marshalls and buy a brand new large in demand style juicy bag for $129.00. I was just on the website and it does seem like the prices have gone down alot. Probably because of the bad economy. I wouldnt want to do it now because of all the bad experiences everyone on here has had. I know a lot of you have lost a bunch of money but if you have bank of America all you have to do is file a dispute and will get all your money back within 20 days. It’s a pain if you need the money now but they always take the customers side……I was really thinking about renting a pair of Louis Vuitton sunglasses for 2 weeks at $42 a wk but after reading this I dont want them having my debit card #. I suppose a solution to their horrible banking methods would be to have one of those pre-paid debit cards and just put exactly what is needed on one. I just feel like even $80 a wk for a designer bag is too much. I think if they charged $25 a week they would actually get more business. In my opinion if someone can’t afford $675 for an authentic speedy they cant afford a few hundred to rent a bag. The only point I see of renting a bag from them is if you are thinking about buying the bag and want to try it out. That’s what I wanted to do with the LV sunglasses. but what if you loose them? Then what? I can only imagine the fees!

By: Kitiya

Kitiya — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 04:42:33 +0000

Wow..I am NOT surprised at all to see all these negativity towards Bag Borrow or Steal/Avelle. Today I spoke to a customer service representative and they are no help at all. I borrowed a Gucci handbag since Aug of 2008 and until 2 months ago I have accrued so many points with them that I can pay off $150.00 and keep the bag. I just issued a new card so my current card (that was on file) was not able to be charged. So they contacted me ONCE by phone, left a voicemail. Told me to update my account. I guess they also sent 1 letter as well saying I need to update my account. As days are going by, sometimes people like myself forget to call/hop on online to update my info. Today I checked my e-mail and they are saying my account balance is $1,095!!!!! I called to reason with them because I believe that it is so ridiculous that they are charging me for the entire bag price. I only had a month left to pay it off & I am willing to pay for the $150 but they said no I have to pay the entire balance of $1,095. They said they couldn’t help me. I am so frustrated. They could’ve given somebody at least 10 phone calls before they charge somebody that much!! I looked into my bank account and they had already charged to my account last month. I am going to investigate and if they are scamming me. I am going to file a suit. NEVER AGAIN BBOS.

PS – Be careful when you return your items, they’ll say they’ve never received your items and still charge you in the mean time!!

By: Sammy

Sammy — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 01:57:59 +0000

STAY AWAY FROM THE THIEVES @ BB&S. We have been charged a $9.95/month for a year after borrowing and returning a bag and never using their services again. They blame the charges on the customer being irresponsible not to read the small fine print only accessible thru a link at the bottom of the webpage. After a long discussion, they agreed to refund 7 months out of the 12 but the truth is that they need to refund all the money they took from our account.

The word about this company should get out. What a rip off.
STAY AWAY.

By: Polenka84

Polenka84 — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 00:29:11 +0000

I have borrowed a couple items from BB&S in the past–a coach purse which I loved so much I subsequently purchased for myself, and a gorgeous Dior trotter romantique purse I seriously considered buying before deciding that perhaps I should pay my tuition instead–however, when I attempted to borrow the perfect Vera Wang necklace for my wedding they informed me that I would have to build up a 3 month continuous borrowing history prior to doing so (not possible since the wedding was 2 weeks away).

This fact was not advertised on the website and is clearly inconvenient for those wishing to sporadically borrow for special occasions, which financially, is the best use for this site (for the borrower of course, not BB&S).

My previous experience with BB&S was pleasant enough–quick shipping, decent customer service, nice packaging but after this experience I will not be borrowing again…a shame, since my borrowing would have only increased now that I’m done school.