I took a chance that this bag wasn't as bad as other reviewers have thought and I liked the style, so, I went ahead and ordered it. The seller was fine, I received it in a timely manner and had no issues. I didn't know what to expect when I opened it. It was packaged well, came with a duster bag which is cool, I suppose. The bag does have a new vinyl smell to it. It wasn't awful or anything I didn't expect. I think other reviewers have exaggerated about the smell. I mean, it stands to reason it would have a smell. New everything has a smell, and of course this bag isn't going to smell like roses or leather because its made of neither.

I wasn't expecting Chanel quality, and anyone who buys a $40 purse shouldn't either unless you've got some mental problems. That being said, it is not that great of a bag, but its not the absolute worst either. Honestly, I have yet to use it, and most likely, I won't use it as a purse. The bag itself is just too shiny black because of the material. Shiny is fine, but it's definitely a sheen that cheap material possesses.
For instance, the bag I have been using for the past 8 months (long time for me to stick with one bag) is faux ostrich leather, was $60, great quality and it still looks and functions like its a bag that cost a few hundred. I had hoped this bag would surprise me like the bag I have, unfortunately it failed to impress me at all. It's just kinda 'whatever'.
It definitely isn't as plush as the photos make it look. By that, I mean the padding of the quilting isn't as full and because of that, the stitching is very awkwardly apparent, making it look a bit deflated. If it weren't for that, I think it would look a lot better and I might even have used it as a purse.
It is very roomy and a great size. The gold hardware is very gold. That purse I mentioned that I have also has gold hardware and is studded in gold pyramid studs. The hardware on this bag looks very 99 Cent store in comparison. It's a tinny gold, and I don't really dig it. I honestly think its the combination of those things that make it a lackluster purchase. I would have rather put the money I spent on this toward something else, that's all.
I feel like it doesn't deserve rave reviews but I also don't believe it deserves overly negative reviews either. Some people may love it, others won't...but that's the way with anything, right?