Originally Posted by kerplunk

Good plan, keep us updated! Strange how it's just confined to the lock though, there's no wear on the D rings or the clasps on the end of the strap, you'd think that they'd share the same wear as the lock seeing as they have the weight of the bag against them.

They replaced the D rings too as the gold had begun to come off them too!
Really not what you'd expect from a quality bag. I'm sorry to see they are continuing to produce bags with this shiny hardware. Must be much cheaper than the brass finishings. :-(

I've been asked to return the bag for inspection....so will take it into the store on Saturday to arrange. Interesting point whether or not there was a bad batch of conker alexas.
Will wait to hear what they say, but hoping they'll replace the lock..but it better not happen again!!

I can't believe these photos! Inevitably the lock will get scratched and scuffed over time, especially with the two parts moving against one another all the time. But for a coating to actually come off to reveal something else underneath is, I think, totally unacceptable for bags of this price. It's good that Mulberry seem to be replacing these but it is still worrying!

You ladies certainly aren't overreacting. The lock is used every time you open and close the bag, and should be robust enough to withstand that use

Ilovemulberry73 - you are right to be upset and concerned - this really shouldn't happen on an expensive bag and you should get the problem sorted - it seems to me the metal they are using is quite low quality - is it brushed brass effect? (I don't own an alexa so am guessing here) - I suspect so - for this price it should be solid, not coated metal and totally hardwearing as it is obviously a part of the hardware that is pretty much in constant use....

Originally Posted by Kingla

I have emailed Rebecca Groom with photographs, hoping it won't be too long before she gets back to me! RustyDee - out of interest, what colour is your Alexa + hardware? (as I was wondering if this problem was limited to the shiny gold) Here is a photo of how my postman lock is looking after very limited use...

I had a watermelon alexa with shiny gold hardware that went like this. I've seen quite alot on eBay like this too. I think through use the edges of the plate scrape the actual locks finish and agree the brass hardware isn't half as bad.

I also had an alexa with gunmetal lock which the metal plating came off in flakes- exposing bare rusty meal underneath :(

Notice both of these I said I HAD as I sold them after this.

Originally Posted by armcandy3

I had a watermelon alexa with shiny gold hardware that went like this. I've seen quite alot on eBay like this too. I think through use the edges of the plate scrape the actual locks finish and agree the brass hardware isn't half as bad. I also had an alexa with gunmetal lock which the meal plating came off in flakes- exposing bare rusty meal underneath :( Notice both of these I said I HAD as I sold them after this.

I can understand why you sold them...Even if they replace my postmans lock, I know I'll just worry about it happening again!

I also am stunned by the number of people who have experienced the same issue. I know I won't be buying a bag with shiny hardware like this again!

I have had this happen to my OS black Alexa, Regular Oak Alexa and my Mini Watermelon Alexa. After seeing it happen so fast to all of them I assumed it was just what happens but to be honest it doesnt really bother me too much. (I did sell the Mini because it was too small though) but the others I dont really care, its not that noticeable except I know its there.
I also bought the postmans lock foggy grey wallet in the sales and it has started happening to that too with not a lot of use.
My Black OS one has the issue where the strap around the top and does up at the back keeps coming undone and that annoys me more than the lock issues but since I would have to get it into the city and sent overseas to be "checked" I have just learned to live with it (though I do rarely use it now because of that.)

I wonder if you could put some sort of clear wax or silicone on the lock to prevent the scratching?

I've really been longing for an alexa but reading this has really put me off.
This is disgraceful & I don't understand how you ladies are taking this so well. If I paid £800 for an alexa & this happened to my bag I'd be furious.
The last bag I bought cost me £500, I know I could have had the same bag second hand for £250 less than I paid but I wanted a perfect one. To spend that much money, then have these issues would make me feel like I was being ripped off.
Mulberry must be using low quality hardware but still charging for high quality.unfortunately they know that we will keep buying & are prepared to overlook these things in order to have something that we believe is high end but is it really? I have bags that I've paid £250 for & they can be used every day without these issues.
It's just not on & I feel for you ladies that are having problems. But the truth is if I walk into mulberry & see an alexa that's " just right" will I be able to resist ? I doubt it " the heart wants what the heart wants " and that's the problem as long as we keep paying for shoddy hardware they will keep selling it to us.

Sorry if that sounded like a rant

Originally Posted by I want 1

I've really been longing for an alexa but reading this has really put me off. This is disgraceful & I don't understand how you ladies are taking this so well. If I paid £800 for an alexa & this happened to my bag I'd be furious. The last bag I bought cost me £500, I know I could have had the same bag second hand for £250 less than I paid but I wanted a perfect one. To spend that much money, then have these issues would make me feel like I was being ripped off. Mulberry must be using low quality hardware but still charging for high quality.unfortunately they know that we will keep buying & are prepared to overlook these things in order to have something that we believe is high end but is it really? I have bags that I've paid £250 for & they can be used every day without these issues. It's just not on & I feel for you ladies that are having problems. But the truth is if I walk into mulberry & see an alexa that's " just right" will I be able to resist ? I doubt it " the heart wants what the heart wants " and that's the problem as long as we keep paying for shoddy hardware they will keep selling it to us. Sorry if that sounded like a rant

LOL, great rant, and I completely agree!!
I am not prepared to accept it, hence my actions on this thread... And it is very noticeable on my Conker Alexa, so much so that when I had it in the office yesterday my colleague walked by and said 'Oooh, lovely bag, but oh, what's happened to it?'.

I agree that Mulberry must be using lower quality hardware on some bags, which is shocking given how much we pay. I suppose it's a personal thing as to whether or not people want to 'just live with it'. I don't. I love my bags, I've saved incredibly hard to get them and I'm not prepared to put up with poor quality for premium price.

Since yesterday I have had some lovely emails from Customer services who have looked at the photos apologising profusely, but wanting to 'inspect' the bag themselves. So off to Edinburgh Mulberry I go on Saturday morning to send it back. I'll keep you all informed as to how it goes. Worried though that if they do replace the lock that it'll just happen again.

Finally splashed out on an alexa handbag today after wanting one for sooo long, howether the lock fell off completely about an hour after purchasing. Obviously a fault but not sure if I have lost faith now after reading other comments. Not sure whether to get it replaced or try and fall in love with another bag.

Originally Posted by Lizzy penny 1

Finally splashed out on an alexa handbag today after wanting one for sooo long, howether the lock fell off completely about an hour after purchasing. Obviously a fault but not sure if I have lost faith now after reading other comments. Not sure whether to get it replaced or try and fall in love with another bag.

Lizzy, you should return that Alexa as soon as possible! Did you buy it from a store or preloved?

Originally Posted by ilovemulberry73

I was just wondering if anyone has had problems with the hardware of the lock tarnishing. I have had my conker alexa for 6 months now but probably only used her maybe 6 or 7 times during this time but yesterday I noticed the brass hardware on the lock has started to come off. Is this normal? Has anyone else noticed this with their alexa's? http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/...3/IMG_0840.jpg

I went in HOF at Bluewater today, and looked at the display Alexa OS in oak on display table one that customers can open.
Had a look, and guess what! the little turn lock was scratched not a lot but scratched

Not saying they sell the display bags? But it shows something is wrong in the design
Also noticed like my Alexa it was made in Turkey ... Just thinking out loud but wondering if the Made in England bags do the same ?

This just does not sound right for a £800+ handbag

My clutch is watermelon. I bought her last week, have used just 1 time.

my friend said "the lock seem a fourth hand" T_____T

now..i keep her in wardrobe.