Every company makes different changes throughout their years, due to availability, cost etc... plants close plants open, etc... I think compiling business articles (I couldn't link to over half of them though, not sure why they didn't work for me) spanning back to 2006/2007 and calling out in several threads, that there are "no more USA made bags" (The San Dimas CA plant is still currently open and operational, no major changes) I know someone who knows someone who works there. Lol.
And siting these old articles as the reasons for current "awful quality" and for the "new tag" verbiage etc.. is perhaps presumptuous and inflammatory. BUT I will be VERY interested to see what LV does say, when they finally release an
official statement or reason. So many of us know and work with LV employees we would trust and we all hear different things ~ you being in the legal profession we can all see what a hot button this is for you, I am just very sad that newer members are coming in to TPF or Louis Vuitton in general, and seeing so many threads turned into negativity with so much speculation written as what looks like fact, things about awful conditions and 3rd world countries etc.. wow. I'm just not ready to jump on your bandwagon but good luck with your cause!
I don't see how proving they've been outsourcing for years is presumptuous and inflammatory - it's just the truth. And several of the articles were much newer. But again, I do understand people not wanting to believe what's happening. It is third world countries and quality has gone down. I'm definitely not the only one noticing it. It's all over the forum in so many many different threads - just pervasive.
No need to shoot one of the messengers or you'll have to shoot a lot of us. LOL!
And unfortunately, it is fact that they have been outsourcing for a long time, so it's not what "looks like fact" It just is. I wish it wasn't. What is a little frightening is the recent pervasive changes people all over the forum are noticing and they do seem to conincide with the new tags. Not sure exactly why - but the timing is alarming.
I think if people are aware - they'll know what quality issues to look out for as they are purchasing each style of bag so they aren't blindsided later, past the time of return or exchange and then wish they had known.
A lot of people appreciate knowing the good
and the bad both. Others only want to hear the good. But it's easy to read threads and posts that fit your own particular comfort level. Simply as clicking on something else so you don't have to worry or think about the quality issues.
But for people who want to know what to look out for (peeling straps on damier ebene neverfuls, the new problems with the damier ebene speedy B, etc.) - and how to protect their coated leather (no hand sanitizer) and learn from what's happening to others in terms of glazing on their wallets, then they can examine and inspect their bags when they buy them and protect themselves as consumers and be happier with their expensive purchases. This is a great thing.
People will still buy LV - Perhaps they will be more informed consumers though and that's always a good thing. I'll still buy LV. But this forum isn't only for hearts and butterflies. It's for lots of different opinions, facts, truths, and that's what is so great about it. If people are uncomfortable with sad things dealing with LV business decisions, they are free to click off the thread and go to reveals and the rest of all the wonderful threads on the forum.
I for one want to hear it all, good and bad. I've learned SO much on this forum and it has helped me make informed choices more often than I can count. People are helped too in terms of learning how to deal with their respective SAs and boutiques when they do have quality issues and need repairs.
If people can't hear the good and the bad both, they are really "out to sea" when it comes to be able to handle the issues that crop up, know what's normal and what isn't, and how to navigate the quagmire that customer service can represent when there is a problem. That's good.
I've been sad too reading about all the different problems people are having with their bags. I've only had one recently that was really bad (a brand new zippy wallet that the glazing was peeling on within a week of purchase), but if I was new, and didn't know that others were having similar problems, or even that the wallet could crack if it wasn't fixed, I could be one of the newbies you're talking about that only wanted to hear good things and got stuck with a wallet that should have lasted 10-15 years beautifully, and only lasted a month or two.
While people do get sad hearing the bad, we all still love LV. Informed consumers that are vocal could be the only thing that will stem corporate greed and keep LV on their collective quality control toes.
