Much as i love Hermes, $1000 for a strap is outrageous. My evelyn strap was too long (it was cross body on me at the shortest length), so I took it to my local cobbler who shortened the strap for me for £25, ready for pickup the next day.
Also, to wait 1-2 years for a strap...bordering on abusive. Why don't they have a few trainees (frankly, these jobs really don't take a whole lot of skill) be dedicated to doing tasks like this.
I agree with everything you said ...