“Authentic” 30 year old Speedy rejected for repair because of being fake!

[CheckeredFruit]

Hello ladies! This is my first time posting on this forum but I have extracted golden advice from this sub many times before. I ask for your expertise and advice. I believe I know the brand well as I have made multiple boutique purchases as well as preloved from ebay (mostly Japanese sellers). Today I went to the LV boutique to get a quote for a Speedy 30 vachetta replacement (all the leather) and got rejected because they claimed the bag is a fake. Long story made short: I bought the bag off of a Japanese seller after carefully reading all the details from the listing. The bag is from the late 80s date code VI 8907 which at first I thought inaccurate but after researching on the internet learned that the meaning of the date code back then was different, this bag being made in July of 1989 (VI = country of manufacture; 89 = year; 07 = month). Everything about the bag seems consistent with authentic pieces! Actually, the SA was already processing the order when he suddenly stopped and asked for the help of another SA because he got an error at inputting the bag’s code. I perfectly understand their confusion because under today’s date code standards this code would read: France, week 80, year 97. They politely took the bag away and went to consult with the store’s authenticator. I didn’t even know they had an “authenticator”. In fact I believed they weren’t trained to authenticate! The SA came back after a few minutes and politely said he regretted to inform me the bag was a fake because of the date code. He also pointed out that the stitching of the inside pocket was not as neat as it should be which to me looks like normal wear and tear for a 30 year old bag. I did not argue with them, after all I am just a client and they are the “experts” so I left with my bag but now that I think of it I believe I should have said something! I was kind of embarrassed and just wanted to leave. I ask of your time and advice. Please take a look at the attached pictures and give me your honest opinion. Should I call the 1-800 Vuitton number and explain my case? I believe the bag is authentic and was very eager to get the leather replaced. You see, vintage items are very alluring to me (I wear vintage denim and vintage sneakers every day). They quoted me almost 800 usd for leather and a new zipper and I was going to happily pay for it because no, I do not want an new Speedy, I want a thirty year old one. Yes I know I’m weird but hey, everyone’s got their own crazy stuff going on in their heads! Thanks for reading and I appreciate the advice!

 

[mdcx]

Do you want to return the bag to the seller? A lot / most of the Japanese sellers offer returns. They also tend to authenticate everything before selling it.
It's possible the boutique is mistaken. One option is to pay for an authentication service.
(The authentication thread for LV is here but there are rules around what will be considered and once you own a bag I am not sure they can help you:
https://forum.purseblog.com/threads...before-posting.926508/page-1874#post-33293156 ETA I can see you have already posted there. )

Another option is to take the bag to a specialist handbag repairer. There are some out there who will repair designer bags and provide services such as vachetta replacement etc.

 

[Cattyyellow]

I think you should pay for an authentication service. If the service says it is good, I would send it into LV or find another store to bring it to.

If you do get it authenticated please update us, I would be interested to know the outcome

 

[ChampagneandChakras]

Me too

 

[wowzers1941]

I have no doubt you purchased it from a Japanese seller with significant feedback. To be honest, I would take it back to the same store when the new employees aren't working. If you went in the evening, try the morning or vise versa.

Only then, if they reject it again, just return it and find another. Looks like the handles have a beautiful patina.

 

[Clearblueskies]

I’d return it to the seller and look for another if I were you. Whether it’s fake or not if LV won’t repair it, it seems a lot of hassle to try to persuade them they’re wrong.

 

[showgratitude]

Hello ladies! This is my first time posting on this forum but I have extracted golden advice from this sub many times before. I ask for your expertise and advice. I believe I know the brand well as I have made multiple boutique purchases as well as preloved from ebay (mostly Japanese sellers). Today I went to the LV boutique to get a quote for a Speedy 30 vachetta replacement (all the leather) and got rejected because they claimed the bag is a fake. Long story made short: I bought the bag off of a Japanese seller after carefully reading all the details from the listing. The bag is from the late 80s date code VI 8907 which at first I thought inaccurate but after researching on the internet learned that the meaning of the date code back then was different, this bag being made in July of 1989 (VI = country of manufacture; 89 = year; 07 = month). Everything about the bag seems consistent with authentic pieces! Actually, the SA was already processing the order when he suddenly stopped and asked for the help of another SA because he got an error at inputting the bag’s code. I perfectly understand their confusion because under today’s date code standards this code would read: France, week 80, year 97. They politely took the bag away and went to consult with the store’s authenticator. I didn’t even know they had an “authenticator”. In fact I believed they weren’t trained to authenticate! The SA came back after a few minutes and politely said he regretted to inform me the bag was a fake because of the date code. He also pointed out that the stitching of the inside pocket was not as neat as it should be which to me looks like normal wear and tear for a 30 year old bag. I did not argue with them, after all I am just a client and they are the “experts” so I left with my bag but now that I think of it I believe I should have said something! I was kind of embarrassed and just wanted to leave. I ask of your time and advice. Please take a look at the attached pictures and give me your honest opinion. Should I call the 1-800 Vuitton number and explain my case? I believe the bag is authentic and was very eager to get the leather replaced. You see, vintage items are very alluring to me (I wear vintage denim and vintage sneakers every day). They quoted me almost 800 usd for leather and a new zipper and I was going to happily pay for it because no, I do not want an new Speedy, I want a thirty year old one. Yes I know I’m weird but hey, everyone’s got their own crazy stuff going on in their heads! Thanks for reading and I appreciate the advice!

Would you consider just returning the bag to the seller and getting your money back.....and being at peace with that?
If an authenticator tells you it is real yet LV refuses to repair it and stands by their claim that it's not, what would you do?

 

[fabuleux]

It is possible that the bag is indeed fake as lots of fake bags have accurate date codes. Nevertheless, I would ask for a second opinion. If the repair request is rejected a second time, I would return it to the original seller. Judging from your pictures, the bag looks to be in very poor condition anyway.
Good luck.

 

[purplekicks]

Unlike vachetta, aged canvas is a liability more than a fashion statement so I personally wouldn't invest that much money in an older bag. And to me, the character of vintage lies in the leather... if you replace the leather it's just vintage canvas. So if the handles and piping are in good shape maybe just wear it as it is.

 

[gettinpurseonal]

I agree that replacing the leather would remove the vintage appeal. How much did you pay for it? Would you be willing to wear it as is? Or perhaps just get the torn leather tabs repaired by a local repair person? Or even have a crafty person embellish your bag?
I definitely think you should make another trip to Louis Vuitton, see a manager who hopefully is a different one than last time, and explain why you believe this bag is authentic and get a second opinion. If they won’t work with you, just pay an authenticator. I hope you get your authentication answer soon.

Sheesh, I really need to proofread before posting so I don’t always have to edit!!

 

[DreamingBeauty]

I think the vintage patina is really nice, if you're happy with the price you paid I'd keep the bag and have the torn zipper pull replaced by a non-LV leather shop and just enjoy the bag! The zipper pull is the only bad part from what I can see in your photos, the handles look great so it would be a shame to get rid of them anyway.

 

[TC1]

I would return to the seller. I know you said you don't want a new one, but having all the vachetta replaced makes it look "new" anyhow?. I wouldn't pay $800+ for the replacement as well as the hassle of dealing with authenticity.

 

[wowzers1941]

Unlike vachetta, aged canvas is a liability more than a fashion statement so I personally wouldn't invest that much money in an older bag. And to me, the character of vintage lies in the leather... if you replace the leather it's just vintage canvas. So if the handles and piping are in good shape maybe just wear it as it is.

How is the canvas more of a liability? Its thicker and of high quality than what the LV warehouse is pumping out these days...

 

[bbkctpf]

I have a favorite PM I got a few years back (i think - it was the year it came out), the stitching is similar to your first photo where it's kind of on a slant for each stitch. Not that this is much help :/. Hope you can get the leather repaired - it's beautiful!

 

[karman]

How is the canvas more of a liability? Its thicker and of high quality than what the LV warehouse is pumping out these days...

As soon as the canvas is torn or cracked, LV won’t even touch the bag anymore (I know you know that, but just pointing out why I also think ya a greater risk on a vintage bag). In the photos there seems to be weird ripples close to the piping. You can repair vachetta, but not canvas.
I personally haven’t had issues with the new canvas. The old canvas on my older bags looks great but would freeze in the winter weather here and truly is more worrisome than the leather since at anytime the canvas becomes stiff, I fear it would crack.