Originally Posted by
Hyacinth 
Unfortunately that seller has sold a fake before. Although several posters here have been happy with their bags, it's hard to recommend someone in that situation.
That said, all the bags are genuine. The second and fourth aren't considered vintage since it they were made in 1998.
I have no idea where the seller finds so many old satchels. I'm sure some of them have been heavily "reconditioned" and I would worry about re-dyed bags. Older bags that have been used will always show evidence of wear along the bottom piping.
The seller's claim that the included dustbag is a $32 value is nonsense since those are included free with all boutique purchases and aren't even available to purchase separately. And for someone who sells so many, it seems like pure laziness why he doesn't even try to learn the correct names - Coach has NEVER used the term "Speedy" for any of its bags, and a "Doctor" bag implies that it has a hinged top that opens completely.
As usual thanks so much for sharing your thoughts Hyacinth! Yes I did find it a bit laughable that he put a price on something that is clearly given for free. Every designer bag I have purchased always comes with a dust bag and I've never been able to purchase it alone without the bag...lol...
When you mention "heavily reconditioned" does that damage or mar the bag in some way? Perhaps make it crunchy? I will definitely be asking what he's done to it that makes a vintage bag look brand spanking new.
There are a lot of things that can be done to an older bag depending on what problems it has. Re-dyeing is the biggest. Sometimes gently rubbing an out of the way area on a bag with some conditioner worked into a cloth will make some of the dye rub off. Personally I would never buy a reconditioned bag since I want to know exactly what's been done to it and do any rehab work myself.
And all his bags, no matter how old or new, seem to have exactly the same surface finish, and bags from different eras and in different colors should show at least a little variation. So they've been treated with something, I'd want to know what.
As I told another poster, buying a vintage bag that supposedly never was used isn't neccessarily a good thing, it depends on how the bag has been stored and the climate it's been stored in. The bag could be drying out or mildewing especially if no one's checked on its condition or done anything to condition the leather for 20 or 30 years.
THanks!
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