Barenia Kelly offer from boutique with cracks next to stitching - advice needed

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MlleBougainvillier

Member
Feb 17, 2021
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488
#1
Dear Barenia lovers,
I need your help - I have been waiting on a K32 Barenia Fauve GHW offer for more than 5 years and on Wednesday the call came in that finally a K28 Barenia Fauve with PHW made its way to the store. Since I moved recently, my sister went to have a look at it and took a picture for me. I realized that the leather next to the stitching looks a bit cracked and also it seems from the looks of the picture a bit dry on the left bottom - see the arrows. My sister asked her SA about the cracks right away and she responded that the cracks are because of the stichting - though we never had such an issue with any of the bags in our family.

What is your expert view on it? Is this indeed normal? Is it manageable? Am I just freaking out for no reason?

I have until Tuesday to decide and I am so torn. Initally I requested a K32 with GHW but after 5 years of waiting I am now happy with any K Barenia offer that comes my way. The hardware is something I would be able to cope with but what I am wondering about is the cracks next to the stitching. But would I regret it if I don’t take the offer and then there is no other Barenia offer coming my way again for the next years? According to the SA the store so rarely gets one.

Thank you for any advice you can give me!
 

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#5
i think someone else had this or a similar issue, and I seem to recall the opinion that the cracks were the result of the stitches being pulled too tightly. The tight tension created holes or marks or cracks. But, I cannot find the thread, and I do not know if this can be fixed. For what it is worth, I love fixer uppers and bargains, and this would bother me too. I would consider this a structural flaw rather than cosmetic (like discoloration). if this were a preloved bag for a great price (more than 50% off, which was the typical discount during Covid SIP), yes sure. At full retail, I would pass. I’m so sorry. Regardless, I am sure you will make the right decision for yourself. :smile:
 
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#6
My personally opinion is it's not perfect but even with the small cracks due to the stitch tension, the bag is certainly not going to fall apart. I do not think Hermes will or needs to fix it.
The remaining questions are
- would it bother you too much and is the size and hardware otherwise suitable.
I would make my decision to accept based on these two answers.
I do agree that while Barenia is back, it remains a push offer so the next one sent to your store in the exact specs you prefer might be in quite a while.
Good luck!
 
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#7
Amazing, an other large(r) Barenia-Kelly here! Like you, I have been waiting for a K32 or K28 in smooth barenia for ages but none appeared so far in the boutique… so, I really feel you!

I have not seen this on my (non-Kelly) barenia bags before. Would guess that it will not break down because of this or be damaged earlier than an other bag, and, if so - I would expect H to take care of it.

If it were me, would I take it? Or rather, could I leave it?

So hard to answer … maybe it comes down to will you feel just so happy when you reach for it or will you always think „if it just had better stitches / other hardware/…“ when you reach for it?

All the best for your decision!
 
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#8
I would pass, you might have to wait a while for another offer but rather go for something that is exactly what you want (size, hardware, condition) than settle for something you already have several doubts about. Once your perfect bag arrives, you'll be happy that you waited. Good luck with your decision!
 
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#11
If you accept the bag, are the cracks going to be what you focus on when you carry the bag? Or do you think you can love the bag anyway? I have a smooth barenia (vintage) evie, so I’m on the “grab it” side of this situation.…but I’m not the one who will carry your bag. I wouldn’t accept a “dream bag” unless it fulfilled my dream. Do you think this one can fulfill yours?
 
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#12
The thing is....if this bothers you now, it's unlikely to stop bothering you. It's a $16K+ bag before tax and you should not have any second thoughts at all. As beautiful and iconic as it is, I would pass.
You *may* be able to find a a 28 GHW in boutique. You *may* find your HG 32 GHW at resale - that will not come in to boutique anytime soon if ever again.
 
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#13
QuelleFromage said:
The thing is....if this bothers you now, it's unlikely to stop bothering you. It's a $16K+ bag before tax and you should not have any second thoughts at all. As beautiful and iconic as it is, I would pass.
You *may* be able to find a a 28 GHW in boutique. You *may* find your HG 32 GHW at resale - that will not come in to boutique anytime soon if ever again.
Click to expand...
:yes:
And: IF you'd be open for smooth Barenia fauve 32 GHW at resale - I think I saw one on the website of
ewa lagan frankfurt Germany
(a former H employée and very reputable reseller - I bought scarves online - was very happy with her - If I recall correctly, she has a "physical store", too).:idea:
 
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#14
Thank you all for your answers and especially the insights. I have not yet decided - I am just so torn and the hardware truly is not the big issue or the smaller size but rather my worries about the cracks. Since I’m not a fan of buying from a reseller my options are pretty much depending on whether more push offers come into the direction of the store.

lurketylurk said:
If the exact bag you asked for came into the store tomorrow and you couldn't accept it because you'd taken this one instead, would you regret it?
I think your answer to that question should help you decide.
Click to expand...
Sure I would regret if a K32 in the exact right specs would all of the sudden appear in the store. But since I have been waiting for over 5 years, I highly doubt that all of the sudden another Barenia shows up. Also, I had a call with the SA today and she said that she does not believe that a K32 is even produced in Barenia anymore - at least not in smooth Barenia.

880 said:
i think someone else had this or a similar issue, and I seem to recall the opinion that the cracks were the result of the stitches being pulled too tightly. The tight tension created holes or marks or cracks. But, I cannot find the thread, and I do not know if this can be fixed. For what it is worth, I love fixer uppers and bargains, and this would bother me too. I would consider this a structural flaw rather than cosmetic (like discoloration). if this were a preloved bag for a great price (more than 50% off, which was the typical discount during Covid SIP), yes sure. At full retail, I would pass. I’m so sorry. Regardless, I am sure you will make the right decision for yourself. :smile:
Click to expand...
That is so insightful, thank you! Knowing that it’s not a defect that will lead to structual issues later on is a bit of a relief. I hope to find that thread soon.

periogirl28 said:
My personally opinion is it's not perfect but even with the small cracks due to the stitch tension, the bag is certainly not going to fall apart. I do not think Hermes will or needs to fix it.
The remaining questions are
- would it bother you too much and is the size and hardware otherwise suitable.
I would make my decision to accept based on these two answers.
I do agree that while Barenia is back, it remains a push offer so the next one sent to your store in the exact specs you prefer might be in quite a while.
Good luck!
Click to expand...
Based on your experience with so many different leathers and bags, this view means a lot, especially "needs to" ;)

CherryBomb2305 said:
I had quite same issue with my K28 retourne Togo Gold. Actually I was told by the Hermes Leather Specialist in my country that it's normal and not considered as a defect.
Click to expand...
Do you still have the K28 return Togo Gold with the issues? If so, how has it held up?

Not a defect reads good. Although I wonder how such bags can even make its way to the store. Many moons ago this would not have happened.


Maybe my dreams will guide me a way tonight... Eventhough most of you say that I should move away from the bag and wait for the next offer, my FOMOB (fear of missing out Barenia) already set in :lol: This is why my decisions feels so though - and yes I know that this is so out of place considering the many issues that a lot of people face nowadays.
 
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#15
MlleBougainvillier said:
Thank you all for your answers and especially the insights. I have not yet decided - I am just so torn and the hardware truly is not the big issue or the smaller size but rather my worries about the cracks. Since I’m not a fan of buying from a reseller my options are pretty much depending on whether more push offers come into the direction of the store.


Sure I would regret if a K32 in the exact right specs would all of the sudden appear in the store. But since I have been waiting for over 5 years, I highly doubt that all of the sudden another Barenia shows up. Also, I had a call with the SA today and she said that she does not believe that a K32 is even produced in Barenia anymore - at least not in smooth Barenia.


That is so insightful, thank you! Knowing that it’s not a defect that will lead to structual issues later on is a bit of a relief. I hope to find that thread soon.


Based on your experience with so many different leathers and bags, this view means a lot, especially "needs to" ;)


Do you still have the K28 return Togo Gold with the issues? If so, how has it held up?

Not a defect reads good. Although I wonder how such bags can even make its way to the store. Many moons ago this would not have happened.


Maybe my dreams will guide me a way tonight... Eventhough most of you say that I should move away from the bag and wait for the next offer, my FOMOB (fear of missing out Barenia) already set in :lol: This is why my decisions feels so though - and yes I know that this is so out of place considering the many issues that a lot of people face nowadays.
Click to expand...
I wish you could see and handle it in person. I think one knows immediately whether it’s a yes or a no
 
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