Botched spa by “Docride’s Luxury Again Inc.” destroyed my Hermes Ostrich bag. Think long and hard about non-H Spa work!

[kkfiregirl]

I really do understand your justifiable upset, looking at the "after" of your beautiful ostrich bag is painful. And agree, the most perfect solution for any repairs is Hermes spa, and when that is not an option, finding a really good skilled, ethical craftsperson is critical. I do understand not wanting to name the person, so why mention the tpf link? It's not relevant as a "blind item", sharing the experience with us made your point regardless of a tpf link. Your pictures are a graphic caution. Thank you for sharing.

I think he wanted his story to serve as a cautionary tale and he wanted to subtly call out the offender. I was able to figure out who he was talking about based on his responses in this thread.

 

[coloradolvr]

I think he wanted his story to serve as a cautionary tale and he wanted to subtly call out the offender. I was able to figure out who he was talking about based on his responses in this thread.

I agree 100%. Which is why I'm surprised this thread has not been closed. Consider the message delivered which should have stopped at use 3rd party restorations at your own risk. Attempting to disparage the reputation of the individual or shop with clever tactics is not helpful at this point.

 

[catsinthebag]

Just curious why you felt compelled to mention the "guru" is on tpf? Your bag is damaged, the work was shoddy, but without the knowledge of whom to avoid, you have potentially cast unnecessary doubt over innocent people on the tpf.

There are instances where Hermes spa is not an option for work that needs to be done on a bag (access to the service, bag previously had some non H work done so no longer qualifies for spa service, for example). tpf seems a logical site for people seeking information about who might be a viable restoration/repair option. All the references to an unnamed tpf "guru" have clouded the issue of proceeding with someone here and, as a result, may have potentially damaged some business opportunities for qualified people who may need the income. I fear there will be a tendency to shy away from every female, wondering "is this the woman he was talking about?"

I am not in the business of restoration/repair of bags so am not personally affected.

I really do understand your justifiable upset, looking at the "after" of your beautiful ostrich bag is painful. And agree, the most perfect solution for any repairs is Hermes spa, and when that is not an option, finding a really good skilled, ethical craftsperson is critical. I do understand not wanting to name the person, so why mention the tpf link? It's not relevant as a "blind item", sharing the experience with us made your point regardless of a tpf link. Your pictures are a graphic caution. Thank you for sharing.

This. Unfortunately, I only know of one restorer of H bags who is on tPF, so now I am left wondering if it is who I’m thinking of and if I can trust this person.

 

[maxroxxherhandbags]

My advice would be that whenever looking to get a bag restored outside of H spa (for whatever reason, change of colour, financial, etc)
Ask to see examples of previous work, ask for recommendations on this forum (for instance I live in the UK and most restorers mentioned here are in the US so if I was going off piste I'd ask for advice here)
And with an exotic skin ask if the restorer had worked with that skin before and ask to see photos.
Any reputable restorer will have a folio of past projects.
I think conjecture as to who this 'guru' restorer is is of no good to anyone.

 

[Encore Hermes]

I’m really sorry that this happened to you.
hermès spa has come through for me numerous times And I have a natural ostrich Constance that had a substantial size stain (oil I think) and the Hermès spa helped. I was pleased with the outcome.
imho, if anyone uses any forum to attract business for their product or service, it should not be an issue if their performance or quality of their workmanship is then shown....the good or the bad.

 

[BowieFan1971]

The best way to guarantee good press is to do a great job for a fair price in the timeline and specs agreed to. If that doesn’t happen, for whatever reason, then you take responsibility and you make it right. That’s just good business. Just as vendors should be praised for a job well done that exceeds expectations, they should be prepared for the fallout if they don’t and especially if they don’t take responsibility or try to make it right.
From the results, it is obvious that this job was over her head or she was not in the position to give it the skill and attention it needed. Period. And that, along with the fact that she did not take responsibility and is avoiding making it right, speaks to her professionalism and capabilities. If she is here promoting herself or allowing others to promote her services through referral, then potential customers deserve to be able to hear about a full range of experiences, not just the good ones. If that “guru” wanted to avoid bad press, she had many opportunities to manage expectations, take responsibility and make amends...this is what happens when you fail on any of those fronts and is fair game. The OP is not making a mountain out of a molehill...that bag is trashed. And it is not her fault, whether she is “too picky” or not. She did not call the woman names or personally insult her. It is fair. She is entitled to air this on this forum, just as the “guru” can have people refer her on this forum. All are statements of actual experiences and are worthy to be shared.

 

[roy40]

The best way to guarantee good press is to do a great job for a fair price in the timeline and specs agreed to. If that doesn’t happen, for whatever reason, then you take responsibility and you make it right. That’s just good business. Just as vendors should be praised for a job well done that exceeds expectations, they should be prepared for the fallout if they don’t and especially if they don’t take responsibility or try to make it right.
From the results, it is obvious that this job was over her head or she was not in the position to give it the skill and attention it needed. Period. And that, along with the fact that she did not take responsibility and is avoiding making it right, speaks to her professionalism and capabilities. If she is here promoting herself or allowing others to promote her services through referral, then potential customers deserve to be able to hear about a full range of experiences, not just the good ones. If that “guru” wanted to avoid bad press, she had many opportunities to manage expectations, take responsibility and make amends...this is what happens when you fail on any of those fronts and is fair game. The OP is not making a mountain out of a molehill...that bag is trashed. And it is not her fault, whether she is “too picky” or not. She did not call the woman names or personally insult her. It is fair. She is entitled to air this on this forum, just as the “guru” can have people refer her on this forum. All are statements of actual experiences and are worthy to be shared.

My post resonated with numerous people who were able to correctly identify the “guru” as Docride because of similarities in their own horror stories with her. I’ve now attempted to contact her and her company, Luxury Again Inc., by text, email, and mail, seven times to simply request a refund on the nearly $600 I paid on the disastrous “restoration.” I’ve received neither a peep, nor a penny back.

You said it all so well, @BowieFan1971 and I’m not sure I have anything else to add. Thank you all for respecting my decision to withhold the “gurus” name until now. Some of you made some excellent points about doing so. Thank you.

 

[Rouge H]

Thank you for sharing your horrible experience and having the courage to reveal the so-called ”Guru” as Docride. I can imagine how you feel as I also had this same “Guru” destroy a vintage bag of mine. I can’t stress enough leave it to Hermes.

 

[catsinthebag]

My post resonated with numerous people who were able to correctly identify the “guru” as Docride because of similarities in their own horror stories with her. I’ve now attempted to contact her and her company, Luxury Again Inc., by text, email, and mail, seven times to simply request a refund on the nearly $600 I paid on the disastrous “restoration.” I’ve received neither a peep, nor a penny back.

You said it all so well, @BowieFan1971 and I’m not sure I have anything else to add. Thank you all for respecting my decision to withhold the “gurus” name until now. Some of you made some excellent points about doing so. Thank you.

Thank you for letting us know who it is. For what it’s worth, asking for a refund on the work is more than fair IMHO. I bet plenty of people would be asking for the replacement cost of the bag.

 

[Hermes Nuttynut]

This thread has been crying to be put out of it’s misery. I hope one of the mods can close it down. Please?

 

[roy40]

This thread has been crying to be put out of it’s misery. I hope one of the mods can close it down. Please?

Help me understand why. People are interested in following-up on the situation. Is there a reason you’re asking to censure us?

 

[BowieFan1971]

Help me understand why. People are interested in following-up on the situation. Is there a reason you’re asking to censure us?

+1

but I think she has a lot of pull here and a lot of friends...

 

[Rouge H]

This thread has been crying to be put out of it’s misery. I hope one of the mods can close it down. Please?

I‘d say that’s rather harsh don’t you think? If the tables were turned how would you feel someone saying this about your experience?
If you’re a fan that’s ok.. but its not right you censure other peoples experience’s with putting it out of its misery.

 

[Hermes Nuttynut]

This thread has gone on for five pages of bashing Docride, who has been a long standing member of the Purse Forum. She’s used her knowledge and interest in Hermes to help a lot of people here with her advice and recommendations. The OP had a bad experience sending his bag to her for restoration. He says she’s been rude. I’ve known Docride for as long as I’ve been on the Purse Forum. I have only seen her be helpful and patient with everyone. She doesn’t deserve to be treated like this on a public forum.

You want to go on complaining, go ahead. No one is censoring OR censuring anyone!

 

[DB8]

@roy40, thank you for coming forward with this. Hopefully it will give people pause on considering non Hermes spa/restoration services. While I am sure people have had pleasant interactions with @docride, you didn't, and you brought the receipts to back it up.

I’ve known Docride for as long as I’ve been on the Purse Forum. I have only seen her be helpful and patient with everyone.

Just because you've had pleasant experiences with someone does not mean the same applies to others (clearly, as members have voiced similar experiences as OP). This also does not give you the right to discount/brush off others interactions and experiences, just because you've never experienced it. That is some flawed logic right there.

She doesn’t deserve to be treated like this on a public forum.

Poor service always deserves to be discussed, whether you like it or not.

This thread has been crying to be put out of it’s misery. I hope one of the mods can close it down. Please?

You want to go on complaining, go ahead. No one is censoring OR censuring anyone!

Except you clearly are trying to do so.

I hope the mods keep this up, as I think this is an important discussion for the community.