Don’t all newly purchased CHANEL bags have a 5-year warranty? Forgive me, I’m not well versed in handbags.
Chanel’s Rise & STALL: Defects, Difficulties & Deflection (formerly the 19 tote saga thread)
- Thread starter TraceySH
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Excuse my ignorance, what is REV? All 3 of my July bags came with this 5 year warranty. I'm really disappointed to hear that some bags may not be as luxe as their tags; I look at these items as things my daughter will acquire
REV refers to the item code of classics, recurring items that are NOT seasonal pieces, for instance the Classic Flap in black caviar.
To learn more, search "CHANEL CAVIAR vs LAMBSKIN, AN IN-DEPTH GUIDE" on YouTube, from the channel ClassicsWithAQuirk. The timestamp is 5:43.
Thank you! In that case, I don't believe any of my July purchases are REV, but all came with the 5 year warranty.
Thanks for sharing.
The quality of Chanel has really gone down the drain, but I noticed it’s become waaaaay worse since the 21A collection. The leather they use feels and looks very cheap too, especially the ones they use for the 22 bags.
The quality of Chanel has really gone down the drain, but I noticed it’s become waaaaay worse since the 21A collection. The leather they use feels and looks very cheap too, especially the ones they use for the 22 bags.
Truly. Something awful is happening. It’s never been like this. Rotten apples here and there, yes. Not luxurious products anymore? Yeah for sure. But THIS? It’s like the whole lots are infected.
Not always. Recently yes. I’ve had quite the history of hearing “well that’s just what happens” or “‘normal wear and tear” or “Chanel is just fashion not a leather goods house” (meaning don’t take the quality too seriously). But lately I think SA and their managers are aware that the defects are rampant.
Five year guarantee or not, the bag will get sent out for repair and it will be gone a long long time. Chanel is not good about returning items that have been worn that are defective. They push for the repair. The thing that's not understandable, is this painted finish seems so poor, how could it not have been adequately tested, where is QC, no matter if it's leather or not? My eyes can see wrinkles in the leather that look like bags I have seen on the resale market that are re-painted.
Peeling was a issue that started to surface with some of the 19S iridescent bags timeframe. We were/are told this finish can not be repaired. People including myself still bought them thinking we would be careful and use sparingly but the peeling was surfacing on bags that were newly purchased.
Moving forward, we are seeing the same issues with non iridescent items. Clearly something has changed. I think we can blame ourselves for not asking what we are buying and not demanding transparency. I don't think most of the SA's know that much about the leather quality used, I don't think they are trained on that each season. Chanel feels the bags and costume jewelry sell themselves, which is alot of the reason their commissions have gone down so much.
On a side note, I have never liked Michael Kors bags and have always looked down on their quality. But I looked on their website and this is what I see on a $500 handbag description : 100% leather from tanneries meeting the highest standards of environmental performance.
Peeling was a issue that started to surface with some of the 19S iridescent bags timeframe. We were/are told this finish can not be repaired. People including myself still bought them thinking we would be careful and use sparingly but the peeling was surfacing on bags that were newly purchased.
Moving forward, we are seeing the same issues with non iridescent items. Clearly something has changed. I think we can blame ourselves for not asking what we are buying and not demanding transparency. I don't think most of the SA's know that much about the leather quality used, I don't think they are trained on that each season. Chanel feels the bags and costume jewelry sell themselves, which is alot of the reason their commissions have gone down so much.
On a side note, I have never liked Michael Kors bags and have always looked down on their quality. But I looked on their website and this is what I see on a $500 handbag description : 100% leather from tanneries meeting the highest standards of environmental performance.
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Unless you’re a leather expert who works with, or has worked with leather, it’s silly to assume to know what you’re talking about. I’m not saying Chanel doesn’t have quality issues or can have quality issues, but to start making statements or assuming the bags are made of fake leather is ridiculous imo.
I watched a YouTube video of someone complaining about their 22 bag’s leather coming apart, and there was one comment stating the leather was bonded and a zillion pieces were put together, another stating the leather is spray painted, etc. Then someone commented who works with leathers every day confirm the bag is indeed leather, but the leather has been mixed with a type of color, which appears to be causing this (ie, the metallic in the bag, or something mixed in the color). This was my thought exactly - the bags with metallic or bright colors did not mix well, something happened. The metallic leathers are extremely sensitive to water, to anything really, and this is when they’re in a structured shape like a mini, let alone on a hobo bag. It seems Chanel tried something out with these new unstructured bags that has clearly backfired.
I’ve personally noticed improved quality on all the bags I’ve purchased the past couple years. I’ve also noticed it on the bags I’ve handled in store.
And to those referring to a plasticky feel, that’s the caviar that they’re creating. And the “plasticky” feel someone mentioned on a Chanel 19 is the lamb coating to make it more durable. Side note, my 19 bag is made from goatskin and I can promise you it’s full leather. And that all my bags are.
The caviar reserved for classics is now not put on seasonal bags. Back in the day seasonal caviar used to resemble more of the classic caviar grains, now they have made a zillion different caviar grains for seasonal bags to differentiate from the classics. Most caviar is almost always going to have some sort of plastic feel because you can see the caviar is glazed and coated to create hardened pebbles for durability. It’s why those bags last so long. Treated leather will always last longer.
Lamb is so delicate it’s absurd. Clearly some more than others, but you can see the differences of lamb depending how much treatment/coating is put on it. I don’t know what kind of lamb they used for vintage bags, but they were certainly more durable. But they also feel nothing like Chanel lamb bags now. Vintage lamb bags are nothing close to being super buttery and luxe, which they are now. But you pay a price for that buttery, luxe lamb. It doesn’t wear well. At all.
So many Chanel lamb purses have a raw like coating, meaning they appear to have very little alterations to the leather, which means they have very little durability. This gives a more luxe feel and look, but it’s also the reason for the bags being extremely delicate. This is why I will never buy lamb bags for daily use unless I know it’s coated. And even then, it’s still the most sensitive leather.
Regarding the original OP’s photo. It’s looks like whatever you wore rubbed against the lamb leather, which appears to be extremely delicate. BUT. It’s lamb. If you wear anything rough with a lamb bag or don’t baby it, that will happen to most bags. Even in one hour.
Chanel lamb is notorious for being extremely delicate. I don’t know why Chanel would make a tote in untreated lamb. And to be honest, I feel like Chanel needs to (generally speaking) make their lamb more durable. But then you’ll have complaints about that.
And peoples ideas of “wear” are also so relative. I’ve seen so many people say their bag is in perfect condition after years of wear and I’m like, are you seeing what I’m seeing??? Because in my mind it couldn’t be farther from the truth. I bring up wear because it’s hard to trust when people say their lamb bags are much more durable than people say.
Have you owned lamb bags form Celine, LV, or other brands? No matter how much you baby the bag, it’s inevitable the leather will get marks, indentations, scratches.
Everyone has their own opinions on leather, but it seems people are so divided with Chanel. There are people who want the feeling and look of lamb but they complain when their bag wears so easily. They want durability but complain of the plastic feel of caviar or any coated bags, but that feeling is what keeps those bags looking amazing for so long.
Chanel caviar, especially in the classic bags, is the most durable leather next to Hermes epsom. Have you ever bought a bag from another designer and notice the calfskin looks and feels great, but over time (no matter how careful you are) the leather will start to wear and soften dramatically. It just will not stand the test of time. But caviar leather often will.
I’m not saying Chanel doesn’t have quality issues, but oftentimes I feel like people buy bags in certain leathers and have unrealistic expectations. I’m on the extreme with OCD so this is why I will always choose caviar, goat or calfskin first, and will almost never buy lamb.
I watched a YouTube video of someone complaining about their 22 bag’s leather coming apart, and there was one comment stating the leather was bonded and a zillion pieces were put together, another stating the leather is spray painted, etc. Then someone commented who works with leathers every day confirm the bag is indeed leather, but the leather has been mixed with a type of color, which appears to be causing this (ie, the metallic in the bag, or something mixed in the color). This was my thought exactly - the bags with metallic or bright colors did not mix well, something happened. The metallic leathers are extremely sensitive to water, to anything really, and this is when they’re in a structured shape like a mini, let alone on a hobo bag. It seems Chanel tried something out with these new unstructured bags that has clearly backfired.
I’ve personally noticed improved quality on all the bags I’ve purchased the past couple years. I’ve also noticed it on the bags I’ve handled in store.
And to those referring to a plasticky feel, that’s the caviar that they’re creating. And the “plasticky” feel someone mentioned on a Chanel 19 is the lamb coating to make it more durable. Side note, my 19 bag is made from goatskin and I can promise you it’s full leather. And that all my bags are.
The caviar reserved for classics is now not put on seasonal bags. Back in the day seasonal caviar used to resemble more of the classic caviar grains, now they have made a zillion different caviar grains for seasonal bags to differentiate from the classics. Most caviar is almost always going to have some sort of plastic feel because you can see the caviar is glazed and coated to create hardened pebbles for durability. It’s why those bags last so long. Treated leather will always last longer.
Lamb is so delicate it’s absurd. Clearly some more than others, but you can see the differences of lamb depending how much treatment/coating is put on it. I don’t know what kind of lamb they used for vintage bags, but they were certainly more durable. But they also feel nothing like Chanel lamb bags now. Vintage lamb bags are nothing close to being super buttery and luxe, which they are now. But you pay a price for that buttery, luxe lamb. It doesn’t wear well. At all.
So many Chanel lamb purses have a raw like coating, meaning they appear to have very little alterations to the leather, which means they have very little durability. This gives a more luxe feel and look, but it’s also the reason for the bags being extremely delicate. This is why I will never buy lamb bags for daily use unless I know it’s coated. And even then, it’s still the most sensitive leather.
Regarding the original OP’s photo. It’s looks like whatever you wore rubbed against the lamb leather, which appears to be extremely delicate. BUT. It’s lamb. If you wear anything rough with a lamb bag or don’t baby it, that will happen to most bags. Even in one hour.
Chanel lamb is notorious for being extremely delicate. I don’t know why Chanel would make a tote in untreated lamb. And to be honest, I feel like Chanel needs to (generally speaking) make their lamb more durable. But then you’ll have complaints about that.
And peoples ideas of “wear” are also so relative. I’ve seen so many people say their bag is in perfect condition after years of wear and I’m like, are you seeing what I’m seeing??? Because in my mind it couldn’t be farther from the truth. I bring up wear because it’s hard to trust when people say their lamb bags are much more durable than people say.
Have you owned lamb bags form Celine, LV, or other brands? No matter how much you baby the bag, it’s inevitable the leather will get marks, indentations, scratches.
Everyone has their own opinions on leather, but it seems people are so divided with Chanel. There are people who want the feeling and look of lamb but they complain when their bag wears so easily. They want durability but complain of the plastic feel of caviar or any coated bags, but that feeling is what keeps those bags looking amazing for so long.
Chanel caviar, especially in the classic bags, is the most durable leather next to Hermes epsom. Have you ever bought a bag from another designer and notice the calfskin looks and feels great, but over time (no matter how careful you are) the leather will start to wear and soften dramatically. It just will not stand the test of time. But caviar leather often will.
I’m not saying Chanel doesn’t have quality issues, but oftentimes I feel like people buy bags in certain leathers and have unrealistic expectations. I’m on the extreme with OCD so this is why I will always choose caviar, goat or calfskin first, and will almost never buy lamb.
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Leather experts and SA have confirmed almost all Chanel isn’t 100% leather. Yes. To your point. It’s been confirmed. When you have 15 million bags made entirely by machine each year, with insanely subpar materials, and a profit machine like Chanel, eventually the train comes off the tracks.
I used to be like you. Willing to overlook it all, the cognitive dissonance was rough. But hundreds of bags and millions of dollars later, I’m afraid it all looks like a shill game to me now. Just me tho. You seem like much more of their target customer than I am, and a lot more patient and forgiving. I hope you always have great experiences with them.
This is news to me. I have a lot of SA’s in my phone, and the one’s closest to me have never said anything like that. I’m not just going to believe some random person on YouTube because of the amount of people on there who don’t know what they’re talking about. I’m not saying you’re wrong, but this is news to me and I find it hard to believe. Especially when a leather expert who watched the video stated otherwise otherwise. If there’s a video out there of a leather expert stating this, please share.Leather experts and SA have confirmed almost all Chanel isn’t 100% leather. Yes. To your point. It’s been confirmed. When you have 15 million bags made entirely by machine each year, with insanely subpar materials, and a profit machine like Chanel, eventually the train comes off the tracks.
I used to be like you. Willing to overlook it all, the cognitive dissonance was rough. But hundreds of bags and millions of dollars later, I’m afraid it all looks like a shill game to me now. Just me tho. You seem like much more of their target customer than I am, and a lot more patient and forgiving. I hope you always have great experiences with them.
I have seen a lot of Chanel issues. When I started buying Chanel I would literally purchase multiples of one bag (because the SA’s often didn’t have time or wouldn’t give me detailed photos). It was often the only way to guarantee that I’d get a bag made well with no issues. I kid you not the amount of faulty bags sent to me. I literally wouldn’t buy bags without photos but realized I had to work with what was given to me. I can’t tell you how many crooked cc’s and flaps I’ve seen on so many slg’s and bags, it was ridiculous.
But I will say that every bag I’ve purchased since Karl’s last collection has been superb, and others who’ve purchased the same bags have lamented the same. And I haven’t had the luxury of choosing between multiples because of the lack of inventory in each store. That’s been my experience and I’m as particular as they come.
I’m not willing to overlook quality issues, I won’t stand for a bag lacking superb quality. I do know the ones without issues are great. But I also will not regularly buy bags with delicate materials.
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I also want to point out that I just watched the YouTube video of a woman who I believe was posted earlier in this thread, who I believe you may be referencing. She is not a leather expert. She’s very well researched, but admits she’s not certain why the reissue bag leather appears the way it does, and goes into detail about other things she’s unsure about. She is not a leather expert!Leather experts and SA have confirmed almost all Chanel isn’t 100% leather. Yes. To your point. It’s been confirmed. When you have 15 million bags made entirely by machine each year, with insanely subpar materials, and a profit machine like Chanel, eventually the train comes off the tracks.
I used to be like you. Willing to overlook it all, the cognitive dissonance was rough. But hundreds of bags and millions of dollars later, I’m afraid it all looks like a shill game to me now. Just me tho. You seem like much more of their target customer than I am, and a lot more patient and forgiving. I hope you always have great experiences with them.
To say the Chanel bags are not 100% leather is deceptive. The bags aren’t technically 100% leather because they have materials in place against the leather to create structure. So although a bag may not be “100%” solid leather the way a belt is it doesn’t mean the leather being used isn’t 100% leather. And this matters because there’s people on here saying or worrying their leather bag is fake, which is inaccurate.