I have been using Obenauf's on my vintage lighter colored bags to help with weather protection. I try to carry patent leather if I know I am going to be out in the rain, but with summer pop up showers that becomes impossible this time of year. I also spray with Apple Guarde and have had no issues.
Coach Rehab and Rescue Club
- Thread starter bunnymasseuse
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Lovely bag! Camel is really a very pretty color. I have been in those Tropical Storm Andrea's downpours and pretty much everything below the waist gets wet so it's good to know there are no residual spots left behind.
That makes 2 votes for Obenaufs then. The Patent leather bag swap for rainy days is a good idea. I'll have to keep that in mind for the future.
I have a question for the rehabbers who buy off the evil bay. I would post this over at the evil bay forum but involves thoughts on vintage Coach bags so I thought I'd try here first. This question involves a British Tan city bag which listing pictures showed to be quite nice (first 2 pictures from seller). It's interesting how photos can be deceptive - the turnlock looks flawless but in person I noticed a decent amount of tarnish. I was warned about darkening on the piping but nothing else. I received the bag and found a huge stain inside the back pocket along with a smaller stain on the bottom of the bag by the piping (last 2 pictures). After thinking about it, I thought I could live with the issues since the large stain is usually hidden from view and wrote the seller letting them know I'd leave neutral feedback based on the undisclosed issues but will keep the bag and the seller responded with a note asking me to consider returning the bag for a full refund instead of leaving the "damaging" feedback. Im not sure how to proceed and would like some advice from anyone who has encountered something similar. Im reluctant about returning it partly because I do want a BT city bag and generally have a hard time finding a British Tan bag with minimal visible flaws and wear the last 3 BT bags I bought all had significant undisclosed issues even from sellers with 100% positive feedback. It is also a pain to visit the post office and I hate feeling like I've wasted my time on this whole endeavor. I spent about $49 on it and wasn't sure if I will find something similar for the price. Not sure if I'm being too emotional about this so I would like some more objective opinions. Given the info stated above, would it be recommended to keep looking? Or would it be okay to keep it and are there any amiable suggestions on how to respond to the seller if I still want to keep it but leave the neutral feedback? Thanks.
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The seller should have disclosed the issues. But since the seller is willing to give a complete refund, I would be reluctant to leave anything but positive feedback. I might put something about how it wasn't exactly as described in my feedback description. Have you considered asking for a small partial refund to cover the damage? I think that even with the damage, $49 is a pretty reasonable price for a city bag in British Tan. The stains look like they could possibly go away with a bath but it would be a risk to keep it since they might not.
It looks to me like the stains will wash out. But as Whateve said, it is a risk...
If I were buying it from Savers I would go ahead. But then I've taken some risks that didn't pan out. YMMV.
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I'm in the process of restoring this GORGEOUS saddlery bag back to original! I'm so excited about it!!!!!! I luckily have some donor bags that I can replace the buckle etc.
http://sacsmagnifiques.blogspot.com/2013/06/restoration-vintage-coach-nyc-saddlery.html
http://sacsmagnifiques.blogspot.com/2013/06/restoration-vintage-coach-nyc-saddlery.html
I also believe those stains will wash out, but agree the seller should have disclosed them. I have been in similar situations and sometimes I just don't leave feedback. I would ask the seller for $10 discount, but I think you need to ask yourself if you want the bag at the price, if they aren't willing to give you a discount. BT City bags often climb in price and anytime I have paid less than $50 they have had stains/issues.
The price should not be a factor in the feedback you leave or in your expectations. No matter how good a deal you got, the item should be just as described. I got an olive Willis in almost perfect condition for $40, which I think is a fantastic deal, but I was still upset when I found that extra holes had been punched in the strap.
Wow, amazing! I don't know that I would have wanted to take on that challenge. I love the idea of "donor bags". I picture them signing a donor card, LOL.
Have you ever filled in extra holes punched in straps? How would you do this?
Great work so far. That bag is going to be fantastic when you are finished. I love that style. I'm working on your bag's twin right now. The leather is really soft and nice to work with. I can't wait to see yours all finished. I have two small spots on the flap of mine I can't seem to cover with anything that are driving me nuts. Grrr.
I do agree that this is the way it should be. Unfortunately, I would say 1 out of 10 bags I buy comes SNAD. In the past few months, I have paid out of pocket to ship back 3 purchases that were SNAD. While I got a full refund, ebay's version of full refund does not include the return shipping, so then you are out those costs. I WISH sellers would be thorough in describing their items. For major SNAD I do leave negative feedback, but on smaller things, I don't.
Well. .. the donors are either very good fakes that I've kept for parts or very sad authentic bags that are in their last days and signed their donor cards lol.
I've not had to fill them in but if I did I would repunch a piece of matching leather maybe from a seam and use it as a plug. I've done that on tack before.
This one has tiny little dots that are coming through as it soaks. I've been told that its mildew from within but who knows.
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