Coach Rehab and Rescue Club

[MaraudingMagpie]

Lol, thanks! I remember the informational meeting we had with corporate was during the Rex rabbit drama. Coach did some items trimmed with rabbit fur (specifically the Rex species) several years ago and people went out of their minds for Coach doing this. Mind you, they had done coyote, mink, fox, etc in the past, but suddenly rabbit was just a whole different level- my assumption is due to Rex being a common pet species. So we were being inundated with angry chatters about how awful it was and how they were going to boycott, and so on. So Coach gave us a quick tutorial on suppliers and where stuff came from, never naming the actual tanneries or furriers, but the locations and how they followed ethical sourcing guidelines, etc.. It was a sh*t show for a month or so with that.

Sounds like a nightmare. Customer service tends to be - I work at a hotel front office and had people screaming their lungs out at me because they didn't agree with the parking fees. It doesn't even involve cute herbivore fur and still turns into a sh*t show on at least a weekly basis. I love my job but could do with less of this.

 

[MaraudingMagpie]

We should have a club...The Envious of the Wonderful Rehabbers in the States who get Cheap Bags and Cheap Shipping Club.

LOL, I'd join in a heartbeat!

 

[MaraudingMagpie]

I think it worth the effort to find out your local products that can substitute leather CPR. I found made in German products are among the best. Such as cars,cookwares, and aquarium filters etc. The German made Eheim canister filter for my 75 gallon aquarium, is so reliable, so quiet, and so long lasting. I don't know how to keep fishes without it..
If you need a testing bag, there is vintage coach tote on eBay that is low price and worldwide free shipping. It will be under US$ 30 shipped from Japan to me, probably will be similiar cost to you. If you are interested, I can PM you the link. Just make sure to have it authenciated before buying. That bag simply just not my style.
Maybe I shouldn't say it here, but the seller marked my purchases before as "Gift". So no import tax as well..

Awww, you're sweet! I'll gladly look at the link although I'm not big on tote bags. I also thought of testing on a non-Coach non-dunked bag. If something works well on dry leather it probably shouldn't ruin it when wet.

I guess there is something to German engineering, but we also put defeat devices in our diesel cars and move manufacturing to Asian countries like everybody else. But I'll quickly put the lid back on this can of worms!

 

[LunaSilver]

Awww, you're sweet! I'll gladly look at the link although I'm not big on tote bags. I also thought of testing on a non-Coach non-dunked bag. If something works well on dry leather it probably shouldn't ruin it when wet.

I guess there is something to German engineering, but we also put defeat devices in our diesel cars and move manufacturing to Asian countries like everybody else. But I'll quickly put the lid back on this can of worms!

Link sent, if you cant find it let me know. This is a photo of it.

 

[CoachMaven]

Sounds like a nightmare. Customer service tends to be - I work at a hotel front office and had people screaming their lungs out at me because they didn't agree with the parking fees. It doesn't even involve cute herbivore fur and still turns into a sh*t show on at least a weekly basis. I love my job but could do with less of this.

Oh yes, I feel you. I've worked in customer service in various career realms. I think everyone should have to do several years in some form of cs in order to understand how hard it can be to deal with difficult people and perhaps make the general population less entitled. One can dream!

 

[whateve]

Awww, you're sweet! I'll gladly look at the link although I'm not big on tote bags. I also thought of testing on a non-Coach non-dunked bag. If something works well on dry leather it probably shouldn't ruin it when wet.

I guess there is something to German engineering, but we also put defeat devices in our diesel cars and move manufacturing to Asian countries like everybody else. But I'll quickly put the lid back on this can of worms!

I don't know if that would be a good test. I had trouble using CPR on Fossil bags. They ended up streaky. I don't know why. Now when I get a Fossil bag, I'm afraid to use any conditioner on them at all.

 

[whateve]

Lol, thanks! I remember the informational meeting we had with corporate was during the Rex rabbit drama. Coach did some items trimmed with rabbit fur (specifically the Rex species) several years ago and people went out of their minds for Coach doing this. Mind you, they had done coyote, mink, fox, etc in the past, but suddenly rabbit was just a whole different level- my assumption is due to Rex being a common pet species. So we were being inundated with angry chatters about how awful it was and how they were going to boycott, and so on. So Coach gave us a quick tutorial on suppliers and where stuff came from, never naming the actual tanneries or furriers, but the locations and how they followed ethical sourcing guidelines, etc.. It was a sh*t show for a month or so with that.

What year was that? I have a rabbit fur trimmed bag from 2004. Coach used to put fur touches on keychains. I think they used mink.

 

[CoachMaven]

What year was that? I have a rabbit fur trimmed bag from 2004. Coach used to put fur touches on keychains. I think they used mink.

I want to say 2015? I did the chat from Spring 2013-Spring 2016.

And you are correct, it was by no means the first time using fur. But it was definitely the time customers were outraged. They profiled a full Rex rabbit vest and that was one of the big items people freaked out about the most.

 

[nursebetty]

I can, and @LunaSilver already suggested it, but I couldn't find enough Saphir success stories on here. Most people seem to use their dye products. Other than that, there's Amazon reviews that are not much to go on. Lexol for example has some stellar reviews but my recent experience with it was abysmal. I'm sure there are some good products out there, but this thread is my most trusted source and I can't really afford to experiment. With shipping and duties my average rehab costs more, so I want a decent chance of success. I'll do some more research for sure!

Have you tried Renapur? People here seem to like it. I believe it is made in germany. I'm going to get some as soon as I run out of Blackrocks ( I really don't like the smell).

Other than that, have you tried visiting a tack shop? I'm not sure where the equestrian people are sourcing their supplies but if you can find someone I would start there. That's where I found my Leather Therapy ( too oily for me but works well on dark bags).

Bookbinders use leather too. A shop that sells supplies to craftspeople might steer you to some local moisturizing products.

 

[aerinha]

Work in my Crosby on hold while I wait for green paint to arrive to touch up handle edging. After that is done, it’s probably one more coat of CPR and then horse hair brushing to be done.

 

[katev]

Lol, thanks! I remember the informational meeting we had with corporate was during the Rex rabbit drama. Coach did some items trimmed with rabbit fur (specifically the Rex species) several years ago and people went out of their minds for Coach doing this. Mind you, they had done coyote, mink, fox, etc in the past, but suddenly rabbit was just a whole different level- my assumption is due to Rex being a common pet species. So we were being inundated with angry chatters about how awful it was and how they were going to boycott, and so on. So Coach gave us a quick tutorial on suppliers and where stuff came from, never naming the actual tanneries or furriers, but the locations and how they followed ethical sourcing guidelines, etc.. It was a sh*t show for a month or so with that.

Sounds like a reasonable reaction to me, just take a look at my avatar!

 

[katev]

Here's after
Although the bag is usable again, but since I know it is painted, and look closely you will see color verivation . Bottom line: painting is absolutely my last option. In the future I will avoid anything that may need a paint job.

Have you used Blackrocks on the bag? It tends to darken the bag a little and helps variations to blend in; it might help to "finish" your navy Court.

 

[katev]

I bet you can get it to looking fabulous.
These spots look like they're on the bottom but they're very visible from the front. Plus the hardware is chipping, so there's that, and it came out of the dunk and dried super stiff and rough feeling even with vinegar in the bath and rinse both.

I thought about that, or maybe covering it with a strip of fabric or something but I am not very creative so I'd have to search the internet for some cute ideas. I'd probably mess it up and wind up with something hideous.View attachment 4708866 View attachment 4708867

Cute bag! Any idea what caused the spot and is the spot worse on the inside? If it was caused by a big ink blotch inside then it might run and spread in the bath; I don't know.

But if you are able to rehab it and the color darkens a little, it may make the spot less noticeable; and painting can help to mask it as @whateve suggested.

When the stores reopen, the Coach stores have been offering the option to have appliques and embellishments professionally added to bags while you are in the store. Perhaps a small pattern of tiny flowers on the front would work?

What do you mean by "the hardware has chipped" can you show a close-up picture?

Not all bags can be saved and I have personally invested time, effort, and products into some disappointing bags that I should have left alone; so don't feel obligated to try - but if you want to try, there may be some opportunity for improvement here, and I've learned a lot from my failures even though they were painful lessons.

If not, it could become a "donor bag" for a future rehab, that button latch is rare and difficult to replace. Good luck!

 

[MaraudingMagpie]

Have you tried Renapur? People here seem to like it. I believe it is made in germany. I'm going to get some as soon as I run out of Blackrocks ( I really don't like the smell).

Other than that, have you tried visiting a tack shop? I'm not sure where the equestrian people are sourcing their supplies but if you can find someone I would start there. That's where I found my Leather Therapy ( too oily for me but works well on dark bags).

Bookbinders use leather too. A shop that sells supplies to craftspeople might steer you to some local moisturizing products.

I haven't, but don't people use it as a finishing product like Blackrock? I use Elephant leather preserver as my final step and like the results. I guess local brick-and-mortar research is out of the question currently...but I'll put it on my list of things to do after the apocalypse.

 

[MaraudingMagpie]

Have you tried Renapur? People here seem to like it. I believe it is made in germany. I'm going to get some as soon as I run out of Blackrocks ( I really don't like the smell).

Other than that, have you tried visiting a tack shop? I'm not sure where the equestrian people are sourcing their supplies but if you can find someone I would start there. That's where I found my Leather Therapy ( too oily for me but works well on dark bags).

Bookbinders use leather too. A shop that sells supplies to craftspeople might steer you to some local moisturizing products.

Also, what thwarts all research efforts is that manufacturers rarely disclose their ingredient list. These 'nourishing oils' and 'protective agents' could just be silicones and I might as well get a jug of dimethicone from the pharmacy.