Coach Rehab and Rescue Club

[chowlover2]

So my suede love is getting me into trouble again. I ordered a bag that was somewhat badly listed. No style name or number in the description but adequately photographed, or so I thought, and I didn't pay that much for it.
Since the bag was dark I expected it to be dirtier than it appeared, and it was. And it smelled dirty. No particular smell but just yucky dirty leather. However, one of the reasons I took a chance on this one was the hardware.

But here's the clincher:: There was a picture of the creed but not the full lining. Description said "small mark on lining. The inside was FILTHY and covered with ink. It's like someone intentionally left an open gel pen in it on a daily basis for months. So I go back and review the listing and she most definitely deliberately hid this. She photographed the only clean part of the lining. It also had some yellowish staining and a candy wrapper stuck to the inside of the bag!

So I messaged her, asked for a big discount or return with full shipping both ways. The very few times I've had to contact a seller I've gotten an immediate response, and it's been 24 hours. Since she took over a week to ship I'm not too optimistic I'll hear from her.

I actually want the discount, not the return, but she won't get more than neutral feedback from me. At some level I feel like when I bid on a badly listed item I'm willing to suck it up, but this was deliberately misleading. She also under reported the outside filth, but I wasn't expecting it to be clean judging from what I could see in the picture.

So how long would you wait before you filed a SNAD? I'll for sure give her till tomorrow, but to be honest I wish she'd just give me a discount so I can try to clean this baby up!

I'd give her til tomorrow night and that would be it. That's giving her leeway if she went away for the weekend.

 

[whateve]

So my suede love is getting me into trouble again. I ordered a bag that was somewhat badly listed. No style name or number in the description but adequately photographed, or so I thought, and I didn't pay that much for it.
Since the bag was dark I expected it to be dirtier than it appeared, and it was. And it smelled dirty. No particular smell but just yucky dirty leather. However, one of the reasons I took a chance on this one was the hardware.

But here's the clincher:: There was a picture of the creed but not the full lining. Description said "small mark on lining. The inside was FILTHY and covered with ink. It's like someone intentionally left an open gel pen in it on a daily basis for months. So I go back and review the listing and she most definitely deliberately hid this. She photographed the only clean part of the lining. It also had some yellowish staining and a candy wrapper stuck to the inside of the bag!

So I messaged her, asked for a big discount or return with full shipping both ways. The very few times I've had to contact a seller I've gotten an immediate response, and it's been 24 hours. Since she took over a week to ship I'm not too optimistic I'll hear from her.

I actually want the discount, not the return, but she won't get more than neutral feedback from me. At some level I feel like when I bid on a badly listed item I'm willing to suck it up, but this was deliberately misleading. She also under reported the outside filth, but I wasn't expecting it to be clean judging from what I could see in the picture.

So how long would you wait before you filed a SNAD? I'll for sure give her till tomorrow, but to be honest I wish she'd just give me a discount so I can try to clean this baby up!

Some sellers don't check their messages on the weekend. They may only have Internet access during working hours. So I would wait until Tuesday morning. You are more likely to get what you want without a SNAD. One time I had to file a SNAD for a bag that was described as having ink marks on the inside, but the seller neglected to mention those that were on the outside of the bag. I didn't have to return the bag and I got my money back. Of course, I haven't figured out how to get rid of the ink still so I didn't really benefit by being able to keep the bag.

 

[katml]

2 beautiful bags...I have a black one like #1, but a little taller, and an exact twin of #2...and you're on the right track with your rehab plan. I rehabbed both of mine with very good results. Light-colored leather can be tricky, handles especially, being darkened with age and oil from hands. You might have some luck with a de-greaser like Simple Green or Mean Green. I've had luck with it...just don't rub toooo hard and make sure you rinse it really well. Getting some CPR and Blackrocks into the piping should be amazing. Good Luck...can't wait to see your results!

Thanks for the tip! I don't have access to any of those products though thought to myself for #1 the dark handles don't look too bad, the bag just looks like it needs a good washing and some leather CPR to hopefully restore some of it suppleness, I'll get the bag sometime next week I can't wait!
I'd love love to see your #2 twin! Especially how it turned out after your rehab! Looks like mine needs a little shaping and same I'm hoping the leather CPR evens things out a bit.

 

[Two.time.bags]

Coach Archives has them as 70s so at least 40 years old... maybe that's the attachment I have to her... I figure if I can make her look young again there's hope for us all

For a youthful complexion again I could do a bath, but a complete scrub down with industrial strength acetone? D'you think it would get rid of age spots?!

 

[JOODLZ]

Swag update! I'm REALLY excited about where this is going!

http://sacsmagnifiques.blogspot.com/2013/09/current-restoration-swag-bagtan.html?m=1

They just don't make 'em like this anymore...I know you're gonna make her beautiful again!

Coach Archives has them as 70s so at least 40 years old... maybe that's the attachment I have to her... I figure if I can make her look young again there's hope for us all

LOL...with all the Leather CPR I've used in the last year and a half, I should have the hands of a 12-year-old

 

[JOODLZ]

Thanks for the tip! I don't have access to any of those products though thought to myself for #1 the dark handles don't look too bad, the bag just looks like it needs a good washing and some leather CPR to hopefully restore some of it suppleness, I'll get the bag sometime next week I can't wait!
I'd love love to see your #2 twin! Especially how it turned out after your rehab! Looks like mine needs a little shaping and same I'm hoping the leather CPR evens things out a bit.

You're welcome...Here are 2 links to my Madison satchel rehab that might be helpful.

The first shows before and after pics...not a wild success as a few spots wouldn't come out: http://forum.purseblog.com/coach-clubhouse/coach-rehab-and-rescue-club-624452-125.html#post21626143

The second is my cure for a shaping up a slouchy satchel: http://forum.purseblog.com/coach/coach-rehab-and-rescue-club-624452-127.html#post21636142

Good luck!

 

[katml]

You're welcome...Here are 2 links to my Madison satchel rehab that might be helpful.

The first shows before and after pics...not a wild success as a few spots wouldn't come out: http://forum.purseblog.com/coach-clubhouse/coach-rehab-and-rescue-club-624452-125.html#post21626143

The second is my cure for a shaping up a slouchy satchel: http://forum.purseblog.com/coach/coach-rehab-and-rescue-club-624452-127.html#post21636142

Good luck!

I almost bought that first one you posted! And got the basic bag in the cream colour!
You're making me so excited to do the rehab! Your bags are beautiful )

Lol just checked your slouchy satchel fix! Great idea! Lol I'm so going to do this! thanks so much again

 

[whateve]

You're welcome...Here are 2 links to my Madison satchel rehab that might be helpful.

The first shows before and after pics...not a wild success as a few spots wouldn't come out: http://forum.purseblog.com/coach-clubhouse/coach-rehab-and-rescue-club-624452-125.html#post21626143

The second is my cure for a shaping up a slouchy satchel: http://forum.purseblog.com/coach/coach-rehab-and-rescue-club-624452-127.html#post21636142

Good luck!

Thanks for the chipboard idea. I probably didn't need this when you first posted it but I do now. I was going to do something similar but I didn't know what material to use.

 

[JOODLZ]

I almost bought that first one you posted! And got the basic bag in the cream colour!
You're making me so excited to do the rehab! Your bags are beautiful )

Lol just checked your slouchy satchel fix! Great idea! Lol I'm so going to do this! thanks so much again

Thanks...and you're welcome!

Thanks for the chipboard idea. I probably didn't need this when you first posted it but I do now. I was going to do something similar but I didn't know what material to use.

You're welcome...I've also used a product called coroplast, which is structured like corrugated cardboard, but made of plastic. I used it to support the long, curved bottom of a Small Swinger bag I rehabbed in June of last year. I have a friend who owns a sign shop and let's me pick through the scrap bin when I need a little piece of this or that. I'm not finding photos...I'll take some after the sun comes up

 

[ledobe]

I'd give her til tomorrow night and that would be it. That's giving her leeway if she went away for the weekend.

Some sellers don't check their messages on the weekend. They may only have Internet access during working hours. So I would wait until Tuesday morning. You are more likely to get what you want without a SNAD. One time I had to file a SNAD for a bag that was described as having ink marks on the inside, but the seller neglected to mention those that were on the outside of the bag. I didn't have to return the bag and I got my money back. Of course, I haven't figured out how to get rid of the ink still so I didn't really benefit by being able to keep the bag.

Thanks for the advice ladies. This was a young seller, judging by her other listings she was cleaning out her closet, she even took mod shots with some clothes on and looked HS age, though I'm sure she's probably older.

She refunded half of the price, which is fair I think, last night. I always feel like I'm at least partially responsible if I bid on a badly listed bag, because I know better, but this was pretty much blatant misrepresentation and that's a little different.

So into the washing machine she goes. It's bright colored patchwork suede, so I don't know if she'll be usable afterwards or not, but like I said, It was worth saving this one for the hardware. I just didn't expect to HAVE to wash this bag, this is completely unusable without a full washing. In fact, I stuck it in the garage after awhile because you could smell it in the room-nothing strong like cigarettes, I honestly think it was just the sticky candy stuff on the inside that was maybe getting a little rotten plus the normal old bag smell some of us might be familiar with.

 

[chowlover2]

Thanks for the advice ladies. This was a young seller, judging by her other listings she was cleaning out her closet, she even took mod shots with some clothes on and looked HS age, though I'm sure she's probably older.

She refunded half of the price, which is fair I think, last night. I always feel like I'm at least partially responsible if I bid on a badly listed bag, because I know better, but this was pretty much blatant misrepresentation and that's a little different.

So into the washing machine she goes. It's bright colored patchwork suede, so I don't know if she'll be usable afterwards or not, but like I said, It was worth saving this one for the hardware. I just didn't expect to HAVE to wash this bag, this is completely unusable without a full washing. In fact, I stuck it in the garage after awhile because you could smell it in the room-nothing strong like cigarettes, I honestly think it was just the sticky candy stuff on the inside that was maybe getting a little rotten plus the normal old bag smell some of us might be familiar with.

That's good news, good luck with the bath!

 

[Two.time.bags]

I have used an Australian brand of leather conditioner on a couple of bags but I'm not overly impressed. I don't seem to be getting the same results as those shown here by all you rehabbing experts, and it's sticky unless I really rub and rub after applying.

I can't get Leather CPR or Black Rock in Australia and for some reason Amazon won't ship it here. I'm scared that if I buy it from a seller on ebay it will be held up in customs. Shipping is so expensive I can't afford to lose $40 which is the total cost for shipping a 16oz bottle (I'd rather spend it on another bag lol!).

However I have found a local supplier of Leather Therapy Restorer and Conditioner and Leather Therapy Wash. Can someone please advise me if these products are any good.

 

[chowlover2]

I have used an Australian brand of leather conditioner on a couple of bags but I'm not overly impressed. I don't seem to be getting the same results as those shown here by all you rehabbing experts, and it's sticky unless I really rub and rub after applying.

I can't get Leather CPR or Black Rock in Australia and for some reason Amazon won't ship it here. I'm scared that if I buy it from a seller on ebay it will be held up in customs. Shipping is so expensive I can't afford to lose $40 which is the total cost for shipping a 16oz bottle (I'd rather spend it on another bag lol!).

However I have found a local supplier of Leather Therapy Restorer and Conditioner and Leather Therapy Wash. Can someone please advise me if these products are any good.

I use Leather Therapy all the time, it's great, then I finish with Blackrock. I wonder where Jenny is? She lives in AU and could probably let you know where she purchases her products.

 

[whateve]

I thought I had read a while back that some people didn't live close to a Tuesday Morning store for the Leather CPR and had to order through Amazon, so here's another option, I walked into T.J. Maxx yesterday and they had it there. I believe it was either 16 or 18 oz. for 6.99. Two dollars cheaper than Tuesday Morning.

I just found out, we're getting a TJ Maxx! Now I just have to hope they carry it here.

 

[whateve]

whateve, I used this color remover once and I was happy with it. It didn't remove all the color but did lighten it quite a bit which was enough for me to redye. It didn't have a grayish color at all, either.

So I tried the color remover. I used two packages. The only container I could find that was big enough was the bottom of a guinea pig cage. I have no idea how much water I used. I let the bag sit for almost an hour even though the recommended time was 30 minutes. I was hoping that it would even out the color but it didn't. It got somewhat lighter but there is just as much contrast between the light and dark spots as before. The zipper, which was originally black, ended up tan. The bag was originally tan and I had tried to dye it brown. Parts of the leather turned an olive green, which is really pretty. I'd love to be able to dye it that color but the reason I was using the color remover in the first place was that I couldn't get it to accept dye evenly. I'm pretty much where I was before, but maybe worse, because I don't know how much more this bag can take. I think the stitching is starting to look a little ragged. On top of all that, I had tried to sand this bag earlier so now the texture is fuzzy. It might be a lost cause.