Coach Rehab and Rescue Club

[Awwlibrary]

Hi ladies. Sorry this isn't a coach bag question. Is there is a dooney and bourke rehab thread, please let me know! I got this bag today and it's filthy. I plan to clean it up and waiting for my supplies to arrive. I'm curious if anyone have any suggestions for improving the corner scuffs--all 4 corners are badly scuffed so showing 2 of the worst ones...It's pretty significant and it looks like water damage too. Any touch up color and polishing recommendations? Thanks so much in advance!

 

[mellopan]

Bag was $35.51 including shipping. The damage was unlikely to be caused by USPS because the box was in perfect condition. I think (and I told them I thought) that someone had grabbed the bag while it was caught or tangled with something else and damaged the bag. Ugh. This goodwill is kind of a scam; another bag I purchased from them arrived today and while they charged me $9.97 for shipping, I know for fact that it cost them $5.65 (if not less, because they used a flat rate envelope)

The latest news is that they will refund the bag and original shipping, but not for return shipping. I'm peeved. In the end, if I return the bag, I'm out $12 for shipping and bagless. Any ideas on quick and dirty fixes? I'm still deciding whether or not to return. I read a few threads mentioning leather cement and edge kote, but I still don't understand what the differences are and what they are used for. Would either of these help?

Can you try escalating the complaint to a higher level? Another idea is to ask for a partial refund, so you can keep the bag but you wouldn't have paid AS much for it, and use it as a rehab project? I don't know about leather cement but edge kote is an acrylic polymer. Best to wait to hear from other rehabbers with more experience, but I personally don't think either would work for your case because the structural integrity is compromised in the handle; these quick fixes are more for aesthetic purposes. Someone suggested to glue the leather back together, that could potentially work but it would still eventually break again. If you end up sending it back, you could try shipping it back in a flat rate envelope to save money. There's a padded one that's pretty large (9.5x12.5) and only $5.70 if you buy postage online.

I'm having trouble trying to return a bag too... It was on the app Mercari and their customer service closed my case without even consulting me. The bag reeked of smoke but since I can't demonstrate smoke odor through pictures, they took that as I could not demonstrate the item was not as described. Even though seller has told me the item came from a smoker and agreed to have me return it. Le epic sigh. I'm slightly put off from online shopping now.

 

[mrk2014]

Bag was $35.51 including shipping. The damage was unlikely to be caused by USPS because the box was in perfect condition. I think (and I told them I thought) that someone had grabbed the bag while it was caught or tangled with something else and damaged the bag. Ugh. This goodwill is kind of a scam; another bag I purchased from them arrived today and while they charged me $9.97 for shipping, I know for fact that it cost them $5.65 (if not less, because they used a flat rate envelope)

The latest news is that they will refund the bag and original shipping, but not for return shipping. I'm peeved. In the end, if I return the bag, I'm out $12 for shipping and bagless. Any ideas on quick and dirty fixes? I'm still deciding whether or not to return. I read a few threads mentioning leather cement and edge kote, but I still don't understand what the differences are and what they are used for. Would either of these help?

I just read about your predicament, if you decide to return it, do it the cheapest way possible of course. I am not one of the expert rehabbers, wait for their opinion but I think that leather cement will fix it temporarily and Edge Kote normally is used (I have) on the edges only, it is to cover, not to bond.

I'm having trouble trying to return a bag too... It was on the app Mercari and their customer service closed my case without even consulting me. The bag reeked of smoke but since I can't demonstrate smoke odor through pictures, they took that as I could not demonstrate the item was not as described. Even though seller has told me the item came from a smoker and agreed to have me return it. Le epic sigh. I'm slightly put off from online shopping now.

I guess we all are having trouble lately with receiving NAD items. I got some in PoshMark I had to return, but everything worked out smoothly, there was no doubt when I submitted my pictures, that the ones in the description didn't show and seller didn't mention even when asked, any damage.

Another one on Ebay, same thing.. just like new used a couple times. Gosh! Gross to the point of the brown leather handles being black, plus a slit on the canvas. Ebay sided with me, seller had to pay for return shipping.
Here is where it gets "weird", she immediately refunded me price plus original shipping, said she didn't think she had to pay for the return, but she was told by Ebay she had to, so she wrote she didn't know how to do that, I told her to call Ebay back, they would help her. To make the story short (she wrote 18 messages to me), still didn't know how to do it because she had no printer, said she shouldn't have refunded me so fast... she came across like "out there". OK, a month later she is no longer a registered member, I got my money and a bag I didn't want. Truly rehab challenge.

You never know how these things work, do not despair.. that's my point

 

[mellopan]

I guess we all are having trouble lately with receiving NAD items. I got some in PoshMark I had to return, but everything worked out smoothly, there was no doubt when I submitted my pictures, that the ones in the description didn't show and seller didn't mention even when asked, any damage.

Another one on Ebay, same thing.. just like new used a couple times. Gosh! Gross to the point of the brown leather handles being black, plus a slit on the canvas. Ebay sided with me, seller had to pay for return shipping.
Here is where it gets "weird", she immediately refunded me price plus original shipping, said she didn't think she had to pay for the return, but she was told by Ebay she had to, so she wrote she didn't know how to do that, I told her to call Ebay back, they would help her. To make the story short (she wrote 18 messages to me), still didn't know how to do it because she had no printer, said she shouldn't have refunded me so fast... she came across like "out there". OK, a month later she is no longer a registered member, I got my money and a bag I didn't want. Truly rehab challenge.

You never know how these things work, do not despair.. that's my point

Poshmark is really good with that, sometimes too much though. I sell on Poshmark too and had their support approve a return for a pair of used shoes for having wear on the soles. Really?? I was naïve then to not show the soles and to think.. Oh who would care what the bottoms look like if you're buying used shoes. Eventually I got my funds so good on poshmark for being understanding. But I digress.

Mercari though, I will definitely uninstall it if support doesn't try to amend their fail of a decision. Can't continue giving them my business if I know they're going to be unhelpful like this.

That eBay seller probably decided to cut her loss by just refunding you the original shipping and cost, because she wouldn't be able to sell the bag honestly when she got it back! Everything else were just excuses, in my opinion. Tsk...

 

[Farmer Cyndy]

Bag was $35.51 including shipping. The damage was unlikely to be caused by USPS because the box was in perfect condition. I think (and I told them I thought) that someone had grabbed the bag while it was caught or tangled with something else and damaged the bag. Ugh. This goodwill is kind of a scam; another bag I purchased from them arrived today and while they charged me $9.97 for shipping, I know for fact that it cost them $5.65 (if not less, because they used a flat rate envelope)



The latest news is that they will refund the bag and original shipping, but not for return shipping. I'm peeved. In the end, if I return the bag, I'm out $12 for shipping and bagless. Any ideas on quick and dirty fixes? I'm still deciding whether or not to return. I read a few threads mentioning leather cement and edge kote, but I still don't understand what the differences are and what they are used for. Would either of these help?

So, this return a net of under $30 if you kept it. I think you really want this bag, so maybe $30 is worth it to you? You could put a leather patch UNDER the rip, and glue it to the inside. I think you still have one side handle not compromised on the torn side, and two connections holding on the other side, that would hold under most conditions. And it wouldn't look too bad. You could use something other then leather for that patch too, like any old purse handle you have lying around ( maybe nylon) if you really wanted to get crafty, you could also use button thread and a leather needle ( I have done it on horse tach) and put stitch on the edge. But, I think the patch would hold. If you have to cover up the hobble patch, most double tassels would set right there. Or turn that side always in.

 

[Catbird9]

So, this return a net of under $30 if you kept it. I think you really want this bag, so maybe $30 is worth it to you? You could put a leather patch UNDER the rip, and glue it to the inside. I think you still have one side handle not compromised on the torn side, and two connections holding on the other side, that would hold under most conditions. And it wouldn't look too bad. You could use something other then leather for that patch too, like any old purse handle you have lying around ( maybe nylon) if you really wanted to get crafty, you could also use button thread and a leather needle ( I have done it on horse tach) and put stitch on the edge. But, I think the patch would hold. If you have to cover up the hobble patch, most double tassels would set right there. Or turn that side always in.

Great idea about using tassels to hide the repair! Thanks.

 

[yellowjello]

Can you try escalating the complaint to a higher level? Another idea is to ask for a partial refund, so you can keep the bag but you wouldn't have paid AS much for it, and use it as a rehab project? I don't know about leather cement but edge kote is an acrylic polymer. Best to wait to hear from other rehabbers with more experience, but I personally don't think either would work for your case because the structural integrity is compromised in the handle; these quick fixes are more for aesthetic purposes. Someone suggested to glue the leather back together, that could potentially work but it would still eventually break again. If you end up sending it back, you could try shipping it back in a flat rate envelope to save money. There's a padded one that's pretty large (9.5x12.5) and only $5.70 if you buy postage online.

I'm having trouble trying to return a bag too... It was on the app Mercari and their customer service closed my case without even consulting me. The bag reeked of smoke but since I can't demonstrate smoke odor through pictures, they took that as I could not demonstrate the item was not as described. Even though seller has told me the item came from a smoker and agreed to have me return it. Le epic sigh. I'm slightly put off from online shopping now.

I just read about your predicament, if you decide to return it, do it the cheapest way possible of course. I am not one of the expert rehabbers, wait for their opinion but I think that leather cement will fix it temporarily and Edge Kote normally is used (I have) on the edges only, it is to cover, not to bond.



I guess we all are having trouble lately with receiving NAD items. I got some in PoshMark I had to return, but everything worked out smoothly, there was no doubt when I submitted my pictures, that the ones in the description didn't show and seller didn't mention even when asked, any damage.

Another one on Ebay, same thing.. just like new used a couple times. Gosh! Gross to the point of the brown leather handles being black, plus a slit on the canvas. Ebay sided with me, seller had to pay for return shipping.
Here is where it gets "weird", she immediately refunded me price plus original shipping, said she didn't think she had to pay for the return, but she was told by Ebay she had to, so she wrote she didn't know how to do that, I told her to call Ebay back, they would help her. To make the story short (she wrote 18 messages to me), still didn't know how to do it because she had no printer, said she shouldn't have refunded me so fast... she came across like "out there". OK, a month later she is no longer a registered member, I got my money and a bag I didn't want. Truly rehab challenge.

You never know how these things work, do not despair.. that's my point

So, this return a net of under $30 if you kept it. I think you really want this bag, so maybe $30 is worth it to you? You could put a leather patch UNDER the rip, and glue it to the inside. I think you still have one side handle not compromised on the torn side, and two connections holding on the other side, that would hold under most conditions. And it wouldn't look too bad. You could use something other then leather for that patch too, like any old purse handle you have lying around ( maybe nylon) if you really wanted to get crafty, you could also use button thread and a leather needle ( I have done it on horse tach) and put stitch on the edge. But, I think the patch would hold. If you have to cover up the hobble patch, most double tassels would set right there. Or turn that side always in.

Thanks for the thoughts mellopan, mrk2014, and Farmer Cyndy. I know I'm being wishy washy, but it's not that I want to keep the bag so much as I literally just returned another bag that was not as described and I had to pay return shipping on that as well.

http://forum.purseblog.com/coach-clubhouse/coach-rehab-and-rescue-club-833400-659.html#post29203727

I'm getting tired of paying for shipping. I think stockholders of FedEx or UPS should get a discount on shipping, then I would totally invest in some stock to support my coach "problem". Unfortunately mellopan, it doesn't fit into the $5.70 flat rate padded envelope. Darn thing was too well constructed so it pops right back up when you try to fold it to a smaller size.

I'm glad things worked out for you mrk2014. Ew brown handles turning black is considered almost new?! Wouldn't it be something if listings were all pending approval so you had to have large size pictures that can be zoomed in all over inside and out, and your listing could be turned down if your creed photos were blurry? I know we'd all save a lot of money paying for shipping and then return shipping again.

Thanks for the suggestions Farmer Cyndy, but I suspect they are beyond the scope of my rehab abilities. Here are the things I can do successfully:
1) Fill the sink :okay:
2) Let the bag soak :okay:
3) Take the bag out :okay:
4) Wait for the bag to dry (this is the one I'm best at)
5) Apply conditioner :okay:
6) Buff the bag :okay:

Anything else like sewing, re-stitching, removing turnlocks, applying cement, repairing piping, repairing holes, painting, weaving leather, re-finishing, applying sealant, dyeing, or any of the other amazing things I've read about in the rehab thread

 

[mellopan]

Hi ladies. Sorry this isn't a coach bag question. Is there is a dooney and bourke rehab thread, please let me know! I got this bag today and it's filthy. I plan to clean it up and waiting for my supplies to arrive. I'm curious if anyone have any suggestions for improving the corner scuffs--all 4 corners are badly scuffed so showing 2 of the worst ones...It's pretty significant and it looks like water damage too. Any touch up color and polishing recommendations? Thanks so much in advance!

Awwlibrary I believe I saw you on poshmark when I was looking at a coach drawstring bag haha.

That looks pretty difficult to deal with, you could wait a bit more for other members with more experience to comment.

One time I created my own water spot on a Dooney when I got a part of it wet, and I found that dunking the the whole bag in water removed it. However that was really fresh so I don't know about old water stains. Your bag must also be lined so that creates more problems.

For the wear on corners I think you'll either need to dye or paint it. If the bag is aniline leather (a drop of water on it soaks in quickly), you could use a penetrating dye in a matching color. It'll need to be deglazed first, people have used rubbing alcohol and acetone, you can also buy commercial deglazer. After dying it'll need to be sealed with a top coat such as Fiebings resolene. If not aniline leather, a paint is needed such as Tarrago self shine kit.

Just a disclaimer that I have never dyed or painted a bag. I only found out all this info through my own research after finding a really cute, coincidentally also yellow, bag from the thrift store that's in terrible condition after I washed it. Sooooo it's still sitting on my counter until I decide what to do with it!

There are several threads from Balenciaga where people have dyed or painted their bags with good results, one girl did a massive rehab on a really beat up bag. I can't remember off the top of my head what it was called but I'm sure you could find it easily.

 

[mellopan]

Thanks for the thoughts mellopan, mrk2014, and Farmer Cyndy. I know I'm being wishy washy, but it's not that I want to keep the bag so much as I literally just returned another bag that was not as described and I had to pay return shipping on that as well.

http://forum.purseblog.com/coach-clubhouse/coach-rehab-and-rescue-club-833400-659.html#post29203727

I'm getting tired of paying for shipping. I think stockholders of FedEx or UPS should get a discount on shipping, then I would totally invest in some stock to support my coach "problem". Unfortunately mellopan, it doesn't fit into the $5.70 flat rate padded envelope. Darn thing was too well constructed so it pops right back up when you try to fold it to a smaller size.

I'm glad things worked out for you mrk2014. Ew brown handles turning black is considered almost new?! Wouldn't it be something if listings were all pending approval so you had to have large size pictures that can be zoomed in all over inside and out, and your listing could be turned down if your creed photos were blurry? I know we'd all save a lot of money paying for shipping and then return shipping again.

Thanks for the suggestions Farmer Cyndy, but I suspect they are beyond the scope of my rehab abilities. Here are the things I can do successfully:
1) Fill the sink :okay:
2) Let the bag soak :okay:
3) Take the bag out :okay:
4) Wait for the bag to dry (this is the one I'm best at)
5) Apply conditioner :okay:
6) Buff the bag :okay:

Anything else like sewing, re-stitching, removing turnlocks, applying cement, repairing piping, repairing holes, painting, weaving leather, re-finishing, applying sealant, dyeing, or any of the other amazing things I've read about in the rehab thread

I would be so angry if this happened to me. I think it would be worth being a hassle to their customer support to try to get the best deal you possibly can. Because it is your hard earned money and its not fair for you to have to pay to return a defective product. Personally I would ask them for 80%-90% refund of the item cost without returning it. Goodwill gets their stuff for free. They're not losing anything by refunding you. Their CEOs sits on piles of money, this is nothing.

 

[oldbaglover]

I would be so angry if this happened to me. I think it would be worth being a hassle to their customer support to try to get the best deal you possibly can. Because it is your hard earned money and its not fair for you to have to pay to return a defective product. Personally I would ask them for 80%-90% refund of the item cost without returning it. Goodwill gets their stuff for free. They're not losing anything by refunding you. Their CEOs sits on piles of money, this is nothing.

I would be upset to if I had to pay to return the bag. I haven't shopped for handbags at my local Goodwill for a long time as their selection is terrible. They charge high prices for junky no-name bags. They have the "designer" ones behind a counter and many of them are dirty and damaged. I haven't bought any from their online website.

 

[mellopan]

I would be upset to if I had to pay to return the bag. I haven't shopped for handbags at my local Goodwill for a long time as their selection is terrible. They charge high prices for junky no-name bags. They have the "designer" ones behind a counter and many of them are dirty and damaged. I haven't bought any from their online website.

My goodwill also has a nonexistent handbag selection! I did find some nice rehab projects at the goodwill surplus store but no Coach. I've only seen literally one Coach bag in all my experience with goodwill stores, but I don't usually look behind the counters either.

 

[ledobe]

Hi ladies. Sorry this isn't a coach bag question. Is there is a dooney and bourke rehab thread, please let me know! I got this bag today and it's filthy. I plan to clean it up and waiting for my supplies to arrive. I'm curious if anyone have any suggestions for improving the corner scuffs--all 4 corners are badly scuffed so showing 2 of the worst ones...It's pretty significant and it looks like water damage too. Any touch up color and polishing recommendations? Thanks so much in advance! View attachment 3151224View attachment 3151225View attachment 3151227View attachment 3151228

Don't think we're ignoring you because it's not a coach, I'm just not sure we have any suggestions. I would think the only way to fix those scuffs would be acrylic paint, but I'm not familiar with that bag or what it's made of so it's a total guess.

Dunking works with older coach bags because the leather is dyed through, that looks like maybe the yellow was actually removed in that water spot (?) I would definitely spottest if you're thinking of dunking it.

 

[Awwlibrary]

Awwlibrary I believe I saw you on poshmark when I was looking at a coach drawstring bag haha.

That looks pretty difficult to deal with, you could wait a bit more for other members with more experience to comment.

One time I created my own water spot on a Dooney when I got a part of it wet, and I found that dunking the the whole bag in water removed it. However that was really fresh so I don't know about old water stains. Your bag must also be lined so that creates more problems.

For the wear on corners I think you'll either need to dye or paint it. If the bag is aniline leather (a drop of water on it soaks in quickly), you could use a penetrating dye in a matching color. It'll need to be deglazed first, people have used rubbing alcohol and acetone, you can also buy commercial deglazer. After dying it'll need to be sealed with a top coat such as Fiebings resolene. If not aniline leather, a paint is needed such as Tarrago self shine kit.

Just a disclaimer that I have never dyed or painted a bag. I only found out all this info through my own research after finding a really cute, coincidentally also yellow, bag from the thrift store that's in terrible condition after I washed it. Sooooo it's still sitting on my counter until I decide what to do with it!

There are several threads from Balenciaga where people have dyed or painted their bags with good results, one girl did a massive rehab on a really beat up bag. I can't remember off the top of my head what it was called but I'm sure you could find it easily.

Hi mellopan! I was thinking the same thing when I saw your username on posh! Nice to meet you and thank you! Reading this thread inspires me to try my hand at rehabbing lol. for this dooney, I love the size and color so I thought id try to do something about it! However, deglazing and painting sounds a little out of my novice comfort zone! I'd be happy to just clean it up for now! The bag is lined in the red dooney lining and it's nasty! So I thought is try "tuff stuff" on it (saw it on a coach rehab video). But that's as far as I got in my plans. I'll try to use ivory soap and leather conditioner to clean and see where that leaves me!

 

[Awwlibrary]

Don't think we're ignoring you because it's not a coach, I'm just not sure we have any suggestions. I would think the only way to fix those scuffs would be acrylic paint, but I'm not familiar with that bag or what it's made of so it's a total guess.

Dunking works with older coach bags because the leather is dyed through, that looks like maybe the yellow was actually removed in that water spot (?) I would definitely spottest if you're thinking of dunking it.

Hi ledobe! I appreciate any feedback and suggestions. First, I'm just wanting to clean the poor girl. Thinking ivory soap on the outside and tuff stuff on the inside. Any other favorite solutions? I see a lot of mentioning of dunking...I'll look that up to get more detail but the little bits that I read sounds like this bag may not be a suitable candidate...i do think the leather is dyed through though...

 

[mellopan]

Hi mellopan! I was thinking the same thing when I saw your username on posh! Nice to meet you and thank you! Reading this thread inspires me to try my hand at rehabbing lol. for this dooney, I love the size and color so I thought id try to do something about it! However, deglazing and painting sounds a little out of my novice comfort zone! I'd be happy to just clean it up for now! The bag is lined in the red dooney lining and it's nasty! So I thought is try "tuff stuff" on it (saw it on a coach rehab video). But that's as far as I got in my plans. I'll try to use ivory soap and leather conditioner to clean and see where that leaves me!

Try wiping the water stain towards a seam/edge of the bag with a damp clean towel. Google suggested that to remove water stains and that sounds like a very safe first thing to try?

Keep me updated, I would love to see how your bag turns out!