Help and Beware of Discolorization of Vernis

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#46
Veronika said:
Wow. Seems like staying away from vernis with overlaps might help... perhaps Bedfords and totes, Houstons, Brentwoods, Reades are safer? Good to know about the silver, I'll be careful about the flap thing too... thanks.
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very good pint...stay away from light colours has well...my red vervis cle is perfect no colour transfer or anything...
 
#49
Well, thanks again to everyone who chipped in the feedback. Jadecee, my bag was manufactured in 1999 and I bought it in Paris in 2000. Thanks for the link. My interpretation is that if LV admitted that older models of vernis have this problems of discoloration, and they have since done something to improve the problem, then surely this is a "defect" in either the materials or the manufacturing process. I just can't accept their response "it is due to normal wear & tear". I am still waiting for the response from their customer service and if the feedback is not positive, then I'll take it further with their senior management.
 
#50
I think you and everyone who has experienced this defect (or even suspected defect) should get your full money back, no questions asked. I work at a mid-range clothing store and any of our clothing or bags that is even suspected to have been damaged due to a defect are taken back and exchange/refund is given. You'd think that a company this big, old, and expensive would give more than a you're SOL answer. And are we really putting up with this? I love LV as much as the next person but this is unacceptable.
 
#51
Azia, I totally agree with your line of thoughts. The critical point here is to get LV to agree that this is a "defect", or otherwise they would not admit liability. To me anything which is inherited and did not serve/meet the intended purpose/standards is a defect. The problem here is that this defect is not life-threatening (like a suspected faulty braking system where the car manufacturer would recall all owners for free replacement or fixing) and that is why LV is doing anything.
 
#52
I received a call from the customer service rep this morning. She said the quality report from HK has been sent to Paris office and the quality department in Paris concurred with the findings in the quality report, i.e. agreeing to the discoloration as normal wear & tear. Therefore no further action and case closed. I am following up this with their holding company LVMH.
 
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#53
Perhaps ask how it can be "wear and tear" if the bag hasn't been used?

Good luck in the follow up. I hope they do something for you. I know this is the "official" line regarding the vernis, but as far as I'm concerned, it's definately a fault, item not "fit for purpose".

I have a feeling though that if you do persue, they won't ever admit to it being anything other than wear and tear, but I'm hoping they should do something for you.

Perhaps if a few of those that have had problems with the discolouration were to get together, the problem may be addressed? I have a lavendre reade and cles, no changes yet, but I know it will probably happen and I'm absolutely not happy about that!!

Good luck!

K
xx
 
#54
omg Challenger that so sad :( It's a heartbreak to see such a lovely piece like this :'( I just hope that LV would give you a better answer than "wear-and-tear"... I mean, afterall it's color transfer from one part of the bag to another!!!

For those of you who haven't had any problems yet -

I have a lavender Sullivan, noisette Roxbury Drive, pearl Cles, all lovely. However, I've been using them every so often... maybe the color has changed and I just didn't notice at all cuz I see them so regularly. Especially the Cles, I've had it for more than a year everyday, and I just throw it into in my bag with everything else... including a black Mat wallet.

A friend of mine has a pink keyholder. She put it on top of a magazine for a while (forgot for how long, probably put it there because she's on vacation), and part of the magazine stuff just "printed" on it...


But yea, for those who are hesitating to use their very own piece, take it out and use them!
 
#55
That sucks. "normal wear and tear" should happen if you use the bag/item a lot....not when you store it carefully and barely use it.

Seriously LV get your act together.

Hmmmm...should I reconsider my malibu street purchase :(
 
#56
vsminimoose,you are absolutely right on this but unfortunately LV was assuming that their customers are all idiots who are daft enough not to be unable to distinguish "wear and tear" from defect. Based on their response today, it seems like their "customer service centre" has done everything they could do. I am now on my own to take this up with their management but yet figure out how to do this.

I would have thought with such a prestigious name, they would proactively do something as goodwill but they don't seem to care.

I would do all I can do to put the record straight but I anticipate this would be difficult unless all of us who have had the same problem with their vernis can come together as a group to put a case against LV as suggested by Kathleen37.
 
#57
I'm going to be the odd man out here, but storing patent leather in a closed environment (i.e., dustbag and cabinet) will cause it to discolor. That type of treated leather needs to breath. If you do a google search, there is a lot of information about how to care for treated patent leather. While I do think LV could do a better job of explaining to people the dangers of getting Vernis next to printed items, colors, etc. and how to store it, I just don't think that improperly stored patent leather would be the fault of LV, unless they just don't let anyone know at all how to store it, in which case there might be some negligence. It's just one of those hard things because it is a treated bag which needs to be cared for completely differently than regular leather or treated monogram canvas. I just needs to be stored differently, and cared for differently. I'm sorry this happened to your beautiful bag!
 
#58
But then why does the later vernis bag have less problems with discoloration ? This is because LV realized there was a problem with the earlier models and has taken the effort to improve/prevent the discolouration in later models. So whether you called it a defect or problem or whatever, LV should take the responsibility. Also, if vernis/patent leather needs special care, LV certainly failed to advise me when I bought it. And I should hold KLV accountable for their negligence. I am sure there must be LV's representatives looking at this forum. If you are one of them, please own up and take accountability. Be a trustworthy company as what a prestigious company should be.
 
#59
I put Silica Gels in my LV bags and surround the bag with cotton balls upon storage. Cotton balls absorb moisture, some medicine bottles put a layer of cotton on top of the pills to prevent moisture.
 
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