Hermes Repair/Refurbish policy - Official Spa Thread

[maryg1]

I would take it in, no harm in trying, for sure if the artisan can work on it it won’t be cheap, but you can decide whether to proceed or not.
Let me tell you I like this bag, for sure it’s not pristine and for the faints of hearts, but I like the way it has aged. Maybe it’s vache naturel and not barenia?

 

[nomdesac]

I would take it in, no harm in trying, for sure if the artisan can work on it it won’t be cheap, but you can decide whether to proceed or not.
Let me tell you I like this bag, for sure it’s not pristine and for the faints of hearts, but I like the way it has aged. Maybe it’s vache naturel and not barenia?

Good point--that would be another good reason to take it in: they'd be able to identify the leather.

 

[Canadianinldn]

If the bag has been touched in anyway by a 3rd party, Hermes will not touch it. I brought in a bag that was used but looked pretty decent, they found one stitching in the gusset and said they cannot spa. Luckily the store I brought it from took it back and I got a refund.

 

[QuelleFromage]

Hello, I just bought a very used Birkin on eBay from a Japanese reseller (Japan Monoshare) from whom I've bought many less expensive handbags. I've been wanting a 40 cm for work, and I really wanted a bag with some wear and tear (not all the way to Ashley Olsen's Kelly, but still worn) so that I wouldn't wince every time I put it on the floor, or inserted a wallet, or exhaled while in the same zip code. I have two other Birkins--a 20 year old gold w/gold trim and a 1-year-old black Togo with palladium trim (both bought at Hermes), and I love them and am happy to own them but can't quite bring myself to take them out and about regularly. Working on that. In any case, I finally found a worn 40 cm bag in Barenia (!!!) (I think it's Barenia) for . . . probably too much, and I'm looking for some advice on three specific questions: If I bring this bag into Hermes, will they just shake their heads? Do you think there's any chance they can repair the corners? And do you think this bag has had some work done on it already? (The sangles look a bit new-ish to me, especially compared to the handles and the corners.). The flap does too.

I'd welcome any responses, reality checks, advice, encouragement, discouragement. . . View attachment 5630650View attachment 5630651View attachment 5630652

In no way is this bag too beaten up for spa. I've seen bags that were basically handles and shreds. It's hard to tell if it's Barenia or VN but saddle leathers refurbish really well. You will be surprised.
I would decide now if you want to replace any panels or the handles (they will almost certainly wish to replace the handles). Personally I wouldn't - I would condition the bag, patch the corners (there is a corner repair that is a patch of leather BUT they do not always agree to do it), and enjoy it as it is.

Now, if it's had third-party repair already, you will not have these options, but there are other places to take it.

 

[880]

Do you think there's any chance they can repair the corners?

I think this is unlikely, and I would not take the chance.
I would not have purchased this bag, and I am fond of beater bags.
IMO the corners are structural damage that H Spa would normally prefer to replace panels at high cost. My concern is that they would say replacement is the way to go, but bc they cannot match the patina, it is not recommended.
I believe a third party might leather fill, but I wouldn’t be happy with the result and I would have to take greater care of the bag going forward.

i certainly hope that I am wrong in this case since it is already purchased. Good luck and please update the thread @nomdesac !

ETA: I have had Hermes replace handles and sangliers on a BBK, and it takes long enough that in retrospect, it’s better to purchase something that doesn’t require so much work

JMO though, and YMMV.

 

[nomdesac]

If the bag has been touched in anyway by a 3rd party, Hermes will not touch it. I brought in a bag that was used but looked pretty decent, they found one stitching in the gusset and said they cannot spa. Luckily the store I brought it from took it back and I got a refund.

Thanks for this--The bag IS returnable (and I trust the seller--so far, all my experiences with them have been excellent). Bags also are generally described as--and look--worse than they turn out to be. (Keeping expectations low?). But I will be taking a VERY close look when it arrives.

 

[nomdesac]

I think this is unlikely, and I would not take the chance.
I would not have purchased this bag, and I am fond of beater bags.
IMO the corners are structural damage that H Spa would normally prefer to replace panels at high cost. My concern is that they would say replacement is the way to go, but bc they cannot match the patina, it is not recommended.
I believe a third party might leather fill, but I wouldn’t be happy with the result and I would have to take greater care of the bag going forward.

i certainly hope that I am wrong in this case since it is already purchased. Good luck and please update the thread @nomdesac !

ETA: I have had Hermes replace handles and sangliers on a BBK, and it takes long enough that in retrospect, it’s better to purchase something that doesn’t require so much work

JMO though, and YMMV.

Thanks for this good advice! (You mention that you're fond of beater bags: this is the first beater Birkin--not sure I'm going to stick with that phrase--that I've actually been able to find, and I've looked a lot online and--in past years--in consignment stores in Paris. Do you have a source?)

 

[nomdesac]

In no way is this bag too beaten up for spa. I've seen bags that were basically handles and shreds. It's hard to tell if it's Barenia or VN but saddle leathers refurbish really well. You will be surprised.
I would decide now if you want to replace any panels or the handles (they will almost certainly wish to replace the handles). Personally I wouldn't - I would condition the bag, patch the corners (there is a corner repair that is a patch of leather BUT they do not always agree to do it), and enjoy it as it is.

Now, if it's had third-party repair already, you will not have these options, but there are other places to take it.

Wow--I really WILL have to take this in and see what they say. (Handles and shreds: !!). Thanks for this--

 

[QuelleFromage]

Wow--I really WILL have to take this in and see what they say. (Handles and shreds: !!). Thanks for this--

This is assuming you paid a low price for the bag It will always be a "beater" but then I'm someone who thinks the Olsen twins' bags are chic in their own way.

 

[880]

Thanks for this good advice! (You mention that you're fond of beater bags: this is the first beater Birkin--not sure I'm going to stick with that phrase--that I've actually been able to find, and I've looked a lot online and--in past years--in consignment stores in Paris. Do you have a source?)

Hi, my post was deleted for being OT, but if you run a search and look on reseller threads, you will find suggestions

 

[redwings]

Thanks for this--The bag IS returnable (and I trust the seller--so far, all my experiences with them have been excellent). Bags also are generally described as--and look--worse than they turn out to be. (Keeping expectations low?). But I will be taking a VERY close look when it arrives.

Except the visible hole aka corner damage is already bad - it almost looks like it has been nibbled by something. You have to prepare for the high costs of restoring it with Hermes (that is if they accept it) may be the cost of what you paid for the bag or worse, higher.

Beat up is one thing but holes …that’s another story.

 

[ccbaggirl89]

When should I give up waiting for a replacement item? I took my bag in for service (it was done months ago) and was told at that time they would order a replacement strap. It's been 10 months now and no further word on the strap. Was the order for a replacement strap a dream order that will never actually happen. Has anyone waited 1 year + for replacement parts?

 

[nomdesac]

Hi, my post was deleted for being OT, but if you run a search and look on reseller threads, you will find suggestions

Except the visible hole aka corner damage is already bad - it almost looks like it has been nibbled by something. You have to prepare for the high costs of restoring it with Hermes (that is if they accept it) may be the cost of what you paid for the bag or worse, higher.

Beat up is one thing but holes …that’s another story.

Great point--this is a helpful perspective. FWIW: The selling price for the bag was $4700; The "4" in that number seemed pretty great at the time. And I was looking for a bag with some miles on it. (I teach at a large university. A pristine 40 cm Birkin would not fit in. But a worn leather satchel might fly under the radar.) On the other hand, a worn leather satchel that looks like it's been nibbled . . .

 

[nomdesac]

Great point--this is a helpful perspective. FWIW: The selling price for the bag was $4700; The "4" in that number seemed pretty great at the time. And I was looking for a bag with some miles on it. (I teach at a large university. A pristine 40 cm Birkin would not fit in. But a worn leather satchel might fly under the radar.) On the other hand, a worn leather satchel that looks like it's been nibbled . . .

I'm also now wondering if the corners could be repaired by Hermes in the way that the corners of this train wreck bag (from the train wreck thread on this site: https://forum.purseblog.com/threads/kelly-in-epsom-vs-kelly-in-box-pros-and-cons.982625/page-7) were repaired.

 

[WhiteBus]

When should I give up waiting for a replacement item? I took my bag in for service (it was done months ago) and was told at that time they would order a replacement strap. It's been 10 months now and no further word on the strap. Was the order for a replacement strap a dream order that will never actually happen. Has anyone waited 1 year + for replacement parts?

I suggest you go in to your Hermes store and ask exactly what the situation is with regard to the strap you ordered. Conjecture and other people's experiences are not really going to be helpful, because there are so many variables with regard to exact colour and hide.