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If you want an under the radar spectacular H tote bag, how about a whitebus. birkin silhouette without the hw
i think it has an outside pocket, but I am not sure. @WhiteBus will know
i do not think H would do patched corners like that, but no harm in asking
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I'm so grateful for all the responses to my initial question. I was just reviewing those responses again, and I realize I have some follow-up questions for yours: What kind of conditioner would you recommend using on this bag?; Is there a chance that conditioner would make the corners look worse?; and if I condition it, would that be an issue for the Hermes spa? (I've read through this thread, and it seems that conditioning doesn't count as work by other hands when it comes to the spa, but it would be good to make sure there aren't exceptions to that practice.). All information/opinions are welcome.
I would not try to condition this bag myself as it appears to be saddle leather. If I had paid $1000 for it I might try, but at that price I would take to Hermès. I'm ok conditioning, say, Togo or even Box but I don't treat my Barenia Birkin. The "natural" leathers will react differently to leather products.
So far, it does not appear that moisturizing one's bag at home gets it rejected at spa, but that is purely anecdotal - no guarantees. If you are going to keep that bag, at that price, my fervent recommendation would be to take it to H.
Yes--I absolutely will--if I keep it. I know that 40s in way better shape can be had sometimes for not too too much more $, relatively speaking,, so I'm a bit on the fence about keeping it. But i'll have to take a close look when it arrives, and then I'll contact my SA and see about making an appt at H . . . More thanks!
If you’re set on taking it to SPA I would not condition it myself beforehand. If it gets rejected as it is, but you want to keep it anyway, then I would try.
This makes so much sense.
Does anyone know if this could be repaired by Hermes spa?? TIA!!
Update: the E bay authenticator called yesterday to tell me that all 4 corners of the very worn Birkin are in worse shape than the images suggested. (The description of the bag mentioned "very strong tears" at all 4 corners--so I don't think the seller was misrepresenting it, but the authenticator's photos provided more information.). I sent the photos to the seller and asked (politely) for a substantial discount; they offered a small one; I'm sending the bag back. I really do appreciate all the advice--pro and con--but at more than $4000 . . . I think I'll just have to keep searching for the perfectly worn (but not too worn) bag to take to work. Or perhaps buy a Whitebus or two (or three).
Wow, holes in all 4 corners! You did the right thing, GL with your search!
Has anyone in Canada sent a bag to the H spa that they bought abroad? I was told I couldn’t send a bag bought at a US boutique to the spa because I had brought it to Canada many years ago (even though the purchase history in NYC can be confirmed), and they can’t prove I paid duties on it. I would have to fly back to NYC to send the bag out from there?
One of the bags is an exotic which is why I rather send from Canada instead of risk travelling in/out with it or needing a new CITES.
One of the bags is an exotic which is why I rather send from Canada instead of risk travelling in/out with it or needing a new CITES.
Sorry only saw today your reply.
Where did I say I have no confidence in H artisan’s skills? If I hadn’t, I wouldn’t have brought all 3 Kellys, one of which has already been brought to Spa in the past.
What I said, and that was confirmed by the SA too, is that a new handle on a Rouge H Kelly won’t match exactly the color of the main body, and it will take time to find the right leather.
And I said that I was impatient to have the quotes, which I still haven’t received.
Hi! From the photo, are you referring to the leather that seems to be split on the flap? If so, this may be something that the spa would be able to fix by pulling up the stitching, gluing the edges of the leather together, restitching, and then re-glazing this portion of the bag. I would recommend taking it to your local boutique and asking an After Sales Specialist if this is something that would be possible. Good luck!
Hi there,
just wanted to share my experience with Hermès Spa in Germany - I bought a backpack via VC which arrived in not so great condition. I only kept it because this particular style is discontinued and is super hard to get and the price was a steal. At least I thought there is nothing Hermès Spa can't repair. Because I always thought that the much €€€ you spend for these bags you can expect them to be able to refurbish every detail like its shown in so many youtube videos. At least I thought so...
Well...the backpack was apparently stored in a cellar and had a little mold odor and it had a super big ink mark in the lining. Hermès told me they could not remove the stain and also couldn't change the lining. I still agreed to send it in, hoping they would somehow do something still.
As it arrived back they barely cleaned it on the outside, it was still smelly and on the interior nothing was done - and I paid 350 € for simply nothing. I was so disappointed - I don't know if I expected too much, I mean of course the smell is one thing, BUT, that they refused to do anything to the lining is just so silly! I would have even paid 2k if they would have changed the lining, but I was told Hermès can't change linings, not even for Birkins...I thought restoring a preloved item from exceptional craftsmanship and quality to new shine was the heart of their Spa theme. If I wanted to throw things away when they are damaged or dirty then I can also go the cheap way...what happened to sustainability of quality items?
Did anyone have a similar situation or maybe got the lining cleaned/exchanged?
just wanted to share my experience with Hermès Spa in Germany - I bought a backpack via VC which arrived in not so great condition. I only kept it because this particular style is discontinued and is super hard to get and the price was a steal. At least I thought there is nothing Hermès Spa can't repair. Because I always thought that the much €€€ you spend for these bags you can expect them to be able to refurbish every detail like its shown in so many youtube videos. At least I thought so...
Well...the backpack was apparently stored in a cellar and had a little mold odor and it had a super big ink mark in the lining. Hermès told me they could not remove the stain and also couldn't change the lining. I still agreed to send it in, hoping they would somehow do something still.
As it arrived back they barely cleaned it on the outside, it was still smelly and on the interior nothing was done - and I paid 350 € for simply nothing. I was so disappointed - I don't know if I expected too much, I mean of course the smell is one thing, BUT, that they refused to do anything to the lining is just so silly! I would have even paid 2k if they would have changed the lining, but I was told Hermès can't change linings, not even for Birkins...I thought restoring a preloved item from exceptional craftsmanship and quality to new shine was the heart of their Spa theme. If I wanted to throw things away when they are damaged or dirty then I can also go the cheap way...what happened to sustainability of quality items?
Did anyone have a similar situation or maybe got the lining cleaned/exchanged?
From what I read Hermès stopped doing anything to the lining many years ago. Probably had customers submitting bags with really disgusting insides and decided enough is enough.
I had 2 vintage bags (one from Vestiaire, one from ebay) spa-ed by H and was very happy with the outcome. The scuffed corners looked like new and also many scratches were visibly reduced. I paid the same, it's the standard price for cleaning, conditioning, painting (corners and scratches).
I think it's important to know what can be done and what cannot. Since they told you in advance that nothing can be done to the interior I wouldn't have expected a miracle. It's company policy. It's too bad the outside hasn't changed much though. Were there scratches they could have painted over?