Hermes Repair/Refurbish policy - Official Spa Thread

[thegirlwhoflies]

You should consider whether you would be happy with it as it is.
It is good that the seller has declared these scratches and provided good photos.
Imagine you had owned it, perhaps from new for fifteen years, and over a period of time those scratches had been sustained. Using Docride's 'assess from a metre away' advice, I doubt whether you would be unduly worried.
Would you be happy with it to use it as it is and send it to spa after a little while should you still feel the need.
Spa would undoubtedly camouflage the scratches; there will probably be some members who have sent similar scratches to spa and have the bag returned with the scratches gone. Consider that with these scratches the very top of the leather has been caught, lifting little points of the leather surface and revealing points of the unfinished layer below.

Taking into account the 2 scratches, they're definitely not a deal breakers for me. I'd happily use the bag for awhile and then spa it, if fixing them is feasible. Having not used the spa service before I'm just not sure what's possible. It's not that I'm hugely bothered by the scratches, I've just never spent so much on a bag that isn't either new or in pristine condition so want to explore my options before pulling the trigger, if that makes sense? Otherwise, I think that bag is really beautiful considering it's age. It's listed for $4250 USD

 

[QuelleFromage]

Taking into account the 2 scratches, they're definitely not a deal breakers for me. I'd happily use the bag for awhile and then spa it, if fixing them is feasible. Having not used the spa service before I'm just not sure what's possible. It's not that I'm hugely bothered by the scratches, I've just never spent so much on a bag that isn't either new or in pristine condition so want to explore my options before pulling the trigger, if that makes sense? Otherwise, I think that bag is really beautiful considering it's age. It's listed for $4250 USD

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The deal is that any scratch that ruptures the leather surface will always be there. It can be smoothed, polished, whatever but it will return, and you'll probably always be able to feel it. So it can be spa'd but can't be "fixed" per se.
The upside is, IMO it's kind of nice with pre-loved bags that the first scratches have already happened. Also, Clemence is super robust so it's not easy to scratch. These would have been made by something pretty sharp.
I know it's weird to buy an imperfect bag for thousands!

 

[thegirlwhoflies]

The deal is that any scratch that ruptures the leather surface will always be there. It can be smoothed, polished, whatever but it will return, and you'll probably always be able to feel it. So it can be spa'd but can't be "fixed" per se.
The upside is, IMO it's kind of nice with pre-loved bags that the first scratches have already happened. Also, Clemence is super robust so it's not easy to scratch. These would have been made by something pretty sharp.
I know it's weird to buy an imperfect bag for thousands!

That's great advice, thank you. I've always preferred to buy pre-loved, but have always had the option to buy bags that are in near-new condition because my price point has never been Hermes, I usually purchase Chanel which is slightly more affordable. The Lindy has grabbed my heart though, so this will be my first venture into Hermes.

 

[Pivoine66]

The deal is that any scratch that ruptures the leather surface will always be there. It can be smoothed, polished, whatever but it will return, and you'll probably always be able to feel it. So it can be spa'd but can't be "fixed" per se.
The upside is, IMO it's kind of nice with pre-loved bags that the first scratches have already happened. Also, Clemence is super robust so it's not easy to scratch. These would have been made by something pretty sharp.
I know it's weird to buy an imperfect bag for thousands!

Thank you, dear QuelleFromage, for always sharing your vast experience, it is so helpful and supportive. I appreciate this so much.

Some sort of crossposting with Ode to Swift here re touch up of corner wear and colour transfer re Swift leather in case you or somebody else has had concrete experience?:

My very experienced SA and her Artisan explained to me that especially with a very light colour like mushroom they would choose Swift
(and they would not wish for Epsom, because Swift would much much better be to repap - both for removing stains/colour transfer and scratches and corner wear - And here I can offer to share my experience: Scratches and corner wear of Courcheval - predecessor of Epsom if I recall correctly: some of them seamed superbe - but most returned rather quickly after use (not babied the bags, really used).

Has anyone here had corner wear or colour transfer treated on a light coloured Swift bag?
Would appreciate any shared experience very much!

(E.g. : With my Courchevel Bolides - i.e. predecessor leather from Epsom - I had repairs - if sometimes visually great at first - were actually short-lived and usually back quickly upon use).

 

[Debbie65]

Hi Friends!

I'm currently looking at purchasing a pre-loved Lindy 30 on eBay, it's from 2007 and is listed with 2 small scratches on the Clemence leather. Having no previous experience with Hermes, I'm wondering whether or not the spa would be able to fix these? Second and third photo show the scratches. And advice would be so appreciated.
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What a beautiful bag and that color red is stunning! Yes Hermes Spa will fix those scratches but any work to be done in the interior they will not do. Sounds ridiculous if you ask me. Lol. I just purchased a white vintage Hermès Ostrich Fonsbelle that needs the interior cleaned. It needs a DEEP CLEANING! Lol. I was told by the Hermès SA that Hermes will not do cleaning (a spa) for the interior but they will for the exterior. Just fyi if you wanted your interior done as well. You will be without your bag for some time sending it out. Thankfully your scratches are almost un noticeable. In person you may not see the scratches at all. I vouch for you to enjoy your bag for a little while due to the amount of time you'll have to wait to get your bag returned. I'm not sure where you are located but I know there is a Hermès Spa in Los Angeles so the return will be quicker for me, but if your bag needs a lot of work then it will be sent to Paris. When you get your bag please come back and share your bag with us.

 

[QuelleFromage]

Thank you, dear QuelleFromage, for always sharing your vast experience, it is so helpful and supportive. I appreciate this so much.

Some sort of crossposting with Ode to Swift here re touch up of corner wear and colour transfer re Swift leather in case you or somebody else has had concrete experience?:

My very experienced SA and her Artisan explained to me that especially with a very light colour like mushroom they would choose Swift
(and they would not wish for Epsom, because Swift would much much better be to repap - both for removing stains/colour transfer and scratches and corner wear - And here I can offer to share my experience: Scratches and corner wear of Courcheval - predecessor of Epsom if I recall correctly: some of them seamed superbe - but most returned rather quickly after use (not babied the bags, really used).

Has anyone here had corner wear or colour transfer treated on a light coloured Swift bag?
Would appreciate any shared experience very much!

(E.g. : With my Courchevel Bolides - i.e. predecessor leather from Epsom - I had repairs - if sometimes visually great at first - were actually short-lived and usually back quickly upon use).

I don't own any light-colored Swift but I would agree that a light color in Swift is better than a light color in Epsom. Epsom doesn't seem to like being rubbed or scratched (I only have one Epsom bag, also a Bolide, brand new, and I'm already feeling that it's not going to hold up to "robust" use!) I also think that because of the texture of Epsom, corner wear shows more. Swift is relatively smooth, so the "smoothing" that often happens with corner wear blends in better - just IMO.
I will say, also just in my experience, most corner touch-ups, on any leather, wear off fairly quickly. It's one of the areas where H spa disappoints.

 

[Pivoine66]

I don't own any light-colored Swift but I would agree that a light color in Swift is better than a light color in Epsom. Epsom doesn't seem to like being rubbed or scratched (I only have one Epsom bag, also a Bolide, brand new, and I'm already feeling that it's not going to hold up to "robust" use!) I also think that because of the texture of Epsom, corner wear shows more. Swift is relatively smooth, so the "smoothing" that often happens with corner wear blends in better - just IMO.
I will say, also just in my experience, most corner touch-ups, on any leather, wear off fairly quickly. It's one of the areas where H spa disappoints.

Thank you, dear QuelleFromage, for having - once again - taken the time to share your knowledge and for replying to my question. So much appreciated

 

[Love Of My Life]

The deal is that any scratch that ruptures the leather surface will always be there. It can be smoothed, polished, whatever but it will return, and you'll probably always be able to feel it. So it can be spa'd but can't be "fixed" per se.
The upside is, IMO it's kind of nice with pre-loved bags that the first scratches have already happened. Also, Clemence is super robust so it's not easy to scratch. These would have been made by something pretty sharp.
I know it's weird to buy an imperfect bag for thousands!

Agree here & recently purchased the Lindy. It is one of the best bags I own & in spite of
the scratches the color is wonderful so, if you can live with the scratches & understand that the
bag can be spa'd , I'd consider the bag.
Sorry for some reason my posts were not connected

 

[Love Of My Life]

Taking into account the 2 scratches, they're definitely not a deal breakers for me. I'd happily use the bag for awhile and then spa it, if fixing them is feasible. Having not used the spa service before I'm just not sure what's possible. It's not that I'm hugely bothered by the scratches, I've just never spent so much on a bag that isn't either new or in pristine condition so want to explore my options before pulling the trigger, if that makes sense? Otherwise, I think that bag is really beautiful considering it's age. It's listed for $4250 USD

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[Love Of My Life]

Hi Friends!

I'm currently looking at purchasing a pre-loved Lindy 30 on eBay, it's from 2007 and is listed with 2 small scratches on the Clemence leather. Having no previous experience with Hermes, I'm wondering whether or not the spa would be able to fix these? Second and third photo show the scratches. And advice would be so appreciated.
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The Lindy is a great bag & as it has been pointed out by one of our knowledgeable posters,
if you can live with the scratches, I'd consider the bag.

 

[dai224]

She’s officially ready for pick up! It took 3 weeks and 2 days to be exact. The after sales associate was right that they weren’t very busy at the time of drop off. Very excited and nervous to see the results. Might post once I pick it up!

 

[wenhuy]

Hello PFers! Looking for your advice here - I just bought a 2012 Massai Cut 32 in Granny or Vert Cru, however when I received the bag there are prominent lines on both the front and back of the bag. When I saw them on the seller’s photos I thought they were due to lighting , didn’t expect it to look like this at all. My guess is the prior owner didn’t store it well so it might have some color fading going on? Anyways it’s a final sale and I couldn’t return it. But the lines really bother me, is this something that can be repaired? I don’t have any knowledge about the Hermes Spa service so thank you all in advance!

 

[MillStream]

It's certainly worth taking it to an Hermes Boutique, especially one with a craftsperson on site, and asking if the lines can be minimized or removed. If nothing can be done by an Hermes spa treatment, it's a gorgeous color. Maybe you could embrace its uniqueness and love it as it is.

 

[Tonimichelle]

Hello PFers! Looking for your advice here - I just bought a 2012 Massai Cut 32 in Granny or Vert Cru, however when I received the bag there are prominent lines on both the front and back of the bag. When I saw them on the seller’s photos I thought they were due to lighting , didn’t expect it to look like this at all. My guess is the prior owner didn’t store it well so it might have some color fading going on? Anyways it’s a final sale and I couldn’t return it. But the lines really bother me, is this something that can be repaired? I don’t have any knowledge about the Hermes Spa service so thank you all in advance!

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It's funny but it looks almost like natural striations in the leather. I've seen them like this in Barenia, but I'm not sure if they're possible in swift! Maybe stretch marks from use? That said I had a rub mark (self inflicted ) on the front of a swift Birkin and after spa it looked the same, so I'm not sure if they can / will repair colour in the middle / across the front of a whole panel. Corner rubs and fading yes, but maybe not that.
It still looks gorgeous though, just my opinion but I'd embrace the variations in the leather and just enjoy it

 

[Goldenbelle]

Dear all, I am thinking about a preloved bag, beautiful condition but missing the leather clochette, keys and lock in gold hardware. Do you think I can get it remade? Thanks so much in advance!