Hello,
So I bought a well used black Clémence B40 at auction. It is quite slouchy, but I rather like that, and never wanted a pristine one anyway. In fact, this time around I really wanted a bag that I wouldn’t be worried about using, unlike my delicate Kelly, that hardly ever comes out to play.
Anyway, I sent the Birkin off to France for spa treatment. Today - a month later, quicker than I thought - the quote arrived, and I need some serious advice before accepting.
The corners are scuffed, some stitching is required here and there, and so the quote for the
anticipated repair work is already fairly high, but still acceptable. But on top of that, Hermès recommends that the handles be completely replaced. I never saw that much of an issue with the handles, the leather has admittedly lost much of its grain with age and gone a bit shiny, but doesn’t have cracks or appear dry. So I wasn´t prepared for this, but of course I fully respect the opinion of a skilled Hermès artisan. New handles would more than double the figure on the invoice, though ...
I can’t imagine that Hermès would be able to do much about the present slouch of the bag anyway, right? Has anyone here sent a bag in a similar condition to spa and in that case, could you tell me about the before and after? Do you think it would it be worthwhile to have an otherwise rather tired old bag, but with immaculate handles?
I will of course consult one of the local SA:s about this as well, hoping for better luck than when I dropped the bag off. I see myself as a proper H novice, but here was an SA who really was considerably more ignorant than me with respect to leathers, HW etc. She more or less told me that the bag was fake because the hardware wasn’t shiny enough (it is brushed palladium …). Luckily, I had already been reassured by a lovely authenticator here before the purchase and wasn’t too worried. Anyone able to chip in about the sensible thing to do now?
Thanks!
