Hermes sold me a bag with a dent?

[fashionfriends]

Just bought this Barenia Faubourg Kelly from the store and when I got home I realized there is a big dent on the bottom. I also noticed other light superficial scratches on the bag too. Seems like maybe the bag was already used by another customer and then returned? The small scratches don't bother me but the dent on the bottom is quite big and obvious.

Should I take it back to Hermes? If I take this back to Hermes, what will they do? Send it to the spa or do I need to wait for a new bag? Thanks in advance

 

[QuelleFromage]

That looks like smooth Barenia?

 

[fashionfriends]

That looks like smooth Barenia?

Oh maybe you're right. The receipt says "veau barenia 34 fauve"

 

[kuwa]

The dent wouldn’t both me, but you have to decide if it’s a dealbreaker for you. As for the light scratches, welcome to the wonderful world of Barenia! They’re inevitable and will eventually blend. Again, if this is your initial response, take a moment to decide if it’s for you, it really isn’t for everyone. Still looks yummy to me!

 

[acrowcounted]

Just bought this Barenia Faubourg Kelly from the store and when I got home I realized there is a big dent on the bottom. I also noticed other light superficial scratches on the bag too. Seems like maybe the bag was already used by another customer and then returned? The small scratches don't bother me but the dent on the bottom is quite big and obvious.

Should I take it back to Hermes? If I take this back to Hermes, what will they do? Send it to the spa or do I need to wait for a new bag? Thanks in advance

In my experience, if you take it back to the store, their first suggestion will be to send it off to spa for 6+ months (though I’m not sure what spa would do as this is just typical barenia wear and tear imo). If you push hard enough, they may be willing to allow you to return the bag for a refund but it usually takes some firm insistence. I doubt the bag was a return, more likely just careless handling somewhere between the bag being completed by the artisan and your SA revealing it to you.

 

[QuelleFromage]

Yes, this is Barenia. The scratches are going to happen as soon as you breathe on the bag, basically. That does look like a fairly severe abrasion on the bottom though (sometimes these things look worse in photos). It could easily have happened in store, but it would probably bother me.

If you return the bag, it really depends on your store and relationship how it will be handled. Ideally you’d get a similar bag in a different leather immediately - another Barenia is possible but unlikely. But, some stores would just give you credit.

 

[A bottle of Red]

Just bought this Barenia Faubourg Kelly from the store and when I got home I realized there is a big dent on the bottom. I also noticed other light superficial scratches on the bag too. Seems like maybe the bag was already used by another customer and then returned? The small scratches don't bother me but the dent on the bottom is quite big and obvious.

Should I take it back to Hermes? If I take this back to Hermes, what will they do? Send it to the spa or do I need to wait for a new bag? Thanks in advance

I would be upset too and want to return if the bag was brand new but had the scratch already there

 

[textilegirl]

I tried to take a close look and I wonder if there are two issues, a bit of an indentation, and additionally, the superficial scratch/smudge. As for the latter, @QuelleFromage is absolutely correct, that sort of thing will happen just looking at the bag it seems. It's something you might be able to smooth out with your finger.

What I can't tell is whether there's an actual indentation; that might bother me more, but OTH, it's barenia, and it will be a real problem to address in as much as it's so rarely available. I view barenia as a banging around bag (the gorgeous patina only develops with use after all), and as such, that dent is to be expected. Just my opinion, YMMV, and while I don't have any indentations on my own B35 there are plenty of 'smudges' and I'm just living with it.

 

[Kabuki]

Only you can decide what is right for you. I would return it, but then again, I would not buy that type of leather because it is going to be covered in fingernail scratches in no time. Call it patina, but that would not work for me. YMMV. Anywhere but Hermes, you could negotiate for a discount for them selling you a “distressed” bag. 😜

 

[Love Of My Life]

This is the nature of this leather. For many of us, every mark, dent, scratch is what gives this
leather the character that many of us don't mind & there will be more marks over time.
You will either like it or you won't.. we can't tell you how you should feel about Barenia
besides going with your own instinct ..

 

[GabrielleS]

A new barenia will scratch just as easily so if you return it, your SA may never offer you one again. It’s going to get far more scratched when you use it regularly so if this will bother you return it.

 

[fashionfriends]

Thanks for your input everyone. So I will think it over but it's true that this leather is so rare to come around and I don't want my SA to never offer me another bag. I guess it's good that it's at least on the bottom of the bag and not as noticeable.

Will the indentation look less obvious over time once the leather patinas?

 

[880]

Thanks for your input everyone. So I will think it over but it's true that this leather is so rare to come around and I don't want my SA to never offer me another bag. I guess it's good that it's at least on the bottom of the bag and not as noticeable.

Will the indentation look less obvious over time once the leather patinas?

I do not see a huge dent.* Barenia offers aren’t that rare these days, and your SA will not blackball you from another bag offer unless there are other circumstances not mentioned here. Your SA might not to offer you another Barenia bag however. This is because Barenia by its very nature marks up. Since you are the one spending many thousands USD, and you are not happy, I think what others are trying to say, is Barenia is not for you. If marks such as these bother you, my advice is to skip Barenia altogether or limit yourself to BF which is hardier bc it’s pebbled. I have never returned a bag, but I have rejected many offers, so I cannot comment on how willing your particular SA or store will react. In the future I would advise you to examine any bag closely prior to accepting an offer.

ETA: I happily wore my smooth Fauve barenia sneakers (not Hermes) on a tour of the slot canyons, and they now have some marks. I’ve owned Hermes Fauve Barenia HAC and 35 Trim II, and it took a long time for patina to develop. It sounds like you will not be happy waiting that long. Good luck with whatever you decide.

*unless you mean the mark smaller than a stitch? I‘m not even sure if this would even be considered a defect of the hide.
in my limited experience with fauve barenia, the feet of the bag prevent/protect the bottom panel from as much patina as the top flap and sides.

 

[GabrielleS]

Thanks for your input everyone. So I will think it over but it's true that this leather is so rare to come around and I don't want my SA to never offer me another bag. I guess it's good that it's at least on the bottom of the bag and not as noticeable.

Will the indentation look less obvious over time once the leather patinas?

It’s a very fragile leather. It’s going to get more marked up as you use it. It sounds like this may not be the leather for you.

 

[Love Of My Life]

Thanks for your input everyone. So I will think it over but it's true that this leather is so rare to come around and I don't want my SA to never offer me another bag. I guess it's good that it's at least on the bottom of the bag and not as noticeable.

Will the indentation look less obvious over time once the leather patinas?

The indentation is there & quite frankly if it doesn't go away with time, will that bother you?
Perhaps that is the question you might want to ask yourself...
As @880 points out, this is not a reason your SA would blackball you from an offer in the
future but it would be a reason not to offer you Barenia down the road.
Barenia is an interesting leather for those who understand & like the natural characteristics
of the leather, at the end of the day, you have to decide, JMO