Leather Surgeons/Leather Pros/Rago Brothers/Purse Rehab - which do you recommend?

[dramaprincess713]

I have a Chanel WOC in need of repair and TLC. The most immediate need/damage is the sides of the flap - they have started to separate where the chain meets the flap when carrying it as a shoulder bag/crossbody, and the piping is starting to show. I've included some pictures below. In addition to this, there is just overall wear and tear and scuffed leather.

I am reaching out to Leather Surgeons, Leather Pros, Rago Brothers, and Purse Rehab for quotes. However, I was wondering if anyone had any personal experiences or reviews? I've looked at all of their websites, galleries, etc., and honestly, I'm quite impressed with them all. I obviously want to pick whoever is going to do the best job though, and that's where I'm having a hard time picking who to go with.

I did hear back from Leather Surgeons already. They said there isn't really a perfect fix because the leather is so "chewed up" in that area but that they can definitely improve the area and get it functional by grafting new leather over the damage as best as they can and then give it a spa service. Not going to lie - it makes me sad and kind of nervous that they said there isn't a perfect fix. I do appreciate the honesty; it just makes me feel like there's little hope for my WOC. I'm also not sure how to potentially take it if other places come back and say they can definitely fix it perfectly...should I take that as they are more skilled or that they are over-promising things?

Any thoughts or experiences would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Chanel4Eva]

I’ve had such great experience with leather surgeons. Even before I sent my bag to them, they told me no promises for perfect but when I got it back, it looked amazing! They take a lot of care in their repairs imo. I also sent a bag in to Rago Brothers before for a refurb and my bag came back very stiff, blotchy, and made a crackling noise when I opened the flap. I do not recommend them.

 

[aq7588@]

I just received my royal blue m/l Chanel flap back from Leather Pros and Mark did an awesome job. The color had started to fade and Mark really brought it back to its original color. I will post pics later

 

[dramaprincess713]

I’ve had such great experience with leather surgeons. Even before I sent my bag to them, they told me no promises for perfect but when I got it back, it looked amazing! They take a lot of care in their repairs imo. I also sent a bag in to Rago Brothers before for a refurb and my bag came back very stiff, blotchy, and made a crackling noise when I opened the flap. I do not recommend them.

Oh wow, thank you for sharing re. Rago Brothers! I'm sorry you had such a poor experience, but I'm happy to hear Leather Surgeons was good!

 

[dramaprincess713]

I just received my royal blue m/l Chanel flap back from Leather Pros and Mark did an awesome job. The color had started to fade and Mark really brought it back to its original color. I will post pics later

Thanks for sharing! Can I ask - did your bag have any tears or that sort of damage or was it more about the color and TLC?

 

[OCMomof3]

Mark at LeatherPros is a dream to work with. I especially appreciate his communication throughout the process. He has dyed a large flap from brown to black for me (incredible results) and done some work on a vintage small black flap. I highly recommend him. He will want to see the bag before quoting you, but I find his pricing extremely reasonable.

 

[tlilrascal]

I would totally recommend Leather Surgeons. I tripped once and fell on my WOC which caused a small tear in the leather. They grafted leather to fix the tear. If i didn't know the tear was there, I wouldnt notice any difference. Totally saved my bag.

 

[tinyturtle]

I have only used Leather Surgeons and the result was fantastic so I would recommend them.

 

[jljernigan925]

I have used both Leather Surgeons and Purse Rehab in the past and I had great experiences with both.

 

[ChanelCanuck]

I sent eight bags (six Chanel) to Leather Surgeons a few months ago. Customer service was top notch, prices were reasonable, the turnaround was relatively quick and my bags came back in better condition than I had even expected. (And they had warned me not to get my hopes up about some trouble spots when they gave me my quotes too.) Cannot recommend enough.

 

[ccbaggirl89]

tbh i've had botched work with all 3, which is why i no longer fix my bags anymore - they never come back right in my experience. rago re-dyed my bag and it felt like a crispy wafer and never went back to anything even close to normal. leather pros was awful - his workmanship was shoddy (on LV and Chanel) and my bags were both times sent back in damaged, reused boxes - very limited professionalism, although via email/phone he seemed fine. best overall service experience has been leather surgeons, although even with their service it's always way too expensive for what they offer compared to how my bags looked afterwards. i think leather surgeons is the best overall, but i have low expectations with any repairs now and would rather just sell my bags off.

 

[Purseonic Woman]

tbh i've had botched work with all 3, which is why i no longer fix my bags anymore - they never come back right in my experience. rago re-dyed my bag and it felt like a crispy wafer and never went back to anything even close to normal. leather pros was awful - his workmanship was shoddy (on LV and Chanel) and my bags were both times sent back in damaged, reused boxes - very limited professionalism, although via email/phone he seemed fine. best overall service experience has been leather surgeons, although even with their service it's always way too expensive for what they offer compared to how my bags looked afterwards. i think leather surgeons is the best overall, but i have low expectations with any repairs now and would rather just sell my bags off.

Yes, I understand completely, though with LS I think their customer service is quite fantastic. I don’t believe they would have behaved like LP in this situation. Rago Bros I’ve heard enough about to not even try, which makes me sad because Ferragamo recommends them for their bags. I don’t repair my Ferras, just turn them over, like you said.
Exactly, on the phone with LP was great, then went sideways fast. Just sad and unprofessional. And your bags were sent back in damaged/ reused boxes? That’s just wrong.

 

[ccbaggirl89]

Yes, I understand completely, though with LS I think their customer service is quite fantastic. I don’t believe they would have behaved like LP in this situation. Rago Bros I’ve heard enough about to not even try, which makes me sad because Ferragamo recommends them for their bags. I don’t repair my Ferras, just turn them over, like you said.
Exactly, on the phone with LP was great, then went sideways fast. Just sad and unprofessional. And your bags were sent back in damaged/ reused boxes? That’s just wrong.

Yes, they were, I was shocked. He had printed over other addresses and crossed out labels, and the worst part was I believe he charges for shipping both ways, so... whatever. I wouldn't use that place ever again.

 

[dramaprincess713]

Thanks for the input everyone! I sent it to Leather Surgeons. Keeping my fingers crossed for a good outcome!

 

[Sparkletastic]

tbh i've had botched work with all 3, which is why i no longer fix my bags anymore - they never come back right in my experience. rago re-dyed my bag and it felt like a crispy wafer and never went back to anything even close to normal. leather pros was awful - his workmanship was shoddy (on LV and Chanel) and my bags were both times sent back in damaged, reused boxes - very limited professionalism, although via email/phone he seemed fine. best overall service experience has been leather surgeons, although even with their service it's always way too expensive for what they offer compared to how my bags looked afterwards. i think leather surgeons is the best overall, but i have low expectations with any repairs now and would rather just sell my bags off.

I’ve had good experiences with Leather Pros and Leather Surgeons. That being said, I’ve kind of gotten to where you are. Now, I will only buy a preloved bag if it’s pristine (not a fixer upper). And, I care for my bags with the mindset that any damage is likely not repairable. If I have to get repair work I may but I will expect the worse and hope to be pleasantly surprised.

Thanks for the input everyone! I sent it to Leather Surgeons. Keeping my fingers crossed for a good outcome!

Good luck!!!