LV and the quality
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Hello everyone this is my first thread so I hope I don't offend anyone, 
most especially seeing as I love the forum and really enjoy reading peoples thoughts on their luxury bags, but I was wondering if anyone had any thoughts on the quality of Louis Vuitton?
I received a Neverfull MM for my birthday in July and already their are a few loose threads. I am freaking out to say the least but I'm also quite upset about it, and I've read on other threads that this isn't uncommon. Also I am looking to buy a LV Speedy 30 and it surprised me that the leather on the zipper isn't coated underneath and on some models doesn't look finished well - it has 'raw' edges. I have a vintage mulberry that is in the same style as the speedy and the zip is the same (it isn't coated underneath) however I thought because of the quality of LV it would be finished well.
It kind of leads me to think what would I be paying for? I'm a massive lover of luxury bags because of the quality and heritage but finding loose threads and raw edges and to be told that this is the standard because the method they are made in doesn't sit well with me. (Thats what a sales assistant at LV in Selfridges told me when I was looking at the speedy's and explained about my Neverfull.) I also have a monogram Noe which is vintage and the quality and finishing is top notch, so is this a recent thing?
It will be interesting to hear peoples thoughts, thanks so much.
most especially seeing as I love the forum and really enjoy reading peoples thoughts on their luxury bags, but I was wondering if anyone had any thoughts on the quality of Louis Vuitton? I received a Neverfull MM for my birthday in July and already their are a few loose threads. I am freaking out to say the least but I'm also quite upset about it, and I've read on other threads that this isn't uncommon. Also I am looking to buy a LV Speedy 30 and it surprised me that the leather on the zipper isn't coated underneath and on some models doesn't look finished well - it has 'raw' edges. I have a vintage mulberry that is in the same style as the speedy and the zip is the same (it isn't coated underneath) however I thought because of the quality of LV it would be finished well.
It kind of leads me to think what would I be paying for? I'm a massive lover of luxury bags because of the quality and heritage but finding loose threads and raw edges and to be told that this is the standard because the method they are made in doesn't sit well with me. (Thats what a sales assistant at LV in Selfridges told me when I was looking at the speedy's and explained about my Neverfull.) I also have a monogram Noe which is vintage and the quality and finishing is top notch, so is this a recent thing?
It will be interesting to hear peoples thoughts, thanks so much.
monogram Noe which is vintage and the quality and finishing is top notch, so is this a recent thing?
^^ I'm afraid it is. I believe the vintage pieces are made like iron.....more people, more demand, faster production.... my own two cents...but, we still love louis!
^^ I'm afraid it is. I believe the vintage pieces are made like iron.....more people, more demand, faster production.... my own two cents...but, we still love louis!
I personally have felt that the quality has definately gone down. I own three older items which I got about 7 years ago in my late teens and being the age I was at the time I didn't baby them like I would now but all 3 items look absolutely great! The one Mono canvas bag which I used most looks great and barely has wear to it.
Whereas out of the 5 newer pieces I've bought 3 of them don't look so great even though I've babied them. For example my Damier NF MM has the leather on the handles sort of wrinkling and flaking and I haven't even carried it very much because I've got a big enough collection (LV and other designers) that in the 8 months I've owned it I've probably only carried it for a month. My Mono Small agenda and Damier Pocket agenda's have started to fade even though I've only owned them for a year and not even consistantly used them
Whereas out of the 5 newer pieces I've bought 3 of them don't look so great even though I've babied them. For example my Damier NF MM has the leather on the handles sort of wrinkling and flaking and I haven't even carried it very much because I've got a big enough collection (LV and other designers) that in the 8 months I've owned it I've probably only carried it for a month. My Mono Small agenda and Damier Pocket agenda's have started to fade even though I've only owned them for a year and not even consistantly used them
To be honest - the neverful is not one of their more quality bags. I have heard about this over and over again with that particular bag. Fraying edges, breaking straps.
In answer to your question though, yes. Since the takeover when the hands of the company left the family, yes I do feel quality has gone down.
When I started buying LV about 25 years ago, the quality was just unbelievable. It's still good, but not the same. I try to steer away from some of the brand new bags because some of the hardware is really really shoddy. It's definitely not coated brass like it used to be years ago.
It's too bad. But I still love LV and will continue to buy it - I'm just very careful what I buy. I stick with some of the classics, with really nice leather, and steer clear of hardware plates that will discolor and a lot of little "bells and whistles" that I know won't stay nice. For instance, I like the Tivoli PM. But the ones I've seen over a year old, all of the hardware has turned. Yuck. I won't buy it for that reason, which makes me sad, but I know it would drive me nuts. They are definitely trying to cut costs and things have changed. My porte tresor wallet is over 10 years old and still looks brand new. The mono zippy I bought my daughter two years ago already had to have its zipper replaced because it turned silver. So did my Tulum PM - new zipper. You would think with a bag that is well over $1,000 that the zipper wouldn't turn - and that wouldn't have happened 10 years ago. My Babylone bag had gorgeous cowhide lining. The newer ones (before they were discontinued) had cheap lining and the vachetta wasn't nearly as nice either.
I will never sell my older pieces because they are absolutely gorgeous. I often peruse Ebay to look for vintage LV - some of it is just gorgeous.
While I love my mono agenda with the rose interior, I've already replaced the clasp because it turned silverish. My other mono agenda - which is 10 years old (the traditional one), still looks brand new. My older agenda also has better brass hardware on the interior rings than the newer one. So does my really old keyholder. The new keyholders - the brass turns within a few months. Same on my old mono cles. The part that holds the keys is still a pretty gold color. The one I bought my daughter six months ago - already discolored and silverish.
My damier pap is the older style with much nicer, chunkier hardware. The newer ones have a prettier red lining, but the hardware is cheaper.
I think that while LV is trying to appeal to a whole cross section of customers and appeal to people that might not have been able to purchase their product before, they do seem to think that that particular clientele may not notice where they are cutting costs (i.e., the Neverfull I think is a case in point). It's a shame because it's a very practical style. However, the costs to actually make it, versus what they are charging, make it one that I wouldn't purchase. The batignolles horizontal is about the same price point, and has much more sturdy straps, better hardware, and stays beautiful for a long time. The important thing is to really look at what you are purchasing. Don't get caught up in hype and try to really look at the hardware, etc., to figure out whether this is a bag that will last 5-10 years or more. For the price, I like to feel like I'm going to have something a really long time.
Another way to research is to watch ebay ads for old versions of what you are looking at. See how it looks after it's been used a long time. Damier Almas - after 5 years, are still gorgeous. Same thing with most Damier bags, as long as they don't have plates that will tarnish, scratch and turn.
Just do your research. I still love Louis Vuitton.
In answer to your question though, yes. Since the takeover when the hands of the company left the family, yes I do feel quality has gone down.
When I started buying LV about 25 years ago, the quality was just unbelievable. It's still good, but not the same. I try to steer away from some of the brand new bags because some of the hardware is really really shoddy. It's definitely not coated brass like it used to be years ago.
It's too bad. But I still love LV and will continue to buy it - I'm just very careful what I buy. I stick with some of the classics, with really nice leather, and steer clear of hardware plates that will discolor and a lot of little "bells and whistles" that I know won't stay nice. For instance, I like the Tivoli PM. But the ones I've seen over a year old, all of the hardware has turned. Yuck. I won't buy it for that reason, which makes me sad, but I know it would drive me nuts. They are definitely trying to cut costs and things have changed. My porte tresor wallet is over 10 years old and still looks brand new. The mono zippy I bought my daughter two years ago already had to have its zipper replaced because it turned silver. So did my Tulum PM - new zipper. You would think with a bag that is well over $1,000 that the zipper wouldn't turn - and that wouldn't have happened 10 years ago. My Babylone bag had gorgeous cowhide lining. The newer ones (before they were discontinued) had cheap lining and the vachetta wasn't nearly as nice either.
I will never sell my older pieces because they are absolutely gorgeous. I often peruse Ebay to look for vintage LV - some of it is just gorgeous.
While I love my mono agenda with the rose interior, I've already replaced the clasp because it turned silverish. My other mono agenda - which is 10 years old (the traditional one), still looks brand new. My older agenda also has better brass hardware on the interior rings than the newer one. So does my really old keyholder. The new keyholders - the brass turns within a few months. Same on my old mono cles. The part that holds the keys is still a pretty gold color. The one I bought my daughter six months ago - already discolored and silverish.
My damier pap is the older style with much nicer, chunkier hardware. The newer ones have a prettier red lining, but the hardware is cheaper.
I think that while LV is trying to appeal to a whole cross section of customers and appeal to people that might not have been able to purchase their product before, they do seem to think that that particular clientele may not notice where they are cutting costs (i.e., the Neverfull I think is a case in point). It's a shame because it's a very practical style. However, the costs to actually make it, versus what they are charging, make it one that I wouldn't purchase. The batignolles horizontal is about the same price point, and has much more sturdy straps, better hardware, and stays beautiful for a long time. The important thing is to really look at what you are purchasing. Don't get caught up in hype and try to really look at the hardware, etc., to figure out whether this is a bag that will last 5-10 years or more. For the price, I like to feel like I'm going to have something a really long time.
Another way to research is to watch ebay ads for old versions of what you are looking at. See how it looks after it's been used a long time. Damier Almas - after 5 years, are still gorgeous. Same thing with most Damier bags, as long as they don't have plates that will tarnish, scratch and turn.
Just do your research. I still love Louis Vuitton.
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What a wonderful and informative post Charleston-mom!
Although I am fairly new at LV (but collected other designers), I was told the same thing by avid LV collectors. Even some of the older (experienced) SAs have told me the same thing with regards to the quality of LV. That the older vintage pieces (when the company was still in under the direction of the family) were of better quality.
I have read that they have also stopped treating the vachetta, the canvas is not as thick (more supple is the selling of the company), the hardware is not brass but plated, etc.
Don't get me wrong, I still think LV makes high quality pieces but they tend to be the higher price items. I have seen vintage bags where the hardware is still good not black or the chipping away like some that are just a few years old.
In general, I don't think LV is the only brand that quality as been an issue. Other brands have this issue as well.
Although I am fairly new at LV (but collected other designers), I was told the same thing by avid LV collectors. Even some of the older (experienced) SAs have told me the same thing with regards to the quality of LV. That the older vintage pieces (when the company was still in under the direction of the family) were of better quality.
I have read that they have also stopped treating the vachetta, the canvas is not as thick (more supple is the selling of the company), the hardware is not brass but plated, etc.
Don't get me wrong, I still think LV makes high quality pieces but they tend to be the higher price items. I have seen vintage bags where the hardware is still good not black or the chipping away like some that are just a few years old.
In general, I don't think LV is the only brand that quality as been an issue. Other brands have this issue as well.
Not from my experience but I've also only been buying LV for a few years and I've never had a problem with any of my bags or accessories! *knock on wood*
I'm sorry you are having problems with your NF. I would try contacting your local boutique and see if there is anything they will do for your NF.
Welcome to tpf!
I'm sorry you are having problems with your NF. I would try contacting your local boutique and see if there is anything they will do for your NF.
Welcome to tpf!
It sure has...My handed-down epi purchased 6 years ago doesn't have a scratch, nor does another epi piece purchased earlier last year.
However, this new epi cassis speedy i've purchased already got 2 scratches within 5 uses...you know I used to carry those older pieces on daily basis...I'm disappointed indeed
However, this new epi cassis speedy i've purchased already got 2 scratches within 5 uses...you know I used to carry those older pieces on daily basis...I'm disappointed indeed
Thank you for such an amazing post, Charleston-mom. Sharing your experience is invaluable to the rest of us!
Do you have an opinion on the Bloomsbury regarding quality, especially since it is one of the newer designs? Also, I have wondered if the red interior lining would transfer or bleed onto lighter items. I have a few smaller damier azur pieces I would be carrying inside the Bloomsbury, and don't want them ruined.
Thank you!
Do you have an opinion on the Bloomsbury regarding quality, especially since it is one of the newer designs? Also, I have wondered if the red interior lining would transfer or bleed onto lighter items. I have a few smaller damier azur pieces I would be carrying inside the Bloomsbury, and don't want them ruined.
Thank you!
Thanks! The Bloomsbury is a GREAT bag. Very little hardware. Beautiful Damier canvas. This actually is going to be one of my next bags. You can't go wrong with this one. I have a Damier Speedy and have no issues with bleeding, even onto my vernis Framboise zippy when I use it. I'm not sure though if I might use a different wallet than azur inside a red purse, just in case it got damp.
That said - I love the Bloomsbury!
