Massaccesi Handbags

[nyeredzi]

This looks like a defect to me…this isn’t acceptable in a custom bag.

Aww, that sucks. Thanks for the input. Seems to be my kind of luck that the one time I try custom, I get a defective one. Well, I’m at least glad others validated something’s wrong. I tend to think somehow it’s my fault, maybe I perform zipping poorly, lol, (why, for example, I needed my husband’s external confirmation that it was difficult). I wonder if it’s too late to do anything about it, since I already used it a bunch. Might just reach out to him and ask, if Fancyfree doesn’t have a cool and easy fix!

 

[Fancyfree]

Looking at how wavy the zipper is, makes me think the zipper is too long.

View attachment 6075671

Here are my thoughts.

• Due to the bag's drapey shape, I would expect that the bag would need to be stretched lengthwise to close/open top zip.
• The zip ends extending beyond the leather edges is a design I have experienced in bags from many designers/brands, and it always really annoys me on soft bags, as it makes it so much harder to use the zip. Especially to close the zip. Not such a problem on structured/stiff bags, but very troublesome on soft bags.
• My trick has been to hand sew stitches over the zip itself, next to the end of the leather edges. See photo - needle indicates where I would sew. This stops the zip opening or closing beyond these stitches, and if the zip otherwise is OK, it makes the zip a lot easier to use.
• 
• To test whether this might be a successful solution for your bag, I imagine a pair of extra hands could play the role of the stitching . Ask someone to hold the zip at both ends, next to the end of the leather edges. Test if that makes the zip easy to open and close between their grip.
• 
• If zip is still cumbersome to use with this grip at either end, then it is definitely faulty. The wavy look of the zip on your photo certainly does indicate that it could be is too long and has not been sewn precisely enough..
• The good news is that Marco always sorts out any issues. having used the bag a lot wont make any difference in a case like this. So do get in touch with him if "grip-test" does not solve the issue. Feel free to copy and paste from this post if you wish.
• Best of luck!

 

[nyeredzi]

Thanks so much @Fancyfree ! I will try your tests, and get back with him in either case.

 

[nyeredzi]

Okay, final update to this. I did reach out and, in short, he essentially said I was zipping incorrectly. Or perhaps, that I need a special method to zip his bags. One of the two. Since I am the sort to naturally assume fault - like, I don't know, even though I've lived for several decades perhaps in fact I don't know how to use a zipper?? - I did get another adult (my husband) to attempt, and I guess he doesn't know how to use zippers either. 🤷🏾‍♀️ I found the best way to use this zipper is to keep the tab out (I do not prefer this look, but okay), and be careful not to open the zipper all the way. Even then, it's not great, but it's less of an issue. He said if it's really a problem, I could get a cobbler to add a "metal rectangle to block the zipper" to prevent it from opening all the way. Perhaps I will take it to a cobbler to fix what Massaccesi could not initially do correctly. I made a video for him, and will share it with you in case you are curious.



I mean, it's not the end of the world, but I am dissatisfied. I don't have a single bag with a zipper as bad as this, including those that have a tab you can pull out, and including cheap things from Target or Amazon. Meaning, even cheap bags have better zipper construction. I'm now less angry about the zipper and angrier about him putting the blame on me as someone who does not know how to use zippers as opposed to admitting the faulty construction. I had been curious to try this custom maker for over two years, but now regret the purchase.

 

[Devyn Danielle]

Okay, final update to this. I did reach out and, in short, he essentially said I was zipping incorrectly. Or perhaps, that I need a special method to zip his bags. One of the two. Since I am the sort to naturally assume fault - like, I don't know, even though I've lived for several decades perhaps in fact I don't know how to use a zipper?? - I did get another adult (my husband) to attempt, and I guess he doesn't know how to use zippers either. 🤷🏾‍♀️ I found the best way to use this zipper is to keep the tab out (I do not prefer this look, but okay), and be careful not to open the zipper all the way. Even then, it's not great, but it's less of an issue. He said if it's really a problem, I could get a cobbler to add a "metal rectangle to block the zipper" to prevent it from opening all the way. Perhaps I will take it to a cobbler to fix what Massaccesi could not initially do correctly. I made a video for him, and will share it with you in case you are curious.



I mean, it's not the end of the world, but I am dissatisfied. I don't have a single bag with a zipper as bad as this, including those that have a tab you can pull out, and including cheap things from Target or Amazon. Meaning, even cheap bags have better zipper construction. I'm now less angry about the zipper and angrier about him putting the blame on me as someone who does not know how to use zippers as opposed to admitting the faulty construction. I had been curious to try this custom maker for over two years, but now regret the purchase.

Wow, it's unfortunate that this wasn't resolved to your satisfaction.

 

[Fancyfree]

Okay, final update to this. I did reach out and, in short, he essentially said I was zipping incorrectly. Or perhaps, that I need a special method to zip his bags. One of the two. Since I am the sort to naturally assume fault - like, I don't know, even though I've lived for several decades perhaps in fact I don't know how to use a zipper?? - I did get another adult (my husband) to attempt, and I guess he doesn't know how to use zippers either. 🤷🏾‍♀️ I found the best way to use this zipper is to keep the tab out (I do not prefer this look, but okay), and be careful not to open the zipper all the way. Even then, it's not great, but it's less of an issue. He said if it's really a problem, I could get a cobbler to add a "metal rectangle to block the zipper" to prevent it from opening all the way. Perhaps I will take it to a cobbler to fix what Massaccesi could not initially do correctly. I made a video for him, and will share it with you in case you are curious.



I mean, it's not the end of the world, but I am dissatisfied. I don't have a single bag with a zipper as bad as this, including those that have a tab you can pull out, and including cheap things from Target or Amazon. Meaning, even cheap bags have better zipper construction. I'm now less angry about the zipper and angrier about him putting the blame on me as someone who does not know how to use zippers as opposed to admitting the faulty construction. I had been curious to try this custom maker for over two years, but now regret the purchase.

That grating zipper sound does not sound right at all 😱

 

[Fancyfree]

Okay, final update to this. I did reach out and, in short, he essentially said I was zipping incorrectly. Or perhaps, that I need a special method to zip his bags. One of the two. Since I am the sort to naturally assume fault - like, I don't know, even though I've lived for several decades perhaps in fact I don't know how to use a zipper?? - I did get another adult (my husband) to attempt, and I guess he doesn't know how to use zippers either. 🤷🏾‍♀️ I found the best way to use this zipper is to keep the tab out (I do not prefer this look, but okay), and be careful not to open the zipper all the way. Even then, it's not great, but it's less of an issue. He said if it's really a problem, I could get a cobbler to add a "metal rectangle to block the zipper" to prevent it from opening all the way. Perhaps I will take it to a cobbler to fix what Massaccesi could not initially do correctly. I made a video for him, and will share it with you in case you are curious.



I mean, it's not the end of the world, but I am dissatisfied. I don't have a single bag with a zipper as bad as this, including those that have a tab you can pull out, and including cheap things from Target or Amazon. Meaning, even cheap bags have better zipper construction. I'm now less angry about the zipper and angrier about him putting the blame on me as someone who does not know how to use zippers as opposed to admitting the faulty construction. I had been curious to try this custom maker for over two years, but now regret the purchase.

I've been thinking. Your video shows that there are 2 issues going on here.
The cobblers "metal rectangle to block the zipper" makes sense - it would stop the need to lift out the tab. This can also be achieved by the stitching I described.
Your video, with repeated opening and closing, illustrates perfectly the second issue - the zip itself. The grinding noise and the struggle to close the zip in some of the repeats.

I strongly suggest you send Marco the video, explaining that
- you understand that blocking the zip with metal rectangle will solve the tab issue
- he must play the whole of the video with sound to see and hear the zip problem

It does not hurt to mention that you have received this advice from one of his oldest customers 😉

 

[nyeredzi]

I've been thinking. Your video shows that there are 2 issues going on here.
The cobblers "metal rectangle to block the zipper" makes sense - it would stop the need to lift out the tab. This can also be achieved by the stitching I described.
Your video, with repeated opening and closing, illustrates perfectly the second issue - the zip itself. The grinding noise and the struggle to close the zip in some of the repeats.

I strongly suggest you send Marco the video, explaining that
- you understand that blocking the zip with metal rectangle will solve the tab issue
- he must play the whole of the video with sound to see and hear the zip problem

It does not hurt to mention that you have received this advice from one of his oldest customers 😉

Thank you, Fancyfree. What do you think causes the roughness of the zipper, which I guess is the harsh grating sound you hear? Is it the actual hardware itself, such that it wouldn't make a difference no matter how it was sewn in?

I still used the bag this week. It's the most appropriate bag I have that is a balance of easy shoulder and crossbody that doesn't look too casual. I used it at jury duty and a conference! I basically just leave it unzipped.

 

[Fancyfree]

Thank you, Fancyfree. What do you think causes the roughness of the zipper, which I guess is the harsh grating sound you hear? Is it the actual hardware itself, such that it wouldn't make a difference no matter how it was sewn in?

I still used the bag this week. It's the most appropriate bag I have that is a balance of easy shoulder and crossbody that doesn't look too casual. I used it at jury duty and a conference! I basically just leave it unzipped.

I truly have no idea what causes the roughnes of the zip... 🤔
Had it been from a brand I had no experience with, I would have assumed that the zip was itself was cheap and poor quality. But I have never experienced any issues with Marco's hardware or zips.

Maybe the two sides are ~1mm misaligned? Maybe that would cause such an issue? I really do not know.
Maybe a tailor, seamstress or cobbler could diagnose the problem.

I am glad to read that you find the bag works for you without using the zip 😀

 

[piosavsfan]

I truly have no idea what causes the roughnes of the zip... 🤔
Had it been from a brand I had no experience with, I would have assumed that the zip was itself was cheap and poor quality. But I have never experienced any issues with Marco's hardware or zips.

Maybe the two sides are ~1mm misaligned? Maybe that would cause such an issue? I really do not know.
Maybe a tailor, seamstress or cobbler could diagnose the problem.

I am glad to read that you find the bag works for you without using the zip 😀

I've never had any issues with Marcos zippers either. Something definitely doesn't look right from the video. I wonder if lubricating the zipper with some wax would help it close easier at all?

 

[coach943]

Okay, final update to this. I did reach out and, in short, he essentially said I was zipping incorrectly. Or perhaps, that I need a special method to zip his bags. One of the two. Since I am the sort to naturally assume fault - like, I don't know, even though I've lived for several decades perhaps in fact I don't know how to use a zipper?? - I did get another adult (my husband) to attempt, and I guess he doesn't know how to use zippers either. 🤷🏾‍♀️ I found the best way to use this zipper is to keep the tab out (I do not prefer this look, but okay), and be careful not to open the zipper all the way. Even then, it's not great, but it's less of an issue. He said if it's really a problem, I could get a cobbler to add a "metal rectangle to block the zipper" to prevent it from opening all the way. Perhaps I will take it to a cobbler to fix what Massaccesi could not initially do correctly. I made a video for him, and will share it with you in case you are curious.



I mean, it's not the end of the world, but I am dissatisfied. I don't have a single bag with a zipper as bad as this, including those that have a tab you can pull out, and including cheap things from Target or Amazon. Meaning, even cheap bags have better zipper construction. I'm now less angry about the zipper and angrier about him putting the blame on me as someone who does not know how to use zippers as opposed to admitting the faulty construction. I had been curious to try this custom maker for over two years, but now regret the purchase.

I'm sorry your zipper is causing so many issues. I also think something is not right with that particular zipper.

I do not like the end tabs of the zippers that Marco uses either. On the last bag I got with a zipper, I asked him if there was a way to not have the end of the zipper flip out, and his solution was to add a snap onto the closed end. I like it better, but the zipper still requires two hands to close it.

 

[piosavsfan]

Don't miss out on the Guantino leather! It's so luxurious and my favorite out of all the leathers I've tried from Marco (and one of the best I've had in general in my collection). I'm thinking about ordering at least 2 more bags in it.

 

[BeckyS]

Big clearance sale just announced yesterday by Marco -- check your email or his website.

He writes,

2025 will be a year of important changes for MM. In the near future we will be updating our price list. Due to market pressure we are also going to have to modify the services we offer and the extensive guarantees we provide. We will be reducing the expansive variety of leathers, linings and hardware finishings and styles. Unfortunately the current market rules have forced us to make these hard decisions. If we want to survive and avoid being eaten up by a few big companies that control over 90% of the leather goods market.

To assist with our strategic business changes we have decided to offer one of our biggest sales ever, with rebates of up to 35% off the large selection of leathers! This will allow us to reduce the inventory and streamline our business. I hope you all take advantage of this amazing offer and you will keep supporting us in the future as we realign our handbag business to meet current market demands!

Big Clearance Sale

Dear Customers,2025 will be a year of important changes for MM. In the near future we will be updating our price list. Due to market pressure we are also going to have to modify the services we offer and the extensive guarantees we provide. We will be reducing the expansive variety of leathers...

www.marcomassaccesi.it

 

[earswithfeet]

Thanks to my dear @yuzulife, I finally pulled the trigger on my first MM bag. I received her yesterday and, of course, had to take her on her maiden voyage today.

Minerva in Wisteria metallic and with lilac lining. I went light on customization and just chose a zippered top instead of the hidden magnet. The color of the edge coating matches the lining color. Perfection. 💜
I love this squishy soft and shiny beauty!



I'm definitely hooked and want many more MM bags!

 

[Devyn Danielle]

Congrats on your first MM bag. Very nice!