I buy many handbags, always from reputable retail stores. I have a very large collection of RM bags. I purchased the fawn devote from Three Sirens. I have always received flawless bags from there. When I received my bag it looked fine. I didn't notice the buckle was on backwards. There was also a stain on the bottom of the bag, like dirt not color variation. Maybe a return? I don't know. I didn't notice it till I took it out a couple of months later, for the summer. I have a closet for my handbags, I can assure you it did not happen by the way I store my bags.
I don't buy any bags from RM directly, except for one SO. I can only attest to my experience with them, which has been pretty bad.