So after reading a recent thread about glazing issues on empriente bags I checked my strap to my speedy. Lo and behold there were a bunch of signs that the strap was defective (big dings and imprints in the glaze where it appears to have "melted.") so I called LV and the girl I spoke with told me and I quote "that is a known quality issue" and told me to bring in the bag and that it should be no problem to have it replaced. I brought it in and showed and explained what j just told you. The SA looked me right in the eye and said "nobody at Louis Vuitton would tell you that there is a known quality issue. It will be $300 to replace the strap." I very politely told her that I was in fact told those exact words. I also mentioned that I have been shopping at LV for 20 years with no problems. I told her I would not be buying a strap and if need be I would just leave it as it was. She then disappeared out back to get a manager. The super friendly manager came right up, told me she would be ordering me a new strap free of charge, and let me keep my current one so I can continue using my bag. I'm glad that ended well!