Odd leather smell

[Marylu1991]

Hey ladies,

I want to know that so far, does ONLY the leather of Togo and Epsom have leather smelly problem? What about Fjord? or Clemence? I want to buy a Birkin which was the original buyer purchased in June, 2014. It is a Fjord leather birkin 35. I am a bit worried about if I bought that bag, it has the smelly problem. I will definitely heartbroken.

 

[Mindi B]

The current problem, as far as I know, is confined to Togo and Epsom.

 

[Marylu1991]

The current problem, as far as I know, is confined to Togo and Epsom.

Thanks very much for your quick reply Yesterday, I actually visited 4 London boutiques for a Birkin. Well, the attitude of SAs were really pissed me off. However, when I mentioned about the smelly leather. It seemed that they looked a bit upset. They said that only " togo" have been spotted. However, from reading this forum, I do think EPSOM and other leathers have problems as well but mainly togo and epsom. They said if it had problem, they would offer a credits and return for replacement, hardly to mention a refund.

 

[Marylu1991]

What Hermes should be doing is calling all their customers who purchased bags from the batches which were affected and recalling them all. The fact that they haven't done this yet is very unprofessional.

Honestly, as a very high-end luxury brand. The customer service and after-selling service should be corresponding to their quality of the goods. Every time, I step into the Hermes Boutique in London, I do not feel really friendly and patience. The feeling I get is pride and inpatient. I totally agree that Hermes should take actions to call this problem item back. I do believe they record every piece sold items. Each customer have also left their contact details. Now a lot of coverages and negative reports over the internet, I do think they should be more actively solving this urgent problem. Why not Hermes hire/train more craftmans? I think it is really not fair to wait for that long time and you do remember during this waiting period, you have paid for this item already and you have right to use it…

 

[Marylu1991]

I was in my store today where I dropped my skunky bamboo b in Epsom 3 weeks ago. They told me I am their top priority which as nice to hear, but still nothing has come in to replace it.


On another note, I received my h.com order today, blue jean togo belt strap. As I was inspecting it to figure out if I like the color I caught a whiff of skunk! I used my hair dryer for a minute on it and it just reeked of skunk so I will be returning it back to h.com Year stamp was Q

I am so sad to hear that for you. I think Hermes still put the old stock on their website and also be likely to deliver to the store. I just do not understand WTF their quality control team doing? I think they are too proud of themselves and believe every item does not need to check it before sending to their customers.

 

[eagle1002us]

Every new bag H has to swap out for a skunk is a loss to them, and the loss is greater when they have to give a refund. A refund is money out the door that may never come back. I imagine the SA's are told to give customers a store credit if at all possible, not a refund.

 

[eagle1002us]

Thanks very much for your quick reply Yesterday, I actually visited 4 London boutiques for a Birkin. Well, the attitude of SAs were really pissed me off. However, when I mentioned about the smelly leather. It seemed that they looked a bit upset. They said that only " togo" have been spotted. However, from reading this forum, I do think EPSOM and other leathers have problems as well but mainly togo and epsom. They said if it had problem, they would offer a credits and return for replacement, hardly to mention a refund.

Can you imagine the embarrassment that the personnel of the company must feel b/c their luxury products have become stinkers? I am sure their competitors are laughing at them and LVMH is real glad it didn't get any more of a stake in the company than it did. Somehow or other I imagine H will be able to pull a rabbit out of a hole and declare an operating profit but their reputation has been hugely damaged. My guess is that the staff you encountered were defensively proud, that they've had it up to their ears in complaints about the bags and a fall-off in new sales.

 

[mistikat]

Recent posts are veering off topic and that makes it more difficult for role affected by defective bags to find current information.

If posts can get back to topic, it would be appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[Katel]

Reviewed this thread while watching tennis this afternoon, no promises that these numbers are 100% accurate but here's the approximate current situation.


Bags reported with a skunk smell:

TOGO
Birkin - 19, Kelly - 12, So Kelly - 2, SLG - 6, Style not specified - 6
TOGO TOTAL - 45


EPSOM
Birkin - 4, Kelly - 1, Jige - 1, SLG - 2
EPSOM TOTAL - 8


CLEMENCE
Lindy - 2
CLEMENCE TOTAL - 2


LEATHER UNSPECIFIED
Birkin - 4, Jige - 1, style unspecified - 2
LEATHER UNSPECIFIED TOTAL - 7


Bags reported returned by SAs (some could be included in the numbers above) - 9


TOTAL on this thread: 71 items

reposting this marvelous compilation - thank you, pierina2! (note that this list was compiled last June and is not up to date... it reports trends and affected leathers/styles that were reported on this thread up to June.)

what are the known years affected (predominantly)? P (2012) and Q (2013) only? R (2014) as well?

no togo/epsom bags, but am now checking belt straps (like IF)

 

[pierina2]

Thanks, Katel. June seems like such a long time ago, and my replacement Kelly still isn't here....

Other than a few odds and ends it's the [Q] and [R] togo and epsom items that can be affected. Good luck with your belts!

 

[stephmorris11]

Podium order are regular shipments.

Thank you. I visited my store today to inquire about the status of my SO placed last November (Rose Confetti and Anemone so very current colors in Togo) and the lady said not to expect it this year. She said all production for SOs has stopped and the artisans have been turned toward producing replacements for defective bags.

I am not sure if this is true or not (my SA has been with the company for many years so I do trust her). While I understand this shift, I am really sad because this bag was for a very special event in December and now it likely will not be here on time.

She also confirmed that it is Togo and Epsom (mine is gonna be Epsom when it does come) that has been affected. And she said SLGs also are involved. Just what we have been reading on this thread.

 

[Tingeling]

Ok so the sun finally came out today so I tested my bag.

My bag is a Noir Birkin 35 in Togo a walk in buy at FSH Q stamp. So I hung my bag in the window in direct sunlight. I left it there for a couple of hours. I also turned it around so all the panels got sunshine. The sun also managed to heat up the bag through the window today so I think I got the bag properly tested.

And, I def. think I am one of the lucky ones that don't have a skunk. The leather had the same odor as when it is cold, it only smelled a little stronger of leather, but still only leather.

I am so happy, but I also feel for all of you who went to so much trouble to save up for the bag of your dreams and then got a defective one. So sorry for you all, and I hope Hermes will replace them as fast as they possible can!

 

[mcangelcm]

I'm waiting for response from Paris before I decide whether or not to write to HQ. I am annoyed however that for all the praise for H quality something like this can happen. While I am lucky to have a wonderful SA, I know some are not so fortunate and that is truly an injustice. So far, my etain K in togo has been the only stinker of the bunch, the rest of my bags are scent free. Although I'm sorely tempted now to do a heat test...

I purchased my Kelly in Togo Etain almost one year ago (November 3rd). It's always had a smell about it....my cousin in Texas asked me if it was my bag. My husband thinks I should go back to the store and see what can be done. I assume, I should indeed, go? We definitely say it smells skunky. The year stamp is Q.

It's a two hour drive...but like everyone else....I don't want to go around carrying a smelly bag.

 

[VigeeLeBrun]

I purchased my Kelly in Togo Etain almost one year ago (November 3rd). It's always had a smell about it....my cousin in Texas asked me if it was my bag. My husband thinks I should go back to the store and see what can be done. I assume, I should indeed, go? We definitely say it smells skunky. The year stamp is Q.

It's a two hour drive...but like everyone else....I don't want to go around carrying a smelly bag.

mcangelcm, definitely go and return it IMO, even if it is a 2 hour drive. Maybe call ahead and speak with your SA beforehand. Fingers crossed for you, good luck!

 

[cr1stalangel]

reposting this marvelous compilation - thank you, pierina2! (note that this list was compiled last June and is not up to date... it reports trends and affected leathers/styles that were reported on this thread up to June.)

what are the known years affected (predominantly)? P (2012) and Q (2013) only? R (2014) as well?

no togo/epsom bags, but am now checking belt straps (like IF)

R stamp is definitely affected for both Togo and Epsom. Belts, wallets, agendas, etc is affected. Unfortunately I'm speaking from my personal experience and from what I've been reading on this thread.