Odd leather smell

[Nico_79]

Any updates on yours, Nico?

Anyone else with updates?

My skunky little B is gone. Seller confirmed it indeed stinks and is refunding me. I guess I can call this a successful resolution. No more skunk, but no dream B.

Hoping for the keeper to show up sooner than later, but I am still completely floored that buyers of Hermes have to deal with this. It definitely left a sour taste in my mouth. Hermes buyers shouldn't have to worry about something like this.

No update yet. I think I will go harass my SA today.

I think this experience has definitely been bittersweet no? To get your dream bag and to realize that it's a stinker!! Ugh Hermes why do you do this to us!?!

I am happy to hear the seller agreed to take it back and refund you! I'm sure your dream bag will come around, just need to be patient. I think that is the biggest lesson I have learned from H.

 

[hrhsunshine]

No update yet. I think I will go harass my SA today.

I think this experience has definitely been bittersweet no? To get your dream bag and to realize that it's a stinker!! Ugh Hermes why do you do this to us!?!

I am happy to hear the seller agreed to take it back and refund you! I'm sure your dream bag will come around, just need to be patient. I think that is the biggest lesson I have learned from H.

Good idea! Stoke that fire for an update.

You nailed it. Truly bittersweet. Definitely a HUGE lesson learned.
Resellers will need to stipulate "skunk free" in their listings

 

[Nico_79]

Good idea! Stoke that fire for an update.

You nailed it. Truly bittersweet. Definitely a HUGE lesson learned.
Resellers will need to stipulate "skunk free" in their listings

I think that is the scary part, I mean how many people sniff their bag upon purchase?? I sure as heck didn't think to do that!

 

[loveaddict]

ok my sister got birkin rouge cassaque epsom few months back from the store and she was telling me how it smells like a skunk....i kept on telling her its the leather smell maybe this batch has more cowhide smell....until yesterday she picked me up...and when i entered the car i smelled something very bad like skunk....then i asked her whyyy her car smells like that....apparently its the bag!!

hope hermes read this and improves.

 

[Nico_79]

ok my sister got birkin rouge cassaque epsom few months back from the store and she was telling me how it smells like a skunk....i kept on telling her its the leather smell maybe this batch has more cowhide smell....until yesterday she picked me up...and when i entered the car i smelled something very bad like skunk....then i asked her whyyy her car smells like that....apparently its the bag!!

hope hermes read this and improves.

Did she return the bag for a replacement? The stink does not go away!

 

[hrhsunshine]

Did she return the bag for a replacement? The stink does not go away!

Don't know. I get the feeling she is not the original buyer.
I definitely stressed to her that there is no fix for the stink and members have had to return their bags to H for a replacement.

Hoping she contacts the original owner so that person can get a replacement from H.

 

[Israeli_Flava]

ok my sister got birkin rouge cassaque epsom few months back from the store and she was telling me how it smells like a skunk....i kept on telling her its the leather smell maybe this batch has more cowhide smell....until yesterday she picked me up...and when i entered the car i smelled something very bad like skunk....then i asked her whyyy her car smells like that....apparently its the bag!!

hope hermes read this and improves.

I had this issue with Epsom and initially my boutique claimed the problem was only occurring in leather goods made of Togo! I tried to tell them that it's not just a Togo issue bc my birkin smells like PePe Le Pew and it's Epsom! Your sister needs to contact Hermes! They need to know this issue is occurring in other leathers besides Togo! The smell will not go away... It gets worse with heat. my bag was sent to Paris...

 

[swezfamily]

HRHSUNSHINE - I'm so glad to hear that you were able to return the bag. I hope your next H bag turns up soon for you.

So, I have an update, but not sure what to think about it. After not hearing anything since dropping off my bag over a month ago, I asked my SA to contact Paris to find out what's going on. He told me that they are going to clean the bag and I should have it back in about 6 weeks. I mentioned to him that others with the same problem are getting their bags replaced and he really didn't have an answer for me. He just told me to wait and see (smell) how my bag is after being cleaned. On the one hand, I'd be happy to get my original bag back since aside from the smell it was absolutely perfect, but I'm wondering why others are getting new bags and I'm not? I wonder if it being an SO makes a difference? Maybe Paris didn't find it to be that stinky?

NICO - were you told that your bag is brand new or do you think it's possible that yours just got a cleaning too?

 

[Nico_79]

HRHSUNSHINE - I'm so glad to hear that you were able to return the bag. I hope your next H bag turns up soon for you.

So, I have an update, but not sure what to think about it. After not hearing anything since dropping off my bag over a month ago, I asked my SA to contact Paris to find out what's going on. He told me that they are going to clean the bag and I should have it back in about 6 weeks. I mentioned to him that others with the same problem are getting their bags replaced and he really didn't have an answer for me. He just told me to wait and see (smell) how my bag is after being cleaned. On the one hand, I'd be happy to get my original bag back since aside from the smell it was absolutely perfect, but I'm wondering why others are getting new bags and I'm not? I wonder if it being an SO makes a difference? Maybe Paris didn't find it to be that stinky?

NICO - were you told that your bag is brand new or do you think it's possible that yours just got a cleaning too?

Swezfamily, I was told mine was brand new, a replacement bag as there is nothing to be done about the smell coming from the leather. I will double check though to confirm. I wonder if they are trying to clean yours first because it's a SO?

Update - going to pick up my K this Friday!

 

[swezfamily]

Swezfamily, I was told mine was brand new, a replacement bag as there is nothing to be done about the smell coming from the leather. I will double check though to confirm. I wonder if they are trying to clean yours first because it's a SO?



Update - going to pick up my K this Friday!

Lucky you! Let us know how it looks - and smells. Ha!!

Yeah, I'm concerned about this so-called cleaning because, like you said, I was under the impression that there is nothing that can be done about the smell. Interestingly, I just googled "cause of bad odor in leather handbag" and a link came up to handbag care on the Burberry website. It says that improper processing of the hide can lead to moisture retention and odor causing bacteria, mold or mildew. They give several solutions for removing the smell, so maybe it's just a matter of Hermes using some kind of solution to kill the bacteria. That doesn't explain why some are getting new bag replacements and others aren't. I guess I will just have to wait until I get it back and hope for the best.

 

[chkpfbeliever]

I had this issue with Epsom and initially my boutique claimed the problem was only occurring in leather goods made of Togo! I tried to tell them that it's not just a Togo issue bc my birkin smells like PePe Le Pew and it's Epsom! Your sister needs to contact Hermes! They need to know this issue is occurring in other leathers besides Togo! The smell will not go away... It gets worse with heat. my bag was sent to Paris...

IF- Oh my dear, did you get your B replaced or did they get rid of the smell ? I thought I was the only one until I read this thread. I got a Negonda GP last year and it stinks like some kind of plastic. I thought that it was the glue and let it sit out for a week. The smell did not go away and finally after a few months I had to let the bag go. I told my SA and she didn't want to talk about it. She thinks that it is just 'me'. There could be some leather lots out there that they purchased that had problems. This is such an eye opener.

 

[hrhsunshine]

Swezfamily, I was told mine was brand new, a replacement bag as there is nothing to be done about the smell coming from the leather. I will double check though to confirm. I wonder if they are trying to clean yours first because it's a SO?

Update - going to pick up my K this Friday!

YEA!!!! That is great news! So eager to hear your review when you pick her up.

Thank you dear Nico. We shall see if one appears for me. I think to myself...do I REALLY want to have to ask every seller to warm up the bag and smell all over to make sure it is skunk-free. They will think I am crazy!

Lucky you! Let us know how it looks - and smells. Ha!!

Yeah, I'm concerned about this so-called cleaning because, like you said, I was under the impression that there is nothing that can be done about the smell. Interestingly, I just googled "cause of bad odor in leather handbag" and a link came up to handbag care on the Burberry website. It says that improper processing of the hide can lead to moisture retention and odor causing bacteria, mold or mildew. They give several solutions for removing the smell, so maybe it's just a matter of Hermes using some kind of solution to kill the bacteria. That doesn't explain why some are getting new bag replacements and others aren't. I guess I will just have to wait until I get it back and hope for the best.

Even if you do have an SO with funk, that should not be an excuse for inconsistency in H's resolution. If they see the skunk odor as a problem that can only be remedied with replacing the entire bag, they should do that for ALL bags...regular and SO. Their less than stellar customer service for clients who are spending $$$$ is really annoying me.

 

[Israeli_Flava]

Lucky you! Let us know how it looks - and smells. Ha!!

Yeah, I'm concerned about this so-called cleaning because, like you said, I was under the impression that there is nothing that can be done about the smell. Interestingly, I just googled "cause of bad odor in leather handbag" and a link came up to handbag care on the Burberry website. It says that improper processing of the hide can lead to moisture retention and odor causing bacteria, mold or mildew. They give several solutions for removing the smell, so maybe it's just a matter of Hermes using some kind of solution to kill the bacteria. That doesn't explain why some are getting new bag replacements and others aren't. I guess I will just have to wait until I get it back and hope for the best.

Cleaned??? How will they clean this skunk funk from the leather?? Was your bag togo? I'm not happy to hear this news at all.

 

[chkpfbeliever]

Thanks Mindi. Actually most people who know me IRL (myself included) are surprised at how timid I am when it comes to dealing with Hermes. I am a SHARK in the boardroom. I honestly have no idea what comes over me or why I'm so intimidated.

Hopefully all will end well.... I will keep you all posted!

IF - Just went back a few pages to see your response and glad that the local store is taking care of it for you. I hope it will be a short wait and that they will replace your B. They are still making this color so should not be a problem. I hope you get it back just in time for Spring. You look so good in bright colors.

 

[Israeli_Flava]

Swezfamily, I was told mine was brand new, a replacement bag as there is nothing to be done about the smell coming from the leather. I will double check though to confirm. I wonder if they are trying to clean yours first because it's a SO?

Update - going to pick up my K this Friday!

Nico I'm so happy they have replaced your bag. Looking forward to seeing your new baby and the smile on your face