Odd leather smell

[doves75]

duna, what I clearly don't understand is that if it days, weeks or months to produce each B/K, couldn't H add add a 30 minute heat test to the manufacturing process? I know they H says it has it under control, but why add to their negative revenue by shipping a skunk from Paris only to have it returned? Let alone the customer service issues! I assumed from what I read here that H had the problem under control but unfortunately that doesn't seem to be the case. I am simply disappointed for all the skunk bag recipients.







medusa, points given to your SM who is trying to solve your skunk bag replacement as quickly as possible. Points taken away from corporate H for continuing to ship skunk items from Paris. At least, you are getting a replacement bag and not a credit or a refund. All you can do now is wait, my fingers are crossed for you!

I am completely agree with VigeeLeBrun!! I feel so sorry for those who received a skunk bag or multiple skunk bags. H please read this thread and pls solve this problem ASAP!! This has been going on for too long and not acceptable for a caliber company like H. 😣😣😣

 

[stephmorris11]

What annoys me the most is that corporate probably knows that there are skunk bag circulating around. They are banking on the customers not being educated and not noticing and instead of recalling every single bag, they are hoping that they could be sold to some sucker who won't figure out that the bag is defective.

 

[mistikat]

What annoys me the most is that corporate probably knows that there are skunk bag circulating around. They are banking on the customers not being educated and not noticing and instead of recalling every single bag, they are hoping that they could be sold to some sucker who won't figure out that the bag is defective.

I don't agree that there is some plot that Hermes corporate knows about defective items and essentially, doesn't care, so they continue to distribute them. My guess is that they may not actually know why the leather is defective, and their production is not exactually automated and microchipped.

But probably the best way to make an impression on Hermes corporate and to express your displeasure with the brand is to stop buying their products and to let them know why.

 

[chicinthecity777]

What annoys me the most is that corporate probably knows that there are skunk bag circulating around. They are banking on the customers not being educated and not noticing and instead of recalling every single bag, they are hoping that they could be sold to some sucker who won't figure out that the bag is defective.

Why should Hermes recall every single bag while we know for a fact not ALL bags are effected? If you are new to this thread, I strongly suggest you read this from the beginning. There is a lot of information on how H has handled this issue. In fact, Hermes has admitted this problem very promptly at earlier stage of the development.

 

[Mindi B]

I don't agree that there is some plot that Hermes corporate knows about defective items and essentially, doesn't care, so they continue to distribute them. My guess is that they may not actually know why the leather is defective, and their production is not exactually automated and microchipped.

But probably the best way to make an impression on Hermes corporate and to express your displeasure with the brand is to stop buying their products and to let them know why.

This. I don't see this as a conspiracy. Hermes is wildly successful right now and has zero to gain from a debacle like this. I'm sure they want it gone asap, but can't identify each and every item affected (as mistikat points out, Hermes is old-fashioned in some of their record-keeping policies). Those of us who have had skunky bags have reported that the smell is not always immediate or overpowering--and there is even some disagreement about the precise conditions required to activate the smell--so there is no way for Hermes to readily and accurately "heat test" every single leather item coming out of every atelier. They almost HAVE to deal with this on a case-by-case, item-by-item basis. I belive they'd fix it in one swipe if they could.

 

[Sky01]

Just curious, how could H let another skunk bag pass their quality control? Simply don't understand this, it baffles me! So sorry to hear this, medusa. Which color and leather was it?

Exactly! I really DO NOT like the way H is handly this problem!

I spoke about it to my SM, after it came out on the news, and he told me that A FEW Togo bags had been affected and that H had already solved the problem......yah sure!!!!!

Thanks duna!

VigeeLeBrun, this was not specifically made to replace my bag but it was my SM's attempt to replace the colour that I loved which was Rose Lipstick in Togo. The replacement was another Rose Lipstick in Togo that they were expecting but were hoping was normal. I don't think they have anymore RL on order so I will have to choose another colour. I have waited 9 months already, what to do?

duna, what I clearly don't understand is that if it days, weeks or months to produce each B/K, couldn't H add add a 30 minute heat test to the manufacturing process? I know they H says it has it under control, but why add to their negative revenue by shipping a skunk from Paris only to have it returned? Let alone the customer service issues! I assumed from what I read here that H had the problem under control but unfortunately that doesn't seem to be the case. I am simply disappointed for all the skunk bag recipients.



medusa, points given to your SM who is trying to solve your skunk bag replacement as quickly as possible. Points taken away from corporate H for continuing to ship skunk items from Paris. At least, you are getting a replacement bag and not a credit or a refund. All you can do now is wait, my fingers are crossed for you!

At this point, considering it is quite obvious that Hermes does not have a handle on this issue at all and is still trying to sell skunk bags. I suggest you just ask for a refund in cash and go spend your money somewhere else. Spare yourself the annoyance of getting another birkin and having to test it to make sure that it's not affected.

 

[cr1stalangel]

Why should Hermes recall every single bag while we know for a fact not ALL bags are effected? If you are new to this thread, I strongly suggest you read this from the beginning. There is a lot of information on how H has handled this issue. In fact, Hermes has admitted this problem very promptly at earlier stage of the development.

101% agree with XiangXiang here. Too many people makes assumptions and judgements without knowing the full story. Even for us who experience the problem first hand and had to deal with Hermes directly can only guess certain parts of the issue. I've mentioned this before, whatever your concern/question is for the skunk issue, I strongly encourage you make an educated decision yourself first by reading this thread from beginning to the end. I am absolutely sure most of your questions have already been discussed in length.

 

[Sky01]

What annoys me the most is that corporate probably knows that there are skunk bag circulating around. They are banking on the customers not being educated and not noticing and instead of recalling every single bag, they are hoping that they could be sold to some sucker who won't figure out that the bag is defective.

I don't agree that there is some plot that Hermes corporate knows about defective items and essentially, doesn't care, so they continue to distribute them. My guess is that they may not actually know why the leather is defective, and their production is not exactually automated and microchipped.

But probably the best way to make an impression on Hermes corporate and to express your displeasure with the brand is to stop buying their products and to let them know why.

I agree with Steph, they are clearly aware of the problem now, yet they are still sending shipments from Paris without testing them and then when they arrive at the respective boutique, they are not being tested there either. Clearly they are trying to get away with selling defective bags with hopes that the customer won't notice the problem or that if they do notice, they won't be educated enough to return the bag cause they're not aware that other bags/leather products have also been affected with the same issue.

 

[mistikat]

I agree with Steph, they are clearly aware of the problem now, yet they are still sending shipments from Paris without testing them and then when they arrive at the respective boutique, they are not being tested there either. Clearly they are trying to get away with selling defective bags with hopes that the customer won't notice the problem or that if they do notice, they won't be educated enough to return the bag cause they're not aware that other bags/leather products have also been affected with the same issue.

Sorry, but how do you know this is true? As others have stated, the smell is not always immediately apparent, and not even after more than one "test."

Unless someone is getting this information directly from an authorized Hermes source, it is just speculation.

 

[chicinthecity777]

Sorry, but how do you know this is true? As others have stated, the smell is not always immediately apparent, and not even after more than one "test."

Unless someone is getting this information directly from an authorized Hermes source, it is just speculation.

Agree with everything said here!

 

[Sky01]

My replacement bag came in today. As we unboxed it, the familiar skunky smell wafted up. I am grateful to my SM for trying to replace the same colour but it looks like it is not possible, will have to go for another colour.

The fact that the smell was there without you having to do anything to activate it means that this bag should not have passed quality control in the first place and if it did for whatever reason, don't the SAs at the Boutiques open their shipments to see what has arrived, shouldn't they have noticed it then instead of wasting your time and asking you to come and collect a defective replacement.

 

[mistikat]

The fact that the smell was there without you having to do anything to activate it means that this bag should not have passed quality control in the first place and if it did for whatever reason, don't the SAs at the Boutiques open their shipments to see what has arrived, shouldn't they have noticed it then instead of wasting your time and asking you to come and collect a defective replacement.

Again, how do you know when and how the smell developed?

It is possible the bag was fine when produced and boxed. And no, the SAs don't open shipments as a rule.

This thread is devolving into "they should have" and "I'm sure they didn't" when the truth is we just don't know.

All anyone knows for sure is what they have been told by their Hermes salespeople when returning bags, and attempting to obtain new ones. it would be helpful for the people affected if speculation as to why and when Hermes did or did not do something was kept to a minimum, if posters don't have first hand information to share.

 

[Sky01]

Sorry, but how do you know this is true? As others have stated, the smell is not always immediately apparent, and not even after more than one "test."

Unless someone is getting this information directly from an authorized Hermes source, it is just speculation.

Please refer to Medusa's post, where she stated that she received a replacement bag that she knew was defective from the moment she opened the box.

 

[mistikat]

Please refer to Medusa's post, where she stated that she received a replacement bag that she knew was defective from the moment she opened the box.

And please refer to my reply.

If posters don't have current, credible first-hand information about next steps being taken to replace bags, offer refunds, or in some way work with affected customers, it's just speculation and frankly, it is not helpful.

 

[chicinthecity777]

The fact that the smell was there without you having to do anything to activate it means that this bag should not have passed quality control in the first place and if it did for whatever reason, don't the SAs at the Boutiques open their shipments to see what has arrived, shouldn't they have noticed it then instead of wasting your time and asking you to come and collect a defective replacement.

Actually no. I have seen many many times, boxes shrink-wrapped being opened in the store in front of the customers. The store don't always unwrap it when they receive the shipments. Not at all. In fact, almost every bags I bought from my boutique in the past, the packages were opened for the very first time in front of me. They have labels showing what's inside the box and they don't always open and check before hand.