Odd leather smell

[Leah]

I have a question, once the leather starts smelling, does it just get stronger, or in some cases can it go away until the next time it's in the sun

There appears to be no real CONSISTENT answer to this, based on the experiences of those who posted on this thread, and others affected by the issue that some of us know personally.

I have two friends with two skunks bags, ordered from two different countries, one a bi-colour SO and the 2nd an etoupe birkin, both togo bags. Neither owner can specifically recall what triggered the smell because in both cases, the smell didn't instantly and overpoweringly become obvious from a specific trigger. And in both cases, there were NO smells upon purchase or even initial use. At all.

Both bags, similarly, did NOT have the overpowering smell but both emitted an unpleasant odour that once triggered, never really left both bags. If you sniffed, the smell was always somehow there...

In one case, items left in the bag (e.g. a scarf) absorbed the unpleasant smell.

Different skunk experiences for different people.

 

[Caramelpudding]

It's been more than 2 months since H took my bag. And I have not gotten an answer yet. How disheartening.

 

[Caramelpudding]

Hi ladies. I have a situation and m devastated. I just called my local H. The staff in charge of after sales said that Paris found nothing wrong with my bag. However, she said she is asking them to reassess as she can smell the skunk in the bag too.
I m so upset at the prospect of being stuck with a skunk. Is there anything I can at all to help myself? There is really no doubt about it and it is summer all year round where I am. I am going to cry.

 

[Sarah_sarah]

Update: I just received an official email from Paris I will be getting a new bag and will wait around 3 months.

Translating one part of the email 'this problem (smell) was not fixable by cleaning the bag.'

Let's see if indeed it would be 3 months.

Good luck to the other ladies. Keeping fingers crossed.

 

[VigeeLeBrun]

Hi ladies. I have a situation and m devastated. I just called my local H. The staff in charge of after sales said that Paris found nothing wrong with my bag. However, she said she is asking them to reassess as she can smell the skunk in the bag too.
I m so upset at the prospect of being stuck with a skunk. Is there anything I can at all to help myself? There is really no doubt about it and it is summer all year round where I am. I am going to cry.

Caramelpudding, your post is so sad and I am sorry that you are going through this with H. Fingers crossed that they reassess your bag and reverse their decision.

 

[Sky01]

Hi ladies. I have a situation and m devastated. I just called my local H. The staff in charge of after sales said that Paris found nothing wrong with my bag. However, she said she is asking them to reassess as she can smell the skunk in the bag too.
I m so upset at the prospect of being stuck with a skunk. Is there anything I can at all to help myself? There is really no doubt about it and it is summer all year round where I am. I am going to cry.

Caramelpudding, your post is so sad and I am sorry that you are going through this with H. Fingers crossed that they reassess your bag and reverse their decision.

If your bag had a specific trigger which released the smell, let your SA know what it is and ask her to pass the message to Hermes Paris so that when they reassess the bag or re-test it, they can test it using this specific trigger.

 

[Caramelpudding]

Caramelpudding, your post is so sad and I am sorry that you are going through this with H. Fingers crossed that they reassess your bag and reverse their decision.

I feel so sad too... Can't sleep well tonight.

 

[Caramelpudding]

If your bag had a specific trigger which released the smell, let your SA know what it is and ask her to pass the message to Hermes Paris so that when they reassess the bag or re-test it, they can test it using this specific trigger.

Thanks dear, I already did. It's heat and uv. Because it is always so hot and sunny all year round and the smell induces headache, I really can't fathom how I can handle having the bag returned to me as-is. I really don't know how Paris does the testing, neither my SA. Big sigh.

 

[Israeli_Flava]

!

Darling, ^ see above post. Have you any insight into the process Paris is using to test these bags? This just seems so hap-hazard, erroneous and truly unfair!!!!

 

[Israeli_Flava]

Thanks dear, I already did. It's heat and uv. Because it is always so hot and sunny all year round and the smell induces headache, I really can't fathom how I can handle having the bag returned to me as-is. I really don't know how Paris does the testing, neither my SA. Big sigh.

I know you are devastated. Did you get any reassurance from the after-sales specialist that she would reinforce the fact that she smelled the skunk smell prior to shipping to Paris????

 

[Caramelpudding]

I know you are devastated. Did you get any reassurance from the after-sales specialist that she would reinforce the fact that she smelled the skunk smell prior to shipping to Paris????

It seems that way over the tele conversation we had, but I will call to confirm again. Thanks for the help IF.

 

[Jadeite]

Hi ladies. I have a situation and m devastated. I just called my local H. The staff in charge of after sales said that Paris found nothing wrong with my bag. However, she said she is asking them to reassess as she can smell the skunk in the bag too.
I m so upset at the prospect of being stuck with a skunk. Is there anything I can at all to help myself? There is really no doubt about it and it is summer all year round where I am. I am going to cry.

I think you can insist on an exchange, but be willing to bear with the wait. My bag has been sent back since May so I'm in the 6th month already. Any longer and it sure feels like giving birth.

 

[MYH]

I feel so sad too... Can't sleep well tonight.

Caramelpudding - I was a bit angry and shocked and so very sad to hear this happened to you. That doesn't seem right at all! especially since your SA also smelled the skunky odor. I really hope they change their minds and make it right with you. I can understand your distress because this was exactly what I was afraid they would do to me. Do you mind me asking when you purchased your bag and if it was in "newish" condition? I'll PM you a quick note so as not to go off topic.

 

[Caramelpudding]

Caramelpudding - I was a bit angry and shocked and so very sad to hear this happened to you. That doesn't seem right at all! especially since your SA also smelled the skunky odor. I really hope they change their minds and make it right with you. I can understand your distress because this was exactly what I was afraid they would do to me. Do you mind me asking when you purchased your bag and if it was in "newish" condition? I'll PM you a quick note so as not to go off topic.

My bag was good as brand new. It even stained my white dress on the 2nd or 3rd wear. N its q stamp.

 

[stephmorris11]

My bag was good as brand new. It even stained my white dress on the 2nd or 3rd wear. N its q stamp.

If you paid by credit card, especially Am Ex, you can do a charge back as a very last case scenario... Not ideal as it would anger just about everyone at H, but if you truly believe your bag is defective and they are not helping you solve the situation, you should get the credit card company involved. Especially since this is now a known defect with a well established resolution from Hermes.