Odd leather smell

[VigeeLeBrun]

Thank you, Vigee! Assertiveness is not always my strong suit, but I felt pretty strongly that I was making a reasonable request under the circumstances. And the boutique knows it will be seeing my money again! :shame:

Good for you, Mindi. I consider that a win-win resolution and what I would have desired in a skunk bag situation.

 

[audreylita]

I was automatically given a store credit for my skunk bag. What I wanted was a replacement but since may bag had been a special order they said no. I don't think one of the colors was available at that time and was very sad it wasn't going to be replaced.

When I asked for a refund instead of the store credit I was told yes they could do it. But since I am a regular client decided to just keep the credit, it was splitting hairs for me at that point.

The resolution was quick. At no time was there an problem and Hermes was cooperative, professional and sympathetic to the situation. They could not have handled it better.

 

[Monceau]

I'm afraid the intent of my post has been misunderstood. I am truly sorry for my lack of clarity and I hope I have not offended anyone or created any unpleasantness on the forum.

I would never suggest a litigious response to the "skunk" bag issue. I was merely sharing information that
regulations exist that address the sale of defective merchandise. This was in response to BagitUp10's initial question.

I do not believe that Hermes has intentionally sold defective merchandise or misled customers. The current quality issue is an unfortunate occurrence that they are clearly working to resolve with customers. I am a loyal customer and will continue to be so.

A business does not have to have ill intent to sell defective merchandise, it happens to even the best of businesses if they are around long enough. I have a long relationship with my HVAC company. They recently installed a new HVAC unit that turned out to be defective. Since it was under warranty, it was replaced - no harm, no foul. Merchandise like handbags may not have a written warranty against defects, but they do have an implied warranty. The law makes provisions for consumer protections regarding implied warranties. This was the general point I wanted to share in response to BagItUp's question. I was not suggesting that anyone pursue a litigious resolution.

I am sorry if I failed to properly convey my thoughts or if I offended anyone.
I feel for everyone on this forum that has been impacted by this issue, and I feel for Hermes and their employees as they try to reach the best resolution.

 

[Monceau]

Sometimes it just takes a little persistence. After my second skunk, I was offered a store credit, but I asked, politely, for a refund, and it was granted. I do have a fairly long and very positive relationship with this boutique, but they still didn't particularly WANT to give a refund (as it probably effects their bottom line)--still, they were cooperative when gently prodded. It's not necessary to take the first offer as the final offer. Any retailer will try for a resolution most beneficial to them. . . but that's negotiable.

So glad to hear you reached a positive resolution, Mindi!
I hope your perfect bag is on its way to you soon!

 

[Mindi B]

Thank you, Monceau! And thank you for the legal information, as well. There is a wealth of knowledge available from our members--It is appreciated!

 

[Monceau]

Given this, you would need to hire a lawyer to sue Hermes. My hat is off to anyone who would go that route. Clearly it would be costly and their relationship with Hermes would be in the toilet.

Everyone here seems to have gotten a positive resolution. Someone asked a simply question which I responded to and I'm not about to debate my response.

I have re-read my post and I can see how it came across as hard and overtly clinical.
I am so sorry, that was not my intent, Audreylita.

Your insights are always so helpful. I jumped the gun in trying to share some information and phrased it poorly. Please accept my apologies.

 

[BagItUp10]

Oh Monceau I do not think you have offended anyone. I hope I didn't stir the pot too much. I have 3 lovely birkins and am looking to branch out and buy a kelly or a bolide. I work very hard for my money and do not want to spend it on a possible skunk bag. I therefore just wanted to have a clear view of my possibilities just in case I end up with a skunk bag. I still believe that I could sue H in my country, intentionally or not, guarantee given or not, store policies or not... I guess I live in customer heaven ! My personal costs for a lawyer would be minimal as I have taken out insurance policy for these type of law suits (not that I have ever sued anyone, but I guess if the s hits the fan you might as well be covered). So I was merely exploring my options just in case things went extremely south. I have had a very bad experience in LV, but never with my lovely H SA. Nonetheless, you never know how they will respond until you are in that situation. So for now, no H bags for me ...

 

[BagItUp10]

Thank you, Monceau! And thank you for the legal information, as well. There is a wealth of knowledge available from our members--It is appreciated!

I too was pleasantly surprised by all the knowledge on our forum. to all the smart ladies on here!

 

[Birdonce]

Thanks, monceau, for explaining further! I know all of us here are enormous fans of Hermes (otherwise why be here?) but we also shouldn't expect to be grateful for the choice either to be stuck with a stinky bag or to have an enormous store credit with no guarantee we would ever be offered the bag we wanted in replacement! while Hermes didn't intentionally make stinky bags, they are still responsible for ensuring their bags are free of defects and that unfortunately includes "manning up" and taken the financial hit rather than pushing that off on their blameless customers.

I was happy to take a store credit for my belt strap, as it was small and I knew I would use it easily but I would be angry to have a $10,000+ credit waiting for possibly years before I used it. Some people have saved and scrimped for their one or two lifetime bags, and don't have enough discretionary income to say "eh, I guess I'll take whatever I can get."

 

[audreylita]

I have re-read my post and I can see how it came across as hard and overtly clinical.
I am so sorry, that was not my intent, Audreylita.

Your insights are always so helpful. I jumped the gun in trying to share some information and phrased it poorly. Please accept my apologies.

 

[obsessed1]

So happy to hear your kelly is perfect. I also purchased a togo kelly recently and it is just fine as well.

I was just offered a Togo B (R Stamp).

Should I be worried?? Unfortunately, I live in Winterland and I'm uncertain as to when I'll be able to do a proper sun test.

 

[Nahreen]

I was just offered a Togo B (R Stamp).

Should I be worried?? Unfortunately, I live in Winterland and I'm uncertain as to when I'll be able to do a proper sun test.

If it is your dreambag you should take it. I also live in a cold country and my dream arrived in October and no sun out to do the test. But my smell of lovely leather so far and I enjoy using it. I'll deal with the skunk issue if I have to but don't worry about it.

 

[VigeeLeBrun]

I was just offered a Togo B (R Stamp).

Should I be worried?? Unfortunately, I live in Winterland and I'm uncertain as to when I'll be able to do a proper sun test.

Not all H Bs are defective, I bought 3 Bs in a 2-month time period this year and all are fine and skunk-free. Yes, I would buy it if you love it. Good luck and let us know what you decide to do.

 

[Mindi B]

I, too, agree that you should go for it! If it were me (and if you have a comfortable relationship with the boutique) I might ask, "If it does turn out that this bag has a problem, what would your remedy be?" so you'll have an idea of where the boutique stands on the issue. "Issue? What issue? There IS no issue!" would be the WRONG response from the boutique.

 

[MASEML]

I just purchased a B in Togo (R stamp) and haven't had any issues so far. I'm also in cold climate now but if I have to deal with that issue down the road, I will.