Odd leather smell

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My Togo Birkin bought in 2013 has this smell too. It is strong though I can tolerate it. I was at H the other day and told the SA about it. She said since I've used it and it has been so long, there is nothing they can do for me.
 
Bless you for tolerating the smell! I asked DH to smell the B last night and he wrinkled his nose and told me it does smell 'skunky" so I think I'll take my chance and part with mine for the meantime.

I called the nearest H store and at first, the SA on the phone was giving me a bit of attitude so I was getting a bit discouraged :nogood:

Eventually, the manager did call me back after several hours and she was actually very understanding, I explained the problem and asked if mine was a unique case but she reassured me that I am not the only one in their branch who has returned their smelly bags! She's had a few clients come back with the same issue, including a Kelly that's also vermillion color.

The sad thing is that if I send it off to Paris, it will take about 7-10 months to get a replacement for the same color/leather/hardware combo :sad: But she also told me someone received a replacement within 3 months - so it just depends on whether I'm lucky or not. She did tell me that if I have other color choices that there will be less wait! So I don't know...I like Vermillion but I don't think I would want to wait that long...
If you have the receipt just go to Hermes store. The smell is quite bad and will not go away. I went with my stinky bag in NYC and they had a few replacement choices for me. It was done on the spot and left that day with a brand new gorgeous bag that was actually a different color and size then the replaced one.
 
My Togo Birkin bought in 2013 has this smell too. It is strong though I can tolerate it. I was at H the other day and told the SA about it. She said since I've used it and it has been so long, there is nothing they can do for me.

That should absolutely not be the case and I would speak to an SM about it. It doesn't matter if you used it or if it's been a long time. It is considered a product defect so it is being treated almost like a recall. How would you even know that it's a skunk without using it anyway?
 
If you have the receipt just go to Hermes store. The smell is quite bad and will not go away. I went with my stinky bag in NYC and they had a few replacement choices for me. It was done on the spot and left that day with a brand new gorgeous bag that was actually a different color and size then the replaced one.

Thank you, this definitely sounds very reassuring to me. I do have the receipt and everything else. I don't know if I would be willing to exchange my B for something not at all closely similar to mine so chances are, unless they blow me away with another option, I'll most likely just wait for them to repair my existing one. Congrats on your new bag though! I am definitely happy to hear that they are willing to rectify the issue right away.
 
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My Togo Birkin bought in 2013 has this smell too. It is strong though I can tolerate it. I was at H the other day and told the SA about it. She said since I've used it and it has been so long, there is nothing they can do for me.

I'm sorry to hear about your bag. This definitely makes me sad for a lot of us who have had a stinky purse...a B should be a special bag that everyone should enjoy carrying!

I think you should either ask for an after-sales specialist or the manager. I refused to talk to an SA. The manager knew exactly what I was talking about the moment I mentioned it. Try to ask for the manager's name and talk directly to him/her. SA's don't usually deal with this sort of issue. At least they should let you know if their spa can help you fix the smell!
 
I'm dealing with the stinky situation but whenever I get into someone's car and it's a warm day and windows are closed I feel embarrassed.

For the amount of money paid for the bag you should never ever feel embarrassed, please take it to Hermes to replace it with one you will absolutely be proud to have on your arm.
 
I'm dealing with the stinky situation but whenever I get into someone's car and it's a warm day and windows are closed I feel embarrassed.
Take it to closest hermes store& speak to sales manager directly.
I had mine returned to paris & recieved within 3month with brand new bag.
If colour is not available, they will also give you an option to chose.
This incident helped me to build a good relationship with my sales manager.
Good luck!
 
Take it to closest hermes store& speak to sales manager directly.
I had mine returned to paris & recieved within 3month with brand new bag.
If colour is not available, they will also give you an option to chose.
This incident helped me to build a good relationship with my sales manager.
Good luck!
thank you, i feel like doing it now :smile1:
 
For the amount of money paid for the bag you should never ever feel embarrassed, please take it to Hermes to replace it with one you will absolutely be proud to have on your arm.
it really weird, this bag haven't smelled like this before and i have it for few years now. i think i will bring it in next week
 
thank you, i feel like doing it now :smile1:

When i had my first kelly with skunk smell, didnt know it was defect. But only realised after joining purse forum,
i took it to SA first but he said its perfectly normal.

So i brought it bag home, because i didnt want to ruinning the relationship with SA.
then i read "ode to smell" more throughly, i rang boutique & made an appointment with Sales manager before i walked in for a second opinion.

When i met SM as soon as she smelt, she said its a defected bag without doubt.
I then, expressed how disappointed with quality assurance & also disappointed with SA who inspected the bag couldnt notice the obvious smell.
i also had to make my trip to this boutique for a second opinion.

She apologised , offered me to send my expression in writing if need. Also, i was offered my second "Kelly"
Within 3months.

Hope my story help you ^^
 
When i had my first kelly with skunk smell, didnt know it was defect. But only realised after joining purse forum,
i took it to SA first but he said its perfectly normal.

So i brought it bag home, because i didnt want to ruinning the relationship with SA.
then i read "ode to smell" more throughly, i rang boutique & made an appointment with Sales manager before i walked in for a second opinion.

When i met SM as soon as she smelt, she said its a defected bag without doubt.
I then, expressed how disappointed with quality assurance & also disappointed with SA who inspected the bag couldnt notice the obvious smell.
i also had to make my trip to this boutique for a second opinion.

She apologised , offered me to send my expression in writing if need. Also, i was offered my second "Kelly"
Within 3months.

Hope my story help you ^^
thank you for sharing, it a great help. :smile1:
 
Just wanted to share an update to those having the same problem as I am -

I met with the after-sales supervisor today (she was the one whom I spoke with on the phone prior).

I brought with me the B (she asked that I bring the box as well) and the copy of the original receipt - she didn't really do a thorough inspection but did check my account and the contents of the box.

According to her, they now have a way of testing the bag odor within the store which should only take a day or two, and from there, make a determination whether or not to send the bag off to Paris. While there were zero questions asked (even DH thought it weird that while she wasn't admitting the possibility of a defect outright, she also seemed to be completely not at all surprised by it either). I was not one of the lucky ones who got offered a replacement or store credit on the spot. However, she advised me to send her a list of color preferences in the meanwhile because she thinks the likelihood of me getting the same exact same bag will be tough. She also added that gold, bamboo and vermillion were 3 of the most difficult colors to get.

Will keep everyone posted. I am praying that everything goes smoothly for me!
 
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