Photos of your less than perfect vintage Hermès and share experiences

[880]

There is always a risk when one takes an item outside of the brand’s own repair options, though of course sometimes it turns out very well and perhaps with some items there is no other option available. I find that my experience with repair quality has varied from very good to fair when done through Hermes and from excellent to catastrophic when done through another provider (because the outside provider will take bigger chances, I suppose, and we know that Hermes will err on the side of doing less if they are not sure of the results - though I believe you did have a poor outcome with a scarf once). The difference is in further restoration options and in residual value left in the bag when the repair does not turn out as well. I have no experience with using Rago Brothers for Hermes bags, but a word of caution for those reading this thread. We used to send all of our branded shoes for resoling on a frequent basis (rainy climate) by bringing them to the boutique, who then sent them on to Rago Brothers, and the repair work was always excellent, like a new pair of shoes. However, the cost was over $100 per pair and the turnaround time was quite long (this is pre-pandemic delays). My husband thought we could try sending our shoes directly to Rago Brothers instead. We shipped an assortment of Chanel, Hermes, Prada, Gucci and Ferragamo shoes, and they came back quickly and at almost half the cost, but the shoes were all destroyed. Instead of discrete polishing, mending, neat new zip soles, the shoes came back with thick and uneven workman-type soles across the entire bottom (though thin half-zip soles were specified) and the rubber extended over the top of the upper leather portion with thick and uneven paint all over the toes (on beautiful lambskin booties etc). So I would hesitate to send a Hermes bag to them! Perhaps they may have a different standard for boutique repairs and for higher value items, but if a boutique sent out an item for repairs and it was destroyed generally they would stand behind their product and offer some resolution. Apologies if this is way off-topic, but just a caveat when deciding where to send your vintage Hermes for repair.

Thank you for this valuable info. I’m glad that you shared your experience here, and I’m so sorry about your items! Hugs

 

[QuelleFromage]

There is always a risk when one takes an item outside of the brand’s own repair options, though of course sometimes it turns out very well and perhaps with some items there is no other option available. I find that my experience with repair quality has varied from very good to fair when done through Hermes and from excellent to catastrophic when done through another provider (because the outside provider will take bigger chances, I suppose, and we know that Hermes will err on the side of doing less if they are not sure of the results - though I believe you did have a poor outcome with a scarf once). The difference is in further restoration options and in residual value left in the bag when the repair does not turn out as well. I have no experience with using Rago Brothers for Hermes bags, but a word of caution for those reading this thread. We used to send all of our branded shoes for resoling on a frequent basis (rainy climate) by bringing them to the boutique, who then sent them on to Rago Brothers, and the repair work was always excellent, like a new pair of shoes. However, the cost was over $100 per pair and the turnaround time was quite long (this is pre-pandemic delays). My husband thought we could try sending our shoes directly to Rago Brothers instead. We shipped an assortment of Chanel, Hermes, Prada, Gucci and Ferragamo shoes, and they came back quickly and at almost half the cost, but the shoes were all destroyed. Instead of discrete polishing, mending, neat new zip soles, the shoes came back with thick and uneven workman-type soles across the entire bottom (though thin half-zip soles were specified) and the rubber extended over the top of the upper leather portion with thick and uneven paint all over the toes (on beautiful lambskin booties etc). So I would hesitate to send a Hermes bag to them! Perhaps they may have a different standard for boutique repairs and for higher value items, but if a boutique sent out an item for repairs and it was destroyed generally they would stand behind their product and offer some resolution. Apologies if this is way off-topic, but just a caveat when deciding where to send your vintage Hermes for repair.

Yes, I had a terrible experience with a scarf (thanks for the reminder!).... that Hermès sent to Tiecrafters. I don't advise H care for scarves, and the reason I had a disaster MAY be because they outsourced it...I will never know.

To me, bags are a different deal. My scarf was a cleaning; we are talking about major repairs. Rago seem to do nice work, but I don't see them actually using the same products H does. If the super fakers can source the original thread, glue, and resin (which they will tell you about in great detail), so can any leather repair shop. It might cost just as much as H, but that leads me to when H actually refuses a bag.....

I am as told by Hermès my 1957 Kelly was “damaged beyond repair” and they declined to work on it. They never even sent it out of the Atlanta store, even though the work would not be done here, let alone offer to send it to Paris. So I had no choice but to use an outside shop. Two months later, I got back a wonderful looking, completely usable bag with both the inside and outside repaired. And it cost about 1/2 to 2/3 less than H. Plus, how my local boutique handled the whole transaction completely ruined my experience with H. I will never shop in the Atlanta boutique again.

This story still bothers me and makes me really angry at your boutique.....no way was that bag "damaged beyond repair". I'm about to bring in a VERY damaged bag and wonder what they will say (yes, I will update ). Did Rago do your bag? Either way, it looks beautiful.

Again, in any of these circumstances, I am not judging anyone's choices....it's your bag. Nothing you do to it is anyone's business. Leave it open, paint it, use it as a stuff sack for your sleeping bag or as a dog bed, wear it as a hat. All good

 

[nicole0612]

Thank you for this valuable info. I’m glad that you shared your experience here, and I’m so sorry about your items! Hugs

Thank you so much. I’m glad I learned the lesson with shoes instead of a handbag.

 

[WhiteBus]

I am as told by Hermès my 1957 Kelly was “damaged beyond repair” and they declined to work on it. They never even sent it out of the Atlanta store, even though the work would not be done here, let alone offer to send it to Paris. So I had no choice but to use an outside shop. Two months later, I got back a wonderful looking, completely usable bag with both the inside and outside repaired. And it cost about 1/2 to 2/3 less than H. Plus, how my local boutique handled the whole transaction completely ruined my experience with H. I will never shop in the Atlanta boutique again.

You mentioned that both the 'inside' and outside were repaired.
It is well-known that Hermes will not clean the inside of bags.
I am sure some members have had zips replaced, but don't recal mention of other internal work.

 

[BowieFan1971]

You mentioned that both the 'inside' and outside were repaired.
It is well-known that Hermes will not clean the inside of bags.
I am sure some members have had zips replaced, but don't recal mention of other internal work.

H refused to work on the bag at all (“damaged beyond repair”), but Santana, who did the repairs, did the outside work and restitched the inside pockets.

@QuelleFromage Very interested to hear how you fare your bag.

 

[1hugefan]

Just wanted to share an amazing experience I had recently with the Hermes Spa on a very vintage Kelly. This one is over 50 years old, and it came to me in not so great condition with worn corners and scuffs all over. However she looks as good as new now! It came back with a special note too. By the way, seems like the craftsmen cleaned up the scuffs on the lining as well. This was probably an exception.

 

[allanrvj]

Just wanted to share an amazing experience I had recently with the Hermes Spa on a very vintage Kelly. This one is over 50 years old, and it came to me in not so great condition with worn corners and scuffs all over. However she looks as good as new now! It came back with a special note too. By the way, seems like the craftsmen cleaned up the scuffs on the lining as well. This was probably an exception.View attachment 5223722View attachment 5223723View attachment 5223724

did they recolor it? it looks brown on the before pic and rouge H on the chair shot

it's so beautiful

 

[1hugefan]

did they recolor it? it looks brown on the before pic and rouge H on the chair shot

it's so beautiful

Thank you! The color is still the same but it is much more vibrant than before. It is a darker brown than Gold but not quite as dark as noisette.

 

[QuelleFromage]

Thank you! The color is still the same but it is much more vibrant than before. It is a darker brown than Gold but not quite as dark as noisette.

I have a Kelly this color from 1952...@bababebi told me that at the time, the color was called Gold. It is similarly closer to today's Noisette.

 

[nymeria]

Just wanted to share an amazing experience I had recently with the Hermes Spa on a very vintage Kelly. This one is over 50 years old, and it came to me in not so great condition with worn corners and scuffs all over. However she looks as good as new now! It came back with a special note too. By the way, seems like the craftsmen cleaned up the scuffs on the lining as well. This was probably an exception.View attachment 5223722View attachment 5223723View attachment 5223724

Gorgeous bag! Is it box and toile? It's got at least another 50 years in it

 

[marinatheethereal]

Very proud to introduce my very first Hermès bag, this lovely "Poney" from 1985 in beluga whale and navy box calf with GHW. I'm so in love!

 

[BowieFan1971]

Very proud to introduce my very first Hermès bag, this lovely "Poney" from 1985 in beluga whale and navy box calf with GHW. I'm so in love!
View attachment 5234072View attachment 5234073

Genuine beluga whale? Wow…

 

[chateau88]

Sharing my newly acquired vintage box kelly 32 in rouge h from year 1976. But she’s now in Hermès spa. At first the SA was hesitant to accept because she thinks it’s still in excellent condition but I insist that I want to restore the handle and hopefully the customer care in Paris will suggest to change the handle so they can put an extra ring for the strap. Meanwhile, I have to wait for 3 months. Happy New Year everyone!

 

[Saaski]

Sharing my newly acquired vintage box kelly 32 in rouge h from year 1976. But she’s now in Hermès spa. At first the SA was hesitant to accept because she thinks it’s still in excellent condition but I insist that I want to restore the handle and hopefully the customer care in Paris will suggest to change the handle so they can put an extra ring for the strap. Meanwhile, I have to wait for 3 months. Happy New Year everyone!

Beautiful!!

 

[Cheddar Cheese]

Sharing my newly acquired vintage box kelly 32 in rouge h from year 1976. But she’s now in Hermès spa. At first the SA was hesitant to accept because she thinks it’s still in excellent condition but I insist that I want to restore the handle and hopefully the customer care in Paris will suggest to change the handle so they can put an extra ring for the strap. Meanwhile, I have to wait for 3 months. Happy New Year everyone!

What a special treasure!
Love the old rouge h!