OMG and my SA told me to keep the plastic ON! She should join this forum!
She said this will keep the tarnishing at bay....which actually makes sense in a way so I took her advice though I felt VERY tacky the first time I took my first Birkin out with her plasic glories still on...I still remember that feeling now...
So for all my bags, I put up with the plastic tapes as long as I can stand it and then I remove them when my fingers itch too badly to control them. Now with all the blessing from this group, I'm removing ALL of them pronto!