Wow, that is crazy! Thanks for the info. I recently took my Keepall 45 for the leather replacement and the SA quoted me almost $3k (and that didn't even include the gold hardware)! Granted I have a Bandouliere, with the only difference being those two leather pieces on each end--but that still shouldn't account for a $2300 delta.
The SA was being quite a **** so I should have known something was wrong. Obviously I declined the repair and so glad I did! I'll be taking it to another store and I will report her to corporate for her shady practices.