Risk a repair or live with missing foot?

[Pagan]

I pulled out my Ace Satchel again for the first time since last spring, and naturally fell in love all over again. I wore the bag for 2-3 months straight in 2016, so the leather is soft and smooshy. I don't like caving in sides, so I decided that she was special enough to get her own custom Samorga. While I was measuring the bag, I noticed that I had lost of the of the four feet on the bottom of the bag. I called Coach, but they can't be ordered. I have to send the bag in.

I've only sent one bag in for repair, but they destroyed it. It came back in much worse shape; I could have done a better repair on my own sewing machine. When I took it in, the store manager was appalled and the district manager hunted the final Navy Soft Swagger in North America down from an outlet to replace it for me.

I'd like the missing foot, but I love the bag and am not sure I trust them with it. I'd prefer a missing foot to a store credit for a ruined bag.

What do you think? Am I just being paranoid? Coach must repair a lot of bags...perhaps I just had bad luck?

 

[Pagan]

Here she is...a bit scratched up but that just shows she’s been loved. The marks show more in direct sunlight than they do normally. I just ordered some Blackrock to see if that will help hide the scratches.

 

[b_c1]

My vote would be to live with the missing foot. I was going to send a bag in to be repaired, but after reading about issues others have had with repairs, I decided against it.

 

[tealocean]

View attachment 4013102 Here she is...a bit scratched up but that just shows she’s been loved. The marks show more in direct sunlight than they do normally. I just ordered some Blackrock to see if that will help hide the scratches.

Is it possible to buy a foot that fits? I haven't looked, but wonder if a leather shop or craft store might carry them. How do they attach?

 

[AstridRhapsody]

I would take it to a leather shop. I will never use Coach Repairs ever again, they messed up 2 bags that were barely even used.

 

[CoachMaven]

Based on past experiences, I'd live with the missing foot and look for a local leathersmith who may be able to find a foot that is a close match.

 

[LOVEsersen]

I prefer to live with its missing foot.

So sad, how Coach can mess up a bag like this since they actually have a whole leather workshop to fit!

 

[AManIntoFashion]

I was thinking the same thing as the majority here. Maybe try to find a cobbler who works in shoe and handbag repairs!

 

[Pagan]

Thank you all; that’s kind of what I was thinking too. It looks like the foot is two parts; half is inside the leather strip and the top part is missing. Not sure if another can be screwed or glued in. I’ll take a picture of the bottom tomorrow when it’s light and see if anyone happens to recognize the mechanism.

 

[BeachBagGal]

Try posting in the Coach Rehab and Rescue Clubhouse. Someone in there might have a suggestion since they rehab bags.

 

[whateve]

I replaced a foot on a bag once. It was difficult to find the right size and shape. There are a few for sale at local stores like Tandy, but lots more available online, but it is pretty hard to find an exact match. I ended up ordering twice because the first I got was obviously too small. When I was looking, I couldn't find any that were exactly the kind Coach used. Most have prongs that push up through holes in the bottom of the bag, then fold over inside and are covered by the piece of leather inside the bag. The kind that were originally on the bag seems to have a pin in the middle. Anyway, I gave up on doing it right, cut off the prongs on the replacement, and just superglued the replacement on. If you can find a close match, you might be able to get a shoe repair to do a better repair.

 

[Pink Chanel Frosting]

Beautiful bag! I'm just echoing other sentiments but I thought I'd also chime in if it helps- I would check out leather smiths and see what your options are for a replacement foot, but I wouldn't even worry if you don't find one and have to just leave it as is.