Share a Train Wreck

[gracekelly]

All of these posts make me wonder, what is an appropriate price for one of these bags? I found a true trainwreck (vintage Kelly) on ebay, but I have to admit, I sort of like it... but I don't want to get a "project" that can't be repaired. Any thoughts?

My take on it is that you have to accept the wreck warts and all. You have no guaranty that Hermes will accept for it repair and/or the cost could be prohibitive. You have to figure on taking it as is and/or repairing it yourself. $500 would be my limit on a bag like that.

 

[ladysarah]

My take on it is that you have to accept the wreck warts and all. You have no guaranty that Hermes will accept for it repair and/or the cost could be prohibitive. You have to figure on taking it as is and/or repairing it yourself. $500 would be my limit on a bag like that.

A 'project' has been on my wish list for several years now. But I cannot find anything suitable, as most kellys are so overpriced, no matter the condition.I'd love to hear from other ladies who were more successful...

 

[audreylita]

A 'project' has been on my wish list for several years now. But I cannot find anything suitable, as most kellys are so overpriced, no matter the condition.I'd love to hear from other ladies who were more successful...

I bought a borderline train wreck from Sam awhile back. It's a 32 cm box leather kelly in raisin. The leather was in OK condition but the bag clearly had been left in the sun with the strap closed because when it's opened you can see the darker raisin color under the area where the strap was and also under the flap with the rest of the bag being more faded and not in an even way. When I got it also found the corners had been touched up with what appeared to be purple magic marker.

Claude polished up the bag and changed the hardware (which helped enormously) and gave it a bit of life but it still has that uneven train wreckish sort of feel to it. He was also kind enough to correct the color on the corners.

The bag really rides the border of being acceptable and a downtown almost wannabe. I totally love it and amazingly get compliments on it even with its faults.

I guess it just depends on the level on disrepair. Here in NY the Olsens have made a train wreck bag almost hip (although there is certainly a level of what's really off the rails and their's is certainly one of them).

I personally don't mind heavily used bags. They are great for daily use and knocking around without fear of making them worse or less valuable. I know when I sell them I'll at least make back what I paid.

 

[ladysarah]

I bought a borderline train wreck from Sam awhile back. It's a 32 cm box leather kelly in raisin. The leather was in OK condition but the bag clearly had been left in the sun with the strap closed because when it's opened you can see the darker raisin color under the area where the strap was and also under the flap with the rest of the bag being more faded and not in an even way. When I got it also found the corners had been touched up with what appeared to be purple magic marker.

Claude polished up the bag and changed the hardware (which helped enormously) and gave it a bit of life but it still has that uneven train wreckish sort of feel to it. He was also kind enough to correct the color on the corners.

The bag really rides the border of being acceptable and a downtown almost wannabe. I totally love it and amazingly get compliments on it even with its faults.

I guess it just depends on the level on disrepair. Here in NY the Olsens have made a train wreck bag almost hip (although there is certainly a level of what's really off the rails and their's is certainly one of them).

I personally don't mind heavily used bags. They are great for daily use and knocking around without fear of making them worse or less valuable. I know when I sell them I'll at least make back what I paid.

ah - thank you for your response. Very interesting - would love to hear more, see photos and price details (if not too crass) Also were the pen marks disclosed, or was it a 'surprise'? In the UK its always been acceptable (until in my circles) to wear vntage bags, though not ridicolously worn one like the Olsens as that is verging on the affectation...

 

[PetiteFranco]

I bought a borderline train wreck from Sam awhile back. It's a 32 cm box leather kelly in raisin. The leather was in OK condition but the bag clearly had been left in the sun with the strap closed because when it's opened you can see the darker raisin color under the area where the strap was and also under the flap with the rest of the bag being more faded and not in an even way. When I got it also found the corners had been touched up with what appeared to be purple magic marker.

Claude polished up the bag and changed the hardware (which helped enormously) and gave it a bit of life but it still has that uneven train wreckish sort of feel to it. He was also kind enough to correct the color on the corners.

The bag really rides the border of being acceptable and a downtown almost wannabe. I totally love it and amazingly get compliments on it even with its faults.

I guess it just depends on the level on disrepair. Here in NY the Olsens have made a train wreck bag almost hip (although there is certainly a level of what's really off the rails and their's is certainly one of them).

I personally don't mind heavily used bags. They are great for daily use and knocking around without fear of making them worse or less valuable. I know when I sell them I'll at least make back what I paid.

Thank you so much for this post! I prefer the look of "pre-loved" bags, and I agree that I love not having to worry about daily use's wear and tear on my bag. Also, I hate to say it, and I hope I don't offend anyone, but a lot of the new H bags look so perfect, that some look fake, at least to me.

 

[audreylita]

I've seen worse but this one qualifies.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/100-Authent...H_Handbags&hash=item3cc0ac34ff#ht_8814wt_1398

 

[foxgal]

I've seen worse but this one qualifies.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/100-Authent...H_Handbags&hash=item3cc0ac34ff#ht_8814wt_1398

The price of some of these beaten up vintages astonish me! I love vintage and even a bit of a "broken in" not-perfect look, but it's got to be useable and should be substantially less than new, not just half of new for that condition. I was lucky with my find at less than 1/10 of new price for a totally useable decent-looking Kelly!

 

[foxgal]

Another example: http://www.ebay.ca/itm/HERMES-HANDB...36?pt=UK_Women_s_Handbags&hash=item3a6ed7268c

Maybe restorable to some kind of useability, but should be less than $1000 IMHO.

 

[ladysarah]

Another example: http://www.ebay.ca/itm/HERMES-HANDB...36?pt=UK_Women_s_Handbags&hash=item3a6ed7268c

Maybe restorable to some kind of useability, but should be less than $1000 IMHO.

couldn't agree with you more! The price for this bag is nothing sort of ludicrous, considering the condition is in, but Hermes resellers are getting greedier by the day. You did really well with your Kelly foxgal, always love looking at your modelling shots. It would be lovely to get a kelly to restore, but I would feel silly to spend that sort of money to get the vintage look.

 

[ladysarah]

I bought a borderline train wreck from Sam awhile back. It's a 32 cm box leather kelly in raisin. The leather was in OK condition but the bag clearly had been left in the sun with the strap closed because when it's opened you can see the darker raisin color under the area where the strap was and also under the flap with the rest of the bag being more faded and not in an even way. When I got it also found the corners had been touched up with what appeared to be purple magic marker.

Claude polished up the bag and changed the hardware (which helped enormously) and gave it a bit of life but it still has that uneven train wreckish sort of feel to it. He was also kind enough to correct the color on the corners.

The bag really rides the border of being acceptable and a downtown almost wannabe. I totally love it and amazingly get compliments on it even with its faults.

I guess it just depends on the level on disrepair. Here in NY the Olsens have made a train wreck bag almost hip (although there is certainly a level of what's really off the rails and their's is certainly one of them).

I personally don't mind heavily used bags. They are great for daily use and knocking around without fear of making them worse or less valuable. I know when I sell them I'll at least make back what I paid.

do you have any photos of your Kelly and could you post? (begging!)

 

[pinkbunny21]

Another example: http://www.ebay.ca/itm/HERMES-HANDB...36?pt=UK_Women_s_Handbags&hash=item3a6ed7268c

Maybe restorable to some kind of useability, but should be less than $1000 IMHO.

OMG wow, hahaha.. did she drop it in the ocean or something?

 

[audreylita]

do you have any photos of your Kelly and could you post? (begging!)

This is with flash so as to accentuate the defects. Notice the bag is darker under where the straps would be and also under the flap. It is also gradient from dark to light to darker again as you get to the bottom of the bag.

This purse does not look like this in natural light, if it did I wouldn't use it! It looks mildly distressed. In most light you don't even look twice at the bag, it looks fine. Also of note, the back of the bag is near perfect, no color differentiation or scratching to speak of.

The leather is in really great shape. I had the hardware changed, the corners touched up and it was polished up at spa. I really love this bag to death and am not afraid to knock it around.

 

[audreylita]

I bought this bag from Sam at hautegallery and his pictures did not show it like this. It was really in a little rougher shape than expected when I got it but even knowing how it looked would have ordered it from him in a second. I was wanting a raisin box leather kelly in a 32 and when this one appeared at a good price I jumped on it. With all my bags (and you guys know I have one or two), this is one of my favorites!

 

[jmen]

I bought this bag from Sam at hautegallery and his pictures did not show it like this. It was really in a little rougher shape than expected when I got it but even knowing how it looked would have ordered it from him in a second. I was wanting a raisin box leather kelly in a 32 and when this one appeared at a good price I jumped on it. With all my bags (and you guys know I have one or two), this is one of my favorites!

You gotta admit there is nothing like raisin in box leather. It just takes makes me weak in the knees.

 

[ladysarah]

This is with flash so as to accentuate the defects. Notice the bag is darker under where the straps would be and also under the flap. It is also gradient from dark to light to darker again as you get to the bottom of the bag.

This purse does not look like this in natural light, if it did I wouldn't use it! It looks mildly distressed. In most light you don't even look twice at the bag, it looks fine. Also of note, the back of the bag is near perfect, no color differentiation or scratching to speak of.

The leather is in really great shape. I had the hardware changed, the corners touched up and it was polished up at spa. I really love this bag to death and am not afraid to knock it around.

this is great - just the right degree of delapitation - thank you for the photo! If I could find something like this in a 28 I'd get it in an instant. Unfortunately the ones that came my way looked like an elephant (or two,) had sat on them. I prefer my train wrecks to retain the original shape, so nothing squashed - or heaven forbid - WITH ODOUR! I mean who wants to go around with a bag that smells bad?!!!!!!!!!!