Thank you for your input, it helps! It would be super to get a new one that was MIF. A free repair would definitely be wonderful too. Since it's my daily bag and I mostly shoulder carry these days there the d-rings are darkened and so forth so I hope they don't think I abuse it because that certainly isn't the case. But I do use it everywhere and put everything in it. I also rarely zip it, it was just an odd chance I wanted to zip it a few weeks back and it was sticky which has bothered me ever since! I will update once I see what they say!I have never seen this with my bags or on the forum. My guess is that if it is only 5 months old LV will at least offer a free repair. You may even get a new bag. LV zippers, in my experience, are usually the best. Don't be nervous when you go in the store. Just show them what has happened and let them decide and go from there. As a customer, you have every right to expect better quality. LV does have better after-the-sale care than most luxury retailers. Please let us know what happens at the store.