Uneven puffiness/grains on beige clair—keep or return?

[cclvr]

Hi all,
I recently purchased a small beige clair classic flap over the phone last week. My lovely SA texted me ASAP when the shipment arrived at the boutique, so the bag is brand new. I’ve just received the bag today and noticed that the grain/texture of the bag is drastic enough that I’m considering of returning. It has taken me a long time to finally find this bag and the fact that there’ll be a price I crease in 2 days, so I’m a hesitant today return.

I actually have beige clair jumbo that I purchased a year ago that’s been sitting in the box (tags still on and everything). I haven’t used it at all because I realized that it’s too big for my body size and doesn’t fit my lifestyle. I’m planning to sell it to fund the small size.

The leather/grains on my jumbo is consistent all around, which kind of pointed out the difference between the 2 bags.

Here are some pics to show you the difference. From what I can tell, it’s not the craftsmanship, but the leather itself. The grain/texture of the flap is “more flat” when compared to the leather under the flap.

Am I being too picky?

 

[Venessa84]

I think this bag looks beautiful but if you're unhappy with it then you should return it.

 

[daisychainz]

I think it looks very beautiful but it will obviously be different from your other one, it's a completely different leather year and leather batch. It can never be the same as any other. As long as the quality is there in other ways I would keep it, but ultimately you have to be satisfied.

 

[SpicyTuna13]

I usually cannot discern these differences in these types of posts; however, the issue sticks out like a sore thumb to me.

This is one of the rare occasions that I would advise to return.

 

[HappyAngel]

I am looking through the pictures and I can't find anything wrong with the bag. What am I missing here? I really want to know as I am not as picky when it comes to leather. I think for the price that we are paying for the bag, we all should be picky..."VERY" picky!

 

[Klaneckya]

This is normal bag. I do not see any issues.

 

[ashin121]

Is it me or does the flap look alot bigger than it should compared to the bottom. The diamonds don't match up either. I dont see the difference in leather but the fact the the flap is unusually large for the base.

 

[cclvr]

I think it looks very beautiful but it will obviously be different from your other one, it's a completely different leather year and leather batch. It can never be the same as any other. As long as the quality is there in other ways I would keep it, but ultimately you have to be satisfied.

You’re absolutely right!
I think it is harder to tell the difference in photos vs. in person. Below is probably a better description comparing the difference in leather in the same bag.

 

[fdc]

Is your bag from the 30 series? I have exactly the same bag and the same issue so I know what you mean. It also took me so long to find one in France so I decided to keep it finally, it’s not a big deal no one else can see it but yourself. But if you’re unhappy can you ask for an exchange instead of return, like ask the store to find another small beige clair for you? I might try to ask my SA tomorrow also.

 

[cclvr]

Is it me or does the flap look alot bigger than it should compared to the bottom. The diamonds don't match up either. I dont see the difference in leather but the fact the the flap is unusually large for the base.

I see what you’re talking about, but it’s the angle! In person, the flap looks straight when compared to the bottom. Sorry, my photo taking skills aren’t great lol.

 

[cclvr]

Is your bag from the 30 series? I have exactly the same bag and the same issue so I know what you mean. It also took me so long to find one in France so I decided to keep it finally, it’s not a big deal no one else can see it but yourself.

Yes, it’s 30 series.

 

[cclvr]

I am looking through the pictures and I can't find anything wrong with the bag. What am I missing here? I really want to know as I am not as picky when it comes to leather. I think for the price that we are paying for the bag, we all should be picky..."VERY" picky!

Yes! It’s just that the small size will be 6200usd this Friday and it’s the SAME price when I got my jumbo in Oct 2019, which is why I’m a little more picky.. I hope that I don’t sound like a crazy lady being concerned with the difference between leather texture/puffiness of quilts on the same bag. I know that the chance of me exchanging this for another/better one right before the price increase is slim to none. I guess I’ll sleep on it and see how I feel tomorrow

 

[fdc]

Yes, it’s 30 series.

It means this is a common problem for 30 series so maybe we won’t be lucky finding another bag without this problem from the same series. It’s worth considering if you want to pay 300$ more. In October 2019 the bag costed €4250 and now €5500, imagine adding 300 more

 

[middlemouse318]

Chanel's leather selection quality has definitely gone down. Same thing happened with my iridescent ivory rect mini. The top flap's leather is noticeably flatter than the rest of the bag. The quilts on the flap are not puffy at all. I was bothered in the store when I first saw it. The bottom piece of leather (underneath the flap) is much more puffy. I ended up taking the bag home and keeping it anyway, since it was one chance to get a super unicorn that had a tonne of people on the waitlist after me. After some time has passed, it doesn't bother me that much anymore as I would rather own this bag than having to source one from a personal shopper.

However, the same cannot be said for other less unicorn bags in my collection that were imperfect to begin with. As time passed, I ended up letting them go one by one. Each time I picked up one of these bags, the flaws from day 1 would jump out at me all over again. For the cost of these bags, they should all be perfect from the get-go.

In your case, it is an REV bag that will be made again. Since beige clair is a staple forever classic that would probably remain in your collection forever, I would absolutely try to exchange for a perfect one, instead of settling. If it bothers you enough now to question it, it might end up bothering you in the long run. If an exact exchange is not possible, I would return it. Yes, I say this despite the pending price increase! These bags are too expensive to settle. Don't forget that there will be a cost to sell it too should you change your mind and decide to let it go in the future (fees, consignment etc..) so the difference due to the price increase might end up breaking even.

 

[Tuned83]

I saw what you meant immediately and I would return. Looks like they have used two different batches of leather for parts of the bag. I am usually quite chilled but to me this is a return.