Personally, I would NOT send it back to them. I would hold onto it, take photos of the damage and send them along with a letter to the owner of the company and wait to see what the owner says. The lady you spoke with may have been an employee that really does not have the authority to comment or make compensation. You just bought your Cabby and the heart can no longer be replaced, combined this is a great deal of money. There is no defect with the LV items, it is purseket that is defective! I think they should buy the LV items from you, they have insurance as any company does to cover this. I really think if you take this to the higher level of the company something will be done. I own 2 of the pursekets, the plaid and the leopard but have used only the tan plaid and only briefly. Do not let this drop, please pursue this, you paid hard-earned money to buy your LV items. I am so sorry this happend to you. Also tell them you are a purse forum member and you will let the thousands of members know how they folow-through with this situation.