I'm not a veteran per-say... but I think its important to mention that, while doing research on a bag, you cant take what everyone says as fact. What bothers one person may not bother you and what happens to one person's bag may not happen to yours. For example, if I had knew about TPF before I bought my first Neverfull MM in DE (2012) and read all the things people say about staying away from that bag because of all the strap issues (stiffness, cracking etc)...I probably never would have bought it. I've now had the bag for 2 years and I absolutely love it. Its my first, my baby and I use it everyday. The straps are comfortable to me and there is a tiny bit of glaze cracking on 2 of the straps but it just doesnt bother me. I dont agonize over it. Also, I've been in LOVE with the Monogram Neverfull with the Fuschia interior and I was considering not getting it because of what people were saying about the color transfer. Turns out some people have the problem...and others don't.
Sorry for the mini-Novel but I just think its important to keep in mind that sometimes YOUR opinion is still the best opinion in the end