I was walking down 57th Street when it struck me. There was the mothership for Louis Vuitton, all white and glassy. My dear wife, Dr. SJ, had not been particularly mean to me that week, and I was in a jovial mood, so in I walked. And out I came with one of those bags that have the LVs all over them. She was very happy when I gave it to her that evening, though suspicious about what I’d done wrong that she had yet to learn about. I assured her that it was pure love.
This happened a couple of years ago. When exactly, I can’t remember. Why would I? Today, Dr. SJ stopped at the Louis Vuitton store because the leather strap was starting to break. She showed them the bag. They showed her the door. It would cost $160 for them to repair the strap. She told me about it, and I was not amused.
I called up the store and spoke with an effete, yet official, young man. I told him of my discontent, and he patiently explained to me that leather doesn’t last forever, and they cannot be responsible for leather wearing out.
Over the years, I’ve accumulated a few things are described by their marketers as luxury goods. Some of you may recall my Mont Blanc pen, the one where the plastic bottom broke. Oops, my bad. They aren’t made of plastic, but of the finest resin. That would be the finest resin that broke. It changes everything when you say it that way.
Now I’ve been proven the fool again, this time by a venerable firm, Louis Vuitton. I have a trunk by Vuitton that’s more than 120 years old and looks great. Dr. SJ’s bag is less than 3 years old and is falling apart. Go figure.
When you have a problem with your Louis Vuitton bag, and you go into the tres chic Louis Vuitton boutique, they start out being very nice to you, mistakenly thinking you are there to buy something. As soon as you tell them you are there with a problem, they are not nearly as solicitous. You need them. Off comes the salesgirl’s smile, and on comes the official woman’s sneer.
As with my pen, I have no plans on spending $160 to fix the strap. And the chances of my buying my 18 piece set of matching Louis Vuitton steamers trunks have been considerably reduced. Instead, I am considering tying some bailing twin from one side of the bag to the other, so that people will ask why the bag lacks the only significant piece of leather that Louis Vuitton uses in its manufacture. I will then explain.
However, I fear that some will see my twine fix as a fashion statement, maybe even a new trend by Vuitton itself, given the new designs they carry. And to think I threw a grand away on this piece of crap that can’t last three years. She barely even used it in all that time. I’ve got stop this impulse buying thing. I’m far too easy a mark.
But if the leather strap on a rarely used, thousand dollar Louis Vuitton bag doesn’t last at least 10 years, then the bag is a piece of crap and the whole deal is a scam. Just wait until my daughter finds out about this. It will break her heart.
Update: Within minutes, comments are coming in suggesting alternative brands. Please don’t. I will not allow the comments to post under any circumstances, and nothing in the post should be read as a request for alternative brands or for others to tell me about their favorites handbags, shoes, belts, gloves, accessories, etc.
This happened a couple of years ago. When exactly, I can’t remember. Why would I? Today, Dr. SJ stopped at the Louis Vuitton store because the leather strap was starting to break. She showed them the bag. They showed her the door. It would cost $160 for them to repair the strap. She told me about it, and I was not amused.
I called up the store and spoke with an effete, yet official, young man. I told him of my discontent, and he patiently explained to me that leather doesn’t last forever, and they cannot be responsible for leather wearing out.
So you’re telling me that I pissed away more than a thousand dollars on vinyl bag where one of the few pieces of leather on it wore out within a couple years? You’re telling me that these ridiculously priced bags don’t last longer than that?Vanity. When you go to the LV store, hushed and luxurious, they treat you like a king. And they treat their products like gold. But you’re not a king, but just the fool, as would be anyone willing to pay such absurd sums for vinyl pocketbooks. It’s the ego play, the appeal to self-importance. And I, fool that I am, fell for it.
Well, leather doesn’t last forever.
Screw forever, how about five years, ten years? This is less than three years, and it’s shot. This is a piece of crap.
Well it’s only $160 to repair it.
Only? If it’s only $160, then why don’t you eat the cost?
We couldn’t possibly do that.
I bet.
Over the years, I’ve accumulated a few things are described by their marketers as luxury goods. Some of you may recall my Mont Blanc pen, the one where the plastic bottom broke. Oops, my bad. They aren’t made of plastic, but of the finest resin. That would be the finest resin that broke. It changes everything when you say it that way.
Now I’ve been proven the fool again, this time by a venerable firm, Louis Vuitton. I have a trunk by Vuitton that’s more than 120 years old and looks great. Dr. SJ’s bag is less than 3 years old and is falling apart. Go figure.
When you have a problem with your Louis Vuitton bag, and you go into the tres chic Louis Vuitton boutique, they start out being very nice to you, mistakenly thinking you are there to buy something. As soon as you tell them you are there with a problem, they are not nearly as solicitous. You need them. Off comes the salesgirl’s smile, and on comes the official woman’s sneer.
As with my pen, I have no plans on spending $160 to fix the strap. And the chances of my buying my 18 piece set of matching Louis Vuitton steamers trunks have been considerably reduced. Instead, I am considering tying some bailing twin from one side of the bag to the other, so that people will ask why the bag lacks the only significant piece of leather that Louis Vuitton uses in its manufacture. I will then explain.
However, I fear that some will see my twine fix as a fashion statement, maybe even a new trend by Vuitton itself, given the new designs they carry. And to think I threw a grand away on this piece of crap that can’t last three years. She barely even used it in all that time. I’ve got stop this impulse buying thing. I’m far too easy a mark.
But if the leather strap on a rarely used, thousand dollar Louis Vuitton bag doesn’t last at least 10 years, then the bag is a piece of crap and the whole deal is a scam. Just wait until my daughter finds out about this. It will break her heart.
Update: Within minutes, comments are coming in suggesting alternative brands. Please don’t. I will not allow the comments to post under any circumstances, and nothing in the post should be read as a request for alternative brands or for others to tell me about their favorites handbags, shoes, belts, gloves, accessories, etc.
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I recommend a ****** & *******. Very high quality, half the price of LV and excellent customer service…
Same thing has happened a number of times to me with ****** bags and brief cases and they ALL WAYS take it, clean it, and repair it…
next time get her a ****** gift it is cheaper and better!!
Next time, impulse shop at good old American ****** with its lifetime warranty.
Finally you have written something relevant. Had my 70-volume work “Product Deterioration” been finished, you would have been able to consult it regarding the various aspects of fashion bag decay.
For a mere $150, I’ll gladly repair your LV product.
I’ve managed to keep my wife’s bag bills down of late, but rest assured, she is obsessed with the various lines of lettered bags. (I tried educating her with this your most recent blog entry.) Her last purchase was a Chanel bag at a local second-hand shop in, yes, Washington County, for $18, and believe it or not, she was delighted! By the way, in the eighties on the East Side of Manhattan, there are quite a few thrift shops, and I remember seeing a painting for sale in one of them for $18,000. It finally sold for about $14,000. So deals are to be had!
Well, aren’t you the ray of sunshine.
Impulse shopping clearly isn’t my thing.
Each and every one of you are way off base, and have completely failed to give the author a single bit of good advice (which, he is clearly asking for).
What you have all missed is this: SHG’s mistake in this scenario, was in his purchasing an expensive handbag that his wife liked! What he should have done was spent some hard earned dough on (a) something unreturnable and (b)something she despised.
This would have relieved him off all future gift purchasing adventures. Problem solved.
You are wise beyond your years. At least I know better than ever buying her anything from Louis Vuitton again.
My sister married a wonderful guy. Like you he bought her an LV.
And being wise, I pretended to know what LV was and that I cared. oooou! aaaaah!
She foolishly left it in her car while at the gym. When her insurance claim check arrived she decided the money could be better spent elsewhere and now carries something much, much cheaper.
My brother in law married a wonderful girl.
He’s a lucky man, your brother in law.
I tried that and spent a year fighting to make the store accept a $6000 return item, because, after all, that’s why credit card companies have dispute resolution mechanisms. And I would have spent double to not have to hear about it.
Forget the replacement strap. You can buy a whole replacement louis vuitton bag in Chinatown for less than $160.
True, but that would be wrong.
I have a handmade leather shoulder bag I bought in rural Haiti over 6 years ago, for $15. The strap, along with the rest of the bag, is still going strong. There’s no excuse for Vuitton making such a piece of crap.
After reading this post and your archived Montblanc diatribe (I mean that in a good way), I noted that Dr. was Mrs. SJ last year. Please discuss fully.
Dr. SJ was not pleased with me for calling her Mrs. SJ. Any other questions?
Yes:
1) did he hold a doctoral degree in 2009?
2) if yes, what type of work does she do?
3) and why did you minimize her status by ignoring said degree?
Don’t get pissy. And least my comments don’t involve pitches for LV competitor products.
3) what
Which explains the $1000 for the handbag in the first place. We have come full circle.
1. Dr. SJ is a she, not a he.
2. Since the answer to 1 is not a yes because of your typo, I refuse to answer (and wouldn’t anyway because Dr. SJ prefers not to become involved in my nonsense here).
3. Because I’m terribly jealous that dinner invitations arrive for “Mr. & Dr.,” which makes me feel bad.
Pissy? Moi?
Fashionable Friday: Recommended Reading
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I purchased the large GM bag in November. By December the strap was falling apart. I took the bag to the store for repair. When the bag returned i noticed that the feet was turning silver and changing color. I called customer service and they said that they would repair the feet. I brought it to their attention that brass should not be turning silver and the bag was not made well. I requested an exchange, this bag is only seven months old and has spent more time getting repaired then i felt comfortable with. I was denied. Louis Vuiitons number selling point is their craftsmanship. Well i was tricked big time. I paid 1,520 for a peice of junk that honestly was not worth a fraction of what they charged. I filled a complaint wit the BBB and i am upset that they don’t stand behind their product!
I know this is old news, but I just had the zipper break on my LV wallet. They sent it off for 3 months then told me they couldn’t repair it. A replacement wallet is $750. That’s IT for LV and me.
I also took my LV purse, one of many that I have purchased over the years, due to a strap problem. Told the same thing. Now the whole side is cracking. Again, I was told that it was my fault for wearing it! I would love to hear if any legal avenues are open to me….
my mother in law bought three LV bags which prolly cost more than 900 dollars each and one of them broke on her. the zipper in fact. She uses them very lightly and only on special occasions but i tell ya i think the craftsmanship on these products are worse than dog poo. They are selling crap to people and thats just dang wrong. i would never buy from them after seeing my mother in law’s purse go to ruin like that. What a waste, id rather buy gold and diamonds.
Hi All,
I have had quite the opposite experience with LV. I had purchased a bag in NY and after 6 months, became very bothered by the fact that part of the zipper material was sticking out of the side of the piece of leather that secured the end of the zipper. While on vaca in San Diego, I went to the LV store at Fashion Valley Mall and showed the sales lady. She commented that this was completed unacceptable and to remove the contents of my bag. She brought me a new bag and also noted it was from a different “lot” and had me inspect it to ensure I liked it. She then went to the computer and updated my information to reflect the new bag ID and wished me a good day.
I was very impressed.
I had the same great experience at the LV store in San Diego! I have had LV products for many years, no probs. I can’t help but love the look and product.
It’s fortunate that your defective bag was replaced. It’s a shame that so many others weren’t. It’s a shame that LV bags are defective at all.
I have a Speedy bag that is three years old… I love it and it is in perfect condition except the canvas is beginning to show a tiny peel near the top. There is not a water mark, rip, or any other sign of wear on the bag.
I took it into the LV store in Kig of Prussia. I showed it to the salesgirl and asked if they could send it out to be repaired, fully expecting that I would be charged a fee and then it would be returned to me repaired.
She looked at me, barely glanced at the bag and replied “oh. Once it peels there is nothing that can be done. Fortunately it looks like it has been well-loved so at least you’ve enjoyed it. You are supposed to rotate handbags not use it all of the time.”
I was stunned…rotate? It is in perfect shape except for this? I knew better than to expect her to offer to replace it but not even assist with finding a repair shop? I was going to purchase a new LV tote for CHristmas but after this, I bought a Tory Burch bag instead. Screw LV if this is what they think of their customers!
I bought a COACH bAG 5 years ago for $250.00 and it is still in great contition except that the lining on is pulling from the inside and the color is fading a bit. coach will repair it for a $20.00 service charge. Two years ago I spent $900.00 on LV I hardly used the bag. found out the leather is wearing out just a few months after. It is costing me $252. to repear the bag. My last LV purchase.
I just had the same experience with a wallet. I purchased it 6 years ago but barely used it. I started using it again and the leather/plastic or who knows what on the inside of the card pockets started to peel off and adhere to all of my cards. None of the usual wear and tear you would expect to see from a used wallet was present.
I took it in to the LV shop in Dallas where I was told “it is over 5 years old” what do you expect.
I expect better service, not to mention quality, than if I had bought a chinese fake. When I said that was unacceptable quality, let alone service, I was glared at by the bizarre lineup of snooty sales women. It was made clear to me that unless I wanted to buy something new, I could get the hell out of their store.
Next time I won’t mistake expensive brand names for any indication of quality or service. (Take notice of all of the photos of vintage trunks etc around the store seemingly broadcasting the ethos of our products are worth it because they last.)
I get better service from Target, Costco and any other reputable store.
Next time I want an LV wallet (if that day ever comes again), I’ll buy a fake. It might last longer.
Kind of new to all this high tech computer stuff but went online to determine value of unused Louis Vuitton leather purse strap, when much to my surprise, it seems they are a rare commodity.I bought it a yard sale. It still has the protective piece of tissue on a metal piece so I know it is unused. I read with interest the feedback on LV products. It is such a shame that we are so easily influenced by marketers or whoever it may be that purchasing a “luxury” product will make us feel better about ourselves or is it that we are attempting to impress? I don’t understand. I am disgusted by the attitude of most of the associates in the LV stores, as reported by respondents. Don’t go back, and tell everyone you know about your dissatisfaction with this line of merchandise. Oh yeah, I’ve got this unused strap. Never mind, it’s probably just a piece of junk.
I took my first lv bag with broken strap a year after i bought it to the 5th ave store in ny. They fixed it no charge. A zipper was fixed for free a few years previous. About two months ago I took the same bag in for the zipper and lining. The cost: 700 to fix. And in the repair area a poor teenager who bought some shoes as a status symbol for perhaps 6 weeks of min wage pay and the shoes were coming apart. They were treating him like a roach. I felt like an idiot zipping around with my lv like I’m a vip and I’m just a sucker. Bag is on a shelf and I found a new brand from the designer or tumi to give it a try. SHG you are a wonderful guy to buy a bag for your wife. I swoon at the thought. I just wish I could find a lifetime brand for myself. My dad has a hartman older than I that was fixed at the 20 year mark for pennies. His allen edmonds were rebuilt for free. I know u can’t share other brand suggestions but gee it would be nice for those who obsess about quality as u do to have some back up brands specific to women’s merchandise which is notoriusly poorly made. Thx.
I’m amazed at how poorly women’s stuff is made, and how much it costs. But to have the gall to charge the prices LV does for plastic crap and fail to take responsibility when it breaks is an outrage. Yet we are all slaves to status to some extent. What a sad lot we Americans are.
It is not just Americans who are status whores.
No, but the fact that others are bad as well doesn’t make us any better. If you take comfort in believing that you’re no worse than others, it’s false comfort.
Bought a LV bag into the Short Hills store for repair. The sales person insisted it was a fake! I purchased it in Paris France LV store! Finally they returned it for ispection and repair but they did charge me $95.00!!
I’ve noticed that the quality of established brands, luxury or no, has deteriorated over the years. I have an LV carryall….purchased in 1987 that is still going strong. But in comparing it to the monogram carryalls in the stores today… I can see how straps might not last. I recently purchased a monogram wallet that, while nice, is definitely not the caliber of my 24 year old tote. Mind you, I’m not a big fan of paying $500 for a wallet….I’m currently very matchy, matchy….
I bought the speedy and treated it as I do all of my leather and suede. The bag turned white and I was told by short hills they would not replace the bag because they do not reccommend treating the bag. Well it does not say not to treat it either. The handles are fine but the bag is a mess. And I am beside myself.
Jeez, my experience pales in comparison. I bought an LV bag in Bloomingdales in NYC sometime around 2001. Treated it very carefully and lovingly, but the leather strap connecting the handle to the bag snapped off about a year ago. Thought these things were meant to last! Was assured I could *pass this down to my grandchildren* (like the fictional brats deserve such a gift — I planned to take it to the grave!). After reading these posts, I’m not even gonna attempt to take a ten-year-old bag to the LV store — I heard my local shoe repair shop could probably fix it. Bet it would cost a lot less too!
Bought two different Totally bags within a year. The strap broke on the first bag in a month and LV replaced. The second bag is just over a year old and the leather strapped snapped at the stitching. The LV store told me I must have been at fault as my bag was sagging and the canvas was pulling away from the bag. $150 to fix!! Came home and noticed second bag is about to tear on the leather strap in the same place. It has barely been used! LV makes you feel like dirt for actually wearing the bag. Really? Two bags breaking in the same place?? Not much of a coincidence to me. Just poorly made handbags. My last LV purchase. Will sing to the BBB and tweet a few warnings to the uninitiated.
Same experience but the bag was less used and the repair price was $275
I too have a Louis Vuitton issue. My bag was close to $3,000. My husband bought it for me as a Christmas gift along with the matching wallet. — big purchase! It has not been used daily and is just over 2 years old. The leather on Both sides where it connects to the bag is fraying and holding on by just a few stitches. Clearly a defect in manufacturing. I have spoken with everyone possible with no satisfaction on my part. They claim it’s normal wear and tear, it’s the way I carry the bag, blah, blah. They want $500 to repair it. Are you kidding me? Why would I put $500 more dollars into a clearly substandard bag. Their customer service is awful and made me feel like I was lying even though I am in their system and they can see all of my purchases. I will NEVER purchase another LV bag! They are not worth the money they charge. In addition I am stop g people going into one of their stores to warn about the quality of their bags and their lack of customer service. I truly hope people read these posts prior to making such an expensive purchase — it’s a scam!
After filing a complaint with the BBB and following up about 7 times with LV’s customer service, the repair center and customer service agreed the bags were flawed and repaired at no charge. If you go this route, have patience. There communication is not stellar and you will have to follow up. Glad to have my bags back but not sure I want to go through this again.
Thanks for the info. I was so disgusted with them I took the bag to a local leather repair place that does repairs for them. He charged me $180 — still to much but better than their $500 quote. I will never purchase another bag from them and am telling everyone I know about their inferior product and poor customer service.
My husband purchased a LV speedy bag for me and after about 2 years the strap began to fray. They wanted $65 bucks to repair it. I paid the money and received my bag back about 6 weeks later. When I got it back I noticed that the canvas had a crack in it (on the same side they repaired my handle). Long story short, they are refusing to repair the canvas. I’ve called customer service, I’ve taken my bag in to have it inspected, and it was returned back to me 3 months later with the words “not defected” WRITTEN on their letterhead! Are they kidding me? Who hand writes anything when you’re doing business? I will be contacting the BBB immediately!!!
Hi – I bought a Speedy 35 from the Louis Vuitton Florence store. Used it twice in Florence. When we packed up to go to France, I noticed a small rip in the bag. As the store had closed, we needed to speak to the Paris store regarding it. I stupidly did not check the bag when I bought it. They straight out said it could not be fixed and they would not replace it. I repeat – I used it TWICE. I have lovely bag which have lasted for years. All my small items are kept in a small bag and nothing could have punctured the bag. They dispute this. I am disgusted with their service. We have taken this a level further and I will take legal action if they do not assist. Amazing.
Please, please keep me updated on how you resolve this. I will never purchase another bag from them. Terrible customer service and they do not stand behind their products!
I have 2 LV bags and BOTH purse straps broke. I took the first one in and it’s $140 to fix. I’m contemplating taking the 2nd on in (hence started searching for sites to see if I’m the only one with this problem). Is there anything that can be done?
Buy a different brand of bag.
hello, July 2011 I bought a pair of LV slippers in Amsterdam for 325 euros. In the meantime i’m living on Aruba. August 2012 one of the slippers has a loose sole!!!Went to th LV shop here on Aruba, the are not able to do anything for you after just 13 months!!!! I have the box, the bill, they just tell you , they can’t help you!! I’m done with them!! Do not buy this rubbish!
I will admit that I have an over abundance of both LV bags and luggage. I originally purchased them at the Saks at Waterside in Naples, Florida before they opened their own store at Waterside. My husband, always the purchaser, was always greeted with overwhelming, pandering graciousness. We received the usual birthday and holiday cards and were always able to obtain those most desired bags before anyone else did. There were even the occasional small gifts. I, my mother and daughter all had extensive luggage collections and bags. Honestly, it was my husband’s easy way to pamper us on occasions. We were obviously cherished members of the LV family UNTIL one of the wheels fell apart while stored in an aircondioned closet. It almost seemed to flake apart, bits pulling off as they were touched. When we complained, they were aghast originally and then actually accused us that it was somehow our fault. Subsequently, several others have similarly self destructed. We have not a clue where to purchase replacement wheels as we absolutely refuse to spend another penny with them. I am somewhat smug realizing the many customers they have lost as the defective luggage has been a source of conversation with many friends, all customers , like myself, for decades. If anybody has any suggestion as to repair parts, please let me know. Thank you. Go Gucci! Btw, the rubber bumpers all eventually do the same.
De ja vu… This was everything rolling around quietly in my head post eloquently before my eyes. Bag=Mono Speedy Bandouliere 40 Purchase Feb 13, 2013 Problem= One handle cracks on glazing everywhere. One strap crack and spilt growing by the day. Went to LV sales associate in March was told it was a mysterious cut, however that I was under warrenty so I could get the handles replaced unfortunately it would take 8 weeks.. within 30days of purchase hahaha . I left in disbelief. Today I folded and took it in I had to I went from on crack to 9 to 10. They blamed it on the climate in Arizona. Why, it has only been hot for a month, I replied. But everything you stated went through my head.
I have a 4 year old Tivoli bag that I took back to the Bloomingdales NY LV store today. Recently the strap that attaches to the canvas ripped off on one side. I brought it in for repair. The sales woman looks at for a few seconds, pulls back the leather and proceeds to tell me that a replacement piece would be a lighter color. I said yes, I realize that it would be lighter for a while. Then she said they can’t fix it anyway b/c the canvas is cracked. I said where? she says right here? Again I say where? I have no idea what she is talking about. I only see the pin holes where the stiching is… She says its cracked, calls ovr another woman who clearly could care less and says look at this, isnt this cracked and the woman glances at it and says yes and walks away. I continue to say I don’t see any cracks and she goes on to say they won’t repair it once the canvas is cracked b/c the repair might not last. So I said this is a less than 4 year old bag, i don’t understand, I thought LV stood behind their products? She said we do. I said you clearly don’t, you won’t fix my bag. She said we can’t help normal wear in tear, we advise customers to let bags rest. I said my bag has rested (most days I use a diaper bag). I have my Mother’s Speedy that is almost 40 years old and while the handles have been replaced a couple of times over the years (for free back in the day I might add).
I said so are you telling me I should just throw out a $1,400 bag that is less than 4 year ol?. She said i am not saying that. I said then what should I do? She just repeats the same thing, we can’t help normal wear and tear. She could care less and I am appaled. I grew up with LV. My mother and my grandmother both carried LVs. Those bags lasted. But the LVs I have have all had to be repaired multiple times and for excessive fees. I think LV was once a quality brand, but those days are long gone. Anyone have any suggestions on what to do with my broken $1,400 bag???