Baghag CSI: The case of the mutilated and the fake

Horrors upon horrors. Of all the things that would shock me on an otherwise non-eventful day, this was what greeted me when I agreed to meet my friend at Louis Vuitton. A day ago, I got a message from CL about her luggage, just as she had left the airport for home (from a HK trip). It was heinous. An unforgivable crime, I had thought after reading her text message.

CL said that her luggage got “vandalized”. I didn’t know what luggage CL had used on her trip, but knowing CL, it ain’t like one of those luggages that I own (Muwahahaha…. almost- disposable $20 luggage with handles that break hahaha). She took Philippine Airlines to fly back from her business trip (Hong Kong) and when her luggage showed up at the baggage claim carousel, her jaw dropped (heck mine would too).
Vandalism is not even a word I can use to describe the bag. It is graphic mutilation– oh, in fact, it is also a physical mutilation!! *SHOCK*. Not only were there big scribbles/ drawings right smack in the middle (a permanent marker was used!!), there was also an ugly gash on the side of the luggage. It’s a gash, an intentional one. Unmistakably intentional.

I cannot understand why someone would want to do something so heinous to such a beautiful piece of luggage. Is it envy or jealousy that propelled someone to do this? I honestly cannot find any other reason. As of this post, CL is filing a complaint with the airline company (Philippine Airlines). I would have done more than file a complaint (me being a biatch and all… hooo boy, they’d get it big time haha), but I think it’s pointless since it wouldn’t really remove the fact that the luggage was abused and vandalized. *But I’d still throw a royal fit!!! I mean bloody hell, this is just unforgivable! What would you do, right???*

Louis Vuitton SAs said that replacing the whole canvas would cost approximately Php 40k (about US$900). I think cleaning it was out of the question, so the replacement option was offered. But at 40k? Geez! That’s like buying a new bag! I told CL that there is a way to save this bag– perhaps just stick some fancy travel stickers on the vandalized spot to give the luggage more character 🙂 Not all is lost that way, right? But also, I am inclined to do a little cleaning experiment on the bag if she’ll let me, after she has filed all the necessary complaint paperwork. I do hope that something positive comes out of the lodged complaint though, because I would like to see CL get compensated for this luggage vandalism. It’s really sad and I feel for CL. 🙁

Sigh. If the “mutilation” story is not enough for this post, there’s THIS story. I actually am saddened that some people get led to believe what they had purchased is an authentic designer bag when the actuality is that they bought themselves a very expensive fake. This is the case with the so- called “Hermes” orange birkin.
At first glance, the bag already screamed fake. The leather was already way “off”. Proportions too “off”. I’ve honestly seen better fakes than this one. This bag would “insult” the other good fakes actually. But the person who purchased this bag from a supposed “reputable” seller had no idea it was a fake. The local reseller had apparently mentioned that the bag was purchased in Paris… I was thinking more New York Canal Street? I mean, this is a real lousy fake.

Notice the positioning of the zipper?And there were 4-point screws on the buckle! Hmm… terrible, terrible, these resellers passing off these bad fakes as the real thing. *Sigh* it’s really just all very frustrating because I don’t think anyone deserves to be gypped. 🙁

So peeps, beware beware who you buy your bags from. Please do your research. However, don’t be daunted too, because there are still plenty reputable resellers out there, both online and irl (in real life). Just watch out for the ones that are more likely to pull one over you– do your research and ask around. It always helps that more than three individual buyers can vouch for the credibility of the seller.

Now, to answer some quick questions:

1. Black_Mamba: Go with the St. Louis in black with tan handles, at least it’s not as monotonous as an all-black one 🙂
2. Bambinawrites: I actually thought long and hard and was on the verge of concluding that the birkin might have been fake because DFS does NOT deliver!
3. My laptop bag is a Goyard Ambassade, purchased at Goyard 🙂
4. Alexei: Goyard ambassade is made of coated canvas, and has a thicker lining so I think you’ll be real happy with it. I’m still looking for a long strap for it though. There are 2 d-rings on each side of the bag so I assume it is for a long carrying strap.
5. Kinny: I totally agree with you re: Speedy. Buyer’s remorse can also lead people to do nasty stuff sometimes. Sad.
6. Pungster: That’s so sad about your bag 🙁 But yeah, that is also a possibility, although that lady said she has never used the bag yet… *Sigh*
7. Anonymous: How to dodge buyer complaints? Well here’s my take. You can’t really ever dodge complaints from buyers once you belong to the retail world. You don’t ask someone else to clean up your problems. So in my case, I’d rather deal with complaints personally, even if it means draining me emotionally– you have to make the effort even if it’s the last thing you want to do. Complaints are really inevitable. It’s not easy to field complaints, but it’s always good to take everything calmly 🙂 I honestly don’t know any retailer who’s had a set of perfectly happy clientele. You cannot always please everyone, but bear in mind too, that you should always try. And at the end of the day, always maintain a positive attitude even if sometimes it gets too hard to remain positive. There are clients who will always test your patience, but put yourself in their shoes too and see it from their point of view. I’ve had clients who would compare prices and say it’s always cheaper in such and such place, and although I would end up losing a sale when I offer the option for them to buy it elsewhere, I feel that they are entitled to know where to get better deals too. I really try to end things on a more positive and more encouraging note and always at least try to help them. At the end of the day, even if I am also in the resale business, I also want baghags to get good deals (I love it when baghags share their “steals” of a deal with me!!). You can’t hold a grudge against a client for bringing up issues about who or what store gives a better deal etc. Because at the end of the day if you were in their shoes, you’d probably think the same thing too, though not necessarily say it out loud, right? But remember, keep your calm and always smile 🙂 Stay positive!

Hope the answers are satisfying (somehow)! 🙂 More bag stories to come soon 🙂 Gawd, I haven’t done yoga in a week too. Promise I will go back in a few days… My body’s not “right” right now… Hahaha too much cholesterol causing me to become real sluggish? Hehe… Oh well! Loving the eating now, hating the sweating… But this too, shall pass 😀

x
Mrs.T