iOffer Bags, Lushfashions.com, etc. #7 (Posting Requires Reading Rules in Post #1)

[vivian92]

thank you babybluestar and lovelovemode, you two are dolls!

so T&D did agree to send me new straps, albeit after much "Discussion". i took proof pictures, quoted this thread, the whole shebang in order to convince them. i'm happy about the outcome but wish it hadn't happened in the first place.

if it weren't for all you helpful ladies, i wouldn't have been able fix the problem!! it's amazing what a great resource this thread is, and how many kind people are on here!

ps. babybluestar, you mentioned that your GH city strap is exactly 25". interestingly lovelovemode's auth GH city strap is also 25"!!

 

[lovelovemode]

Wow, glad the pictures could help!

 

[Orchidian]

Hi Vivian92! If you don't mind me asking, what color bag did you order that had a defective strap?

thank you babybluestar and lovelovemode, you two are dolls!

so T&D did agree to send me new straps, albeit after much "Discussion". i took proof pictures, quoted this thread, the whole shebang in order to convince them. i'm happy about the outcome but wish it hadn't happened in the first place.

if it weren't for all you helpful ladies, i wouldn't have been able fix the problem!! it's amazing what a great resource this thread is, and how many kind people are on here!

ps. babybluestar, you mentioned that your GH city strap is exactly 25". interestingly lovelovemode's auth GH city strap is also 25"!!

 

[uiggu]

helens: GET THE CLUUUUTCH! No seriously, get it. You can be touching that fabulous leather all the time with a clutch!

bisoubis, Chupi, Dernier Cri: Thank you for the compliments ladies!

carta: Thank you! And re: the colour fitting in your wardrobe or not… what shelleybean said:

For those of you worried about Vert D'eau "fitting" in with your lifestyle/wardrobe? Fuggetabouddit! Vert D'eau is it's own entity, like it's own food group kinda thing. Goes with anything.

shelleybean: Thank you doll Your emoticons say more than real words ever could… And omg I so so agree with you about VdE going with everything. I’d possibly shy at pairing it with say a bright red dress, but apart from that (and here comes another hated TPF phrase ) it provides a ‘pop of colour’ against almost any background. I LOVE it!

Twiggy shots would be fab if possible – I’m debating a Sorbet Twiggy as I love the colour and want something small in it as I think it might be overwhelming in a big bag, but I already have a Framboise First. And I don't think my boyfriend would forgive two small pink bags (he cross-examined me about how much I spent on those two VdEs and I did the classic female thing of taking off $150 and he was STILL outraged ).

seahorseinstripe: Sure, I’ll post pics of bales etc in an hour or so when I’ve had my morning cup of tea!

cornpops: Mama-san, LOL, love it. Did you know that’s what they call the older woman who manages a hostess bar here?

About your colour-transfer worries: I have an NBF GGH Praline City (remember that leather that was so dry it was almost cracking from the get-go? I knew nothing then and WISH I'd conditioned it at the time), and it’s probably my most used bag. I absolutely love the neutral colour against the GGH. I wear it with everything (incl. dark-dyed jeans), don’t baby it (I’ve put it down on less-than-clean surfaces before) and honestly, apart from the usual wear n’tear on the corners, there have been NO colour issues. I think you’re possibly being over-cautious with the VdE, but it’s your call!

Serial numbers & HW issues: I personally have no problem with something as minor as the serial number being off as I have no intention of ever selling an NBF as auth. I actually prefer to think of that as T&D’s insurance that none of their customers will sell their bags on as auth to some unsuspecting person. The bales and HW – well, we’ve all been over this many many times, but I’ll say it once again: NBF GGH has passed for auth before. Personally I was standing in the queue for the train the other day behind a girl with a beautiful black GGH PT and I had my Sang/Pourpre GGH Midday, and there was very, very little to choose between them. Her GGH was more shiny, which made me want to try out the liquid gold procedure, but apart from that – you would have had to lay them next to each other and compare to tell the difference. if you’re that bothered, and that worried that someone is going to scrutinize your bag that closely，maybe you should save up for an auth?

diormouse: Thank you! I know, the reveals are so PRECIOUS, I can’t stand them.

I need to dig out that comparison pic I saved of Maldives and VdE. Funny how I passed on Maldives when T&D did it (last year?) but I NEEDED to have VdE! But every time I read this thread I get enabled and start NEEDING stuff (like that Outremer clutch I have never even used, gah).

That’s so interesting about auth bals not earning back what you paid… I have found that myself with other brands both buying and selling auths. I think part of it is that the criteria for auths are SO strict: if you don’t have all the original paperwork, dustbags, etc., and if the bag isn’t in pristine condition, you can expect to take a 25-40% price cut unless it’s a super-rare or highly sought-after series/colour.

vivian92: Yay! So glad you got a new strap <3 I was wondering how that would turn out – it’s really odd for them not to admit a problem when it’s right in front of their faces, as it were. They’re usually really good about returns/fixing faults. Was it a First strap that they sent you, then, or just a too-short Frankenstrap?

And now a general question: Galet. I cannot seem to get a handle on this yuk: TPF over-used annoying phrase alert ) “CHAMELEON” of a colour. It looks taupe in some photos and a true grey in others. If it’s the former, I’ll pass, but if it's the latter, gimme gimme! What do you all think? Will T&D ever do Argent again? CANNOT BELIEVE I DID NOT BUY ARGENT when I had the chance!

 

[Cherish]

Hi everyone, I opted not to get Jacky's Alexa after all. I'm too afraid of it being shiny or folded because of the differing leathers and batches.. However, I did order a PS1 from him recently. Took me awhile to figure out WU.

I'm still on the lookout for a good Alexa, however, and I stumbled on Fang's - honestly I think it looks very good. I would love to get opinions, though! It's not too much more than Jacky's in actuality because I will be ordering it via her Taobao shop, which is a lot cheaper. Coco, I would love and be so appreciative of your input on how Fang's bag compares to your Jacky Alexa. Thank you so much!

Pics are Fang's.

 

[cloudyblue]

Cherish, if i'm not wrong, alexa leather should be smooth and not pebbled like fangfang's.

 

[babybluestar]

Serial numbers & HW issues: I personally have no problem with something as minor as the serial number being off as I have no intention of ever selling an NBF as auth. I actually prefer to think of that as T&D’s insurance that none of their customers will sell their bags on as auth to some unsuspecting person. The bales and HW – well, we’ve all been over this many many times, but I’ll say it once again: NBF GGH has passed for auth before. Personally I was standing in the queue for the train the other day behind a girl with a beautiful black GGH PT and I had my Sang/Pourpre GGH Midday, and there was very, very little to choose between them. Her GGH was more shiny, which made me want to try out the liquid gold procedure, but apart from that – you would have had to lay them next to each other and compare to tell the difference. if you’re that bothered, and that worried that someone is going to scrutinize your bag that closely，maybe you should save up for an auth?

Couldn't agree more!!!! Serial numbers are on that BACK of the tag, INSIDE the bag. There is NO way someone can say they need that serial number to be correct in order for it to LOOK authentic. A serial number has absolutely nothing to do with the quality of the bag or how authentic it looks. I can't believe T&D even have to deal with customers complaining about that. There are actually a few of us here who hope T&D will eventually have a small and very discreet marker on the back of the tag so that it'd be impossible to sell it as authentic. This would keep the ladies at tpf calm because no one could sell NBFs on ebay. I am a replica lover but honestly think it's asking T&D to be fraudulent to correct serial numbers.

cornpops: I think you should try B&S or Joy or fang and see how you like the quality. I've seen more than a few members buy from various sellers beside T&D. Marcia was much discussed for a while and I know a few members here have B&S bags.... With one particular B&S that was posted here though, it would have been laughed off tpf... No WAY would anyone have thought for a second that it was authentic. T&D's bags are the only ones that are consistemtly high quality and constantly improving to the point that they're now VERY close to perfect. If you think T&D's bags have details that are way off though, I think you'll be sorely disappointed with B&S/Joy/Marcia or fang's bags (and they're all more expensive than T&D's). But I doubt you'll have a true appreciation for NBFs until you see first hand what else is out there. And if the serial number is THAT important to you, I honestly think you'll only be satisfied with authentic. T&D aren't interested in making bags that can be re-sold as authentic so they aren't going to "fix" the serial numbers anytime soon.

 

[eskielvr]

Oh man, uiggu, I think I'm going to have to get the VD with GGH!! It really is gorgeous! I received my VD GSH day bag. And while the leather is fabulous, I'm torn on the color. But I'm loving your GGH! <3 And the reveal was hilarious!

 

[coco109]

I'm still on the lookout for a good Alexa, however, and I stumbled on Fang's - honestly I think it looks very good. I would love to get opinions, though! It's not too much more than Jacky's in actuality because I will be ordering it via her Taobao shop, which is a lot cheaper. Coco, I would love and be so appreciative of your input on how Fang's bag compares to your Jacky Alexa. Thank you so much!


Cherish: I have never seen an Alexa in pebbled leather. The leather on Alexa is usually grainy but in can be smooth as well like my Authentic one. I still think that Jacky has the best Alexa. The leather does break in and get smooshier with use.

Vivian92: I am glad that your strap issue is being worked out to your satisfaction.

Uiggu: Congrats on both of your Vert d'eau bags they are both lovely.

 

[Amyiish]

Uiggu: LOVE your Vert D'eau GGH City. That combination is a definite winner! I was getting a little tired of Bal bags, but that one just might have changed my mind.

Eskieluvr: Your GSH Vert D'eau day looks awesome too But did you not end up liking the color as much as you thought you would? Or is it not close enough to the auth for you?

 

[xooey]

I agree with coco that you have to use Jacky's Alexa bag to break in the leather, so the bag doesn't seem so stiff. Mine is just starting to break in after using it thrice. I love the bag and all of coco's reviews of the bag are spot-on.

Coco, I would like to ask you if your Alexa bags from J have a strong leather smell, and do they smell similar to your auth? My Alexa from J has a strong but pleasant leather smell. I love it (hope I don't come across as an oddball for saying this).

 

[coco109]

I agree with coco that you have to use Jacky's Alexa bag to break in the leather, so the bag doesn't seem so stiff. Mine is just starting to break in after using it thrice. I love the bag and all of coco's reviews of the bag are spot-on.

Coco, I would like to ask you if your Alexa bags from J have a strong leather smell, and do they smell similar to your auth? My Alexa from J has a strong but pleasant leather smell. I love it (hope I don't come across as an oddball for saying this).

Xooey: The leather on my Jacky Alexa does have a strong leather smell which I love. I leave the bag in the vestibule of my home and I love walking by and smelling the rich leather smell. Some bags just need to be worn to get that broken in well loved look.

I am looking forward to Jacky's grape Alexa which should be ready in ten days.

 

[ohhhhhmy]

So after some long deliberations I will be sending my black PS1 XL back to jacky due to the latch issue. He has given me three choices and I can't decide what to do. I am turning to the fabulous ladies here on my dilemma...
Choice 1: Send the bag back for a refund
Choice 2: Send the bag back for another bag
Choice 3: Send the bag back for a credit

Choice 2 and 3 seem to go hand in hand. I have loved my PS1 XL. It's spacious, utilitarian and can fit a lot of things but I did seem uneasy when I would carry HEAVY things in it and would end up carrying those items in my hand (ie. laptop/textbooks). I would love another PS1 but realize that it is quite hard getting in and out of the bag, you seem to always need to place it down and balance it on your knee to get into the inner parts of the bag which I did not like.

I will be getting a Galet PT soon so not sure if I should be getting another bag but I am leaning towards choice 2. The question is what to get? Since some ladies has gotten the Chanel quilted and the improved quality I might lean towards that and just gift it to mom. I was thinking Speedy 40 but I have doubts on the patina turning that perfect color since the Speedy on Jackys site does not start with the V1 serial....ahh dilemma dilemma. Help Ladies

 

[crystal7]

Crystal has bought a magenta city from Fang and I think it looks good but she was complaining about the smell for those of you wondering about Fang's bags. There should be some pics somewhere in these threads.. not too far back.

I have to say the smell of fang's city was horrible!!! I was about to toss it so I figured I might as well try washing it, after washing it twice, and conditioning it I am able to wear it finally!!

 

[fashionplus]

I was thinking Speedy 40 but I have doubts on the patina turning that perfect color since the Speedy on Jackys site does not start with the V1 serial....ahh dilemma dilemma. Help Ladies

ohhhhhmy, I got my Speedy 40 from Catty and handles and trim areas turned a lovely honey brown shade with the help of baby oil after two applications. I am not an LV expert but the serial starts with AR, so I'm not sure if it means anything.

I got a XXL Mahina from Jacky and the handles were so weak and I can't use the bag so I tried Catty and was really pleased with the Speedy.

Also the Speedy 40 is huge, I'm using it as an overnight bag instead of daily use. I'm waiting for some other LV items from Catty as I was really pleased with my speedy.

Does anyone know if Jacky's Chanel Mini quilted flap 2962 actually exists? I saw a bubble quilt mini but there is no flap and it seems that all his Mini Chanels look off.

 

[Tigerlily]

So after some long deliberations I will be sending my black PS1 XL back to jacky due to the latch issue. He has given me three choices and I can't decide what to do. I am turning to the fabulous ladies here on my dilemma...
Choice 1: Send the bag back for a refund
Choice 2: Send the bag back for another bag
Choice 3: Send the bag back for a credit

Choice 2 and 3 seem to go hand in hand. I have loved my PS1 XL. It's spacious, utilitarian and can fit a lot of things but I did seem uneasy when I would carry HEAVY things in it and would end up carrying those items in my hand (ie. laptop/textbooks). I would love another PS1 but realize that it is quite hard getting in and out of the bag, you seem to always need to place it down and balance it on your knee to get into the inner parts of the bag which I did not like.

I will be getting a Galet PT soon so not sure if I should be getting another bag but I am leaning towards choice 2. The question is what to get? Since some ladies has gotten the Chanel quilted and the improved quality I might lean towards that and just gift it to mom. I was thinking Speedy 40 but I have doubts on the patina turning that perfect color since the Speedy on Jackys site does not start with the V1 serial....ahh dilemma dilemma. Help Ladies

hmm this is always a hard one but you say you love it so I would say just take a new PS1! Jacky is sending me new hardware so i can replace the old and broken one

 

[cornpops]

Oh man, uiggu, I think I'm going to have to get the VD with GGH!! It really is gorgeous! I received my VD GSH day bag. And while the leather is fabulous, I'm torn on the color. But I'm loving your GGH! <3 And the reveal was hilarious!

do not quote images

gorgeous....great combo!! I'm off to order the Day GGH now....takin' the plunge, I can't take it anymore....I'm afraid that I'll regret it as I did with some previous colors that I sat out. so I'm gonna go with the Day GGH and a Work....wonder if the GGH will be too much on the work size ? Has anybody seen a VD Work GGH irl? I really need a work now.....need to make a decision between RH, GSH and GGH.....oh it's so hard to choose HELP!!

 

[cornpops]

helens: GET THE CLUUUUTCH! No seriously, get it. You can be touching that fabulous leather all the time with a clutch!



cornpops: Mama-san, LOL, love it. Did you know that’s what they call the older woman who manages a hostess bar here?

About your colour-transfer worries: I have an NBF GGH Praline City (remember that leather that was so dry it was almost cracking from the get-go? I knew nothing then and WISH I'd conditioned it at the time), and it’s probably my most used bag. I absolutely love the neutral colour against the GGH. I wear it with everything (incl. dark-dyed jeans), don’t baby it (I’ve put it down on less-than-clean surfaces before) and honestly, apart from the usual wear n’tear on the corners, there have been NO colour issues. I think you’re possibly being over-cautious with the VdE, but it’s your call!




uiggu....I agree that the serial numbers being off are not a big deal, but it's not about just one issue....the serial number is just one of the issues that were mentioned by another member....I believe it was babybluestar that mentioned that their serial numbers were always incorrect shock: I had no idea that they were always incorrect, I stopped checking after my first few)......and yes it's commendable that the boys do not want their bags being sold as auth., and as far as buying auth. if you're that concerned about being scrutinized and "outed" in public....amen to that! But in this economy and the current state of affairs I wouldn't recommend that anybody buy an auth bag....unless you're a multi-millionaire (but even then....the $$ could be better spent I'm sure ) It's funnier that there are actually women that are out there "outting" girls for carrying fakes....time to get a life perhaps? I will say that I found "nbf" by total fluke a couple of years ago now....and I've never looked back since. Before finding them I was also just another sucker paying thousands for the auth's and living blissfully in ignorance on the "other forum".... well I should correct myself....it was never my $$ being spent because I had a very generous boyfriend who was "designer" himself ....so with him and my wonderful parents at my aid I had built up a decent collection. This was all before I found Ebay and these forums, I've thrown away so many receipts and tags etc., it never occurred to me since I never dreamed that people resold their used bags, was shocked to find that there was actually a market for used designer bags . I wish now that I had held onto some of those receipts cuz I'm sure that it would have made selling my auth bags off very easy, but I wouldn't sell them anyway for fear of hurting feelings. Anyways, after finding nbf and this board it led me to a few other sellers of good reps, it was hit & miss and I have thrown out quite a few duds (a dud to me was anything that was not "mirror quality") or should I say that I was "duped" a few times....quite a few unscrupulous sellers in the world of reps unfortunately. It was a big turn off for me but luckily I found the boys and was so impressed with the quality that I vowed never to spend that kind of obscene amount of money on a BAG again (unless it's really necessary); I won't be buying any other reps though....I've given it a try and have always been disappointed with everything other than my newer nbf's....clothes and shoes however, I have not been able to find a good solution to that addiction as I really believe in the benefits of quality footwear....a friend bought a pair of fake Louboutin's and they are horrendous imo, they smell of glue...the workmanship is shoddy (compared to auth) and very stiff leather....I can't imagine spending a day in shoes that uncomfortable, they might look decent to some who have never owned a pair of designer shoes but if you're used to wearing designer shoes then I doubt that you will be satisfied with the rep shoes. They're not made for comfort.....and it's quite different than a bag....you don't have to wear your bag on your feet all day for one thing . I couldn't make myself be interested in the rep clothing market either.....but I can't say that I've tried either, I just assume that it's pretty bad cuz I can spot fake designer clothing on Ebay all the time, and it's never impressive. Anyways, what was my point again....I've been rambling, forgive me. Um, oh yeah....I have since got rid of the bf and replaced him with a husband ....and my husband is thrilled that I found this thread, you girls, and nbf reps , I often read aloud to him and he pretends to be interested (I know, sweet, right?), So now that I've had a taste of the "apple" I'm pretty content buying nbf's for the moment....I've crossed over to the dark side. I used to believe that girls who bought "knock-off's" were only satisfied with them because they had never owned an auth before.....if you've never owned an auth or seen/touched/inspected one IRL how would you know that your good rep isn't so good? Most likely you wouldn't.....but now I think I was wrong thinking that way; because if you put any of my newer nbf's alongside some of my auth bags (I said some....not all) you would swear that the nbf was the higher quality bag, as long as there are no red flags (which I don't really think that there are on the newer ones....) and we all know the stories of nbf's being authenticated on the "other forum"....I believe there are some other contributing members here that also buy both auth and nbf's, probably for the same reason.....I can't justify buying an auth Bal now that I've discovered the boys, their bags are really good.....and yeah, let's forget about the price cuz it's just ridiculous to compare that with anything. However, there are certain designers that I would not buy a rep of, because the quality cannot be replicated for a couple of hundred dollars....mainly Bottega's and Hermes (but I wouldn't spend the $$ on a Hermes anyways). I've never really seen a perfect rep of an LV either....seems to always be something....but it should be expected with a $200 rep, it would be unconscionable to expect perfect, right?

babybluestar, perhaps you misunderstood me ....I was not unhappy with fact that the boys have incorrect serial number.....it was the fact that when I first found them they promised me that EVERYTHING was "perfect" on their bags, I asked all the questions and got ALL the right answers....so when my bag came and I was inspecting it (as we all do), found that the serial number was off...I asked them about it and they told me that it was just a mistake, and it would not happen again....it was supposedly an isolated event. So if I can explain myself so that people don't misunderstand me , I guess I would have to say that I thought that was dishonest.....if they had just told me from the beginning I doubt that I would have cared about a number on the back of a tag being off .....it was the fact that they lied about it. And I'll have to post a pic of one of my earlier nbf's from just last year....pretty sure you'll have a good laugh too . What I'm saying is that if I had known that certain details were "off" and red flags....front panels especiallyI wouldn't have bought them....that's all....nothing more, nothing less....I mentioned the serial numbers as they are one of the things that are "off" about them, there were other details mentioned too..... I understand what you're saying about the appreciation of nbf's when compared to other sellers....but I'll take your word for it, as it's not the whole rep market that I'm interested in, just the nbf's cuz they are so great, seeing most of the other reps I can't say the same for them....I'm happy with the nbf's for now....just takin' it one day at a time B)

I'm actually interested to know now, do you guys ONLY buy reps? Do any of you buy both auth and rep.....if so, which auth bags do you still buy....and which rep bags do you (or wouldn't buy in auth because you've found the rep to be so great) buy? Whew, that was long.....now I gotta get ready for work, it's gonna be a long day in this hot weather

 

[cornpops]

Does anybody know if there are re-sellers of LMB products? I know that several other retailers/sellers carry Apple products, but not sure about LMB? Their shipping rates to Canada are pretty steep....I think it was around $30 for a few products/small order; so I thought maybe there were other options as with Apple. If anybody's interested in a LMB order to Toronto you can PM me....
BTW, anybody notice that Koodos isn't carrying any Bal's currently? Would anybody happen to know if they have always carried Bal's in stock....or if this latest incident with the fake Bal's was the first time they were carrying them? I wonder what happened there....scary thought that a large retailer like Koodos could do that. A few years ago I purchased a Chloe Paddington from BlueFly and ended up returning it because I had doubts about authenticity....it could have been my own paranoia but I remember that there were quite a few things that didn't sit well with me, and now after hearing about Koodos it really makes you wonder who can be trusted? Has anybody else heard that a couple of the largest Hermes sellers on Ebay (power sellers....100% feedback; everybody believes these to be authentic and they sell for between $5K - $12K), purchase their fake Hermes bags from China (obviously the ones that are top quality) and everybody believes these bags to be authentic? I'm talking about reputable sellers.....these bags get authenticated too? wow....how do these people sleep at night? Scamming unsuspecting people out of $10K for a fake bag....it might be great quality but it still doesn't make them authentic.

 

[bagalicious]

Cornpops- If I were you I would call or E mail LMB and ask them if they are affiliated with any stores in Canada. I have never read or heard that there products are sold any where else. Good luck.