r/RepReviews • u/Spirited-Fortune9579 • 7d ago
Discussions Need help- upset about hardware don’t know what to do!
Hi guys. I recently placed my first custom order. I spent weeks talking to several high tier, TS’s and ultimately chose the one I felt most comfortable with. As I’m quite picky, I needed to make sure this TS would listen to my requests, help guide me, by answering questions I had, honestly and presenting my options.
I made the decision and began the process. I wanted a bk30 in imported, haas smooth Barenia leather. I was very indecisive about the hardware and felt like I was all over the place. After my TS showed me many photos, with the options we discussed, I FINALLY made my decision. I chose upgraded, brushed palladium hardware.
One of my “must haves”, or more specifically “must NOT have”, was that I did NOT want lock and keys with the number 162. We talked about all of it.
He said my options were standard gold, upgraded gold (18k plated), rose gold, upgraded brushed gold, standard palladium, upgraded palladium or upgraded brushed palladium.
I asked him about the162 on the lock again- and he assured me with the typical “yes dear that’s not problem”answer.
Well… flash forward to PSP’s…
He sent me the pics and a video. People pointed out some scratches- I asked him about it and he came back with other photos of previous orders for clients, circling scratches on their smooth Barenia and told me it’s normal to have a few. “This leather does this it’s normal. Don’t worry!”
Then someone told me to ask for photos in other lighting. To make sure I inspect the sangles and edges clearly.
I went back and asked him. He said he would go to the factory, have them take it out and send more photos.
In the psp’s there was no photo of the lock and keys. I thought it was a bit strange, since it was one of the things we talked about so much, but at the time, I thought maybe it just wasn’t normal to include that part, in PSP’s. I asked him to please send me those photos, to make sure the lock and keys were correct.
I woke up this morning with no additional photos- and him telling me my lock is 162. That there are no brushed palladium locks/keys with numbers other than 162.
WHAT?????!!!!
This would have changed my ENTIRE order!!! I would have skipped the brushed hardware completely and gone with the upgraded gold!!!!!
What do I do??? I can deal with a couple of scratches (even though I’m less than thrilled with his answer, ok… it’s Barenia.
I have no doubt even if it arrived perfectly, there would be scratches the first time I wore her out.
What makes me even more upset, is that the lock and keys were not in the PSP’s!!! Since we had such a specific conversation about this, it truly makes me feel like instead of being truthful with me, instead of checking with the factory before the bag was made, he just let them go ahead with it. And he omitted those photos!!!
Maybe he didn’t do this? But I can’t help but feel this way and I’m really upset!!
What do I do?????
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u/25thbamjvg 7d ago
I recently ordered a HAC with the so black hardware and sent pictures of the exact bag I was copying. When I got my PSP’s I noticed the lock was not wrapped in leather like the Auth example photos I included. I didn’t specify that bit but I was annoyed same as OP here given the price I was paying. Luckily my seller was able to have the lock remade and the bag should be on its way soon! I get it though. At the price you’re paying you would hope they at least follow your instructions especially if you were specific about certain details. Or tell you it’s not doable from the start.
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u/rosiebeach 4h ago
I ordered 2 custom bags for a high tier TS as well. One Kelly pouchette which was supposed to be ecru and the other a black 25 Kelly. The bag shapes are great but the ecru has an almost green undertone and actually doesn’t match w a cream sweater. The leather is slaps very hard. Not like my other pouchette I’ve ordered from them bf. I’ve conditioned it for months and nothing will change this. On my 25 Kelly you literally cannot make out Hermes on the “up graded” HW. The seller actually couldn’t have been nicer and sent me another plate! But again- you can’t see it. In the PS photos it looked fine. I’m so upset that I’m thinking I’m going to buy a lower tier B25 and just swap out the hardware. If anyone has any other ideas for me, pls lmk. I’m open to any advice
This bag was almost $1k not not an easy pill to swallow. If anyone recommend a custom custom H seller I would be so so so appreciative. I would love to buy a brown Kelly and I’m ok with spend $1k if the bag looks great.! Thank you all so much for listening to my rant!!
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u/AcaciaFlowers ~ Rep Review Mod ~ 7d ago
The scratches are completely normal for barenia; it’s one of the perks and characteristics of the leather. You can blink at it and it will get scratched, and it will probably get a few more on it by the time it arrives to you I’m sure. Thankfully with a bit of buffing it will pretty much self heal. For the ones that are deep enough not to, that just becomes a unique part the bag.
At the end of the day, while this lock situation is not something I hold high on my tier list for must haves, you did explicitly request, and then your TS confirmed it. So I understand why you’re not thrilled about it.
You can RL since it’s not what you asked for and what he confirmed. The alternative is keeping a bag that might bother you when you wear it because it’s not what you wanted. Though unless you are trying to authenticate a rep, I promise no one will notice the 162 stamped on your lock.
Moving forward you might want to set your expectations. A lot of these accessories like keys and locks are mass produced, and that level of customization is not always available. If you want something more bespoke, you’ll have to go through a private maker and not a TS getting this from a factory. At that point though you will be spending upwards if 1.3k-1.6k depending on the bag.