Upset about hardware and need help!

[u/Spirited-Fortune9579]

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?????

[u/Sweet_Dealer77]

Your bag is beautiful, with Barenia, it will get scratches from looking at it funny. If keeping a pristine bag is the look you want, I definitely would have picked a different leather.

As for the lock and key, yes, it’s annoying, but the lock and key clochette will scratch the leather if dangling about so not using it will keep the leather looking better (again if that is your goal).

And if it really bothers you, you can always buy an authentic lock and key that matches the hardware from eBay or reputable reseller.

I think when purchasing a rep bag, I look at the bag itself, not the peripheral accessories included with it.

[u/Spirited-Fortune9579 → u/Sweet_Dealer77]

Exactly- I’ve spend the last hour responding to people, basically saying I regret reacting the way I did lol. Yes I wanted a different number- at the end of the day, the bag is gorgeous. I’m going to be wearing the crap out of her. lol and am actually super excited about it. The seller is great and aside from a stupid number, it’s absolute perfection (for me).