I Bought my Wife an Expensive Handbag ><

Okay, so I splurged and got a vintage used Chanel bag for my wife as a xmas present (until she finds it of course, nothing can be hidden well enough)

It's made of quilted lambskin in a solid black (probably from the late 80s or early 90s I'd guess). It has some noticeable wear on it near the corners of the bottom and light scratches here and there.

Question is: should I try and polish it up myself or send it away to a professional?

I called up the Chanel store in NYC and the lady recommended using a Meltonian cream, called #170 that's supposedly for delicate leather. Of course she then recommended I send it in for Chanel's "full treatment" which runs $265 and takes 2-3 months to complete (making xmas a risk)

Anyone with some experience/knowledge in this?

Send me the bag, and I'll take care of it for you.

Originally Posted by furo

Click to expand...

Okay, so I splurged and got a vintage used Chanel bag for my wife as a xmas present (until she finds it of course, nothing can be hidden well enough) It's made of quilted lambskin in a solid black (probably from the late 80s or early 90s I'd guess). It has some noticeable wear on it near the corners of the bottom and light scratches here and there. Question is: should I try and polish it up myself or send it away to a professional? I called up the Chanel store in NYC and the lady recommended using a Meltonian cream, called #170 that's supposedly for delicate leather. Of course she then recommended I send it in for Chanel's "full treatment" which runs $265 and takes 2-3 months to complete (making xmas a risk) Anyone with some experience/knowledge in this?
I would venture to say that it all depends on how much people really mean it when they say its the thought that counts. Suck up and get it professionally done (if not from Chanel, then from another professional).

Originally Posted by teddieriley

Click to expand...

Send me the bag, and I'll take care of it for you.

Those bags are great. I bought one several years back. The cost has really gone up significantly in recent years - practically doubled.

Don't have much advice as to the reconditioning, but I'd probably have it professionally done (but not by any old Joe Schmo cobbler).

Word of warning: now that she has the taste for luxury, that will be her new baseline....

Originally Posted by zjpj83

Click to expand...

Those bags are great. I bought one several years back. The cost has really gone up significantly in recent years - practically doubled.

Don't have much advice as to the reconditioning, but I'd probably have it professionally done (but not by any old Joe Schmo cobbler).

Word of warning: now that she has the taste for luxury, that will be her new baseline....

A big +1 on the last part. As I've started to build my wardrobe since leaving the military, she too has begun to move away from the trendy brands

She pointed the aforementioned bag out in a magazine and said "see... now this one NEVER goes out of style..."

I'm hoping it becomes her "staple" accessory, if there is such a thing

Before buying my wife her Chanel bag I signed up for the Purse Forum. You think SF members can be hardcore. Those Chanelista's are crazy. However, they provided me with guidance so that I wouldn't make a mistake. Unfortunately, I now know far too much about Chanel bags and that information has supplanted more important info in my brain like passwords and when to pay the power bill.

I, too, am a member of the Purse Forum

The pros use this

^This. Leatherique is superb stuff. Also handy on cars.

Send it to Rago brothers in Morristown, NJ. They are the best of the best!

AJ

Originally Posted by doctorj!

Click to expand...

Send it to Rago brothers in Morristown, NJ. They are the best of the best!

AJ

Seconded. The company that I work for uses Rago Brothers as their official repair center, and they do fantastic work.

Originally Posted by doctorj!

Click to expand...

Send it to Rago brothers in Morristown, NJ. They are the best of the best!

AJ

Interesting. I will give them a call to see what the prices might be.

Originally Posted by furo

Click to expand...

Interesting. I will give them a call to see what the prices might be.
All the best! Keep us updated.