Longchamps Le Pliage

[AllTheGoodOnesAreTaken]

Do any of you ladies use them? I bought one online about 8 weeks ago, a large one, travel size. I have used it on average twice a week since then and have been happy with it. Only today I noticed the four bottom corners have holes in them and very unreasonable signs of wear and tear. I have contacted the company with photographs and they've asked me to go to one of their actuall shops (not franchises, so incredibly inconvenient) for assessment, but in any case all they'll do is issue a credit note (not necessarily for the full amount either). Isn't this out of order? The bag is only two months old and it's not even a bag I use daily!!

That does seem rubbish for such an expensive bag. I have two Le Pliages and use them daily - they look like new still.

Can you check your consumer rights? I'm not an expert but if you go armed with the facts you'll be in a better position. I seem to remember something about a refund being mandatory if the goods sold 'were not suitable for their purpose' or something like that...in your case a travel bag should not develop holes when used for travelling!

Problem is, I bought this online from a French company so I am not sure about my rights.
It is rubbish though, I paid £120 for it!!!!

Any chance it's a fake?

Can you link to the one it is, I have one- it's nylon with leather flap and handles.

they do wear at the corners but not that quickly. my current one is about 3yrs old in daily use and it just starting to go.

I have several and they've never worn in any place despite me treating them very badly. I think that bag's not fit for purpose and as such you should get your money back no question. Google trading standards - they have a helpline which I've used before - really really good - they'll tell you exactly what your rights are and how to go about getting them. Good luck!

That sounds a bit odd - I used mine daily when I had a full time job carrying a laptop, papers etc and the corners haven't worn through at all in over three years.

Trading Standards definitely - argue, argue, argue - legally you're in the right, that's not fit for purpose.

It took my sister 40 minutes arguing with Curry's over a £250 coffee machine that broke after 6 weeks so gird your loins for a bit of a fight. You are entitled to a full refund, not a credit note.

Mine is exactly the same as Chippy's - one corner just starting to go after three years' of heavy use. Your experience is definitely not what you could reasonably have expected.

Mine are still looking new despite approximately 3 years of not very gentle use.

I do work mine hard though - same bag everyday, used and abused.

I wonder if it's a fake, hence Longchamps wanting to examine it? There are some good fakes around, standing up to close scrutiny and comparison. But the French an very hot on counterfeits, i think I read somewhere.

Hi there, it's definitely not a fake because I bought it directly from their website. The reason I did this is because I was able to have it customised in terms of the colour and I was able to select a shoulder strap for the travel sized bag, which would usually only have a hand held strap. This bag would cost sround £65 in the shops but I bought £120 because I needed that procise size with that precise handle; the fact that I could also combine two coloiurs was a bonus. So anyway like I said, most definitely the real deal. They have insisted (from France head office)that I take it to their shop in Bond Street so that they can take a look. I am annoyed as I won't be able to go for two weeks and even when I do go I am quite annoyed at the inconvenience; going into the West End is the last thing I want to do with the little spare time I have.

That's terrible. Can you ring the Bond Street shop and see what they think? TBH I wouldn't make a special journey in case the shop says it's not their problem.

Good point Chippy. The bag was custom-made and can only be bought online, the shops don't sell them! I will ring the Bond Street shop when I feel less angry. I should have gone for a Herve Chapelier after all...

Can't you post it to them?

They're being difficult in the hope of dissuading you. Some people wouldn't bother. Snooty shops often have shite customer returns policies - and the prices are no guarantee of the quality.

I have made complaints about both Anya Hindmarch and Prada to Trading Standards before now. Be prepared for a fuss and to spend lots of time writing letters.

Longchamp may want to satisfy themselves it's a fake, but I suspect they've actually switched manufacturing factories, or changed the material to a cheaper grade of nylon, and this is why your bag has worn so badly.

As it happens I have loads of Pliage bags in just about every size, but I don't get precious about them because I don't expect nylon bags to be particularly hardwearing. I have a Herve Leger bag too, and it's not much better.

Longchamps stopped producing in France about 2 years ago and shifted production to China. I know a lot of French people on French forums complained about standards in quality since then.

My DH was quite shocked about the money I was prepared to fork out for what's esentially a nylon bag but having used Herve Chapelier before, I was quite confident that I would have a practical bag for years to come. The damage I can see now after very light use for barely two months is nothing short of ridiculous but even though I know this, when faced with the snooty shop assistant I am assuming in my head I am going to get, I will feel all wobbly inside and will go along with whatever they offer me. I would prefer to deal with this via the post but Longchamps have not offered me this option at all. I do understand they need to satisfy themselves that the bag is not a fake but bearing in mind there's record of my online purchase, I wish they would offer a free postal return for them to investigate. I am DREADING going into the shop and 'fighting' my case because I'm a wimp.

When you say you use it as a travel bag, are you putting it on the floor of trains, buses etc etc and literally scraping the fabric? I have the medium sized bag- cost £50- and use it daily for shopping etc. it still looks as new.

I am not being unsupportive- but if you use it heavily it could be fair wear and tear.

No that's just it. I have used it on average once a week (for a period of 2 months!) when I take my DC swimming. I chose the travel bag because I can fit all their swimming gear inside plus whatever they bring from school (book bags, water bottles and lunch pack). I have never taken it travelling (as I haven't gone anywhere!).