Would you keep this?

[ReallyConvolutedCareerHistory]

I bought a Balenciaga bag that's 9 years old. It's still in pretty good shape, with just some fading on the leather and rubbing in the corners and frayed edges. I bought it for around £225. Had it authenticated and it's authentic.

But...it has this vintage smell. Like it came from a chest or something. I have tried airing it out in the sun, but there's still this smell (although a lot less now). I read about baking soda, and I'm thinking of trying it but worried it will spill inside the bag and I won't be able to return it to the seller if it does that.

Will you return it?

If I spent £225 on something and wasn’t entirely happy I’d send it back.

I would return it. It’s so tricky to get that smell out of bags. I have tried and failed so many times!

I'm trying out the baking soda technique. If it doesn't go away after a few days I'll have to send it back I guess. :(

Hi,

If it smells musty, does it mean there is a growth somewhere in the leather even though it's not seen visibly?

Pics or it didn’t happen 🤗

hendricksyousay

Pics of the smelly bag?

Yep 🤗🤗

Here

Fill it with lavender or hay? To give it a new smell?

Doesn’t look that special , send it back 🤗

You paid £225 for that??!

You paid £225 for that??!

It’s old. Old things smell.

Return it if you can. I wouldn’t say it’s in ‘pretty good shape’ - it’s well used, the leather has a lot of wear, very wrinkled and looks second hand. I wouldn’t have bought it.

Think it’s better to buy a new bag for £225 like a Vivienne Westwood then that used old designer item.

Also I’m not sure the seller would accept it back as you’ve tried to fix it, so it’s not in the same condition sent?

Looks really battered, sorry I'd send it back. You can get a nice new leather bag for that, doesn't have to be all about the labels.

Also I’m not sure the seller would accept it back as you’ve tried to fix it, so it’s not in the same condition sent?

I just aired it out.

Actually I'm concerned that it's harbouring mold somewhere not visible. That's possible right?

They saw you coming 😟

They saw you coming 😟

Alright, sent a request for return. Seller accepted, said sorry. eBay says seller should provide return postage since the odour wasn't in the auction. Seller told me I should take care of the postage.

What do I do?

Tell them eBay has said the postage is their responsibility. The item is not as described and that’s it.

Even without the smell I wouldn’t have kept it OP. I’m not familiar with the look of the brand but if I saw that without the name I’d assume it was a battered old bag that cost £15 on the high street 5 years ago. There are lots of other bags you could have bought for the same price that have more of a designer look.

Thanks everyone! Balenciaga has a distressed slouchy look as it gets older.

has a distressed slouchy look as it gets older
No shit!😉
I’m glad you got your money back. :)

Can you return a bag after 9 years?