One of the reasons people are into luxury purchases is the excellence in everything – thoughtful packaging, impeccable quality, friendly and professional sales assistants in boutiques. Buying a Louis Vuitton bag is a completely different experience than marching into any mass-market shop. Yet, with the puzzling policy of the brand, the forums are filled with questions like: does Louis Vuitton offer repair services?
We have gathered all the info in this useful guide – including the official statements of the brand, our own experience, and reviews of the fashion lovers. Be sure that all questions will be answered!
The brand has a section devoted to product care on its official website, yet the question about guarantee remains quite unclear. There are no cards or certificates coming with a purchase, declaring that this very purse will serve you for 100 years or so.
The French fashion house simply states that “our bags are made to the highest specifications and should provide clients with many years of enjoyment” (taken from the official website of the brand). We know that the LV products are of very high quality and durable, however, knowing this doesn’t provide any guarantee, right?
So, the answer here is NO. There’s no such thing as a written warranty when it comes to Louis Vuitton wallets and handbags, but the brand states that “complimentary repair or alternate resolutions may be offered”.
Let’s see in detail what this sentence actually means.
Since there are no warranty, fashion lovers are a bit lost when thinking about any potential issues with their precious items. What to do if you open the packaging and see loose stitching or broken hardware? Will the brand help mend canvas or leather issues?
Let’s have a look at the Louis Vuitton repair policy
- All repair services and evaluations are done in the boutique. You can bring your item to any store in any country or contact the closest shop.
- Repair services are available for authentic goods only! If you have previously brought your purse or wallet to a cobbler for mending, it’s no longer considered to be authentic.
- If there are any problems with the purse that appeared due to manufacturing error, Louis Vuitton will replace the item free of charge.
- Complimentary exchanges are within 30 days after purchase.
- If the defect is the result of wear and tear, you may request a repair.
- Note that some vintage and old bags or wallets may not be accepted for repair as materials and textiles are no longer available.
- Upon your desire, it’s totally normal to ask for evaluation (for example, if you don’t lake the condition of your top handles). Yet, not every part of the purse can go into a luxury rehab.
Does Louis Vuitton offer repair services for leather, zippers, inside lining, glazing, or hardware? Continue reading to find out!
Vachetta is the type of leather that Louis Vuitton uses to protect and ornate its Monogram bags – trimming the top, bottom, and top handles. Immediately upon purchasing (if we are talking about a brand-new item), vachetta is of light brown color, but tends to darken with time. Another issue LV fans complain about is the rubbing and scuffing.
What to do in this case? Can you visit a boutique to replace the aged vachetta with a new one?
Yes, you can. Louis Vuitton does replace elements made of vachetta, whether it’s only one part of the purse, like top handles, or the full “refreshing” of your designer accessory.
Although, if issues are minor, it’s still too early to rush replacing vachetta leather. Take care of your purse at home with affordable products. Check our Top 5 Recommended Water Protection for Louis Vuitton Neverfull That You Can Find on Amazon.
Cracked canvas on a LV purse is a nightmare for any fashionista. It looks like the top layer of a bag is going to chip off in tiny pieces. Will the brand be nice enough to repair this issue?
The answer is “no”. Canvas cracking is mostly the result of wear and tear: sun exposure, folding, age, etc. With time, even the most durable material starts to deteriorate. We have discussed this issue in our article -Will Louis Vuitton Repair Cracked Canvas? -and gave some helpful tips on how to deal with this problem.
If your LV purse is still new (less than 1 year old), consider taking it to the boutique and explaining the problem. Sometimes, the cracking can be the result of the poor quality of the canvas. However, remember to stay polite and nice even hearing a refuse.
Zipper pull belongs to the most frequently used parts of any purse. Constantly opening and closing the bag may lower the quality of your closure – fading of hardware, or even breaking are quite common. What to do in this case?
Take your LV handbag to the closest boutique! Replacement of a zipper pull is free of charge and can be done instantly at the site. However, if there are any issues with “teeth” and you need the whole zipper closure repair, be ready to leave the bag at the boutique for a luxury treatment.
So, overall, the answer is yes: Louis Vuitton will repair the zipper.
Glazing is the protective cover on handles, straps, and sides, so naturally, it will start to come off first. It’s a common issue, so don’t be shy and bring your purse directly to the store for evaluation.
In most cases, glazing can be replaced. For rare and old models, there might be no opportunity for replacement – in this case, you might be offered store credit.
Hooks, chains, rings, padlocks, clasps – when carrying a Louis Vuitton bag, it’s better to be cautious with hardware. One wrong movement and the shiny polished surface can be scratched or tarnished, brass can be oxidized. Does Louis Vuitton offer repair services for this kind of problem?
Yes, they do. Don’t hesitate to bring the handbag to the store if you noticed any damage on your hardware, and it bothers you. After all, you deserve to rock a flawless accessory!
Let’s take a break from bags and talk about small leather accessories – wallets, key pouches, and cardholders. Will they be accepted into the luxury rehab?
It depends. In theory, accessories can be repaired, it’s just the question of how critical the problem is. Very used items may not be repairable at all. If you are gentle with your luxury accessories, there’s always a chance to get them mended. Let a LV employee assess them.
If you are dreaming of a beautiful Louis Vuitton wallet and seem to be lost in the number of options available, be sure to check our article – What Is The Perfect Louis Vuitton Wallet For a Modern Woman? There are so many gorgeous suggestions there!
If we can tolerate minor rubs and scratches on a wallet or a purse, the issues with sunglasses is a total nightmare! Even worse if you have designer sunglasses that are not ideal anymore. What does Louis Vuitton policy state in this case?
Luckily, sunglasses can be fixed. Nose pads, loose screws, and even lenses can be replaced, tightened, or fixed. It’s quite a frequent inquiry in the stores after summer holidays!
Alluring and eye-catching Empreinte leather has some significant issues. The embossing may be not as deep, fingerprints may appear on the exterior, or the worst – the glazing on handles and the straps can melt. Can you ask a LV assistant to help you with a repair?
Yes, you can. Melting is a common defect, and it can be fixed. No matter what model or color, the brand will return the purse in mint condition.
By the way, we have a gift for every lucky owner of a white purse – a guide on How To Clean Your White Luxury Handbag and Make Sure It Stays White.
Epi leather is considered to be a durable material, yet it requires constant babying. One bump onto something may leave a permanent mark on the surface of the bag. Does Louis Vuitton offer repair services for these issues?
Sadly, no. The general things like piping and glazing can be repaired, but nothing is to be done with leather. Some models, though, can be subject to a piece replacement – for example, a flap closure of LV Twist.
When buying Louis Vuitton accessories made of leather, be sure to learn some simple cleaning techniques to prolong the life of your item. Check our tips on How Do You Safely Clean a Louis Vuitton Bag at Home? - there, we gave some advice for almost all types of leather and materials.
With the rise of second-hand luxury, this question is still one of the most discussed on forums. Can you bring a LV purse that was bought by someone else? What if they refuse repair?
Relax,they won’t! The French luxury brand doesn’t care where you got your item – in an official boutique or a consignment store. Repair service (or at least evaluation whether the item can be fixed) is available for anyone as long as the bag is real.
Check our stock, we have several interesting and rare items available! And have no doubt – they are 100% authentic!
Already have a pre-owned beauty? Order independent authentication to make sure your handbag was crafted by Louis Vuitton artisans, and it is not a fake!
If you need to authenticate a Louis Vuitton/Dior/Gucci item, please order one of the three types of authentication:
Verbal Authentication $10
- good when you need a certificate for any reason,
Certificate of Authenticity $25
- good when you need a certificate for any reason, either to sell the bag with the peace of mind or to return a fake bag to the seller if you purchased a fake
- includes a permanent certificate onlvbagaholic.com
Certificate of Authenticity with a thorough explanation $50
- good when you need a certificate and you need to know why the bag is authentic/not authentic for any reason, either to sell the bag with the peace of mind or return a fake bag to the seller if you purchased a fake.
- includes a permanent certificate onlvbagaholic.com
- includes an explanation of why the item is fake (detailed pictures and comparisons with an authentic bag, more than 10 pics included)
PLEASE CHOOSE ONE OF THE OPTIONS BELOW
What papers or receipts are necessary to get a repair? Well, actually, none! You will be surprised to find out that the brand gladly accepts any item without proof of purchase. This news should be a relief for everyone who has lost the receipt or got a pre-loved purse.
Let’s see how repair actually works. It includes several steps, so you have to be patient if you want to see an improved version of your favorite accessory.
Situation number 1. You live close enough to a store.
- Take your item and visit any LV store. It doesn’t have to be the same boutique where you got the handbag.
- Care Service Team performs the evaluation of the damage.
- The employee offers you solutions that can change the look of your purse. If you agree, the item will be taken by the representative of the brand and sent to the closest factory.
- When the work is done, you receive a call that your item is ready for pick-up.
Situation number 2. You live nowhere neara store.
- Contact the brand via e-mail or phone and describe the issue. Care Service Team may ask you to send good-quality photos to perform the evaluation.
- The employee offers you solutions that can change the look of your purse.
- If repair is possible, you will have to ship your item (you get a shipping label from the brand).
- When the work is done, you receive the package with your repaired item.
The amount of time necessary forrepair depends on the severity of the problem. Some minor repairs, like changinga zipper pull, can be performed in-store so you won’t have to say goodbye to your designer bag at all.
The length of the repair process depends on the severity of the problem. Some minor fixations, like changing the zipper pull, can be performed in-store so you won’t have to say goodbye to your designer bag at all.
However, it may take a couple of weeks before you will be able to see your item again. Louis Vuitton cares about its reputation, that’s why each item is sent to a skilled and experienced artisan, who knows how to work with the material or hardware, according to the standards of the brand. In some cases, your purse or wallet may even travel to France for repair. It can take up to 3 months to get it back.
You will be informed aboutan estimatedtimeby the employee after the inspection.
Yes and no. Although being one of the very few brands that offer repair services, the cost of luxury rehab may be huge. Again, price depends on the amount of work and the severity of the issue.
The employee will quote the estimated price for repair after evaluation. It’s your choice whether to agree or not. No one will be laughing at you if you decide to leave the boutique without accepting the service.
There are some cases when the repair is completely free of charge:
- The imperfection of the item was caused by a manufacturing error.
- The most common issues (Empreinte melting).
- Change of zipper pull (not the “teeth”).
Some fashion lovers share their stories on forums that they were not charged by the brand, even if the approximate price of the repair was mentioned. In fact, you learn, whether you are going to be charged or not, when you pick up the purse. Moreover, the improvement may be even better than expected. For example, you give your handbag for vachetta replacement but get complimentary hardware repair at no additional cost.
If you feel somehow disappointed after learning that LV repair service is actually paid, you should know that it’s a nice gesture of the fashion house to offer premium quality repair for clientele. It’s not a crime to bring your item to a local cobbler who will perform the job as well (just not at the LV level), especially if the Care Service Team is unable to help.
What about the cost of luxury mending? Where to see the price list for the services?
Well, there is none. Louis Vuitton doesn’t have a standard charging system for its repair services due to several reasons:
- Every issue is treated in a unique way: depending on its severity.
- The cost depends on the size of the bag as well – changing vachetta on small purses requires less material, for example.
- The price varies depending on location. For example, if your purse has to be shipped overseas, the cost will be higher.
- The price of repair changes each year, just like the cost of the items themselves.
As you might have already guessed, luxury repair service comes at a hefty price tag. Don’t expect to get new handles for $15, it will be way more. Sometimes, the cost can reach several hundred dollars.
Not ready to pay? We recommend to be as careful with your luxury purse as possible! Some problems may occur due to improper storage! Check out How To Store Your Designer Bags? We give plenty of tips to keep your accessory in perfect shape!
Having a luxury handbag is not only a pleasure but also a responsibility. Even the most durable and lasting materials need attention and cleaning after each use. We hope to have given the detailed answer to the question – does Louis Vuitton offer repair services? – and now, you know on what issues you can contact the Care Service Team! If you have recently had an experience with LV repair, don’t hesitate to share your thoughts with us in the comment section! Your review can help lots of people!
