If you own a Louis Vuitton (LV) bag and need to repair damage on the bag, you can make a request for such from the brand’s store but it comes at a price.
Although there is no written lifetime warranty regarding Louis Vuitton wallets and handbags, the brand states that “complimentary repair or alternate resolutions may be offered.” How much will these repairs attract?
The truth is that there is currently no published information from Louis Vuitton on its repair price list nor do they give a price quote over the phone. In other words, there is no standard charging system for repairing LV bags from their official stores. The cost largely depends on the damage to the piece and the store’s location.
However, both Louis Vuitton stores and outside repair shops can fix your bag or other items. In this light, I have accessed and gathered the price list charged by outside repair shops for various degrees of repairs on LV bags. We can use this to understand how LV charges for their repairs.
Meanwhile, taking your LV bag to Louis Vuitton stores or somewhere else have its specific pros and cons. The official process seems to be a little more expensive and time-consuming, but other services don’t always have the expertise required to make a long-lasting or one-stop repair.
For this reason, we will focus on the potential cost of repairing your LV bag through the official channel.
The Price list for repairing LV Bags
How Much Do Louis Vuitton Repairs Cost? As mentioned earlier, the repair cost for any Louis Vuitton bag will vary depending on the specific bag and the problem that needs to be fixed. However, you may not pay a dime if the problem is about a specific manufacturing defect.
Aside from the perceived expensiveness, compared to fixing the bag in other repair shops, another inconvenience is that the repair process may require your bag to be shipped overseas for weeks. If you are lucky, a local fixer might be in your country that will freelance the repair for the brand.
Required repair | Cost |
Hardware replacement | $50 |
Zip replacement | $180 |
Pocket replacement | $200 |
Piping replacement | $250 |
Lining replacement | $350 |
Small straps | $150 per strap |
Large straps | $250 per strap |
Handle replacement | $150 per handle |
Note: The prices listed above are not the exact figures from Louis Vuitton but they are close enough and will help in making a rough estimate of what you will end up spending to repair your bag.
Does Louis Vuitton have a repair store?
Contrary to much false information out there, Louis Vuitton does not have any ‘Repair Center.’ When you need to fix your damaged bag, it is processed through the known Louis Vuitton stores.
Many alternative stores advertise online as the official repair stores for many popular luxury brands like LV. Beware that there is no such thing as an LV repair shop.
What if I do not live near a Louis Vuitton store?
If you have no Lois Vuitton store around your location or in your country, you can mail your damaged handbag to the nearest store for a review to know about the intricacies of the repair.
Louis Vuitton hires sales associates whose job is to look into these damaged pieces and then communicate with buyers.
Whatever the situation is, you must ensure your repair is done and attended to at a Louis Vuitton boutique by a Sales Associate.
Steps to Get Your Louis Vuitton Bag Repaired
When your designer bag gets spoilt, the first place to look for a solution is the brand itself. If you need to fix any damaged part of your LV bag, here are the steps to take to schedule repairs and get the precise cost from the company:
Step 1: Install the Louis Vuitton App made for customers
Step 2: Navigate on the app to book an appointment with a Care Expert.
Step 3: You have the option to schedule either a phone call or send an email to contact the care expert
Step 4: One scheduled time, you can explain to the Care Expert the repairs your LV handbag needs.
Step 5: The company will send you a free shipping label that will allow you to send your item in for repairs.
Step 6: The app allows you to track your item’s repair process.
Alternatively, you can make plans for the repair at LV in person, instead of online. In this case, walk into the nearest Louis Vuitton boutique where you can meet with the care team physically to discuss your issue and then send in your bag for repairs.
Louis Vuitton, as a reputable luxury brand, meticulously treats each repair with great attention to detail to ensure a long-lasting solution. As such, repairs can take several months which means you should be ready to wait for a long time before getting your bag back, depending on what needs to be repaired.
Can I repair an LV bag myself?
If the damage has to do with the deterioration of the canvas such as cracks, then there are some DIY approaches to fixing the LV bag at home that will help save money and time. The safest and most popular method of them all is the use of superstring glue-like cyanoacrylate.
Note that this is focused on fixing issues like cracked canvas. Problems like damaged handles, straps, zippers, and so on will require a professional touch.
How long does an LV bag repair take?
The long duration it takes before you get your bag back from LV stores after the repair is a huge turn-off. The reparation process takes time, depending on what needs to be repaired.
For minor repairs, Louis Vuitton usually outsources it to a local specialist, who is knowledgeable of the brand’s heritage and authenticity standards. They do not outsource to craftsmen who cannot emulate the brand’s high-quality work.
Since it’s within the locality, you can expect your repaired LV bag to be ready for delivery in a few weeks. On the other hand, major repairs are hauled to France for more advanced attention which can take, at most, three months.
Is the sales receipt necessary to get my item repaired?
The handbag itself is enough to get a repair. You do not need a sales receipt to get your handbag repaired at any LV store, provided the bag is not a fake one. If you take a replica LV bag for repair through the official channel, the sales attendant will inform you that a repair can not be carried out because the item is not manufactured by the company.
If I had previously repaired the piece somewhere else, would Louis Vuitton complete future repairs?
Outside repair stores may use unoriginal parts to fix your damaged Louis Vuitton bag. For future repairs, once LV detects that knock-off material has been used on the bag, they no longer consider the bag authentic and so will not complete another repair on that piece ever again.
Nevertheless, many people still go-ahead to seek out the services of unauthorized leather shops instead. They are not to be blamed. The relatively high cost and the long period of time it takes to get any item repaired by LV is enough to discourage patronage.
Suppose you have saved for quite a long time to purchase a top-notch Louis Vuitton bag, and after a few months you notice loose stitches, cracked canvas, or damaged zipper, you may not be happy to know that LV does not offer a lifetime warranty.
But, the company prides itself on its customer service, and so they offer repair service but comes at a cost that is not readily available on their website until you reach out to them with your specific problem.