Small Bel Air Leather Tote

I like the style and idea of this bag. However, First bought in the mini, it that was too small so I returned it. Then I bought this small size, for the price it isn’t worth it. You can’t close the top, and it gapes open. Snapping the sides closed doesn’t do much to help that. I was also very disappointed in the strap. In order for a short person to get this hip length you have to use the last punch causing the strap to hang loose and past the metal clasp ring. It just look cheap and like a design flaw because you can’t move the leather down to hold the end of the strap.

I rarely less than 5 star reviews, and I want to be very clear that my local Nordstrom sales associates were absolutely wonderful and worked together to make this right. It has taken 3–4 trips (and we’re still not quite done), but their professionalism and kindness never wavered. This review is not a reflection of the in store team, they deserve five stars. I ordered a $4,000 designer bag online, expecting the same luxury presentation and care I’ve received from retailers like Neiman Marcus and Bloomingdale’s. A purchase of this caliber from an authorized retailer should come with proper packaging, quality control, and attention to detail. Unfortunately, my first delivery was shocking. The bag was thrown into a generic plastic bag with no padding and placed inside a generic box. The bag appeared to have water damage. The bag looked used, tags removed, visible scratches beyond normal vegetable tanned leather markings, and poor overall presentation. After contacting customer service, a supervisor arranged for the last bag in stock to be sent to my local store. An associate opened it with me, and again, it was another used Balenciaga bag, no Nordstrom tags, no designer tags, and missing accessories. While in slightly better condition, it still did not look or smell new. Anyone familiar with brand-new Balenciaga leather knows it has a rich scent that lasts for weeks, this bag did not. The handbag specialist and manager were just as shocked and apologetic and immediately tried to find a solution. Unfortunately, these were the last two available in my size and color, so I had to choose the better of the two and have them attempt to source the missing box, dust bag, and clochette. I truly believe a brand new bag with full packaging would deserve five stars. However, due to receiving two used items, missing tags and accessories, and careless shipping (generic plastic packaging used by Amazon and Alibaba, that should never be associated with a luxury purchase), I cannot justify that rating. I am generously giving this experience three stars, five stars to my local Nordstrom team for exceptional service, and negative stars to the distribution and quality control process that allowed this to happen. I’ve been asked to provide photos and videos for training purposes, and I sincerely hope improvements are made so future customers receive the luxury experience they are paying for.