Complaints Concentrate on Louis Vuitton Products from Specific Years
Frustration Grows Due to Lack of Clear Exchange Criteria and Guidance
French luxury brand Louis Vuitton is facing a series of complaints about unpleasant odors coming from some products produced in certain years. However, the lack of clear exchange policies is causing growing consumer dissatisfaction.
On the 11th, dozens of exchange inquiries related to the odor issue of Louis Vuitton products were posted this month alone on multiple online luxury communities. Consumers claim, "When I visited the store because of the bad smell, they refused to exchange the product citing reasons such as poor management," or "I was informed that exchanges are possible depending on the results after the headquarters' review."
On the community boards, there were numerous complaints about the odor, ranging from posts like "I recently bought a Louis Vuitton product and smelled it because of the odor issue, and it smells like XX. I think I need to go for a refund," to "It doesn't smell like the usual leather scent but rather a fishy smell like X fishy smell? XX fishy smell?"
One consumer said, "The headquarters must clearly know that some products produced during a specific period inevitably have a strange smell, but they are refusing exchanges citing personal negligence," adding, "Since the exchange criteria and response measures are unclear, sellers and customers alike are suffering."
Similar incidents occurred last year as well. A post on an online community in 2022 stated, "I really hate the canvas material that smells like a mix of cigarette smoke and foot odor."
Some consumers reported that the store immediately exchanged the product, leading to criticism that there is no clear standard for product exchanges. Because exchanges vary depending on the store and seller, many comments ask for the names of stores that are relatively easier to exchange products at, seemingly trying to find such stores.
Louis Vuitton is reportedly investigating the issue as consumer complaints about the odor problem grow. Currently, Louis Vuitton stores are said to decide on exchanges only after a review by the French headquarters for the product groups recognized to have odor issues.
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