Chinese media reported that in 2019, Mr. Du spent 10,000 RMB in Italy on a Louis Vuitton (LV) bag, which started to have the shoulder strap edges peeling off after only a few months of use.
Due to the pandemic, Mr. Du postponed repairing the bag until 2023 when he sent it to a store in Shenzhen upon reopening, only to be told it would cost 2400 RMB for repairs. Mr. Du agreed to pay the fee but after 10 months, the bag still wasn’t fixed.
Recently, while traveling in Northern Europe, Mr. Du consulted several local LV stores about the bag, all of which said the wear and tear should qualify for free repairs, consistent with global aftersales standards.
A store employee in Stockholm, Sweden confirmed that Mr. Du’s bag was eligible for free repair and even offered to negotiate with LV China’s aftersales service. However, LV China’s aftersales service remained adamant about charging for repairs. Upon Mr. Du’s return to China, negotiations with LV China’s aftersales service were once again fruitless. Frustrated, Mr. Du lodged a complaint on a consumer platform, accusing LV of discriminating against Chinese consumers.
The incident has sparked discussions in mainland China, with many netizens believing that differential treatment of Chinese consumers by luxury brands is not uncommon. Some said, “If we don’t boycott, it’s useless”; while others criticized Mr. Du for “spending so much on a bag but bickering over a 2400 RMB repair fee.” Additionally, with the rise of domestic brands and national pride, some netizens questioned, “Is it not good enough to buy a bag for 2400 RMB in Guangzhou?”
Netizens’ perspectives:
– “Foreign brands can treat Chinese consumers like this? Let those who love these bags buy them. Doing business in China like this, are they really giving up on the Chinese market? It’s truly speechless, acting like someone cares so much about them.”
– “One willing to sell, one willing to buy, luxury goods only deceive the wealthy.”
– “Many people in China buy luxury brands to show off; showing off costs money.”