FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Welcome to the FAQ section (Frequently Asked Questions)
Here, we will do our best to answer some of your queries in all honesty.


1. What's the cost of bag repair?

The most commonly heard question, is undoubtedly with regards to the price. For us to answer an open-ended question like this over the phone would easily take 5 minutes of our time or more, as there are simply so many types of bags, so many areas where the bag could need repairs, so many sizes, so many designs, so on and so forth. And usually for the same problem, several options and solutions are available.

Hence, the answer lies within you; what's your expectations: the higher your requirements and expectations, the higher the cost. 

Result of cheap repair elsewhere, sent in for corrective repair

We would rather concentrate on producing consistently high-quality repair work, rather than consistently answering questions about the cost of repair. However, we still hope that the following answers could help to fill you in:

If you are still reading and cost of repair is your only concern, and you have little or no regard for quality of workmanship and finishing, you should get a quote elsewhere, like roadside cobbler, instead of wasting your time and our time, as we cannot possibly compete with someone free of rentals.

We charge reasonably based on our estimate of our time required to do the repair and degree of difficulty of the repair plus the cost of the parts and raw materials required, if any. We run a legitimate business with fixed overheads, within a physical commercial premise in the heart of the city of Singapore, a first world country ( World's third richest country: Forbes). Along with the salary expectation of a professional Singaporean craftsman, it's not difficult to work out the cost of repair.

As a rough guide, if a bag needs a minor repair, eg. re-stitching of a dropped shoulder strap, or replacement of a buckle, or repair of a zip (and not a combination of minor repairs) you might not see the economic benefit of repairing that bag if it costs S$50 or less, unless there is a higher/more compelling reason to do so. (click here to see a compilation of other reasons to repair a bag). 

Red Herschel backpack sent in to repair the zip. If the zip is in this condition, it can most probably be repaired without replacing the entire zipper. 

For more laborious work eg. replacing a zipper, hoop or stitching of separated leather slings/belt, perhaps you might prefer to buy a new one if the subject cost is $100 or below, unless, again, if there is a higher/more compelling reason to do so. (click here to see a compilation of other reasons to repair a bag). 

For replacement of lining or replica leather handles, or repairing leather edges, or trolley bag rollers, you may want to buy a new one instead of attempting a repair, if the subject bag cost less than S$300, unless, again, if there is a higher/more compelling reason to do so. (click here to see a compilation of other reasons to repair a bag). All these major repairs often take hours to complete. 

To answer many queries on the cost of replacing the zipper on a hardcased luggage bag, unless it cost more than $500, or for any of the many special reasons mentioned here, you might find it in your interest to purchase a new one.
(Here's a fun-fact: Most, if not all, zippers are installed prior to the assembly of the entire luggage bag)

Damaged edges (10/4/2015)

Therefore, if you are genuinely sincere and earnest about getting your precious bag back to a serviceable condition, you can place full confidence in our price, service and solutions. We take tender loving care of your bags and do not take shortcuts that could potentially damage your bag. If there are stitches to undo, we remove them by unpicking the stitches to preserve the originality of the bag. Razor blades and penknives are never used to remove stitches in my workshop.

If the zip is in this condition, it needs to be replaced.
(The tape is ripped)

Another example where the zip needs replacement (4/3/2015) 
(Stretch of elements are missing)

2. Do you have original parts?

We keep stock of commonly used high-end original metal zippers for luxury bags. If we do not have the color, we can most likely make the indent for it, if time permits. 

Kipling bag owners may be pleased to know that we keep stock of a respectable range of original zips for Kipling bags. More on Kipling.

Other than the zipper, if you need the original logo on the hardware, or any proprietory parts, please go back to where you bought the bag.

Good news is we keep stock of many types of high end leathers like Vachetta, Saffiano, Epsom. 

The hardware that we keep stock of are of common size and shape.

Neither do we have PVC and thread.  We also do not keep stock of replica handles, which will only be custom-made upon request. Equally important, we do not sell parts. (Guess what? I was having 3 LVs on one day and noticed that all 3 have different leather colours.)

We do however keep a huge collection of colors of bag sewing threads and a respectable range of genuine leather in various common colours and textures. Although the shades, tones and hues may be different, we are quite confident we can find something close.

Discerning customers may be pleased to know that we are able to replicate the color for leathers. Just make the request.

3.  What do you mean by "100% Sure" in your advertisement?

When you bring your bag to me for a quotation, I can give you an instant confirmation on when I can get it repaired, what is the cost, the limitations and bottom lines etc etc. All the answers at my finger tips because I am the person doing all the jobs, and I have been doing this over the past decade. You can be 100% sure that the service will be delivered on time and on target as promised. That's my pride.

4. Do you / Can you repair the broken hook on my sling?

We can't literally repair the hook i.e weld, if that's what your question meant. We keep stock of a respectable array of hooks in different shapes, sizes and colours and will replace the broken hook with a new one for the repair.

5. My bag's leather is peeling off. Can you repair it for me?

Although it can be done, I don't recommend repairing the leather in this case (refer to the image below).

I can either replace the whole piece of leather, or make a new bag for you, if you have one of those higher or more compelling reasons, mentioned above, to do so. 

This question applies to PU leather as well.

I can't resuscitate the dead.

6. What do you mean by 'serviceable condition'?

By default, all my quotations are to restore the usability and functionality of the bag. Aesthetics are only but a by-product. If you're lucky, it will turn out looking like the original, otherwise there will be tiny traces and marks, and/or irregularity in stitches that hint signs of repair, and that's it. That's where it calls for an expert craftsman like me who can keep all these at a minimum and sometimes nil, at no extra cost.  

Similarly for luxury leather handbags with decorative stitches, we will make all the effort to retrace the old stitch marks without creating new ones.

If you need the bag to look like how it was originally, as if it had never been repaired, you have to put it into words and request for the extra service. 

7. How long do you need to repair my bag?

For minor repairs, unless we are bogged down by heavy workloads or other urgent repairs, you can usually collect the bag within an hour or so. Other than that, it would take about a week or so. Of course, we always welcome people who have deep pockets who would like to have their repairs expedited. Just let us know.

8. Do you provide warranty for your repairs?

Nobody guarantees the zipper. Not even LV bags that cost thousands. For obvious reasons. However my stitches are guaranteed. If within a month, my stitches break, you can always bring it back to have it stitched again. It has never happened. If it does, chances are that it is the bag's material that gave way, and not the thread. Abrasion on the thread also contributes to such damages. These are not guaranteed, again, for obvious reasons. 

Similarly for repairs on plastic parts, especially the luggage handle and its related plastic components, no warranty is expressed or implied. We all know, plastic breaks, quite easily. Our professional advice is to replace, with modification, the whole handle assembly with one utilising better quality plastic.

All repairs should be tested and tried upon collection. 

9. Do you provide door to door collection and delivery service?

We do provide such service for corporate customers who have worked with us for a period of time. However, this is currently not extended to individuals.

We prefer concentrating on spendimg quality time fulfilling orders with professional results to adding value in any other way, which I think matters most to you. 

We suggest you engage a trusted courier to do this. Many have sent their chauffeur to run the errand for them. We currently do not have tie-up with any logistic co. 

10. Where can I read reviews of your service?

We do have several unsolicited 5-star reviews that you can read. I merely did what I could, and should have done, and they went over the moon. Still, I must thank them for the extra effort that they have put in. I hope you guys are doing well. Click here for the reviews.

11. Do you have other branches?

No. Currently Bugis and Chinatown are our only outlets. This is a very highly skilled job that requires many years of practice as well as in-depth knowledge of leather and its care, and even more importantly, a detailed and responsible personality. And one that loves and appreciates bags as much as you do!

Characters of such nature are rare, let alone one that is expecting a technician's pay. 

The handful of patient customers walking in is keeping us busy enough so we have no intention to sacrifice quality for quantity.

12. Secretly, why deal with you?
(I know this is a question many want to ask but paisei to open the mouth.)

With the current free-for-all internet environment, we can see internet businesses pop up like overnight mushrooms, each proclaiming magical prowess coupled with incredible prices, just to lure trusting people to waste either their time or money or both.

Or worst still, loose their precious bag, cos. these businesses could close just as easily as they open, overnight, with your only link to them being just a mobile no.

We know you are different. You want to verify, before you commit.

We are an officially registered business, with the Singapore Government.

Our UEN is 200304369M

Now, we all know, 2003 stands for the year of registration. Anyone who access ACRA before will know. So when we say that we are more than 15 years in this, its backed up by this registration no. (Try asking for this no. from those intenet only businesses)

We operate from 2 physical locations registered under our director. Both locations are again own by the Singapore Government. Without implying anything, with strict Government ruling on the rental of their premises, it just means that we are clean honest people, free from financial embarassment, trying to make a decent living.

All the photos we posted are taken by ourselves on bags that we actually repaired ourselves and not outsourced ang certainly not plagarised from others.

There you have it. By dealing with us, you can have peace of mind that your precious bag/s are  safely in experienced reliable hands.

13. Do you have a number that I can call?

Yes, but we do not employ a professional frontline staff to handle calls and queries as this would incur additional costs which would be eventually carried over to you. 

With this integrated and connected delectronic world we hope to leverage on the power of the internet and we try to put up as much information as possible on the internet in a coherent manner so that you can find out the information you need, yourself. 

We happen to speak very directly, and should we sound irritable, or even rude, to you, over the phone, please excuse us as we are usually pretty occupied at our shop. If you have questions other than the above you may call us at 67815227 

14. Other ways to contact us.

You can also E-mail: dalenneo@gmail.com, if you don't require an immediate response. E-mails with vague questions such as, "what's the cost of repairing my bag hah?" will not get a response. I am on Whatsapp too.  wa. me. 93449874

But please don't send an MMS. On this note, do not send snail mails too, as it will never reach us. (Singpost staff, presumably locals, can't find our address while we have many overseas people who are able to locate us. Odd. We had assumed that nobody bothered to send snail mails any more, until the IRAS called because the mail they sent us had been returned as undeliverable.)

Ref. www.ykkfastening.com/products/types/s.zipper.html