I RECENTLY PURCHASED A BAG AT A LOW PRICE.  WHEN IT ARRIVED, I DISCOVERED THAT THE PICTURES ONLY SHOWED WHAT THE PERSON WANTED OTHERS TO SEE.  IT WAS FILTHY, IT STUNK AND THE FINISH ON THE LEATHER WAS ALMOST WORN COMPLETELY AWAY.  THE BAG WOULDN'T HOLD IT'S SHAPE.  IT COULDN'T STAND UP ALONE.  THE LOCK MECHANISM WOULD NOT STAY UNLOCKED. WHAT TO DO??

    AFTER SEVERAL INQUIRIES TO THE PREVIOUS OWNER, I WAS TOLD I HAD BEEN RUDE TO POINT OUT THE HIGH POINTS OF THIS TREASURE WHICH THEY DESCRIBED AS," IN VERY GOOD CONDITION".  THEY WERE INSULTED AND TOLD ME THEY WOULD TAKE THE BAG BACK AND REFUND MY MONEY.  I ONLY WANTED TO KNOW THE TRICK TO THE LOCK MECHANISM.  WHICH THEY DID NOT DISCLOSE AND I HAVE YET TO DISCOVER.  I PLACED TAPE OVER IT SO I COULD WORK ON THIS BAG AND TRY TO RESTORE IT TO AN ACCEPTABLE STATE.

    I SPENT ONE EVENING ON THE LINING WHICH IS WASHABLE.  I ALSO UTILIZED A SPOT REMOVER AND ODOR ELIMINATOR.  I SPENT A COUPLE OF DAYS THINKING ABOUT THE WORN APPEARANCE OF THE LEATHER.  I PLACED IT IN THE SINK AND SOAKED IT WITH WATER.  I DISCOVERED THE NEXT DAY THAT MY BAG HAD STIFFENED TO THE POINT WHERE IT MIGHT HAVE A CHANCE FOR RECONDITIONING.  I PROCEEDED TO USE POLISH AND LEATHER CONDITIONER ON THIS BAG AND WAS DELIGHTED TO DISCOVER THAT IT DID STILL HAVE YEARS OF WEAR AHEAD.
   
    KEEP IN MIND THAT WE NO LONGER LIVE IN THE TYPE OF SOCIETY WHERE PEOPLE EXPECT QUALITY ITEMS TO LAST A LIFETIME...WE LIVE IN A DISPOSABLE SOCIETY.  MANY OF US HAVE FORGOTTEN HOW TO TAKE CARE OF THE THINGS WE HAVE SO THEY WILL LAST A LIFETIME.  TRASH .................... OR TREASURE.  SOMETIMES THE DIFFERENCE IS THE EFFORT WE ARE WILLING TO PUT IN TO MAKE IT SO.