Yes, many shoe repair shops also repair handbags. There are also companies that you can ship your items to for repair, Rago Brothers in NJ is one.

If you live near a saddle shop, they could also replace and probably cheaper.

I got a new strap for a Coach bag at the cobbler in my train station. $30 in downtown Boston seemed free to me! It was Italian leather handcut and sewn on my original handles. It's a service falling by the wayside with the younger generations. He since fixed 2 pairs of heels for me too. $18 for the boots, $15 for the shoes. Exceptional work too.

Yes shoe repair shops usually do that. If there is a leather craft store around you they usually keep the cards of craftsmen on file. I was on file for the Tandy leather stores back when I was doing leather work. Any one that makes custom leather goods, coats, clothing, purses etc would be able to help you.

When my dog was a pup, he chewed thru the pantent leather handle of my Kate Spade bag~I was sick, but loved my pup more. I bought a patent leather belt close to the same width, and took it to the shoe repair shop. He did a beautiful job, and only charged me $5.

Diane - thanks for the Rago Brothers recommendation - DH has a Coach briefcase that he dearly loves. He doesn't baby it and it shows, he refers to the cuffs and scratches as patina.

After 20 years the strap that holds the handle on finally split and he was going to drop it off at our local shoe shop that has a repair department. But I think Rago Brothers would be the best option. I could surprise him and have it repaired and reconditioned too.

Thanks again, Maire

I second the Rago Brothers recommendation. We took some shoes, boots, and a purse to them within the past few months--had never been to them before, and they did top notch jobs on them.

Thanks all! There's a shoe repair place that recently opened near me so I will pop in there and see what they say. I looked at the Rago Brothers website, and really, they are sort of within driving distance for me -- does anyone know if they do repairs while you wait? Though I am guessing they are more than I want to spend judging from the high end examples they use in their before and after photo gallery LOL! This bag is a Valerie Stevens brand, purchased at a local department store on deep after-Christmas discount -- I don't think it cost more than $40. (I exchanged a gift sweater that didn't fit for it, actually). So it would feel weird to spend tons of money on the new straps. On the other hand, it IS my favorite bag...... :-)

In my Houston area shoe repair place charges $40 per replaced strap And 1 week turnaround. Saddle shop would be half, trick is finding saddle shop

You could also check on Harley Leather repair shops (or call a Harley Davidson dealership for a referral). Harley riders are pretty proud of their leathers, and will have lots of custom work done. They know their saddlebags!

Anyone with a Coach product, they are guaranteed for life. Just contact them to send it in for repair. Every time I have done that they offer a brand new replacement item free. I have never paid for work on a Coach product. Many of the other high end brands are similar. Never hurts to make contact.

Diane - thanks again for the Ragu recommendation. DH sent his 25 year old Coach briefcase to them and they responded within 24 hours. Since Coach no longer makes that style briefcase and replacement handles are unavailable they offered to make a new one. DH had them recondition the case too and they completed the repair and it was back within 2 weeks. He wasn't interested in having it look brand new - those scratches and dings represent many years of daily use - but it does look great. The new handle is the exact shade of his briefcase - which after 25 years is no longer the original mahogany, but significantly darker.

DD took a 2 year old Coach handbag back to the store because the zipper material was fading. She had the original receipt and the bag showed no signs of wear. The SA told her that 'sometimes that happens' and only offered Coach repair services for a fee.

Coach used to have a great product guarantee - but now they officially only offer a one year warranty that covers 'manufacturing defects'.

From their website this morning:

Coach products are handcrafted from the finest materials to ensure satisfaction and service. We offer a one year warranty on our handbags, briefcases and small leather goods. For any manufacturing defects within this warranty time frame, repairs are on us. Beyond the warranty period, we offer repair services at set fees.

I had the handle of a Coach bag break within a few months. It was a Christmas gift from my daughter and truth be told it was too heavy a handbag for me.

I brought it back and they first offered to send it to be repaired and I would pay the shipping. I just kept repeating back in a confused and stunned voice what I was just told. "You want me to return the handbag for repair and pay the shipping?" Then she offered to exchange it! But, they didn't have any. I then said, "You don't have any more?" She went to the manager and long story short, I got to pick out a different bag more to my liking. It was less expensive than mine so I also paid a bit more for a wallet to make up the difference.

Bottom line, I'm really not interested in Coach. It's, to me, one of those brands I grew up with and seemed to have a good reputation. but, really, it doesn't.

I'm with you Eld - like so many other brands their quality has diminished, especially now that they seem to cater to teens. DH's briefcase was a gift in recognition of his years of service as chief of staff and at least it's from a time when they still made quality bags.