My Billingham hadley pro was broken!

[icemanh]

Bought on 27-Sep-2009, gone on 10-Oct-2010.

I only carry 1 Leica M body, mainly M8 or M9, with 2 lens, mainly 35mm & 50mm, and I seldom use the handle....

My hadley large served me more than 10 years, until I can find an insert replacement (Billingham told me that mine is smaller than current hadley large, so new insert cannot fit in). I cannot believe this hadley pro has such short life...

I sent email billingham to estimate the repair cost, I am also serious considering Fogg bag...

 

[mervynyan]

Is it under life time warranty? I suggest Domke F2 original, I have it for more than 7 years, works ok for me.

 

[John Lawrence]

I'd talk to Billingham customer services about this, and I would imagine (and hope) that they'd repair it free of charge.

I've had my Hadleys for 10 years plus, piled them full of all sorts of things, overloaded them, taken them out in all weathers etc. and the only thing showing on them is slight wear on the canvas.

John

 

[rbsinto]

Bought on 27-Sep-2009, gone on 10-Oct-2010.

I only carry 1 Leica M body, mainly M8 or M9, with 2 lens, mainly 35mm & 50mm, and I seldom use the handle....

My hadley large served me more than 10 years, until I can find an insert replacement (Billingham told me that mine is smaller than current hadley large, so new insert cannot fit in). I cannot believe this hadley pro has such short life...

I sent email billingham to estimate the repair cost, I am also serious considering Fogg bag...

Take the bag to the local shoe repair place and get them to re-stitch the buckle back on. Or if you're handy sew it yourself. Use a braided 25 or 50 lb test fishing line and a carpet needle. It's about a ten-minute repair.
Tops.

 

[lxmike]

I agree a local cobler will charge you jus a few pounds to repair a buckle

 

[robklurfield]

that should be covered by warranty. that piece was held in place by a rivet not stitching. that leather is awfully thick. almost looks as though it was sliced by a knife. I'd sure be inclined to contact Billingham. I've had the same bag since 2004 and I almost certainly overload it with stuff. The particular strap shouldn't give way like that as it doesn't really bear much load. quite curious.

 

[Roger Hicks]

Pure bad luck. Maybe something was spilled on the bag? Coca-Cola? (That's pretty corrosive). Our oldest Billinghams are approaching 30 years old and the fabric has actually worn through in places. But their rivets, while very butch-looking, seem less reliable than their stitching: I've had a couple pull out too. By all means quote this post to Martin Billingham (the owner/founder). Frances and I have been using Billinghams for a LONG time and Martin knows us.

Cheers,

R.

 

[Ron (Netherlands)]

As can be seen clearly from this picture, the riveting has been done quite bad: the hole is near the edge of the leather, I guess that is the place where it broke off....they seem to have used a piece of leather that was too short

[/quote]

 

[robklurfield]

I'll bet Billingham will be pleased to repair this when they consider the goodwill they'll build on this site after you report back to us on a positive customer care experience.

 

[icemanh]

Hello

I also have a large for more than 10 years, overloaded it with hassy 503cw and two lens, and without any problem. The bag does not fail, but the microfiber(?) on the insert peel off. I bought an new insert in last year, but it could not fit in the hadley large. The new insert is too tall. I sent email to billingham to check if there is any problem. They told me that they changed the dimension, so the new insert cannot fit in.

Then, I changed the insert to this hadley pro, no choice... I can post the receipt which shows it clearly 🙂

Come back to the hadley pro, I am not sure it is caused by short leather or the leather was torn into two pieces. I will post a close up picture of the strap tonight.

I used it with care because I think the leather straps are not strong enough if I lift my bag by handle. Therefore, I usually lift the bag by one hand grip the handle, the another hand lift the bottom. I didn't spill any chemical on the rivet area...

I am deeply disappointed with its quality... I have sent email to Fogg to check the price and availability. This bag may be my last billingham bag 😡😡😡

 

[icemanh]

Still waiting for their reply... I hope they will take this quality issue seriously...

Please see my invoice copy and close up of the torn strap...

 

[kully]

Let them try and sort it out before worrying - I'm sure it will be fine.

 

[Nikon Bob]

I would agree with Ron that the leather strap had the hole for the rivet too close to the edge. I would consider that a factory defect and would, as Kully says, wait for the reply from Billingham before getting too excited. These things happen although they should not and it is up to the manufacturer to put it right if they value their reputation.

Bob