The Dakota A5 - Part Deux + update

(I wrote this post inside my notebook on Monday the 27th.)

Today I finally picked the Dakota from where I had left it after opening the package. I wasn't sure what to do with it, so I had left it there while I thought about what I should do. Should I return it and ask for a refund? or should I try to restore it and keep it? Being sick with a daily fever and heavy head doesn't allow room for proper thinking.

So yes, I decided to keep it and restore it.

Since the material isn't real leather, I didn't worry about it drying up, so I used my clarifying toner. That way it would be gently cleaned and smell nice at the same time.

After some decent rubbing, I was able to make the black marks less visible, but only slightly. I guess they are now so embedded  that it would be impossible to completely remove them without damaging and discolouring the material.

I then added a fine layer of liquid leather conditioner and gave it a modest buff, so that it wouldn't look so dull.

I didn't apply any conditioner to the strap yet; I wanted to glue it first.

Please excuse the crappy pictures, I wasn't able to take better ones. As you can see, most of the black marks are more faint now.

End of part II

Update as of 29th January 2014:

After having talked with a few online friends, I was convinced to try and resolve this matter by asking for a refund, as it wasn't fair to have been sold an item that wasn't as described.

After contacting the seller, we've agreed that I will return the binder to her, and she will refund me.

I guess I will have to scour the net for a decently priced A5 again...

Thank you all for your support and help!! :D ♥

The Dakota A5 (before)

So, on Saturday I received the A5 Filofax Dakota I had won on eBay.
It wasn't a pleasant surprise, as the seller sent it inside a cheap, black rubbish bag, without any protection whatsoever!

When I opened the Filo, the two lower rings were biting some of the few inserts. I believe this must have happened during transport.

Luckily, though, the mechanism was fine and the rings closed without any gaps.

Still, I feel cheated. Although the seller described the item as having barely used, and the inserts as new, that wasn't the case.
The few inserts that came with it show that they had been used before. It is clearly noticeable the markings from her writing, she must press the pen really hard!

And then the binder. It doesn't look like a rarely used maroon Dakota. It's got dark marks, the strap has become unglued in the middle, and also the binder felt sticky and grubby to the touch.

End of part 1.

posted from Bloggeroid

Mobile Blogging

As you may have noticed, I haven't been able to keep my blog updated frequently. I am not going to make any excuses for this. Instead, I've been thinking of posting short posts, that will allow me to be more disciplined.
And because this blog is about my passion for stationery (yes, people, it's written with an e, not an a), both acquired and handmade by myself, I will write whatever is currently on in my mind regarding those topics.

This here is the first one, written on my mobile, to test it out.


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