Photo via Efu.com

French luxury brand Louis Vuitton has come under criticism for trying to shift the blame on its quality control responsibility to China’s weather conditions following complaints by a Chinese customer who purchased a handbag.

Wang, a Hangzhou-based resident, complained that the handle of his newly-purchased Louis Vuitton handbag faded in color, which in the process also stained his white shirt. The company’s headquarters in Shanghai blamed the air, humidity, and temperature in China, saying that they do not meet the “standard of Louis Vuitton’s proper environment,” stirring debate online.

Louis Vuitton even told Wang not to wear a white shirt so that any stain would not stand out.

The company’s headquarters later called Wang to request him to exchange the handbag, but he said he still feels the company acted arrogant.

“You’ll be judged by the market for looking down on us. At least my feet won’t enter your store again,” he wrote on his Sina Weibo.

The explanation exposed problems with both product quality and lack of professional ethics among employees, which led to public criticism of the company’s ethics and a thumbs down for disrespecting the Chinese consumer.

Louis Vuitton, as one of the most successful luxury brands operating in China, has earned a lot of money selling luxurious goods in the Chinese market but some Chinese are now concerned about the kind of values that the company wants to export. But China will not take the fall for others faults.

No matter how long the history a luxury brand holds, consumers will not hesitate to shop elsewhere if the quality is worrying. Chinese consumers are becoming more mature and no longer simply go after goods for the sake of brand name alone. They are becoming more rational, and want the corresponding dignity. Therefore, there is a general agreement among Chinese customers that more luxury brands should sincerely respect them, so as to forge a distinguished, reliable, and durable brand.