FAQ

If you have a question, chances are your question has been asked before. To save yourself (and us) some time, we have listed the frequently asked questions below. If your question is not in the list, don’t hesitate to contact us of course.

• Sustainability

  • What other sustainable practices are you implementing?

    We keep our process close to our homebase. Laauw stands for local craftsmanship, durability and quality. From the very beginning, we have therefore worked with our own factory, located in the heart of this industry, Waalwijk. We believe that you should give something back to where you come from. We do this by involving our local entrepreneurs in our brand journey.

    Through this kickstarter campaign we are trying to make our first steps in the US. After successfully completing this campaign, we will always look at whether we can rebuild our entire supply chain in the US, so that we can also use a business model that is as sustainable as possible here.

  • How will sustainability factor into your delivery plan?

    Because we work with our own factory, we have added our logistic part (fulfillment and distribution) is the same factory as well. This ensures a more efficient working method, and saves society a lot of unnecessary environmental pollution due to co2 emissions.

  • Which aspects will you consider when choosing a factory?

    We don’t work with suppliers, but we made them partners. Our brand exists because we work with the best local professionals. We believe that these people are also entitled to a piece of Laauw, so they became our partners in stead of our suppliers. In this way we keep our supply chain transparent and we can guarantee that we operate certified factories.

  • How will you keep materials and packaging out of the landfill?

    Something beautiful grows with the Do Good Bag
    With the Do Good Bag we reduce, reuse and recycle, so that together we can give something back to the world. With the Do Good Bag, something beautiful is growing and together we are taking a big step towards an even more sustainable and convenient shipping method.

    135 grams recycled kraft
    The Do Good Bag is made of 135 grams recycled kraft.

    FSC label
    The Do Good Bag has the FSC quality mark, making it green, sustainable and better for the environment.

    Less air ‘packed’
    The format is flexible and adapts to the content, so that less air is ‘packed’.

    Significant decrease in total shipping volume and reduction in CO2 emissions
    The use of the Do Good Bag significantly reduces the total shipping volume and contributes to a reduction in CO2 emissions.

  • What kind of low-impact materials will you use?

    We only work with vegetable tanned leathers. Vegetable tanning is one of the main leather production methods in use today: approximately 10% of all leather is vegetable tanned. This technique involves using natural vegetable tannins to alter the protein structure of the hide, causing it to become leather. In essence, these organic substances serve three functions: preserving, strengthening and giving colour to the hide.

    Benefits of vegetable tanned leather
    There are numerous reasons why vegetable tanned leather is regarded as the benchmark in the leather industry. Let’s start by looking at the favourable physical characteristics it possesses. Veg tan leather, in particular, is renowned for its robustness and strength — if appropriately cared for, it could last longer than a lifetime.

    Aside from durability, the vegetable tanning process also gives leather a distinct, somewhat sweet aroma — the kind you probably already associate with leather. And the absorption of tannins makes for colours that are notably rich and deep in character; think natural and earthy tones, like beige and brown.

    Because vegetable tanning requires no synthetic coatings, the leather is allowed to ‘breathe’. As a result, it’s able to absorb moisture and oils, and go on to form a ‘patina’. In the world of leather, patina is an indicator of quality and aesthetic beauty, something that enhances the perceived value of a leather product.

    Part of the joy in owning say, a vegetable tanned leather wallet or weekend bag, is also the sense of prestige that it evokes. Knowing that the leather has been painstakingly produced by expert artisans — who rely heavily on centuries-old techniques — is something to celebrate.

    Lastly, vegetable tanning is the most environmentally-friendly method of leather production. More on this later, but it’s worth reiterating that only natural and organic substances are used during the production process.

  • What does the Lifelong Guarantee exactly means?

    It does exactly means you have a lifetime warranty on your bag, or maybe it’s better to say you have a generations warranty. We believe that we owe it to our customers to be the best in our field. By remaining constantly innovative, we try to positively influence the future of our craft. Through our years of experience and knowledge in the field of leather products, we can achieve this. We only work with the best materials and only vegetable tanned, so that we can guarantee quality and a lifelong guarantee to our customers. We work with our own factory in our own region, Waalwijk, so that we can achieve full transparency. We share everything with our customers and see this as the future way of working. We call it radical transparency.

    So In case there is a defect, or your bag need to have some extra maintenance, please always het in touch with us to find the best solution. Even after 10 years, or if you are the next generation.

  • Can you explain more about your 100% transparent and sustainable supply chain?

    We believe that you as our customer have the right to know the true story behind your purchase. We reveal all the costs and details behind our products, from materials to labour, from partners to transport. This way, you know what you are paying for and what it is worth. We believe that this openness will create a healthy working environment. Ultimately, every link in the chain has a right to the same amount. We see that traditional retail often still works with a margin of 5 to 6 times the cost price. We choose to work with a margin of 3 to 4. Why? Because everyone is entitled to the same amount.

    We have divided our supply chain into 4 parts that we will explain in more detail; materials, labour, laauw & partners and logistics. Our main material is the vegetable tanned leather. We choose responsible materials and the best quality over profit, because we stand for durability. Next to the material is our production proces an important key in our supply chain. We work with the best craftsmen to control our quality and provide a lifelong guarantee. The part in the supply chain for our company Laauw & partners is the one which ensures that we are constantly innovative and try to positively influence the future of our craft. Next to that it covers our costs for our employees, our marketing activities and our housing. The logistics part in the supply chain ensures that the process from ordering, to making, to delivery runs smoothly.

  • How will you maximize the life of what you’re making?

    Laauw stands for local craftsmanship, durability and quality. From the very beginning, we have therefore worked with our own factory, located in the heart of this industry, Waalwijk. We want to change the consumer society. We want to show you the value of minimalism by making products that last for generations. We choose the best and therefore lifelong quality, both in the materials and the craftsmanship, which allows us to offer our customers a lifelong guarantee.

• Customer service

  • I have a general question, how should I contact you?

    With general questions you can always contact us via info@laauw.com. We are happy to help.

  • I sent an email more than 48 hours ago, but I don’t have an answer yet, what should I do?

    It is possible that somehow we lost track of your email. Feel free to send a reminder via info@laauw.com.

  • What is the best way to get in touch with Laauw?

    You can always send a message to our customer service via the contact form at our contact page. We make every effort to return to your message within 48 hours.

• Orders & delivery

  • How works the pre-order policy?

    As explained in our story; we want to stay away from the hectic “fast-fashion” world, and choose for a sustainable “slow-fashion” world. We want to change the consumer society. We want to keep our stock limited, so we never have “leftover” stock and keep our production sustainable. Therefor we ask you to respect our pre-order policy and to contribute to a more sustainable world together with us. The delivery moment of each Collection will be communicated at our productpage. If this time has already been, your order will be delivered out of our current stock and you can take into account a delivery time of 3-5 days.

  • I have a different question about my delivery, what can I do?

    The easiest way is to email your question to info@laauw.com. Please, always state your order number in the subject line.

  • I have placed a pre-order, how long does it take to deliver?

    This is always indicated on the product page of the product you ordered. Keep in mind though that that date is an estimate, not a guarantee, because we are also dependent on transport. You will always be informed in time when your pre-order is delivered earlier or later than indicated.

  • I didn’t receive a Track & trace number. Now what?

    Please ask our Customer Service (info@laauw.com) to send it again.

  • How long does it take for my order to be delivered?

    Please note our sustainable pre-order policy first. Orders will be delivered within 3-5 working days in the Netherlands. In the rest of Europe, delivery will take 3-5 working days. And in the rest of the world it takes 5-7 working days. You can always follow your order via the Tracking link that you receive by email.

• Product care & repairs

  • What does the Lifelong Guarantee exactly means?

    It does exactly means you have a lifetime warranty on your bag, or maybe it’s better to say you have a generations warranty. We believe that we owe it to our customers to be the best in our field. By remaining constantly innovative, we try to positively influence the future of our craft. Through our years of experience and knowledge in the field of leather products, we can achieve this. We only work with the best materials and only vegetable tanned, so that we can guarantee quality and a lifelong guarantee to our customers. We work with our own factory in our own region, Waalwijk, so that we can achieve full transparency. We share everything with our customers and see this as the future way of working. We call it radical transparency.

    So In case there is a defect, or your bag need to have some extra maintenance, please always het in touch with us to find the best solution. Even after 10 years, or if you are the next generation.

  • Are your products environmentally friendly?

    All the leathers we use are manufactured in Europe in the most ecological way possible, we call it vegetable tanned. This means that no chemicals are used in the production process, and no synthetic layers are used in the finishes of our leathers.

  • How does the leather hold up while using the bag? And how could I take care of it?

    We always use the vegetable tanned leather. The type of the leather is clearly indicated per collection in the product detail. With all types of leather, and therefore also with our bags, you can bear in mind that it will become more beautiful after use – as is often the case with natural products. Most types of our leathers have an open structure which means that the top layer of the leather is unfinished (original top skin), what giving it a more robust and sturdy look while using. However, that also means that it’s more sensitive to scratches and stains. Furthermore, we always recommend that you are free to use a standard maintenance leather spray to protect the leather against rainy days.

  • I have a defect in my bag, how do we solve this?

    This depends on the defect and how it came about, but please always get in touch with us first. Through quality controls we strive for the highest quality on every bag, but it is still a human process, so it can always happen that a stitched seam or buckle peels off during normal use. In the case of normal use, we offer you the following two options:

    1. To keep the process as sustainable as possible we always recommend this option first. You have the defect repaired at a local tailor or shoemaker. We will of course reimburse these costs for you. This is better for you, because you can use your bag again way quicker, but it’s also better for the environment, because the bag doesn’t have to be sent back and delivered again.
    2. You can also return the bag free of charge to our factory in the Netherlands, where we will repair the bag for you. Due to the continuous bustle and due to the fact that the factory is also used for the creation of new bags, we often have to plan this repair 2 to 3 weeks in advance, which means that you may have to miss your bag for up to 4 weeks.

    For both options please get in touch with us first to homeofleathergoods@laauw.com.

  • Where are the bags made?

    Everything from the design until the preparations are done in our factory in the Netherlands. Laauw stands for local craftsmanship, durability and quality. From the very beginning, we have therefore worked with our own factory, located in the heart of this industry, Waalwijk. We want to change the consumer society. We want to show you the value of minimalism by making products that last for generations. We choose the best and therefore lifelong quality, both in the materials and the craftsmanship, which allows us to offer our customers a lifelong guarantee. We don’t work with suppliers, but we made them partners. Our brand exists because we work with the best local professionals. We believe that these people are also entitled to a piece of Laauw, so they became our partners in stead of our suppliers.

    Our products are timeless and will become more beautiful every year. The same goes for our collections, they are made with love and every design deserves the time to find a user. We want to stay away from the hectic “fast-fashion” world, and choose for a sustainable “slow-fashion” world. We only work with limited stocks, so we never have “leftover” stock and keep our production sustainable.

• Returns & refunds

  • How long does it take for my money to be refunded?

    After we have received your return, the refund will be transfered automatically within 14 days.

  • Until when can I return my order?

    You can return your order within 14 days after receiving your order. Make sure it is still in its original packaging.

  • What does it cost to return my order?

    The costs for returning depends on your location. You can download your return label via the link https://laauw1.shipping-portal.com/rp/

  • How can I return my order?

    Please use the following link to create your freepost return label: https://laauw1.shipping-portal.com/rp/

    For repairs please use the address of our warehouse below. You need to pay the shipping costs by yourself.

    Laauw Warehouse
    under construction