I am a self proclaimed wallet/purse fanatic. I am fairly picky about my wallets and purses so for me to purchase one on like, sight unseen is a huge step. Having said that I was pretty encouraged to receive this wallet.  HOWEVER.....when I opened the package I immediately was hit with a very strong, chemical or glue smell!! Seriously it was intense. 1st reaction was "NO WAY will I keep this wallet." Not wanting to judge a wallet by it's initial smell....I decided to open it wide (like the picture shows and let it "air out". The problem is that even after 1 week of "airing it out", it still has the smell but it HAS diminished quite a bit. The odor can still be smelled when you stick you face near it but at least it doesn't repel me when I walk into my home office. I will try to use the wallet for the next few days but if the smell increases (since it will be zipped closed) or if my $ and cards absorb the smell the I will have to send it back.  Maybe the smell is a fluke and not all these wallets have this anomaly.  1 week will tell if back it goes or Hooray! I have a great new wallet!.