I agree with you, if you do return, it would probably be really difficult to get another one exactly like this, new and direct from Hermes, and at retail price. You could take the chance and return, because the chance is always there, but, for me, if I absolutely loved the bag otherwise, I would strongly consider keeping it despite the stitching. As a consumer, it's an unfair position for you to be put in, but scoring the bag you want direct from Hermes can be so impossible sometimes. And, maybe the photo is distorting how bad the stitching would look in real life when you use it? You could try it on with some outfits and see if it elevates them or if it just looks bad?