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- Jun 24, 2008
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the next Northern Nights TSV is on the 15/04/21
I can't speak for all Ashwood bags, but the one I bought from Q a year or so ago wasn't great at all, and silly me - I didn't even bother to send it back. I remember flicking channels one Sunday afternoon and stopping when I saw them Jacqui Jospeph/Claire Sutton showing this wonderful cross body bag, it was not too big, not too small, and looked like it would hold everything I needed without encouraging me to fill it will all manner of crap. Colourways were lovely and they seemed to be selling out really quickly. It was reduced from £65 down to £45, genuine leather and for once free p&p!
Cut to the reality, the bag was nowhere near as roomy as they made it look, the finish on the leather was uneven, the strap didn't sit well as it had a kink in it that wouldn't flatten. When I put a few basics inside I could scarcely close it...it had a magnetic popper which kept coming open - Eventually I donated it to the local charity shop.
When I resumed my search for my "forever bag" I tried TKMaxx and they had a good few Ashwood leather bags on sale for round about the TSV price you see here, and the quality wasn't that great on any of those either.
I think Ashwood do a good job of making posh looking bags, and because they're leather - you think "quality" - in my experience this is sadly not the case.
I think a handbag is one of those things that you really need to see and feel before you purchase and if you are buying (almost) blind - make sure you'll not lose any money by just trying. Many Catalogues offer free postage and free returns.
The reviews are pretty mixed, and it does look like occasionally you'll get a good 'un, but they seem pretty inconsistent, and like me, many viewers found the leather stiff, uneven, and that the pockets inside were really small and that you couldn't even fit your hand in comfortably to get stuff in and out. On the face of it £40 seems a good price for a leather bag, but a false economy if it doesn't live up to expectations!
Depends on what you want and are used to. Back in my young executive days (lol) I was an "Enny" fanatic. Those bags cost £150.00 at least. its horses for courses. A beautifully made handbag will set you back a pretty penny. I like my trusted non leather Kipling bags they suit my lifestyle now.
Of course - if you're a person who's prepared to spend hundreds of pounds on a bag, then yes it's more likely you'll be buying yourself a well made, good quality bag with an iconic design that's immediately recognisable. If like me you don't normally spend a fortune on bags, but decide you want to upgrade to a smart leather one, even if you're not bothered about names and logos - you still expect a modicum of quality. The full price of an Ashwood bag is not particularly cheap, so in reality should be of reasonable quality, and the fact it's reduced down to £40 shouldn't make any difference. I believe that you can get a decent leather bag without a huge price tag, but you do need to look at it first and try it on. I realise that there's "leather and there's leather" and for a tenner you'll be able to pick up one of those awful things made from thin offcuts - and to me that's a fair price. When the price is in excess of £50 I expect a lot more - just because it's not made from the finest quality kid leather, or have all the designer trappings, doesn't mean that uneven stitching, creasing and poor quality fastenings is acceptable!Depends on what you want and are used to. Back in my young executive days (lol) I was an "Enny" fanatic. Those bags cost £150.00 at least. its horses for courses. A beautifully made handbag will set you back a pretty penny. I like my trusted non leather Kipling bags they suit my lifestyle now.
Of course - if you're a person who's prepared to spend hundreds of pounds on a bag, then yes it's more likely you'll be buying yourself a well made, good quality bag with an iconic design that's immediately recognisable. If like me you don't normally spend a fortune on bags, but decide you want to upgrade to a smart leather one, even if you're not bothered about names and logos - you still expect a modicum of quality. The full price of an Ashwood bag is not particularly cheap, so in reality should be of reasonable quality, and the fact it's reduced down to £40 shouldn't make any difference. I believe that you can get a decent leather bag without a huge price tag, but you do need to look at it first and try it on. I realise that there's "leather and there's leather" and for a tenner you'll be able to pick up one of those awful things made from thin offcuts - and to me that's a fair price. When the price is in excess of £50 I expect a lot more - just because it's not made from the finest quality kid leather, or have all the designer trappings, doesn't mean that uneven stitching, creasing and poor quality fastenings is acceptable!
it is unacceptable I agree but the old "adage" you get what you pay for will always stand.It should be nicely put together though! I have bought vintage Enny or other bags from Charity shops and some smarter second hand shops that specialise in "pre loved" more expensive bags. We are all different. My best friend would rather buy a real leather bag but won't pay what I would pay for a Kipling purse. It wont be in the league of a top end designer but she's fine with that!Of course - if you're a person who's prepared to spend hundreds of pounds on a bag, then yes it's more likely you'll be buying yourself a well made, good quality bag with an iconic design that's immediately recognisable. If like me you don't normally spend a fortune on bags, but decide you want to upgrade to a smart leather one, even if you're not bothered about names and logos - you still expect a modicum of quality. The full price of an Ashwood bag is not particularly cheap, so in reality should be of reasonable quality, and the fact it's reduced down to £40 shouldn't make any difference. I believe that you can get a decent leather bag without a huge price tag, but you do need to look at it first and try it on. I realise that there's "leather and there's leather" and for a tenner you'll be able to pick up one of those awful things made from thin offcuts - and to me that's a fair price. When the price is in excess of £50 I expect a lot more - just because it's not made from the finest quality kid leather, or have all the designer trappings, doesn't mean that uneven stitching, creasing and poor quality fastenings is acceptable!
Your spot on about weight of leather. As I am getting older the weight is too much for me. I have a medium "Radley Pocket" that I love the look of and on the whole I will use it but I swop over with my Kipling that are super lightweight and have all the organising that I want.I have quite a few expensive leather bags bought in the past when I was working & had a bit of a thing about them. Now they languish in a cupboard as I prefer the Kipling bags I’ve bought. Love the storage, can find stuff! Better still they weigh nothing till you put things in whereas the leather ones weigh a ton empty,
it is unacceptable I agree but the old "adage" you get what you pay for will always stand.It should be nicely put together though! I have bought vintage Enny or other bags from Charity shops and some smarter second hand shops that specialise in "pre loved" more expensive bags. We are all different. My best friend would rather buy a real leather bag but won't pay what I would pay for a Kipling purse. It wont be in the league of a top end designer but she's fine with that!