Horrible service to match the garbage they sell. I purchased a Marikai clutch (a casual evening bag for the odd night out) and before I had used it once, I found the entire surface of the bag was peeling; the finish was balling up into a rubbery dust! The bag was no longer brand new, perhaps several months or a year old but the product was certainly faulty and NOT fit for purpose. I didn't expect a refund (though Australian statutory rights were on my side) but hoped for an exchange. I was told that Marikai bags were only designed to last for a season and that they were expected to decompose if stored in or with plastic! I store all my handbags together in an open walk-in (plastic free!) wardrobe and no others have crumbled to dust! Never mind this, Strandbags openly admitted this brand is rubbish and they have full knowledge of scenarios that will accelerate the decay if these bags. I suggested they print warnings on their receipts not to store Marikai products with plastic. I suppose their labels should bear the same warning, too.
Personally, I do not think they should sell such garbage in the Australian marketplace nor admit these bags have a life of only three months if they are not prepared to compensate their customers. I have shopped with Strandbags for as long as I can remember and this avid handbag collector (I own dozens upon dozens of them) will not return, based on the service received in the Narellan store on this occasion and their admission that the brand openly sells garbage to their regular customers.
I believe Marikai bags are one of Strandbags own labels.
Approximate cost: $40
