I fell in the love with this brand I just discovered

[A.Ali]

I was browsing my Instagram when suddenly I saw a promoted advertisement for this gorgeous bag:

So I had to go and check it out. The brand name is Ming Ray and some of you might recognize her from her beautiful shoe collection but now she is making bags and oh my are they gorgeous.

You can check her full collection on her website:
https://www.mingray.com/

 

[Sparkletastic]

OMG! These are gorgeous. The price point is a little high for me to try an unknown brand but, WOW! I have to keep my eye on this brand.

 

[Vanana]

Design is gorgeous but for that price point the whole site and policy are quite sketchy to me. The very limited / rigid exchange and return policy and many misspelled/poorly written English across the website at best came across as unpolished/unprofessional but at worst makes it feel like a sketchy business ran out of a basement - yet the products run from thousands to over $10k...

The descriptions of the bags were inadequate. Does not provide even as much info as eBay when it comes to material etc. I’m assuming no warranty whatsoever either (though admittedly I did not bother reading “policy” after looking at the return section.

Such a shame too since that green crocodile clutch had my heart beating fast and designs are refreshing - but just WAY too high a price point to buy an item that feels like I am purchasing at a place less polished than eBay or fashionphile, with no confidence that it really is made by (or “created”by) Italian artisans, the source and quality of the material, no brand presence, how it will hold up over time and whether or not the company will stand behind the product or will be around. A 14 day return policy where buyer takes all risk and still need to undergo the seller approval after return on bags that range around $2-10k is ridiculous for a business operating at this price range for an online business (we are not talking about an established fashion house like Chanel here). That’s a lot of risk on the buyer side on an item priced at premium designer luxury level. i mean it’s over $10k for some do the nicer bags and the description is like 2 sentences of incoherent English as if I’m buying from Alibaba... hard pass... would not mind buying the same style at lower pricepoint if copy cat exist though for sure with decent quality material since I do not see these as “classic”s so it really needs to be priced correctly -> eg not over $10k... maybe under $2k for a brand new non fashion house and non classic designs?

Something very wrong with how the business is planned and ran.. curious to see long term success and survival. I guess there’s nothing impossible if you give them away to bloggers to drive hype, though looking at the policies it seems that the Businss is not running with high cash flow so it should be interesting...

 

[Sparkletastic]

Design is gorgeous but for that price point the whole site and policy are quite sketchy to me. The very limited / rigid exchange and return policy and many misspelled/poorly written English across the website at best came across as unpolished/unprofessional but at worst makes it feel like a sketchy business ran out of a basement - yet the products run from thousands to over $10k...

The descriptions of the bags were inadequate. Does not provide even as much info as eBay when it comes to material etc. I’m assuming no warranty whatsoever either (though admittedly I did not bother reading “policy” after looking at the return section.

Such a shame too since that green crocodile clutch had my heart beating fast and designs are refreshing - but just WAY too high a price point to buy an item that feels like I am purchasing at a place less polished than eBay or fashionphile, with no confidence that it really is made by (or “created”by) Italian artisans, the source and quality of the material, no brand presence, how it will hold up over time and whether or not the company will stand behind the product or will be around. A 14 day return policy where buyer takes all risk and still need to undergo the seller approval after return on bags that range around $2-10k is ridiculous for a business operating at this price range for an online business (we are not talking about an established fashion house like Chanel here). That’s a lot of risk on the buyer side on an item priced at premium designer luxury level. i mean it’s over $10k for some do the nicer bags and the description is like 2 sentences of incoherent English as if I’m buying from Alibaba... hard pass... would not mind buying the same style at lower pricepoint if copy cat exist though for sure with decent quality material since I do not see these as “classic”s so it really needs to be priced correctly -> eg not over $10k... maybe under $2k for a brand new non fashion house and non classic designs?

Something very wrong with how the business is planned and ran.. curious to see long term success and survival. I guess there’s nothing impossible if you give them away to bloggers to drive hype, though looking at the policies it seems that the Businss is not running with high cash flow so it should be interesting...

LOL! You did more diligence than I was willing to. Great analysis. I just saw pretty bags and filed them away pending a groundswell of other TPF’rs reporting good experiences over a reasonable period of time.

You bring up critical points for this specific seller (and potential buyers) to consider. Let me broaden the conversation to say that, I feel this way every time a new brand launches with $2000+ bags. I think... “I don’t know you like that”. LOL! Reputation, known quality, exquisite materials, after the sale service, etc. and more are all reasons to pay more for bags. Newbie brands can’t deliver / guarantee me those elements. And of course, there also isn’t the brand cache with a newbie brand (Which I readily admit influences my purchases. Some brands feel special.) So, I’m left puzzled as to how expensive newbie brands think they’ll get thousands out of my and others’ hands. Instagrammers don’t make me jump at anything. Sooooooo.....hmmmm

 

[peachylv]

Design is gorgeous but for that price point the whole site and policy are quite sketchy to me. The very limited / rigid exchange and return policy and many misspelled/poorly written English across the website at best came across as unpolished/unprofessional but at worst makes it feel like a sketchy business ran out of a basement - yet the products run from thousands to over $10k...

The descriptions of the bags were inadequate. Does not provide even as much info as eBay when it comes to material etc. I’m assuming no warranty whatsoever either (though admittedly I did not bother reading “policy” after looking at the return section.

Such a shame too since that green crocodile clutch had my heart beating fast and designs are refreshing - but just WAY too high a price point to buy an item that feels like I am purchasing at a place less polished than eBay or fashionphile, with no confidence that it really is made by (or “created”by) Italian artisans, the source and quality of the material, no brand presence, how it will hold up over time and whether or not the company will stand behind the product or will be around. A 14 day return policy where buyer takes all risk and still need to undergo the seller approval after return on bags that range around $2-10k is ridiculous for a business operating at this price range for an online business (we are not talking about an established fashion house like Chanel here). That’s a lot of risk on the buyer side on an item priced at premium designer luxury level. i mean it’s over $10k for some do the nicer bags and the description is like 2 sentences of incoherent English as if I’m buying from Alibaba... hard pass... would not mind buying the same style at lower pricepoint if copy cat exist though for sure with decent quality material since I do not see these as “classic”s so it really needs to be priced correctly -> eg not over $10k... maybe under $2k for a brand new non fashion house and non classic designs?

Something very wrong with how the business is planned and ran.. curious to see long term success and survival. I guess there’s nothing impossible if you give them away to bloggers to drive hype, though looking at the policies it seems that the Businss is not running with high cash flow so it should be interesting...

Okay, so my green crocodile clutch doesn’t have crystals, but I only paid about $200-$250 for mine on Vintage Skins. I don’t think it was ever used.

 

[moi et mes sacs]

They are getting popular in uk and are available in harvey Nichols and fenwick

 

[Vanana]

They are getting popular in uk and are available in harvey Nichols and fenwick

That’s good to know they are legit because that website felt suspect
For that price point if it’s in a dept store maybe it’s a better option to buy to take advantage of inspecting in person and also have coverage of return or exchange policy at least

 

[moi et mes sacs]

That’s good to know they are legit because that website felt suspect
For that price point if it’s in a dept store maybe it’s a better option to buy to take advantage of inspecting in person and also have coverage of return or exchange policy at least

Yes I have done research too and it seems very good to me. I haven't spent too long on the website though . There are quite a few reviews

 

[Vanana]

Yes I have done research too and it seems very good to me. I haven't spent too long on the website though . There are quite a few reviews

People in UK must be more able / willing to part with their funds even more than the US northeast because for some reason I’m still cringing at the price for this...especially with all those crystals to have a 14 days return policy... maybe they have a very generous after sale service but for us not from UK it’s a bit of a risk at a high price point :/

 

[A.Ali]

LOL! You did more diligence than I was willing to. Great analysis. I just saw pretty bags and filed them away pending a groundswell of other TPF’rs reporting good experiences over a reasonable period of time.

You bring up critical points for this specific seller (and potential buyers) to consider. Let me broaden the conversation to say that, I feel this way every time a new brand launches with $2000+ bags. I think... “I don’t know you like that”. LOL! Reputation, known quality, exquisite materials, after the sale service, etc. and more are all reasons to pay more for bags. Newbie brands can’t deliver / guarantee me those elements. And of course, there also isn’t the brand cache with a newbie brand (Which I readily admit influences my purchases. Some brands feel special.) So, I’m left puzzled as to how expensive newbie brands think they’ll get thousands out of my and others’ hands. Instagrammers don’t make me jump at anything. Sooooooo.....hmmmm

I did the same thing when I saw it I said it looks nice and that's it. You do bring a good argument and I agree with you if I was going to pay over 2K for a bag I would like to have a reliable return policy. I think only time will tell if this brand will continue or not.

 

[Sparkletastic]

People in UK must be more able / willing to part with their funds even more than the US northeast because for some reason I’m still cringing at the price for this...especially with all those crystals to have a 14 days return policy... maybe they have a very generous after sale service but for us not from UK it’s a bit of a risk at a high price point :/

I’m speaking for the US Midwest and South and we like our money in our pockets as well. LOL!

I did the same thing when I saw it I said it looks nice and that's it. You do bring a good argument and I agree with you if I was going to pay over 2K for a bag I would like to have a reliable return policy. I think only time will tell if this brand will continue or not.

Completely agree. If the brand owners are looking at this thread at all, which they likely aren’t, the main thing they have to change is the return policy. I just don’t buy when I can’t have time to inspect, evaluate and consider. I’m sure many other of their target consumers are like me - I’m busy. I may buy a bag and be away from home on business or for fun for 2 weeks (or longer) immediately after. My priority is NEVER going to be bag shepherding. LOL! So, I need the time to fit in evaluation and potential return of the bag at my leisure.

But, again, I still go back to my larger point. The bags look gorgeous. I really like the ethereal quality of the winged satchels. So fun!! But to drop thousands on an unknown brand? Not gonna happen. What if the wings flake or fall off or...

I still think these are great looking bags. But, some of these bags are more expensive than typical Chanels which I know and love. Better to launch with a tighter collection of more “reasonably” priced but not cheap options (say $1-2k with a few $3k options) with stellar quality and design. Then follow up with a couple of exotics to push the price point up. In a year or two, edge up with even more amazing designs that touch on $2-4K
ish, etc.

If you wow us with quality, design and customer service, we’ll flood you with purchases and you’ll be successful long term. But, I’m not paying you $10k for an exotic, what is it, I gotta like it in 2 weeks bag.

 

[marie132]

The bags look so, so nice but kind of impractical XD and OMGLMAO@the joy bag!! Super cute, but where would I wear it to???

 

[Vanana]

I mean not to sound diminishing, while knowing that I totally sound like I’m criticizing this already (honestly not the intent)

The designs are not special - let’s think about this: butterfly with crystals on a box bag. Let’s dig deep, we really haven’t seen this before? Come on. Rainbows and clouds? Yes we have!!!!
The winning factor here is - this is one of the few where the butterfly doesnt look childish or looks like my husband drew it (he’s really not a great artist by any means... I recall a drawing of a bunny looking exactly like a frog )

So for a design that if not done so well it would have looked gimmicky otherwise, to charge such a premium...

Also we still have many many threads about how people who live in fear or getting chanel custom jewelry because they are afraid of the crystals falling off over time.

These are filled with crystals... and we have 14 days return with no post purchase service backed by a major brand that we know will be around for a long time...

I need to see this reflected in the price or the service/warranty (preferably both) to feel like it justified a fair market value. Then it will sell, and as it sells it will build a brand.

 

[moi et mes sacs]

 

[moi et mes sacs]

Above is my new Ming Ray . I'm delighted. Thnaks for letting me share