Aspinal of London - Reviews and experiences

the strap is much shorter than stated and it doesn’t work if you’re any bigger than a UK 8. I sent that one back (tracking shows they got it a day after I posted it) and ordered a different style which actually arrived and is fine for my daily commute and quick grocery runs. So product-wise, one bag works, one didn’t. The real problem has been the refunds process. I’ve been stuck in this loop of automated replies telling me to wait “10 business days” — over and over — and it’s now well past that. It’s a small brand blip that feels sloppy for a place with a decent name. I liked the replacement, but the customer service/returns side needs sorting; that part left me frustrated rather than reassured.

I was pretty taken the moment I opened the little box my husband gave me. The Mother of Pearl feels cool and smooth in the hand. It’s light but solid, the hinge clicks nicely and the pattern on the lid catches the light in a way that makes me want to turn it over, again and again. Inside, though, there was a slightly discoloured patch on the lid lining. I emailed on Boxing Day to ask if that’s normal and sent a photo. That kicked off a long back-and-forth involving automated replies, a handful of reminders from me, and eventually a return form that wouldn’t submit — no matter how many times I tried. It was frustrating, and I admit I was annoyed; customer service took their time and the process felt overly complicated for international returns. Still, I use the box every morning for my vitamins because it’s just lovely to hold. I’ve had smoother return experiences elsewhere, so that left a bit of a sour note. But as an object, it’s beautiful and practical, and I keep going back to it even with the memory of the hassle.