Leather as it's meant to be

The intended customers are people who look for products with the natural texture of cowhide leather and do not care much about the perfect look in branded leather goods.

His brand Bagspace makes that clear on its website and at its petite showroom. Prospective customers are notified of “10 reasons you should not buy from Bagspace”. 

For example, Bagspace bags have the natural flaws of leather, and unlike luxury leather products, they come with prominent seams, uneven colour and imperfect texture. In short, they are not for people who look for neat leather products of premium quality.

Bagspace products are mainly made of three kinds of material – collected leather, oiled (aniline) leather, and nubuck – top-grain cattle leather that has been sanded or buffed to give a slight nap of short protein fibres, producing a velvet-like surface. 

Its leather products include briefcases, shoulder bags, backpacks, wallets, key holders and caps. Prices range from less than Bt1,000 for smaller products to Bt9,000 for larger leather briefcases.

His company’s small team of designers is responsible for the product designing – with the focus on simplicity – and some designs are also made by the factories employed by his company.

Bagspace began selling its products through Facebook two years ago. Now the main channel for its prospective buyers is through its website Bagspace.in.th. 

Distribution and marketing are done mostly online. A small team of staff interacts with interested Web visitors through live chats during office hours and prospective customers can leave their phone numbers or email addresses after office hours.

In addition to still photos of the products, the website also provides links to videos of mostly Bagspace bags on YouTube. The plan is to have videos for all the products, according to Pakorn. 

Customers’ reviews of products are also featured on the brand’s site. Encouraged by a reward programme, customers give comments as to what they like and dislike about the products they’ve bought and what improvements should be done.

A uniform price is guaranteed for customers throughout the country, and not even those who buy at the showroom get a discount, according to the website. Customers get a six-month warranty and there is repair service, with a fee, after the warranty expires.

Its warehouse-cum-showroom in Soi Lat Phrao 94, near the Siwara intersection, is Bagspace’s only physical store. It is open from 1 to 7pm on weekdays and 11am to 4.30 on Saturdays and Sundays.

Bagspace focuses on men, although certain products are unisex, such as iPhone cases and some shoulder bags.

Pakorn says there is no plan for Bagspace to sell women’s bags because he wants the brand to be associated with men’s gear. “This is our brand’s selling point,” says Pakorn, who is general manager of AP Maverick Co (he’s the P in the company’s name).

The young entrepreneur, who is in his late 20s and graduated with a degree in finance, says men should have at least three bags for different occasions – a small shoulder bag for everyday use, a larger messenger’s bag for travel, and a formal briefcase for work. He jokes that he hopes the approach will help Bagspace get more customers.

 

BAG IT UP

<< Visit www.BagSpace.in.th. 

<< Call (02) 934 4672 or (080) 810 0800.