Latest news with #Snaffle
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Primark's 'sleek' £10 handbag 'so similar' to £2,300 Gucci version
Primark's bag looks strikingly similar to a designer version, but it's much more affordable Primark is stocking a "sleek" saddle bag that could easily pass for a pricier alternative. Known for its affordable styles, the high street retailer could have just the thing for designer fashion fans on a budget. Primark's Snaffle Buckle Saddle Crossbody Bag looks similar to a style by luxury brand Gucci, but it's a fraction of the cost. While Primark's bag is priced at £10, Gucci's Horsebit 1955 leather saddle bag is currently available for £2,290 at Harvey Nichols. The bags look very similar as they're both black and share the same saddle bag shape, with similar gold hardware that resembles a horsebit. Both designs have sleek straps, and the finish looks similar. However, Primark's bag is made from polyurethane, which only looks like leather, while Gucci's luxury offering is crafted from leather. It's also worth noting that the Gucci buckle appears to be shorter and thicker than Primark's version. The product description for the Primark bag reads: "Make any outfit pop with this black saddle crossbody bag. The sleek design features a gold-toned snaffle bit buckle for an equestrian-inspired touch. "With its adjustable strap, you can wear it at just the right length, while the flap closure keeps your belongings safe. Team it with a blazer and straight-leg trousers for work, or pair it with your favourite jumper dress for shopping trips with friends." The product description for the Gucci bag reads: "The details on Gucci's Horsebit 1955 bag speaks of the label's rich heritage and unparalleled craftsmanship. A sophisticated style to slip over your shoulder, it's cut from leather to a saddle silhouette and is adorned with the house's equine-inspired horsebit embellishment in gilded hardware." Despite some differences, Primark's take on the saddle bag trend could delight Gucci fans who love the luxury Italian brand's bag, but prefer the more affordable price. Alternatively, fashion fans looking for a saddle bag might prefer Charles and Keith's £79 Gabine Saddle Bag. While you wouldn't mistake the bag for the Gucci style or Primark alternative, it does have a similar silhouette and gold buckle. As such, you could likely style it with any outfit you'd use the other bags for, and it would have a similar overall effect. The bag is made from faux leather. The product description for the Charles and Keith bag reads: "Our coveted Gabine saddle bag is back in an array of brand new colourways. "The signature black piece, featuring the much-loved classic curved-bottom silhouette and gold-tone buckle accent, is once again designed to be worn and displayed. "Roomy enough to hold your daily essentials, this medium-sized gem has a short shoulder strap, plus a longer one that can be detached and adjusted for maximum carrying versatility. It will also put the perfect finishing touch on any outfit from casual off-duty fits, date nights to special occasions."
Sky News AU
22-05-2025
- Business
- Sky News AU
Snaffle sued by ASIC for allegedly inflating prices, overcharging customers hundreds of dollars on tech, home goods
An Aussie online store is being sued for allegedly inflating prices and overcharging customers that were making repayments on household items and tech goods. Join to watch the full interview with ASIC on its decision to sue Snaffle from 4.30pm. Online retailer Snaffle, that offers consumers credit payments, is being taken to court by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission for allegedly boosting the price of goods by circumventing the cap on interest repayments. Australia has a 48 per cent annual repayment cap on credit contracts used to purchase goods and pay them off over time. The corporate watchdog alleges Snaffle added arbitrary charges on top of its interest rate including mark ups, a profit margin and a delivery fee which the company never actually incurred. ASIC claims this allowed Snaffle to charge interest rates of between 60 and 103 per cent. It alleges Snaffle was able to breach the cap by purchasing goods through its parent company Walker Stores before reselling them to other entities it was linked with to increase the price. Snaffle would then sell the good to customers with interest added on top of the already inflated price, according to ASIC. The watchdog also claims Snaffle incorrectly applied a flat interest rate for the whole time customers made repayments on more than 40,000 credit contracts instead of calculating the interest on the unpaid balance. Under Australia's National Credit Code, a company is required to reduce the interest over time as loan is repaid. Snaffle is also being sued for allegedly failing to properly disclose the real cash price of the goods advertised on its website or the amount of credit it was providing shoppers. The company's website shows consumers a low weekly price they can pay, alongside the upfront price, but does not tell shoppers the total cost of the repayments. ASIC Deputy Chair Sarah Court said the watchdog took this alleged conduct very seriously and warranted legal action. 'We're taking this to court because we do think this is egregious conduct,' Ms Court told reporters on Thursday. 'We know that consumers are facing enormous living costs. That is well understood.' Ms Court also said the customers who were allegedly overcharged by Snaffle were those struggling with price pressures, making the smaller charges over a long period of time more attractive. 'If they could afford to pay for these goods up front they'd be paying a whole lot less than they're paying under these contracts,' Ms Court said. 'Our concern is that in all of those circumstances artificially inflating the base price and then adding significant interest charges on top is simply charging consumers in this hostile living environment things that they should not have to pay, things that we allege are breaking the law.' ASIC outlined three cases of the alleged overcharging by Snaffle. Some shoppers who chose to enter credit contracts to purchase a 7.5kg front loading washing machine, which retailed for $477, ended up paying $1,549 over three years. This was $648 more than they should have for this product, ASIC alleges. Similarly, consumers who purchased a 315L fridge, with a retail value of $797, paid up to $835 more than they should have and shoppers who paid off a $1,487 iPhone over three years paid up to $1,433 more, ASIC argues.
