Local 'boutique' selling Shein clothes

[dymantisparkelhorniments]

My local independent clothes shop put a post on Instagram showing 2 new pieces they had in. I really like them and went in to have a look. I didn't have time to try on so said I would be back next week.
Here I am mindlessly browsing Shein and lo and behold there are the dresses I had seen earlier for a third of the price
AiBU that a local independent 'boutique' should not be selling Shein clothes or am I out of touch?

Lots of Shein and Temu in shops.

It’s a bit crappy but at the same time I’m assuming you’re aware that they buy from wholesalers for cheaper? That they’re doing all this for a profit?

I might be wrong, but I don’t think it’s necessarily manufactured exclusively for Shein - just churned out by factories in China and then sold almost like commodities.

Alternatively, it could be a different brand that the manufacturer/Shein have copied.

Are they cutting off the Shein label and putting on their own?

They are free to sell whatever they like just as you are free to shop elsewhere. I don't understand your problem with this?

The answer is to ask. WHO supplies you? Check the labels.

If it’s fairtrade, organic, made by a B corp or any other certified ethical mark, it will be on the label and the staff will be able to tell you about it.

A friend owns and independent boutique, and if you ask her about her clothes, she will tell you that she buys direct from the factory in Pakistan, and goes there in person twice a year to choose and place orders. She has shown me photos of inside the factory. If it’s legit they will be open about it.

I’m assuming you’ve never been in shops abroad in tourist areas? All their stock is Temu/shein

Shein is a clothes manufacturer isn't it? So a supplier of clothes to shops,

Can I ask what the dresses are like, ive after a few for summer

You don't have to go abroad for that.

It is called capitalism. Where you exploit others for financial gain. An emotive term but an economic one too.
The country exploits the person making the garment. The shopping outlet exploits the person paying over the trade price for the garment.
The company making the garment makes a profit. The shop makes a profit.
The person buying it is a mug and supporting exploitative manufacturing. Exploitative because the person making the garment earns a teeny tiny amount.

What's the difference between buying from Shein and buying from a different wholesaler?

Why do you think Shein shouldn't be sold in shops?

Surely it shouldn't be sold in shops because we can just cut out the middle man and buy it direct from Shein for less.

But shein and temu are the new ebay just like amazon, traders can be on their websites.

I remember jeez 20 years ago, I attended alot of functions, formals in the military. 3 of my favourite dresses came from ebay via China. Think I paid £30/40 and got lots of comments......whereas others had been to boutiques/monsoon and paid £150+. My daughter very nearly wore one of them at a winter formal 3 years ago but then decided on navy rather than black.

Its a buyers market.

I live in Manchester and this is quite common, especially if you walk around some of the independents in NQ area and Afflecks Palace.

SHEIN now have a feature where you can search with photos you’ve taken- quite eye opening actually! It’s sad because local independents are just wanting to make a living but something about taking an item they’ve purchased for 90p on Shein and reselling for £40 doesn’t sit right with me.

I used to love nipping to independent boutiques but now I find myself searching for the same item on Shein before I purchase to check if I’m being ripped off or not. If it’s only a few quid I will buy to support but it usually is far more than that.

I mostly buy from Shein now the clothes are the same quality than you buy from new look or primark. They have some lovely dresses. So much better than you can buy in the shops now. I don't do fast fashion I keep them for years.

Aren't they allowed to sell SHEIN clothes? Is there some sort of law against it?

Definitely out of touch 🤦🏽‍♀️

The one advantage of buying in shops is you can try it on easily and see it in person.

I don't think you understand how this market works. Shein don't make clothes, they outsource that to thousands of third party manufacturers. Those factories may work with multiple clients at once and sell designs through other wholesalers, like Ali.

Manufacturers might have a base design which more than one buyer can order, resulting in near identical items sold by different brands. Or Shein might commission a design which is supposed to be exclusive but slight tweaks are made by the manufacturer and then they sell it on anyway. There are various ways this can happen.

There's a shop in my local town, as I suspect there probably is in many towns, that sells stuff from Shein that is on trend, so at the moment it's lots of Kpop merchandise and world cup t shirts. I do sometimes wonder why people don't cut out the middle man and go straight to the source where it's probably cheaper, but I suppose it's easier just to pick up a demon hunters hoodie or whatever if you're passing by and see it in the window.

Sheins returns are so easy and free. The reviews are very helpful as people even post pictures wearing the the items they have purchased.

I'm not saying otherwise, but lots of people prefer to try things on in person before spending any money.

You would spend £40 on a dress that's £10 on Shein just because you can try it on first?