I am giving up online shopping for clothes

[Mynameistallullah]

I've fallen for a shitty fashion website which looked legit to me. Prices were too good to be true though which should have been a big old 🚩.

I am usually quite cautious but this looked like orthopedic footwear type stuff. If it had been heavily discounted chanel or something I'd never have fallen for it, but this was comfortable, sensible footwear 🤓, which I needed for work. That's how they got me tbh as I was loath to spend a lot of money on not very attractive, sensible shoes for work...

Got the shipping notification today and noticed they're shipping from China which was another 🚩. Googled reviews and ugh, not good. Looked up their returns policy and also not good. So I'm basically an idiot 😂 😢

Anyway, I've decided I'm not buying from any more online shops. Fuck's sake.

I started another thread earlier and it wouldn't post because it had the name of the shop in the title and it got filtered out, so that's another 🚩

Just posting for a small rant and to declare my abstention from online shopping 🧐

I thought you were going to say that you had given it up because it's shit, which also would have been sensible.

Well yes it is a bit shit. This is an example of how shit it can be I suppose 🤷‍♀️

For the same reason I have stopped buying in Etsy. Bought what looked like nice amber earrings from a shop in a Baltic country. After 2 weeks one of them fell apart, the shop owner refused a replacement or a refund and only wanted to sell me a repair kit. When I didn’t agree she turned nasty very quickly. Annoyingly I’d given her a 5 star review as they looked good on arrival. Could not go back in to correct that ( I believe this is purposeful and built in to the website by Etsy). She’s still trading with lots of 5 star reviews.

I've had some absocrap off Etsy too. Sigh. It's annoying as i always think I can spot tat, but I fell for this one. I'm too wary now so just will shop in person wherever possible.

That was meant to say absolute crap, but I quite like the portmanteau of absocrap, so I'm leaving it 😂

Just have minimal expectations. Gave hit lots of good value stuff, some crao, but just price that in as the stuff in shops is too boring snd a waste of my time to schlep around shops when I could be going more interesting things.

I guess minimal expectations are OK if you can return the items reasonably easily, but I'm peeved I now have to ship these things (when they clearly customs and arrive ) back to China and then lose 15% in restocking fees. Pfft. I'm stropping here 😂

When I shop online I first check the returns policy. If it’s too complicated or expensive, I don’t buy. I don’t mind the delivery charges, as I reckon it’d cost more to park in town or take the train, but returns expense and faff are off putting.

Also when buying off eBay I narrow down to shipping from UK only.

I never buy shoes online anymore as need to try on and feel material, similar with clothes too now. I see a lot of bargainous stuff but too scared to take the plunge! Can you email to cancel the order and get a refund at all @Mynameistallullah?

I'm loving the absocrap portmanteau and thought it was intentional! I will use it going forward. I think you've just invented a new word. It happened on MN and don't noone forget it....

I am away in The Netherlands at the minute. Amazing how different the high street is here. Busy, loads of quality clothes shops, lots of choice, people shopping, sitting outside cafes, cycling in to meet each other.

We have definitely ‘lost something’ in the quest for ever cheaper fast, online fashion.

Just to add, I buy Blowfish sandals and once saw what I thought was a real bargain pair on ebay, ordered it and it felt completely different, very cheap and quite possibly fake. I did manage to get a refund on that but that was a lesson learnt to only buy in store or from the actual store website.

I never buy anything online, which probably makes me a dinosaur! Anyway, I like looking at the clothes and shoes and trying them on. Like pp I want to look at the fabric, stitching etc.
If I buy shoes from Clarks or trousers from John Lewis, it'll be a bit more expensive, but they'll be a good product.

Online shopping has loads to offer. Like anything, buying from trusted brands

I often shop online for clothes. Mostly because we live rurally and I am very busy with work and family, so rarely have a day I can devote to clothes shopping.

Also, when I do make it into London or Cambridge (our two closest cities) I'd much, much rather see a play or exhibition, meet a friend for lunch or potter about book and other lovely shops than hoof about trying on endless clothes.

That having been said, I do sometimes enjoy a wander when I've got a free afternoon, and would never shop for shoes or boots online. I'm looking forward to half a day shoe shopping this half term.

I only buy online from retailers like John Lewis with great customer service and have never had an issue with quality or returns.

They've shipped it annoyingly . It will just take time to clear customs.

It was a £50 mistake, but I'm more or less resigned to not getting my money back. Annoying, but could've been worse I suppose.

I go to art galleries and see plays too.
I don't "hoof about", but if I'm spending £££ on clothes, I like to check them out first 🙄.

It's easily done, OP. Some of the marketing is clever, and understandably you wanted work shoes at a bargain price!
As you say, it could have been a lot worse. Have you tried Hotter or Pavers? Functional, comfy shoes, not glamorous, not cheap but they often have sales.

But I'm glad you enjoyed absocrap 😂

Should explain that according to someone else's review they took 2 months to arrive and you need to get them back within 90 days to be "considered" for a refund. So don't think I'll honestly bother as don't want to lose more money on the shipping.

Thanks @ClaudineMallory I'll try there.

I live near enough to London that it isn't a massive ordeal to get there, so I'm happy to shop there rather than or see plays or galleries (although I like those too). Could have seen a play with that £50! Humph

@Mynameistallullah 😃absolutely! You could have seen a play with the lost money, or perhaps listened to a string quartet! 😂
Never mind. A big shopping centre will have Hotter or Pavers. Skechers do a black "work shoe" version in their range, which isn't particularly stylish, but very comfy and durable.

Buying 'used' on eBay or other pre-loved sites is a pretty good indicator that something is genuine article. I buy all our family's clothing and footwear second hand (including in charity shops) and have never had to endure the ignominy of being scammed in this way. I can highly recommend it -people sell things hardly worn, well taken care of and beautifully presented. All shipped from the UK if you filter for that. Easy peasy.

Buying second hand also side-steps the issues inherent in the garment industry concerning resource intensive manufacturing processes, pollution and carbon emissions.

Thanks @TheCentreCannotHold. I do get dresses and jeans from vinted but seem to have bad luck with shoes on there...bad fit or stinky despite being "worn once indoors" or whatever. But charity shops are a good shout actually as you can see them there and try them on 👍

I had that experience with a scam website, OP, and when the absocrap clothes arrived, and they refused to pay for return postage even though they were in breach of trading standards, my bank refunded me all the money. So it would be worth trying that route. Keep all your correspondence with the company as evidence.

I still do buy things online, but only with free (or reasonable) returns, and if there's a clear contact number on the website.

Yes, I think shoes are so particular, you do have to try them on.

If it's not a major website (M&S,Amazon etc) then I always put it into trust pilot first.
Some people ask on here as well.
Etsy is so risky nowadays. It's a shame.