Shopping online - what you need to know

Sometimes, you have to make mistakes to truly learn something. If only that wasn't the case, hey. The recent shopping disaster I had (see Shopping online: a woeful story) has done exactly that. A few important lessons were learnt - or rather, painfully remembered - for next time I decide to click 'add to basket'...

To help prevent you making the same mistakes, here are 5 essential tips for stress-free online shopping.

1. Whatever you do, don't take sizing at face value.

Image:123.rf

If you're petite, size 'small' is small right? If you're usually a medium, surely you'll be fine ordering a size 12 or 14? Wrong. Sizing does not equate to what we're used to 'normally'. This is true when shopping generally - it has been proven that sizing in high street shops can differ by up to 3 inches depending on where you go. But when ordering online, the matter becomes worse since you can't physically see the item, or indeed try it on.

The solution? Always check what a a size S/M/L actually means in inches or centimetres. Get out your measuring tape. Likewise size 6,8,10,12 etc.

It will save you the stress of when your dress arrives and you look like Nelly the Elephant in a bin bag.

2. Do your research before clicking 'proceed to check out'

Image: Blackballononline

Okay. Bit of an obvious one this. But when lured by '70% off all items' deals (as I was) we can often forget the need to check out the company. How long have they been going for? What are people saying about them on-line? What's the quality like of the clothing? Do your homework and you won't be left with below-par items that make you wish you had invested elsewhere.

3. And check the return T&C - always

In the event that you do need to return items, you want this to be as easy and cheap as possible. If ordering from the UK, be especially wary of global companies that only have a warehouse in America or China. If the shipping isn't free, the cost is likely to be high. Especially if you order 3kg of clothes as I did (never again). ASOS are the winner when it comes to this, offering free delivery and providing all the details you need within the package itself.

So, check online or call up about returns before you order. Even if you're sure you won't want to return that gorgeous dress, the peace of mind you get from checking before is priceless (in some cases, literally).

4. Ask yourself: would you buy in store?

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At times, the ease of clicking 'add to basket' for anything that catches our eye can be, well, all too easy. Especially when items are reduced 'for a limited time only' and when we see the flashing label 'stock low'. Cue sub-concious panic that we should get it - or miss out.

But before thinking this, ask yourself one thing: if you saw it in store, at the full price, would you still consider buying it? If the answer is a definite no, chances are you don't really like it.

5, And finally: compare 

Sometimes, shopping on-line has its advantages. Found a red clutch bag handbag? The internet allows you to easily compare if there's a nicer one out there, or one where you can get more bang for your buck. Shopstyle is amazing for this, allowing you to search for uber-specific items and compare them, all at a glance.

Warning: chronic procrastination may proceed.

Image: viktorialove

Shopping online: a woeful story

E-commerce has lifted off massively in the past 10 years. Giants Amazon and Asos are dominating the market. Indeed, logging on and clicking 'add to basket' can be a very convenient option, especially with items such as books or home-ware. But what about shopping on-line for clothes, shoes and other items to be worn? It's a risky playing field. Let me explain....

As an extended January sale, a particular on-line retailer was promoting a 70% discount on all items. I hadn't used hem before but why not push out the boat and how on earth could I resist when seeing the beautiful clothes reduced that much? This is too good to be true, I thought. It's my lucky day, I thought.

Flicking through the gorgeous clothes, I felt like a kid in a sweet shop - yep, yep, oh and that too please. After purchasing an eye-watering amount (all in the name of a 'sale'), I eagerly anticipated the items arriving.

Image: expatliving.sg

After what seemed like forever, the package finally arrived. How can I describe the next moments? My mood went from excitement to sheer despair. As someone naturally petite but tall, the sizing was horrendous. 'Small' seemed to equate to the height and frame of a child whilst the handbag I ordered was equally miniature - more like a Kleenex tissue box, than a normal sized handbag (at this point I was so close to tears I could really have done with a Kleenex box). The quality was also near to tissue.

Sigh. I'll have to send it back. I should have known. It was a hassle but after asking the porters for a box, I fitted everything back and followed the instructions online.

I then saw in small-print that return post and packaging would not be provided. Fast-forward the shock of my life when the lady in the post-office informed me that shipping 2+kg to the US would cost me £45.

Image:conversation.which

I blacked out.

Okay. Not really. But it was a horrible moment.

So where are the clothes now? In my cupboard, hidden away. Perhaps I will return them if I can suck up spending a ridiculous amount on what is essentially people lifting a package to get it from A to B. Or customise them. Or, alternatively, keep them as a sore reminder of the risks you take when shopping on-line from a retailer that isn't Asos, Bohoo or physical outlet as well as selling on-line.

As a student with very little free time, it is often easier to shop online and get the items delivered straight to your door. However, convenience really can be your worst enemy when it comes to fashion. This blog is all about bringing fun into fashion. But as the anecdote shows, on-line shopping can be anything but fun.

Woe is life.

Now excuse me while I go find a real box of Kleenex.