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.