Junior public relations major in COM, Alex Shadrow has started quite the successful project. Her creation, BUtique, is a forum for Boston University (BU) students to buy and sell their clothing and other items online. What started as a Facebook group is now a three-part budding network with a following that grows every day. Although the site is meant for female college students, Shadrow is hoping to one day open the site up for male students as well.
Shadrow explains, “It’s cool because you don’t have to leave campus. You know that you’re getting an item from somebody that you know or that you can see their Facebook, so it’s not scary like Craigslist.”
BUtique brings buyers and sellers together in a way that is simple and convenient. Shadrow states, “The whole point of BUtique is to go and meet somebody and get the clothing from them. You’re not just getting it from the internet shipped to your door, you get to try this on.”
There are three components of BUtique. The BUtique Facebook group is the main site where buying and selling occurs, which is home to over one thousand members. The BUtique Twitter account is another place where buyers and sellers can interact, which has about 130 followers. And then there is the BUtique Facebook page, created this past September, where people can “like” the page and receive updates on the project’s success, special offers, and view the overall information on BUtique.
Since its creation in March of 2012, BUtique has experienced a huge boost of success, specifically this fall.
“As of right now the forum is extremely successful. I had around 800 people join during the first weeks of school,” says Shadrow. “It really picked up in September. As of right now we have 1,000 people in the group and there’s around fifteen to twenty items uploaded every day.”
What is most impressive about BUtique is Shadrow runs the entire project by herself. When asked if she has or wants any help with the project, Shadrow says she likes to do it alone and has a lot of ideas for expanding BUtique.
She comments, “I’m working on creating an actual website with two BU communication professors, but we’re definitely in the beginning stage of that.”
Shadrow tells us she tries things on from BUtique all the time. This is one of the main reasons she created the business.
“I came up with the idea because I was thinking about how I really wanted something like that to exist. Honestly, I made it for myself,” explains Shadrow.
College students always have themed parties and events that require outfit pieces they wouldn’t normally wear again. That is where BUtique comes in handy. A person can buy an item, wear it once, and then sell it on BUtique.
[pagebreak]
Shadrow states, “I am always trying to get outfits together for parties, and those are the ones I think really inspired me to create BUtique. I’m always looking for eclectic pieces I don’t have, just to buy one time, that maybe somebody’s getting rid of.”
BUtique is a way to reach into someone else’s closet and explore their clothing. Sometimes girls want to borrow items from their friends, and this is another way to do just that- but with many more options!
“You can be online at 5 p.m. on a Friday on BUtique, text a girl, and get our outfit for the night from Stuvi within 5 minutes- that’s the coolest thing about BUtique,” says Shadrow.
However, BUtique is not only meant for cheap party clothes. The forum is also a place where expensive designer brands are exchanged.
“The majority of the site is middle to upscale items, but there is definitely a large amount of ‘party clothes’ perfect for themed parties, one time wear, and of course upcoming Halloween,” Shadrow states. “It’s definitely not just for parties though. I personally sold a gorgeous Marc Jacobs bag through the site, and used the cash to buy a couple pairs of brand name jeans from the site as well.”
For those of you interested in joining BUtique’s buying and selling circle, it’s a very simple process. Request to join BUtique’s Facebook group, Shadrow will approve your request within the hour, and you’re ready to begin!
“If you want to buy something become a member of our group and check out the pictures. If you like something contact the person who posted it and meet up with them. It’s that easy,” explains Shadrow.
In terms of selling an item, Shadrow instructs, “Take a picture of the item, upload it, and write the size and how much you’re selling it for. Oftentimes I encourage people to tell how much they bought it for so people know what kind of a discount they’re getting and the condition it’s in.”
Since Shadrow is not gaining profits from BUtique’s transactions, she is not responsible for any exchanges or returns that might occur.
She comments, “BUtique is not technically facilitating the transaction, we’re just bringing buyers and sellers together. We’re not responsible for a product that you don’t like.”
Shadrow personally approves all requests to join the Facebook group, ensuring that all members are BU students.
“I really like the approval process because I do personally check to make sure that it’s not somebody completely random. I really like the fact that you can see them on Facebook,” she states.
Shadrow has big plans for the future of BUtique, which she prefers to keep secret for now. Make sure you follow BUtique on Twitter for updates and offers, like BUtique on Facebook, and if you’re interested in buying or selling join the BUtique Facebook group!
BUtique Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BUtique2012
BUtique Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/BUtiqueGirl
BUtique Twitter: https://twitter.com/BUtique12