These days, online shopping is taking over the fashion industry. Consumers are more apt to shop online than travel to the retail location of their favorite brand. Being able to lay in bed, eat some snacks, and search literally anything you want… what better way to get clothing, right? You don’t have to do anything except move a few fingers to complete the order and it’s mailed right to your doorstep. But do you always know what and where you are getting your clothing from? Here are some struggles about ordering clothing online.
1.Beware of Knock-Off Clothing Sites
If anyone has any type of social media; Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, etc. I’m sure you see ads every day of clothes that come from websites that you’ve probably never heard of before. The websites seem to be legitimate when you’re on them and the pictures look real. They usually have really cheap deals and sales. But, did you ever notice the same photos on various other clothing websites?
2. It Looks Awful On You
I’m sure while ordering online, we’ve all come across something that looks super cute online, but when we receive it in person it’s either hideous on you or doesn’t fit. Now you have to deal with a variety of issues; shipping it back, paying fees, seeing if there’s a store you can return it to, final sale and nonreturnable clothing, deciding whether to keep it and get it tailored, or even try to re-sell it. Something that was so easy to get now turns into many obstacles if you end up not liking it when you receive it.
3. Not What You Ordered
Have you ever ordered something and received something that looks completely different from the picture? Maybe it was a different material, color, or size. From my own personal experience, one time I ordered this really cute top that looked full-length on the model, but when I received it in the mail it fit more as a crop top and was a lot more revealing. Why do they even put a photo of the clothing if that’s not how it looks exactly? Hmm…
4.Those Horrible Shipping Fees
Shipping and handling are sometimes free when you order clothes offline, especially when you spend a certain amount of money. For instance free shipping on all orders over $50.00. How great right? Depending on where the item is being shipped to and from and how fast you may need the item, shipping can be very costly. Whereas in a store there are no extra fees that go along with your purchase. You also have to consider if you need to ship the clothing back because if for whatever reason, you didn’t like it. Sometimes the shipping fee to send it back is more than you paid for it in the first place. Ridiculous right?
5. Do You Really Need It?
Do you even really need everything you ever buy? Most clothing shopping experiences are from wanting something new or impulsive buying. Who likes to buy themselves something new and pretty when you’re sad? Everyone’s hand should be raised. This can happen in stores as well but consumers are more apt to impulse buy online since it is so easily accessible. Next time you decide you want to order some cute new top, make sure you do your research about the company, where it’s coming from, all prices involved from ordering it to the cost if you need to return, and most of all, is this a necessity and worth the possible obstacles that may occur from ordering it. Most importantly make sure you will slay in it!