Buying online when there is a no return policy - updated photo - YouLookFab Forum

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Buying online when there is a no return policy - updated photo

Bijou

Veteran

Buying online is tricky, yet here I have gone again...

The upside is - access to items that otherwise I would never see and the possibility of a good discount. For me, online shopping has been hit and miss. Purchasing from Australia, we generally don't get free shipping, often it will cost up to $US40.

I was lured by a Black Friday sale to buy two items, sight unseen by Kate Spade, a good discount plus free international shipping, sealed the deal. Essentially I got a free dress for the price I would normally have paid locally for the Kate Spade bag.

Purchased - Night Rose Crepe Dress
Ink blue satchel

The satchel was a easy pick, same style as my lilac satchel, which is a perfect style and weight for me. I have been looking for a dark blue / ink bag for a while. So this one, at a significantly reduced price, is a winner for me. I have lots of clothing that will act as a complement for this bag.

Now the dress was more problematic. With a no return policy, if it did not fit, I would have completely wasted my money. On the other hand, the style looked pretty forgiving for my figure, being only fitted on the waist, so I went with a size 4 and hoped for the best.

The verdict - The dress is beautiful quality polyester. It is unlined, but the fabric is sort of self lined.
The fit - well it fits, I can wear it.

To be honest, when I first put it on and looked in the mirror, I was a bit disappointed. I possibly could have sized down, but then I risked the very real possibility that the entire dress would not fit at all. If I had been able to try it on in store, it likely would not have come home with me. However, I have it now and it is a great colour and being a little roomy makes it very comfortable. I have worn it once since buying, so I can see this being an item that will be useful.

So - how do you fare with these sorts of "great" discounts and are you tempted to buy?

First two finds - the dress and bag
The rest - my blue / ink complement

Updated with photo, worn again and liked it a bit better the second time. Hope it does not look too frumpy.

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Shopping

27 replies

Latest reply was from Angie

jussie

Veteran

The bag is beautiful, and your ink complement is looking fab. I know your pain! I mainly shop b & m, which is tough because I see much better clothing online! Sometimes I crack and order from anthro because there’s really no local equivalent and it’s worth the risk occasionally ;).

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I’m such a tough fit that I won’t buy online unless returns are part of the deal. Preferably free returns. And especially not a dress. But handbags and jewelry I’ll risk.

Kathie

Veteran

I admire your courageousness. I’ve never bought something that can’t be returned. Gorgeous bag, and the dress is very much your style. Could you have it altered to fit a bit better?

Brooklyn

Veteran

I’ve bought from Gilt, which has a no returns policy for Australia, but only handbags and jewellery. I wouldn’t risk clothing unless I had tried it on before or it was something with a very easy fit (eg something like a Free People sweater or tee). Not a dress, skirt, jacket or jeans. Too risky for me!

I admit to being envious of the free delivery and returns policy that Americans enjoy with most retailers. That’s hard to come by here, even with local retailers. But it’s good for my budget

The handbag and dress look perfect for you. Could you have the dress altered to fit better?

Anonymous

The satchel is gorgeous. Your blue/navy complement is developing really nicely. The very concept of complements is genius.

The dress is gorgeous and I am so sorry you are disappointed. Is the dress oversized all over? Could you possibly have it altered to fit you better?

I do more than 95 percent of my shopping online. I do live in the United States so I have it easier than a lot of other women. I know this and I appreciate this. Here is the thing. I am weird about shipping fees. I won't pay them. I always feel that if a merchant is asking me to pay for shipping, there is a better garment out there for me. I just have to look some more.

Last year I used eBay to some extent. No returns on those items. I shopped carefully (like you did) and I accepted the fact that a percentage of the items were not perfect for me. But it was a gamble I was willing to take because I had so much overall success. I no longer shop eBay because I am having I can no longer confidently guess my size.

Bijou

Veteran

Ladies that you for the support and yes, I will try to steer clear of buying "no return" dresses in the future.

Possibly I could have it cut into a more pencil shape, taper in the top and have the sleeves narrowed, but I will wear it and see if it grows on me. It is probably YFE and does not warrant a complete overhaul. I risk spending a lot on alterations and still not loving it, possibly ruining the dress.

I did wear it again today, had to pop out to visit a friend and wore it and felt happier in it. I think my initial expectations were too high.

cindysmith

Veteran

I generally hate returns. Like, I hate them so badly that I just won't do it, whether online or b&m. I've gotten fairly good at reading size charts and garment measurements, so I don't usually have many problems with online shopping, and I tend to stick to the same websites so I don't have too much guesswork.

Love your bag, that's a score either way. If you don't love the dress, maybe try consigning it. You said you basically got the dress and bag for the same money you'd have spent on just the bag, so consigning it will return some of the cash to you, which will still be a discount on the bag.

SarahD8

Veteran

With the caveat that I generally prefer a fluid fit on most items, I think the dress looks great on you! I really don't see fit problems but I'm not sure which particular bits are bugging you.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Popped back in to see the photo, and it looks pretty darn good on you from what I can tell. Better than JFE. Perhaps a small alteration if there is a problematic spot where you could use a little more structure for fit would be inexpensive and help it feel more right.

jussie

Veteran

It looks good to my eyes. I like the pearls too .

Lesley

Veteran

I like this dress! If it feels too roomy, you can always have it taken in, no? It's hard to see the fit in the photo but it looks like it fits well.

On the one hand, I was going to say that I never buy if there's a no-return policy. Never never. But in the interest of being honest, I broke my rule once. It was a pair of shoes from Etsy. I had this feeling they were going to be perfect and fit perfectly, since I traced my foot and compared it with the sizing on the site, and I think they might have actually been technically returnable but with some big restocking/shipping fees, since they shipped to the States from Indonesia. So I took a chance. And guess what? They were freaking perfect. At the time I said to myself, "This changes everything!" but it didn't really, because I'm very aware that I got lucky this time, but it could have ended badly. Um, but they are my favorite summer sandals. Hmm, I'm not really making my case for never doing it, am I?

Anonymous

I understand your logic- you basically get a free dress by buying the bag online. Makes sense to me as the bag is very low-risk

I like this dress but can’t really see the fit issues. I’m glad you’re getting used to it. Seems like a good dress for work—and a little fun with the bell sleeves.

Joyce B

Veteran

I agree with what Janet said about a little bit of alteration. The dress is beautiful on you but you have a lovely figure and I think the fit can be adjusted to look better.
The handbag was a fab purchase.
As for me, I never buy items that I cannot return, even if I see them in person. What if they are not up to par in quality, or if they do not work for my wardrobe? I just will not take a chance although I know that you can get great pieces on a final sale.

Bijou

Veteran

The dress does fit OK - I just feel that it makes me look big around the hips and I don't fill out the top, typical "pear-shaped issues". Having it altered to get a more flattering fit is a good idea.

Cindy - yes consignment is an option.

SarahD8 - yes the fit is probably fine and the fact that it is a bit lose does add to the comfort factor.

Janet - Yes, I think a tapering the skirt would help, so a good suggestion.

Jussie - thank you - glad you like the pearls.

Lesley - so great that your shoes worked out perfectly.

Smittie - yes, this is a good dress for work, so I will wear it. Glad that my very unsound logic kind of makes sense!

JoyceB - very wise to not buy items that cannot be returned. I think I have learned my lesson.

JAileen

Veteran

I think the dress looks very nice. The bag purchase was a slam dunk. I have a couple dark blue bags and love them. I’ve been using my guitar strap Sak bag almost nonstop since I bought it.

I try to only buy from places with free returns, or where I can return in person. Whenever I’ve broken my rule I’ve regretted it. I definitely wouldn’t buy something that might not fit, without the possibility of returns. Right now my dining table is covered with piles of things. Some are definite returns, others are maybes. I have several more purchases to be delivered. I’ve been buying some pink things - belts, sandals, sneakers.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

My dear, Bijou. I can't see from the photo where the lovely dress does not fit. Can you have it taken in?

Vanessa

I don't think I would purchase online if returns are possible.

Brooklyn

Veteran

The dress looks great Bijou. I really like it on you. I think the flared sleeves balance out the flared skirt nicely. Is it a little big around the waist and upper hips? Maybe some strategic darts at the back would help?

Suz

(website)

Veteran

The bag is gorgeous and I think the dress looks great! I can't see where it needs alteration but if it does, then that seems worth it...

Kate

Veteran

I think the dress looks beautiful on you. I can't tell where it doesn't fit, but perhaps an alteration can make you happier with it.

Joy

Veteran

I usually never buy online if I can’t return to a local brick and mortar store, but if I did, it would be to size up to allow for alterations if needed. A good seamstress can practically remake a garment. I like the dress on you and see no problems. You could wear it with either of your scarves in Finds. I like the idea of the last one with the white background and white footwear for spring.

Sal

Veteran

Your navy complement is really lovely!!

I have done so - mostly on TradeMe/Ebay where I think I can resell for a similar value. And I have with Etsy too.

I am not much of an online shopper though - last year I added one pair of boots online, three tees, leggings - this year one blazer. I tend to stick to retailers I am pretty familiar with - in my case Witchery and Merchant/Overland for shoes.

However I do a lot of online shopping for work - mostly from the US, Australia and recently Israel. I am becoming an expert in shipping and exporting codes, and dealing with freight forwarders.

Elizabeth P

Veteran

I'd say you took a gamble that paid off. They might not always, but that's what makes it a gamble, right? The dress looks great to me, and I second (third, fourth...) those that suggested a slight alteration if you really aren't happy with a particular spot.

Bijou

Veteran

Thanks for the comments and glad that the dress is OK, I will investigate what my alteration options are. The sad thing is the dress is incredibly well made. The seams etc are beautifully finished, so I am not sure whether to leave it, because potentially I could ruin it.

I have learned a lesson not to buy things that have a "no return policy" except for items that I have seen in person. It was a gamble that partially paid off, I do love the blue satchel, but I knew that would be a winner, because I love the lilac version.

I must say Kate Spade's service was outstanding. The package was delivered across the world in less than a week, the dress and bag were in pristine condition and beautifully packaged so that the dress was uncrushed straight out of the box.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

YAY for excellent service. And where is the dress too big?

Bijou

Veteran

Angie - thank you for checking back in, the dress seems too big on the top, my bust does not fill it out. I also would prefer a narrower sleeve and a more streamlined shape to the skirt. I have another dress that has a similar shape (in finds below), but it is a bit more structured and in a heavy fabric and I was hoping that the Kate Spade dress would be the same.

Given changing all of the above is likely to be a major rework and if I change the torso of the dress and not the sleeve, it may look weird. I am wondering if I should just wear the dress as is, and see if I get used to it. Obviously I am not someone who likes to change up their silhouette too much - on team colour all the way!

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Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I hear you, Bijou. Fluid Frock!