Do you have high hopes when you order online? - YouLookFab Forum

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Do you have high hopes when you order online?

catgirl

Veteran

I am realizing I need to stop being so vested in items I order online! So many of them just don't work out. And then I am sorely disappointed. This DKNY dress is a case in point - I am secretly counting on it working to solve my dress problem and have stopped looking for other options, but that is FOOLISH, I know.

I was just explaining this to my family, as husband and son were complaining that I buy my own stuff before they can get me presents. I told them it's because I hardly keep anything, and it would be sad to return a present from them. Instead, I asked for a Fitbit, which I know will work.

Do you count your chickens before they are hatched? If not, how do you stop yourself?

Shopping

31 replies

Latest reply was from VenusCow

Diana

Veteran

Ha, I think I used to, but now after ordering and returning like fifteen pairs of gold zipper boots I think I now just expect that I'll have to return the order. At least with shoes...

So I would say the way to break yourself of the habit is to get disappointed many, many times, LOL.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I don't - I have too much experience in returns Correction, I do sometimes wish upon wishes that something will work (TR moto leather panel jeans) but not sure wishing and hoping are the same.
And yay for getting a Fitbit! Join the addiction

Emily

Veteran

Occasionally I get super excited about a web purchase, but unless I have seen the item in person and know for sure it will work I consider an online order an audition for space in my closet.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Nope. I'm always highly skeptical, and delighted if something works out. I probably return 75% of what I order online.

JAileen

Veteran

Of course! But then I'm sorely disappointed, and annoyed by having to return the items.

Gracie

Veteran

I always order "with a grain of salt" analyzing the available online photos and finding one or two features that might be iffy for me. So when the item comes into trial, I'm not biased with the highest expectations and premature love, and if it's rejected, then I say "well, I sort of knew it already" so, no crushing disappointments. Yikes, in reading my response it sounds like an approach to a relationship, doesn't it? Maybe I'm too cautious and self-protecting and should learn to order with abandon and always, always expect the best.

Lisa

Veteran

Yes, when I order I have high hopes it will work out. I have become better at judging shapes over time, which helps me stay away from returns. But I usually order two sizes at one time, so a return is inevitable.

Golden

Veteran

Ohhhh, I recently got a fitbit.....it is so cool! I am giving one as a gift too. You are going to love it. I too order most everything I want so it leaves little for gift givers.....

Gigi

Veteran

I'm with Diana. I have a history of having to return so many items that I don't get my hopes up too much.

shiny

Veteran

I was JUST talking about this with my hubby last night!

I have been ordering up a storm over here, now that I have a new job and am confident I can spend money. It frustrates me that more and more that petite clothes are offered online only -- or as Ann Taylor calls it "online exclusive." (Nice marketing spin, ha). My local AT has less and less petites to try on in the store. And my local BR used to be the first to get petite clothes in, and had an awesome, store-size selection. No longer. Now I have to drive 25 minutes away, and the petite selection at that store isn't all that great. At least I'm fairly confident about my size in those brands, and have higher chance that if I order something online it may fit. Unfortunately I gained some weight recently so I'm in that awkward between size zone, and am finding I need to order both the 2p and the 4p to compare -- guaranteeing one is going to go back. Grrrrr.

Macy's also used to be one of my go-to stores for petites, but they closed the one near our house awhile back. I can order online but I find Macy's to be hit or miss. That said, recently I've had awesome luck with Ralph Lauren jersey dresses.

Nordstrom's is a hike for me and when I get there, the petites are picked over. I do cruise through the regular's too, but often they have just ONE in my size, which sells fast. When I go online I'll see a far better selection. Last few times I went to Nordie's, the sales person wound up taking me over to the computer and trying to get me to order something online. Sheesh. I could've saved myself a drive and just done that myself from home!

And I haven't even mentioned my shoe frustration!!!

More and more shoe stores have closed in my area. Yes, there's DSW but I am finding their selection is increasingly poor -- inexpensive, ill-footing shoes. I hate wasting hours in a giant store like that and coming out empty handed. I hate hopping all over the store in my stockings, rooting through boxes. I prefer the old-fashioned way to buy shoes, where I sit comfortably and a sales clerk brings me boxes to try on!

If I know a brand works, sure, I can go online and order via Zappos. That's fine, but brands change all the time. Yes Zappos ships fast and all that but 90% of what I order goes back. And I worry that is destructive to the environment. And it's still a pain to have to return the boxes.

I want to be able to go to a store and try on a ton of stuff, compare between sizes, consider, and then make my purchase, and have the item that day. This waiting around for the mail just sucks. Especially when it doesn't fit. And then I have to return it.

Really, there has to be a better way!

End of rant.

Regina

(website)

When ordering online-- I've found, the reviews of others insofar as sizing and quality to be very useful. Q...

shiny

Veteran

Okay I thought of something else to add.. I guess I am not done ranting!!

Lately the styles seem to be more and more boring. At first I thought maybe this was just a trend, a backlash from edgier, more daring years of fashion. But now I am wondering. It seems everything is classic and safe... safe neutral colors, safe designs....

Maybe that's just me, but I have been wondering if this is because more and more shopping is moving online?

From business perspective, it would make sense. A consumer is probably far more apt to make a safe online purchase decision, ordering yet another basic tried & true sheath dress or classic V-neck pullover top or classic dress slacks in safe color, rather than risking something more fashionable and edgy, which may not work and will just have to be returned.....

Then again maybe it's my own eye. I don't know. It is true I'm focusing right now on updating/refreshing lots of basics, since it's been awhile.

catgirl

Veteran

Shiny, I agree - I am having a hard time finding an exciting dress. It all seems to be basic black businesswear.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Shiny, I countered the boring by changing where I shopped. Revolve instead of Gap, for example. Admittedly petite sections have been rife with 'stuffy' and conservative since I can remember . . .

EDIT: maybe try Asos petite for trendier stuff?http://us.asos.com/Women-Petit.....38;via=top

hedgiehog

Veteran

I ordera lot online....but I also return a lot. Unless I am familiar with a certain brand and size/fit, I don't get super excited about something. I tend to look at reviews before I click the order button because past shoppers sually will note if somethings runs large or small. It's hit or miss but until I get more hours added to my day, it's an alternative I live with.

minimalist

Veteran

I'm new to ordering online, and do not have high hopes. Right now it's classic/conservative essentials I need; "boring" if you like, but the "excitement" of not having essentials isn't my thing. So I've ordered various sizes/lengths of chinos and jeans. If one pair is a keeper, I'll be happy.

But I can see getting vested in interesting/unusual pieces as they're portrayed online, then being let down when they don't work. Like that sweater dress where the neckline was completely different to the picture.

shiny

Veteran

Thanks Mo, I'll check that out!

Amy, I also need classic/conservative stuff right now - I am okay with that and I'm glad I can find lots of options online. Right now I'm building work/travel capsules out of basic clothing pieces in neutral colors, and adding zing with shoes/belt/scarf.

It's just weird how my online shopping psychology seems to go... for example, I'll see something that's different, like let's say boyfriend jeans or those baggy drop crotch pants. I will not buy these online because I need to see if the fashion works for me first. I will click to see if it's available in store, and if it is, then I'll go check it out in the dressing room. If it's only available online, forget it. I talk myself out of such "experiments" all the time.

Also I'm a fabric snob. I like to touch and feel stuff before I buy.

Psychologically, it is far more likely I will duplicate when online shopping. If I find something that fits and I love the fabric, and it's easy enough to order online, I will likely duplicate. That's not always a good thing. But it's a lot harder to resist the duplication urge!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I am getting a Fitbit for Christmas, too!

I used to get super excited about online orders...until I was burned too many times. Order didn't come. Order cost too much with duties. Items didn't fit.

Now, I read the reviews SUPER carefully and take lots of measurements, comparing mine to the measurements given. Sometimes I'll order two sizes of an item and send one or both back.

I also often look for an Angie recommended item -- or if she hasn't recommended it, I ask her if she has seen the item and whether she knows how it fits. She's been almost spot on with fit recommendations, which is a miracle since we've never met in person. Once or twice I felt I should size up from her guesstimate, but other than that, her record is amazing!

Mo

(website)

Veteran

sorry to sidetrack, but you future Fitbitters need to friend me when you get them! //www.fitbit.com/user/229T63

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

I always get my hopes up when I order on-line. Isn't that part of the process? Sometimes it's the happiest part of the experience. Picking some things, waiting for the package, trying them on. Then the sense of failure (and procrastination sometimes) of returning an item because it didn't work.

Greyscale

Veteran

I've upped my clothes budget a lot this year, so for the first time I'm buying most things new instead of at nice secondhand stores. I haven't adjusted to it yet. It used to be that I'd only order online if I was 100% sure I wanted something. Now I've been ordering a lot of things and I have to remind myself that it's entirely ok to reject most of them if I don't love them.

I should be able to get most of these things in stores near me, so maybe I should get more in the habit of shopping in stores. I think it works better for me - less temptation to keep things.

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

I have to be super careful about online; it's easy to bite the bullet on purchases, especially here in Canada, because it is impossible most times to do a return.

rachylou

Veteran

I find online shopping depressing and tortuous. So often there are very cool things only to be had online... and when they don't work out IRL and the disappointment is stretched out all through the return process... I find it just horrible. When you're in a dressing room, you can move on right then and there.

Kathryn

Yes, I often get my hopes up, only to have to return the entire order. It really is best if you can try on items in the store before you buy online. You will have a much better idea of their sizing.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

It's at times like these I realize some don't have to online shop. And they can return an item at one of two stores within a half hour of their house, no less. Makes me wistful . . .

shedev

Veteran

I order optimistically but I have a beautiful, soft cashmere sweater with sleeves that are way too long waiting for return as I type this.

rae

(website)

Veteran

It depends what the item is, how much experience I have with the brand, what sort of measurements were available, whether or not I might have stalked it in-store. Most of the times I feel cautious optimism mixed with a clamp-down of forced patience to wait and see.

However, if I know the brand well, or if it's a holy grail item, I can get my hopes up pretty high. I just did that with some white jeans the other day. They were so cute, cargo pockets (to eliminate the pocket show through problem!), zippers, the right rise... but the knees were cut sooo skinny that they looked shrink-wrapped on. I was devastated, but I guess that is part of the game. :T

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Oh how envious I am of the ability to order, receive and return all within a week or so. Maybe less, don't even tell me! When I order something, most often from ebay, it can take 1-6 weeks to arrive and I am always a bit delighted that it arrives at all (although I have to say only one thing has ever been lost in all my years of ordering). Anyway, rarely is return an option and yet I plunge ahead anyway now and again (usually after a lot of guests leave). Latest was my new favorite jeans - years of thrifting has given me a knack for assessing sizes, but alas fit is not just a matter of size! (Sorry for the ramble!)

Irene

Veteran

I don't buy online but whenever I do an online search and I find something I like I get all excited only to be disappointed when I finally try it on in the store.

I do not browse the internet for clothes that often though

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