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Online shopping frustrations

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Hi, all -- my apologies for not alerting you to my recent absence. I'll post about that in off-topic!

In the meantime, I'm feeling a tad frustrated by my recent online and LOCAL orders. Here is what has happened so far.

The good and reasonably good

1. Packages from The Bay arrived amazingly promptly! In two separate shipments, but they arrived. However, I am not sure I wish to keep the items. (TopShop Finds 1 and 2)

2. Package from the Gap with the Resolution slim straights arrived and I have worn them. Also got some tank top/ camisoles in this order for wearing under things. (Find 3)

3. Package of tees from J. Crew arrived and all are winners. Have worn them all except the sleeveless already. (Finds 5-8) No wonder I keep ordering from J. Crew -- fewer duds.

4. Package from the darling Karie arrived with my Sofft Breeze sandals. The fit is perfect. However, I do not like them as much as the Bernias on my foot at all. I may end up keeping, however, due to comfort and other issues. (Find 9)

The not so good

1. I have heard a big fat nothing about the Ecco sandals I ordered from local seller. Very frustrating. How can they expect us to shop local if I could have had these faster ordering online? (Find 10)

2. Zara order supposedly was delivered on Thursday but I never got it. They are looking into it but this will take five days and in the meantime, I wanted the items for my anniversary trip with Mr. Suz (this coming weekend). (Finds 11-13)

3. I have not yet received the Club Monaco order placed two weeks ago. Spoke to them today and they expect delivery tomorrow.

4. Got the Aritzia order and I really like the items but am unsure about the beautiful blouse because my bra band (not strap) shows in the back keyhole. I do not want to go around showing my bra band. ARGH.

5. Package from BR arrived with the sleeveless linen tee -- and I love it -- but I think it is too wide/ armholes too generous, so it might have to go back! (Find 4)

Just grumbling a little bit here. I would dearly love to do more in-person shopping, but it is very difficult (for reasons you can see immediately, above.)

And I am looking forward to catching up with you all!

Topshop Cape Leaf Print Culottes

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Topshop Bloom Print Cigarette Trousers

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1969 resolution slim straight skimmer jeans

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Banana Republic

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Metallic side-stripe tank top

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Metallic tropical frond tee

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Linen tee in faded adire

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Söfft 'Breeze' Sandal (Women)

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Ecco 'Damara' Leather Sandal (Women)

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Striped Culottes

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Cropped Sweater With Low-cut Back

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Harriet Foil Sweater

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Wilfred cyprès blouse

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Shopping

26 replies

Latest reply was from

Gaylene

Veteran

Oh, yes, the trials of on-line shopping rears its ugly head once again. :).

Actually, if you stop to think about it, you didn't do that badly since you seem to be batting .333. If I had hauled a bunch of stuff into a dressing room and walked out with a third, I'd be pretty pleased with my success-- and that would be AFTER I'd have had a chance to assess said items in person instead of through pictures. Small consolation, though, I know.

Expectationand disappointment are SO much greater with on-line shopping--to say nothing of having to re-box and ship back. So much easier just to walk away from the rejects in the dressing room.

Box up the stuff you don't like, or are trying to convince yourself isn't that bad, and get it out of your life so you can concentrate on what you do like. As Angie says, ONWARD!

kkards

Veteran

on the other hand, isn't it nice to have so many options….said by the women who packed up 3 out of 3 everlane items and 6 out of 11 uniqlo and 3 out 3 banana republic items this weekend. anyway, YEAH for the things that worked!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Yeah...thanks Gaylene and kkards. You are both right. And I'm very fortunate in that returns are exceptionally easy where I live. Uh...if I actually GET the items, that is....

Beth Ann

Veteran

I hear you, Suz! I think it's harder than it ever was to order and be pleased with the results, although I have to admit that this is partially because I expect a great fit and quality. After a few years on YLF, I'm no longer spending money on things that are "okay."

It's seems that shopping while your in larger cities has worked for you in the past, although I doubt you'd wish to interrupt an anniversary trip for something like that!

Joy

Veteran

What is it with the very generous arm holes this year?! I've kept a couple of things and wear a tank underneath, but it will soon be too hot for that. I took one from Nordstrom's to their tailor and was told that it could not be taken in. No side seam. Sometimes I think they just don't want to be bothered. I don't mind if a side seam is added if it will fit better. End of rant.

DJP

So sorry for your online troubles Suz! I had a similar problem this morning when my Zara parcel arrived missing one of the items on the receipt. Just like your experience, they are looking into it but no one mentioned the 5 days. I guess I can stop waiting by the phone! Does the Aritzia cypres blouse have a keyhole in the back? I was lusting for the darker blue with peach version.

Style Fan

Veteran

On line shopping is for the brave IMHO. I have done very little. I am amazed that you were successful with .333 of the items. No way I would be able to do that. I try on 10 items and walk away with 0. Not sure how I could shop on line.

Caro in Oz

Veteran

It is frustrating to have to return so much I try to think that anything that works is a bonus because it is something that isn't available locally. My online shopping has been curtailed as the exchange rate on our $ is rubbish at the moment; but that's another story

Deborah

Veteran

Suz I was wondering where you were:)

Online shopping can be so frustrating. I am stunned at how long it takes some orders to arrive. The way I look at it, there is certain convenience to online shopping and while annoying it's worth the effort of the returns to ensure you are getting fabulous items to add to your already fab wardrobe. Forever the optimist, I try to look at it as an adventure:)

DonnaF

Veteran

I actually think you're doing pretty well! Batting .333 is about the highest than can be expected if one has high standards. I would probably be frantic about that Zara order, however, and very, very disappointed.

I placed a couple of Nordstrom orders at the beginning of their Half-Yearly sale, and unfortunately two deliveries will be made when I'm out of town, and possibly when my regular UPS guy is on vacation. Tomorrow, I'll have to beg my neighbor (again) to pick up my packages, now made bigger because I've take to ordering the same thing in two sizes, or with one pair of pants in four sizes (two Petite and two Regular).

DH decided we might check out hiking groups, so doesn't that mean I should get hiking shoes? And oh, since this is Memorial Day, doesn't that mean sales? Amazon now has delivery to lockers, but I just learned you have to pick up your order within a few days. Luckily, with slow boat delivery (like to Canada), it should arrive on the day we return home. Whew! There's only so much I can ask of my neighbors; don't want to cause back strain.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

((HUGS)).

Actually, Suz. I don't think you did too badly. (Or maybe I have lower expectations shopping online?). You would have tried this all on - and more - in a shopping session out and had the same results - no?

Very unusual for the Zara package to be late - hope it arrives soon. Very usual for the CM order to take its time. I've waited 3 weeks for my order. And bad news on those Ecco sandals. Very frustrating.

Lets see the Aritzia , JC and Topshop loot. Glad the JC and Gap stuff worked out.

donnat

Veteran

So frustrating! I feel your pain.

Peri

Veteran

I shop mostly online these days and have to say I've had really good luck with deliveries. And I agree with the .333...that's how I feel about K/Rs since I reject most things in the dressing room as well. I don't mind returns and just count them as overall less trouble than mall shopping.

However, I did have an Ulta package marked as delivered that certainly wasn't delivered to me. Post office said a substitute was on that day and they had no way of tracking what house it was actually delivered to. Ulta came through with no delays...gift certificate for slightly more than I lost, and I reordered immediately.

But it really bothers me to consider that someone in my nice, decent neighborhood is a flat out thief. There is no other word for someone who receives a package that is not theirs and decides to keep it anyway.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I am very annoyed with Zara on your behalf. But so far you aren't doing bad with what actually was delivered.

unfrumped

Veteran

So bad about delivery problems!
I've returned a slew of things in past month and wonder if it's a sign I should not be looking so much; just SYC. That's not your issue but I feel I'm not " seeing" the right items that might make a difference, and so could be drawn into something for something's sake.

Kudos one one in/ out. I'm stuck in shoe- saving mode and need to break free. It is hard to let go of reasonably comfortable shoes as I have the " scarcity mentality" that they are hard to find, or I will compromise on style for comfort and then keep searching for the elusive total package. Maybe I can revive the holding zone to help detach. Plus only buy "10"'s --hard because I don't convince myself a 10 exists.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Thanks for the sympathy and pep talks, all! I will show the loot I have, hopefully tomorrow. Maybe the CM order will arrive then.

This is VERY unusual for Zara; I usually get packages from them in 2 or 3 days and have never, ever had a problem. I agree with those who have mentioned the feeling about the neighbours. I live in a very friendly area and we do look out for each other. It just seems horrible to think someone would steal it off my doorstep. Plus, one or the other of us is almost always home, since we both work from home. But it is true that I was not here on Thursday. But Mr. Suz was, except for about an hour.

DonnaF

Veteran

FWIW, I've seen news stories (and my UPS guy has told me) of people who follow delivery trucks around, especially in the nicest neighborhoods, and pick up packages almost as soon as they are delivered. I have also had the experience of a holiday temp say he delivered a package that he really hadn't, based on the time he said it was delivered. So it may NOT be your neighbors.

Marilyn

Veteran

Online shopping is frustrating for sure. I definitely return more than I keep.

I'm very surprised about your Club Monaco order. My orders always ship within a few days and they arrive next day......shipping from Toronto to Ottawa via UPS.

dakotacheryl

Veteran

Suz..glad you had a few keepers!

I change my UPS and Fed Ex shipments so that I can pick them up at their local Offices. So much safer and more convenient.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Yay for the winners! I hope the lost and missing shipments reach you soon, and I sympathize with the returns. Have a great anniversary, and don't forget to take photos to share with your YLF friends.

lyn67

Veteran

Sorry to hear from some and happy from others. You can always sew in for the armholes on the linen tank (find 4), just saying, i love that top for you:-).

Daria

Suz, your success rate is actually pretty good, provided you don't settle on items that are "ok"! Items never making it to your house is very frustrating - never happened to me yet actually, despite my extensive online shopping history.

Elizabeth P

Veteran

Sorry Suz, but I'd say you are doing ok.... esp as some of your missing items may be winners too! And didn't you WANT to send some of those back? I got the impression you were "browsing" these items for some winners, not that you wanted to keep them all. Cuz you did place a lot of orders! But maybe I'm wrong.

Now the missing items... well, that just plain sucks. You'll probably be fine in the end, but it's a major bummer when you want something for a special occasion. I have confidence you'll look amazing regardless

Can't wait to see the items on YOU!

jackiec

Veteran

Ah the frustrations of online shopping. Sounds like you have a few keepers, which is good. I'm interested in that BR tank but have been miffed on sizing in there lately. I can totally see that they'd cut large armholes, hopefully you can work it out. Can't wait to see the stuff on you. I tried on a different colour way of the aritzia top in store last week and was thinking how fab the blue colour way would look on you - let's see it!! I don't see that the bra strap would be a dealbreaker. Too bad on the Eccos....

Anonymous

Hey, I hear you. We've lamented before over our poor b&m shopping experiences in many Canadian cities and how on-line shopping, while purportedly the great solution to all shopping woes, is just as unsatisfying. Glad the JCrew stuff worked out - but you're dealing with pretty high prices for those pieces given our exchange and duties right now. It's often a no-win situation isn't it?

Anonymous

I am sorry to hear about your frustrations. I love ordering via the internet, but the anticipation can hard for me.