Shopping: online or b&m?

Nishaa

Photo 1 is what it showed on the model. .
Photo 2 is what I bought from b & m store. . On sale. Size Medium
Can you appreciate the difference in silhouettes? Strange?
The reason why online is different from 'offline' shopping. .
Question; if you'd facilities for both would you still prefer traditional shopping?

This post has 2 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

9 years ago

Shopping

13 replies

Latest reply was from Aziraphale

always trying

Veteran

I find Nordstroms, Nordstroms Rack, DSW, sometimes Macy's and TJMAxx have more and easier to get my sizes and colors I want on line than in the stores. Also easy returns to stores if necessary to return.

9 years ago

Anonymous

If I could get all the things I see online, I would prefer b&m shopping. I often treat online shopping as an at home dressing room. If I see something in a store I wanted online, I can try immediately and move on either way. I am very cautious for this reason to shop online places I can easily return.

9 years ago

Nishaa

Active Member

The point that I failed to make was if Ihad seen the image I'd never buy the top above, but I did as soon as I saw it.
That it reminds me of my fav fiction character, please ignore. .
And this might happen other way, you may love something online but IRL it's blah. .

9 years ago

Anonymous

I understand. Sometimes what you end up with is nowhere close to the picture. A lot of times the models are wearing the clothes pinned as well.

9 years ago

jill58

Veteran

I live in a shopping metropolis with every store I can imagine going to within 15 minutes of my house. I still prefer to shop online but take my returns to the b&m store (where I might then do some in store shopping). Nordstrom Rack doesn't always have the exact same things in the store as online so it's really two different shopping experiences. TJ Maxx is like that too. The inventory is often quite different. I have definitely had the experience of overlooking something online that looked much better in person. I have also had the experience of seeing that I thought I liked online and being disappointed, so I guess it can go both ways.

9 years ago

RobinF

Veteran

I like online for browsing and seeing what's out there but I much prefer buying in person. I like to see it and feel it and try it on. And then not wait for it

9 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

I've always preferred brick and mortar. No waiting. No driver shenanigans (like trying to hide your package under a neighbor's bush). No returns.

But a great debate is going on now whether to chuck or repair my car, and all of a sudden online shopping has become magic for me, lol.

9 years ago

Astrid

Veteran

I would prefer b&m shopping if they had the things I wanted available. I hate all the waiting for packages, the runs to the post office for returns... Unfortunately it's necessary, because most brands I prefer don't have a b&m store here.

9 years ago

Gigi

Veteran

I agree that if I could get the same stuff in-store that I see online, I'd love to do more b&m shopping. Also, most of the time my size is available only online, so shopping in-store doesn't really help me much.

9 years ago

Summer

Veteran

I understand your point, Nishaa: they look like two different tops. I've never had this happen myself, but, usually, my online purchases are from brands I know well, and, often, I will have seen the garments in store beforehand.
It can be difficult to gauge the quality of a garment from a screen image, but one would expect the silhouette to be the same.

9 years ago

Nishaa

Active Member

Well, I agree that online is better in terms of quantity and availability specially for 'non regular' sizes. .
It's also good when you have a good returns policy. I've never ordered one without it. Learned hard way after a brown bag online turned taupe IRL. Learning to like taupe (cool neutral) turned out cheaper than returns.
Also some people are better at assessing online stuff, I'm zero.
Are there some strategies to avoid online disappointments?

9 years ago

approprio

(website)

Veteran

I've done my share of online shopping (hello Yoox!) and will probably do more now that Uniqlo ship to my country, but I definitely prefer b&m.

I've come to favour smaller independent stores with curated selections, and I've found that when I get to know a place they'll be honest about selections and give discounts on repeat business. I'm also more likely to find unique pieces, which I can evaluate in store without the hassle of returning things.

9 years ago

Aziraphale

Veteran

Brick and mortar by a mile. But I do occasionally buy things online that I can't get here -- mostly stuff from Hanna Andersson for the kids, though. I feel unreasonably irritated if I buy something for myself and it doesn't fit, and I have to send it back. I have problems.

9 years ago

Category