September 24, 2008
Online Shopping Drama - How Not to Get Screwed
The lovely ladies at Dramatis Personae have just encountered an unfortunately common experience while shopping online - they got screwed!
Long story short: they ended paying more for their purchase even though it was supposed to be discounted due to fraudulent shipping charges.
The store in question is Pinup Girl Clothing. I admit that they do carry a great assortment of vintage reproduction clothing, although I have never purchased from them. My conclusion about all of this is that they are a small operation, probably run by fewer than 5 people, and they haven't worked out the bugs in their International transactions. I am not excusing it because it is terrible business and they better get it together if they want to make sales and not be virtually stoned by bloggers like us.
As a veteran shopper, both for old and new things, I wanted to pass down some handy tips so that you do not get screwed by online sellers.
Check the return policy
if the seller has too many restrictions when it comes to returns, keep moving. In this day and age, with online shopping being so competitive, online retailers need to get a clue and make transactions as smooth as possible.
Check shipping charges beforehand
I rarely shop at international e-commerce stores because the charges are so much. A good e-commerce company that is serious about making customers happy will charge a flat, reasonable fee. But, keep in mind that all countries are different when it comes to postage, taxes, etc.
Take measurements
You must know your measurements ladies! I will preach this until I die. A good e-commerce store will have a measurements guide. Please check it and yourself! I don't know anyone who can afford to pay for shipping charges just to try something on. Not everyone is Zappos.com where you pay nothing for shipping.
Vintage shopping has it's own set of rules. I've provided some handy information so shopping for vintage online won't be so stressful.
I hope this helps! Don't be afraid to shop online, but understand the constrictions.
Posted by Sandra at September 24, 2008 12:00 AM
Related Entries
TrackBack
TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.debutanteclothing.com/cgi-sys/cgiwrap/debutant/mt/mt-tb.cgi/428
Comments (5)
Those are some great tips!
Sadly, I think a lot of the problems came from a decline in service. Lara had shopped with them several times before and had great experiences in the past.
It seems that in the last few years, both internationally and nationally, there have been a LOT of complaints against them. It's really sad, because they are a retailer of one of my favorite companies, and I hate to see them involved with such bad business practices...
Posted on September 25, 2008 05:30
It says a lot about a company when, every time you have had the chance to go by the store in Pasadena and you have checked that they will be open and then you get there at the hour they are supposedly open . . . and they are not open. It's happen about twice now. That may not be a lot but it's a lot in my book since I have too drive a bit to get there. Too sad. . .
Posted on September 25, 2008 09:06
Oooh! This has happened to me too! Although I didn't make a special drive out there - I was already in Pasadena. I'm thinking this company needs a HUGE wake up call.
Posted on September 25, 2008 18:08
Asche,
you're right, this is unfortunate. Perhaps someone should notify the wholesaler. I believe they carry Stop Staring! right? I know they would not be happy because they are ALL about customer service.
Posted on September 25, 2008 18:10
I've had a problem with them as well, ordered a pair of costume shoes and they never told me that they sold out, so I emailed them and they answer me about a week later, that they are indeed sold out and are not being sent to me. Not impressive at all.
Posted on September 26, 2008 23:19