Online Shopping: Perk or Peril?

Apr 21, 2008 @ 12:01pm

christian louboutin online.jpg There was a love letter to online shopping in the London Times this weekend.

The author says, "Shopping has long been viewed as something that offers comfort in times of need, loneliness, boredom or inebriation, and now the door is open 24/7." She'd rather spend obscene amounts of money on Net-a-Porter than in Harvey Nichols and even admits to buying a few outrageous pieces after a night of heavy drinking.

Natalie sympathizes. She loves to shop online - she's bought clothes, shoes, bags and even, wait for it, bras. She credits some of it to the fact that she often buys the same brands so she always knows her size - she also knows the difference between buying a bag (safe) versus buying a dress (risky) over the internet - and that Nordstrom has the best return policy ever.

But I'm so baffled by the entire concept. How in the world do you know how something fits/feels/hangs without trying it on?

When I shop, I have to take every size - yes, small, medium and large - into the dressing room to see which fits best. I own jeans in sizes 28 through 31, dresses range from a 4 to an 8 and that's even from the same brand! I can't be bothered with ordering something, waiting for it, and possibly hating it and having to go through the trouble of sending it back.

Not to mention the fact that I have little self control and once I open the floodgates of online shopping, it's only a matter of time before I stumble home at 3 am and buy the shoes to the left with little or no thought of the consequences.

If you shop online, how do you do it? And do you still go to real stores like Natalie, or do all your purchases get made in cyberspace?

posted by guest

Apr 21, 2008 12:08PM

i'm an online shopper advocate! most online stores have easy return policies. i also get great deals with discount codes and the sales online are sometimes much better than those instore. i still shop in real stores when it comes to barney's, or small boutiques that carry my favorite lesser known lines. but when it comes to gap, old navy, or urban outfitters, i like sitting at home in my pjs rather than hanging out with the crazy shoppers on weekends.

posted by guest

Apr 21, 2008 12:10PM

Most of the time I browse online and make the purchases in the stores. Online is usually for lusting after something, unless of course there is an online sale or free shipping!

posted by guest

Apr 21, 2008 12:10PM

It's very simple. You know your measurements and read the fit guide. If you get it and you hate it or it doesn't fit, you send it back. If you have a little more money you can buy multiple sizes and send back what doesn't fit.

posted by syako

Apr 21, 2008 12:14PM

I buy online, but like Natalie, just with brands that I know for sure my size. I also only shop at free shipping sites and absolutely LOVE when they offer free returns too.

I agree that great deals are to be had with online boutiques, so I shop the sales and wait wait wait for it to be a reasonable price. Plus, where i live (not in nyc) I don't have the luxury of hitting up, say marc jacobs' boutique, for the 80% after season sale...

posted by guest

Apr 21, 2008 12:31PM

I pretty much only shop online these days.

I also have a very high return rate, and consider "purchase" to be a loan until I get to try on the clothing in my own dressing room (home with my own mirrors). For every pair of jeans or dress I buy, I keep maybe 1 - after trying it on, bending sitting, looking in a 3 way mirror, accessorizing with my own items, etc.

I rarely make it to real stores - except for work. I have to make store visits for my job. Shopping in stores seems inconvenient, crowded, hot, and often seems pressured.

I'm very picky, and considered to be quite well dressed. And I can't remember the last time I purchased an item in a clothing store.

The downside: getting the packages and returning can both be a pain.

posted by leia

Apr 21, 2008 12:33PM

I love shopping online, and would guess that I buy as much as 70% of my clothes/shoes/bags/ online. I feel like I have more time to make a rational decision online, and I usually get the best sales online.
I will buy dresses, but usually only MJ ones, because I always wear the same size, or looser fitting dresses, because there is a little more room for size error.

posted by dcchung86

Apr 21, 2008 12:39PM

I am not an advocate of online shopping. Different garments fit differently. How do you know which garment will fit you best if you don't try them on? Plus, I know I've tried on a garment that looked cute hanging, and hideous on. I am like Britt, and I must be physically be in the store in order to try on clothing. Plus, there are pieces that I own that look different in person than online. One can miss the fine details when shopping online. Plus, there's nothing like being in the store, away from a computer, and shopping with a friend.

posted by nicole

Apr 21, 2008 12:43PM

i think online shopping is amazing for sales. i always bookmark the things i like & go to an actual store to try it on & figure out my size.

then, when the price is right, i snatch it up online.

posted by kimair

Apr 21, 2008 12:49PM

i have to totally agree with natalie. if you know your size in a certain thing or already have it (seven jeans for example), you know what size you are, etc. so it's easy. plus the range of lines you see online is much more than you would see if you went to one store. you can get things they may not have at your nordstrom, etc. so to me, it's worth it.

posted by sarahchivonne

Apr 21, 2008 12:51PM

In the past 4 years i have gone from avid mall/boutique shopper at least 2-3 days a week, to every day online shopper. I tend to buy clothes from the online stores that have multiple pictures of the item from different angles, and fit tips

If I have questions about the item, i never hesitate to call the actual store (nordstrom, saks etc) and talk to a salesperson, and ask them more about the item, which is so helpful.

If i ever miss that wandering around the store feeling, i go and do it but i usually don't buy anything cause i know that i could probably find it online and use a coupon code, or prob get a free gift with purchase.

I've never had to return anything that i purchased online because, unlike in the store, i don't feel pressured by salespeople to buy it and i can take all the time i want to research it. I also use those items more than the my impulse store buys.

and gas is so freaking expensive now, i'd rather not drive.

posted by guest

Apr 21, 2008 12:52PM

please dont ever shop online at neiman marcus!! the first time i bought something on their site, a safe purchase--sunglasses i had tried on in the store already-- they sent the wrong item, in a case that the sunglasses didnt even fit into-- and i ended up spending 4 HOURS on the phone with customer service--they didnt believe that i had the wrong item!! grrr....never again NM, never again!

posted by bastylefilegirl

Apr 21, 2008 12:52PM

I have to say I'm down with Miss Natalie I typically shop at the online stores that I shop instore...or at least purchase items from designers I already own making sizing easy. Stores have caught on to this and many items are only avalible online. I would only be cautious with online shopping at a place that has no physical location in my area just in the rare case I had to return...but hey there is always consignment!

posted by chartreusegirl

Apr 21, 2008 1:08PM

I find that shopping online actually prevents more impulse buys than it generates -- none of that end-of-the-shopping trip exhaustion when you just want to buy something, anything to make your outing worthwhile! These days I browse online a little every day, bookmark things I love, then come back to them to see if I still love them a week later (or if they've gone on sale.) So far, I'm 50/50 with new brands and sizes, so I try to stick with free shipping/free return spots.

Sometimes I feel a little guilty about all the wasted packaging, but sarahchivonne's right about the gas thing. Plus, online retailers have a smaller eco footprint because they don't have to pay for store fronts! Hm, maybe I'm stretching things...

posted by guest

Apr 21, 2008 1:31PM

i shop almost exclusively online. maybe it's because i'm not one of those people who has to try on 30 pairs of jeans before they find one that fits, but i've never had a problem with things fitting or looking right. i think i've only sent back a handful of items in my life. i <3 online shopping!! the UPS man is definitely familiar with my name :)

posted by guest

Apr 21, 2008 2:02PM

I shop online waaay too much, but I have to say, If i lived in a city where the shopping was better I might not do it as much. I can't get a lot of the indie and harder to find designers that I want where I live, so I resort to online shops. I return stuff all the time, but finding a gorgeous dress/bag/shoes that (hardly) no one else in my city will have makes it soo worth it.

posted by guest

Apr 21, 2008 2:03PM

guest at 12:52: My friend once ordered a pair of shoes from Neiman Marcus (or, heh, Needless Markup), and they sent her the wrong pair. Except she had ordered a pair of Cole Haans, and they sent a pair of Manolos instead, but still charged her for the Cole Haans.

No, she didn't return them.

posted by bussbuss

Apr 21, 2008 2:26PM

well, i am biased since i run a website that is an insider's guide to fabulous online shopping, but i totally agree with natalie.

why face crowds and pushy salespeople at stores, not to mention icky dressing room lights and long lines when you can shop from home any time you want with a martini or milkshake in hand? only slightly kidding...

the other big pros are that you can find so many more designers and products online (indie and otherwise) than most people can at the stores in their cities -- and with the coupon codes, free shipping (and many sites offering free return shipping too) i think it can't be beat, especially for shoes, handbags, accessories, gifts... it's like having a personal shopper bring you things to your house. it's normally so easy to return things nowadays too (most sites provide a return label for free or $6, which is cheaper than gas) so you just have to hand the package to the UPS guy (which most people can do at work).

come on over to the dark side, britt! as long as you have a decent credit card limit, you can order whatever you want in multiple sizes (zappos is great) and send whatever doesn't fit back. it's actually super fun!

and if you're looking for good online shops, check out our favorite haute shops: http://www.bussbuss.com/hauteshops/boutiques.php

posted by guest

Apr 21, 2008 2:42PM

You forget the best part-shopping at work when you should be working!!

posted by guest

Apr 21, 2008 2:47PM

I love the prospect of shopping online but I agree—I could only ever bear buying jewelry, watches, purses or wallets.

I can't seem to find a proper size, I wear jeans anywhere from 26-28 inches at the waist, dresses from 0-4 and my shoe size is between a 6/6.5; going to an actual store is the only option for me, though I lust after items I see on Topshop all the time. (Open a boutique in New York already!)

posted by guest

Apr 21, 2008 3:09PM

I like shopping online for Vintage Couture. There are few actual boutiques that carry the high-end very rare things, and there are usually only a couple in each city. Online you can develop a rapport with owner and send them your measurements, since vintage is often sized drastically different they help you decide it the item will fit. I always expect that ANY clothing I buy - online or in a shop - will need altering, so it's never a big deal. I have always had super positive online experiences, but yes pants and dresses are risky!

posted by yuki

Apr 21, 2008 5:37PM

I love shopping online for everything!
You don't have to leave the house and you get a way better selection to choose from...

posted by guest

Apr 21, 2008 7:22PM

I shop online but usually only after I've tried the brand or item on in a local shop. Then I price shop on line and save a small fortune. Shoes, especially. Once you've tried them on in your size you don't have to worry about mail backs.

posted by porscha

Apr 21, 2008 7:24PM

i shop online for a lot of stuff. most of my purchases are made for items that i know will work for me, places i've bought from in the past. i love to shop online because i live in tennessee and we don't really have great stores unless shopping at gap, express, old navy, and not-so-great department stores are your thing. so, usually i make my purchases online, unless i'm lucky enough to be in the presence of my fave stores.

posted by dumbbrunette5

Apr 22, 2008 5:43AM

i live in thailand which kind of forces me to shop online since the thai stores are made for teeny tiny thai women (to give an example, i usually wear an XS in urban outfitters and can barely fit my butt into a thail XL). and the stores from the us and europe like zara are often too expensive for me (especially since the us dollar exchange rate is going down and the thai baht is getting stronger). but i only buy from stores where i have bought similar items from before (so if ive only bought a shirt there i wont try to order pants to be safe) and i take my measurements each time before i order and check it with the size chart. i rarely have problems with the fit, sometimes i get an item that doesnt look nearly as nice as it did online but if i dont feel that ill wear it i fork up the $10 to ship it back because it doesnt happen often.

posted by guest

Apr 22, 2008 12:40PM

I soley purchase online as well and I live in NYC!!
I cant be bothered to go to stores, deal with masses of ppl (mostly tourists), be pressured by sales ppl who dont know anything about my style, and then have to try things on..and, my size is almost always sold out or not available. Plus, agreeing with most of the posters here, online shopping offers you great deals and discounts that are not available in store, free shipping, sometimes no tax, and theres so much more selection!
I only shop in-store if I have an emergency event that I need an outfit for and I dont want to shell out $25 for next day shipping. When will retailers like H&M finally realize the potential of online shopping and open up ecommerce sites?? I HATE going into H&M bc the stores are ALWAYS a total mess, but there are some cute trendy items that are so affordable and easy to buy 10 of if youre online shopping!

posted by guest

Apr 22, 2008 1:32PM

Oh and I forgot to mention, the last time I bought something from a physical store I found on getting it home that it had crap in the pockets - it had been worn already! GROSS! When you shop online you often get the item sealed in the plastic the manufacturer sent it out in. Much nicer.

posted by guest

Apr 23, 2008 1:37AM

guest at 1:32, people do send things back, just because it is "sealed in plastic" doesn't mean it hasn't been worn. Just something to keep in mind.

posted by guest

Apr 24, 2008 8:34PM

I shop online daily and I've had good luck with Neiman Marcus. I live in the 'burbs and it is a royal pain to deal with traffic. I also know my brands and fits and if I don't like something, back it goes. Net-a-porter is amazing, too. I started for the convenience and got hooked and now live in an area with limited availability to more exclusive and exciting items. People here are behind the times and dress as though they were going camping. They are shocked to see a Gucci bag (Gucci and Louis Vuitton now have their own online sites where they sell) and would not know Missoni or Etro from Target (not that there is anything wrong with that).

Back to NM. I have had a few snafus with them, but for the most part, they have been one of the most reliable and awesome stores I use. Much better than Nordstrom, imo. I am not a snob. I enjoy getting bargains, too and frequent local discount retailers occasionally. It is hit and miss, but I've found Marc Jacobs and Tahari. Again, most people here do not know the diffence & are more the REI type. So, I shop online for ease and out of necessity due to lack of availability.

posted by guest

Apr 24, 2008 8:40PM

I shop online almost daily. I do it for ease and availablity. No one here knows Missoni or Etro and are amazed when they see a Gucci bag. I adore Net-A-Porter and Neiman Marcus (among many) and have had nothing but great luck and service from them.

I suppose if I lived downtown I would do more in store shopping. Still the availability would is limited. People here mostly dress in an REI style and look like they are going camping all the time.