what do you want to see on the website? how do you get to feeling comfortable buying a bag you have never really seen? what questions do you ask the seller?
any tips for online shopping?
- Thread starter thatbaglady
- Start date
What kind of sites are you referring to? Shopping at a department store's online site vs. small boutique online site vs ebay vs shady sites selling so-called authentic bags for cheap are ALL very different experiences.
If you've never seen a bag, make sure the site has a solid return policy. You can also check here for threads about certain retailers, to hear about others' experiences with them.
If you've never seen a bag, make sure the site has a solid return policy. You can also check here for threads about certain retailers, to hear about others' experiences with them.
Lots and lots of pictures. Pictures on a model (and tell us how tall the model is), pictures from all sides, pictures of all the colors, pictures of the lining, etc. Also helps if the description is detailed: what kind of leather, what metal is the hardware, the dimensions, etc.
I would never buy a bag I haven't seen, felt adn tried on from an online store
So it would HAVE TO be a bag I've tried on at an amazing price w/ stellar customer service
. . . all reasons why I haven't been able to buy a bag online
Swanky Mama -- not even if you'd be able to return it? I figure that if I see an online deal and, say Saks is only a subway ride away to return, then why not? Especially when I can get free shipping? Just saves me the dealing with the crowds issue...
I try to go to a department store to look at the bag in person first. If you can find the website of the bag's designer you can often find a dept store nearby that carries it, even if the dept store charges more than you want to pay, you can go and look!
If I can't see the bag in person first I try to make sure the site I'm buying it from has a return policy, unless it's a bag by a maker I am very confident about re: consistent quality (which for me is pretty much only Rebecca Minkoff, MJ, Botkier, but even styles and materials within a designer's line can vary so I think it's always best to see in person.)
For me there really is no substitute for seeing a bag in person -- the colors and quality of the leather can never be totally accurately communicated via picture, IMO (not to mention how it will actually look ON me!)
If I can't see the bag in person first I try to make sure the site I'm buying it from has a return policy, unless it's a bag by a maker I am very confident about re: consistent quality (which for me is pretty much only Rebecca Minkoff, MJ, Botkier, but even styles and materials within a designer's line can vary so I think it's always best to see in person.)
For me there really is no substitute for seeing a bag in person -- the colors and quality of the leather can never be totally accurately communicated via picture, IMO (not to mention how it will actually look ON me!)
Always pay with a credit card, NEVER with a debit card. Debit cards don't offer the same type of protection as credit cards if you get stuck with a counterfeit.
I only shop at the major on-line stores such as Saks, NMs, Sephora, Zappos, etc. From Amazon.com I only buy books and music.