Has anyone shopped at Italist?

[Michelle1x]

I am obviously not affiliated with them as I've posted about my bad bag experiences here many times - but here's my story for it's two cents...

I stumbled upon Italist through ShopStyle, which is pretty reputable with it's referrals. I wanted a Balenciaga mini bag for travel and Italist had by far the best prices, around $200 less than US retail. I also found one out of season on sale in a color I loved, so it was actually $400 less than retail here. I simply couldn't pass it up, you can't even find a good used one for that price!

I read ALL of the details, and that is key, you need to read the details. I was going to order some CL's too, but thought.... what if they don't fit. (Plus, if your order is under $800 you don't have to pay duty taxes.) Like another person said, you don't want to mess with returns so consider it final sale.

So I go to order and my bank is not having it. Fraud protection calls right away, so I'm a little weary. I lift the hold, and I STILL can't process. I get an email from Italist saying this is common for out of country residents, and to talk with my bank. I call my bank again and they are saying something about charges processed in the Netherlands are hard to lift. I get a sinking feeling BUT who could stand between a lady and her bag!

Finally, its lifted and I purchase. I get my confirmation right away and an email when it's sent from the supplier. They do source from local stores, so you're getting this from small retailers around the country. My gorgeous, authentic, darling bag arrived in no time. I even took it to the local store to have it checked!

So, I'm not sure why they can offer these prices, typically prices over there are lower, and when you don't have to pay VAT, its even better. I've bought things on vacation over there that were such a deal, so I didn't feel too weird about it. I'd just make sure you call your bank BEFORE trying to buy, and go for something you don't want to return.

Hope that helps!

These bank fraud protection depts are flagging *all* offshore purchases these days I think.
I tried to buy from Department Feminin a while back and same thing, the bank wouldn't let it go through without talking to me but I made the purchase at 1am.
I finally cancelled the sale with that card and used paypal (which seems to let you buy anything anywhere).

 

[yelenamak]

I am obviously not affiliated with them as I've posted about my bad bag experiences here many times - but here's my story for it's two cents...

I stumbled upon Italist through ShopStyle, which is pretty reputable with it's referrals. I wanted a Balenciaga mini bag for travel and Italist had by far the best prices, around $200 less than US retail. I also found one out of season on sale in a color I loved, so it was actually $400 less than retail here. I simply couldn't pass it up, you can't even find a good used one for that price!

I read ALL of the details, and that is key, you need to read the details. I was going to order some CL's too, but thought.... what if they don't fit. (Plus, if your order is under $800 you don't have to pay duty taxes.) Like another person said, you don't want to mess with returns so consider it final sale.

So I go to order and my bank is not having it. Fraud protection calls right away, so I'm a little weary. I lift the hold, and I STILL can't process. I get an email from Italist saying this is common for out of country residents, and to talk with my bank. I call my bank again and they are saying something about charges processed in the Netherlands are hard to lift. I get a sinking feeling BUT who could stand between a lady and her bag!

Finally, its lifted and I purchase. I get my confirmation right away and an email when it's sent from the supplier. They do source from local stores, so you're getting this from small retailers around the country. My gorgeous, authentic, darling bag arrived in no time. I even took it to the local store to have it checked!

So, I'm not sure why they can offer these prices, typically prices over there are lower, and when you don't have to pay VAT, its even better. I've bought things on vacation over there that were such a deal, so I didn't feel too weird about it. I'd just make sure you call your bank BEFORE trying to buy, and go for something you don't want to return.

Hope that helps!

 

[yelenamak]

Hello
I always have the same problem and yes I have to call my bank to authorize Italist charge. Well, if it takes on phone call to save hundreds of $$, why not)))
Bought Valentino nude rockstud. Authentic. Great delivery service and I also love DHL calling me for delivery instructions.
Yes always consider it as a final sale because a return will cost a lot of money.

 

[yelenamak]

Has anyone bought Louboutin from Italist?

 

[ashlie]

Has anyone bought Louboutin from Italist?

Yes-I have

 

[mink]

DO NOT BUY FROM THESE CRIMINALS!!!!

So I made my first ever Italist purchase. A winter coat that I did not like the fit of. I decided to return it. I had no idea that they would charge me $100 for shipping and a further $100 for Italian custom fees!!! So in the end, I got back about 50% of my purchase cost. They never showed me evidence of these shipping or custom fees, and when I submitted the return, there was no warning that I would have to pay so much. They simply did an automatic deduction from the refund amount to my account. There is no way you can call them, so all contact is via email and I have complained multiple times that I want evidence off the fees, and at a minimum the custom fees refunded because I've shopped with other Italian companies before and never been charged for these - their response is to just say "too bad".

So basically buy at your own risk - if you need to return, you have no idea what costs you might be up for and if you need to complain, be prepared for them not to care and to never be able to speak to a human.

I'm interested in a few items on Italist, but your experience seems consistent with other reviews I've read (on this thread, and on https://www.trustpilot.com/review/italist.com) and has me very wary about making a purchase. It's too bad the prices are so good - I'm tempted but don't want to risk losing money in the event of a return.

Does anyone know if Italy does in fact require custom fees for returns? To be clear, I'm not talking about the customs/duties you pay when receiving an order, or getting a refund on that amount (which is in fact the buyer's responsibility); I'm talking about customs paid TO italy for the returned item itself (as noted by Starlett309 above). In my experience returning items purchased from foreign countries, I've never had to pay customs for the return as long as it's clearly marked and coded correctly on the returns invoice/label. Seems shady that they just deduct it from the refund.

Also, why is shipping more expensive on the return when it's billed on the same account (hence assuming the same corporate rates)?

 

[jmc3007]

I'm interested in a few items on Italist, but your experience seems consistent with other reviews I've read (on this thread, and on https://www.trustpilot.com/review/italist.com) and has me very wary about making a purchase. It's too bad the prices are so good - I'm tempted but don't want to risk losing money in the event of a return.

Does anyone know if Italy does in fact require custom fees for returns? To be clear, I'm not talking about the customs/duties you pay when receiving an order, or getting a refund on that amount (which is in fact the buyer's responsibility); I'm talking about customs paid TO italy for the returned item itself (as noted by Starlett309 above). In my experience returning items purchased from foreign countries, I've never had to pay customs for the return as long as it's clearly marked and coded correctly on the returns invoice/label. Seems shady that they just deduct it from the refund.

Also, why is shipping more expensive on the return when it's billed on the same account (hence assuming the same corporate rates)?

When an item is marked as return on Customs form to Italy there shouldn't be duties but due to lack of knowledge amongst the staff or whatever Italian officials still slap on fees and make the retailers pay. It happened to me and I made Italist send me a copy of DHL invoice as proof. It's such a corrupt system that I think they try to make money every which way they can.

BUY AT YOUR OWN RISK, TREAT IT AS FINAL SALE WITH NO RETURN and no one is the wiser. I only made that one return where I didn't owe any duties coming to the US but was charged Italian duties upon its return. I still buy from them though but just never return.

 

[shrokia]

Hi all, new to this thread and want to put my two cents in about Italist and get others feed back about their purchases, particularly on shoes and clothes. Italist has the best prices on everything, and like everyone has said even with the ridiculous duties and shipping it is still cheaper than other places. Is this too good to be true? After reading everyones comments and reviews from here and sites like Trustpilot I definitely have my doubts. These are the fishy things I've noticed on Italist.
1. There lack of product description. Why such a general sentence or two about how the items looks? Where are the details? or why aren't there details? Heel height, dimensions, materials (this stuff IS listed on items boxes and tags)
2. Lots of the same products with different prices, photos, and promos on each even though they are all from "Italist selection" Why aren't the boutiques they are from listed? Why the inconsistency?
3. The product codes don't match up with the genuine product code. Example: Celine shoes. Celine lists their shoe codes directly on their website and when I compared them with Italist's code for the exact same product they don't match. Letters are different or missing...
4. Customer service. For such high end stuff no phone number? only an email address or online chat? Odd indeed. Also a note about their customer service. I mailed and chatted with them about the authenticity of their products and the complaints of returns fees and duties from other customers. No reply from email by the way, but chat gave me an automated answer that Italist offers authentic products at "Italian prices" from boutiques in Italy. Uh huh, Italian prices you say? What does that even mean? When I last checked Italy wasn't some haven for shopping. Give me a solid reason for the prices being so much cheaper.
5. There's been complaints and there isn't any SOLID evidence this site is legit. Read the article from racked.com about Italist, look at comments from people saying they received damaged goods, or have had an awful experience returning things.
My conclusion: I haven't bought anything yet, not ready to fork out $500 or more on an experiment. I still feel the things I listed above are in a way a scapegoat for Italist to avoid penalties if it is found out they sell fakes. They can push blame onto these "boutiques."
Anyways, any thoughts? Even after finding all this out I still look at the shoe section haha

 

[ashlie]

Hi all, new to this thread and want to put my two cents in about Italist and get others feed back about their purchases, particularly on shoes and clothes. Italist has the best prices on everything, and like everyone has said even with the ridiculous duties and shipping it is still cheaper than other places. Is this too good to be true? After reading everyones comments and reviews from here and sites like Trustpilot I definitely have my doubts. These are the fishy things I've noticed on Italist.
1. There lack of product description. Why such a general sentence or two about how the items looks? Where are the details? or why aren't there details? Heel height, dimensions, materials (this stuff IS listed on items boxes and tags)
2. Lots of the same products with different prices, photos, and promos on each even though they are all from "Italist selection" Why aren't the boutiques they are from listed? Why the inconsistency?
3. The product codes don't match up with the genuine product code. Example: Celine shoes. Celine lists their shoe codes directly on their website and when I compared them with Italist's code for the exact same product they don't match. Letters are different or missing...
4. Customer service. For such high end stuff no phone number? only an email address or online chat? Odd indeed. Also a note about their customer service. I mailed and chatted with them about the authenticity of their products and the complaints of returns fees and duties from other customers. No reply from email by the way, but chat gave me an automated answer that Italist offers authentic products at "Italian prices" from boutiques in Italy. Uh huh, Italian prices you say? What does that even mean? When I last checked Italy wasn't some haven for shopping. Give me a solid reason for the prices being so much cheaper.
5. There's been complaints and there isn't any SOLID evidence this site is legit. Read the article from racked.com about Italist, look at comments from people saying they received damaged goods, or have had an awful experience returning things.
My conclusion: I haven't bought anything yet, not ready to fork out $500 or more on an experiment. I still feel the things I listed above are in a way a scapegoat for Italist to avoid penalties if it is found out they sell fakes. They can push blame onto these "boutiques."
Anyways, any thoughts? Even after finding all this out I still look at the shoe section haha

Hello, I was really skeptical too. My first purchase was a pair of So Kate louboutins. The service was great, delivery was so fast and I got an amazing AUTHENTIC product. Ever since then, I continue to buy from them. Mostly shoes or accessories. Been looking at bags recently as well. I can't give you all the answers but this is just from my experience and answers I've gotten from questions I've personally asked.
1. The lack of description always gets me. Oh, and believe me, it used to be way worse! It's actually gotten better since I've started shopping with them. This has always been something that bothers me but I just try to do my own research on the product. I've noticed on their heels they tend to not put the actual shoe type or heel high. For I instance pigalle comes in 100mm and 120mm. Like how am I supposed to know which pigalle it is if there is no heel height?!
2. There are a lot of the same item at the same prices. This is what I think happens...I think they can't get all the sizes from one boutique so they go to another and then that other boutique has a different price?
3. I've never tried to match up the product code-thanks for that. I'm gonna go to some stalking the site after I post this haha
4. I actually just purchased something last night... And they have places in the states now which wasn't the case before. Or I just had no idea. I know they list Milan, Paris, they have something in San Fran and LA. My invoice has a the LA location at the top. In my opinion I think they are very understaffed. It's so annoying trying to get in touch with them! It's like by the time you get to them, the item is sold!
5. I haven't seen the racked.com article but will also look at that!! I think with any company there are issues but no one should receive a damaged item. I know a woman who posted in this thread received a wallet with a huge scratch through it. I would love to know how they even sold that. It's absolutely ridiculous. When you pay for a product you expect it to be new.

Overall, I think they have improved but still have a long way to go. I continue to buy from them because I've always had good experiences. On the other side, if I had not shopped with them before, I probably wouldn't because of the mixed reviews.

 

[chanel_hermes_lover]

I agree, I'm willing to purchase as the price is good and the general consensus seems to be the items are authentic. I don't mind that they don't have item names (wish they would add dimensions and details) because that's how other people can find the products easily through google search. By obscuring the actual product name, deal finders like us can snag products without things constantly selling out!

 

[ashlie]

Hi all,

I just ordered a Valentino wallet from italist.com but i have got the item with a large scratch mark. i have already email them but still got no reply.Just wanna share with you the bad experience here. i am wondering if they are selling pre-owned or non authentic items. how can they ship a defective item like this to a customer?! *SAD*

So regret to buy from them coz of the cheaper price.

What ever happened with this wallet?

 

[shrokia]

Hello, I was really skeptical too. My first purchase was a pair of So Kate louboutins. The service was great, delivery was so fast and I got an amazing AUTHENTIC product. Ever since then, I continue to buy from them. Mostly shoes or accessories. Been looking at bags recently as well. I can't give you all the answers but this is just from my experience and answers I've gotten from questions I've personally asked.
1. The lack of description always gets me. Oh, and believe me, it used to be way worse! It's actually gotten better since I've started shopping with them. This has always been something that bothers me but I just try to do my own research on the product. I've noticed on their heels they tend to not put the actual shoe type or heel high. For I instance pigalle comes in 100mm and 120mm. Like how am I supposed to know which pigalle it is if there is no heel height?!
2. There are a lot of the same item at the same prices. This is what I think happens...I think they can't get all the sizes from one boutique so they go to another and then that other boutique has a different price?
3. I've never tried to match up the product code-thanks for that. I'm gonna go to some stalking the site after I post this haha
4. I actually just purchased something last night... And they have places in the states now which wasn't the case before. Or I just had no idea. I know they list Milan, Paris, they have something in San Fran and LA. My invoice has a the LA location at the top. In my opinion I think they are very understaffed. It's so annoying trying to get in touch with them! It's like by the time you get to them, the item is sold!
5. I haven't seen the racked.com article but will also look at that!! I think with any company there are issues but no one should receive a damaged item. I know a woman who posted in this thread received a wallet with a huge scratch through it. I would love to know how they even sold that. It's absolutely ridiculous. When you pay for a product you expect it to be new.

Overall, I think they have improved but still have a long way to go. I continue to buy from them because I've always had good experiences. On the other side, if I had not shopped with them before, I probably wouldn't because of the mixed reviews.

Thank you! That was really helpful, I am still skeptical but if something I really want goes down to the right price I will try it out. I look forward to seeing if Italist improves everything! They are the only somewhat legitimate site that sells Celine shoes, which are SO HARD to get online. As an American living in Asia getting anything over a size US8 here is like a needle in a haystack...thank god for online shopping

 

[shrokia]

I agree, I'm willing to purchase as the price is good and the general consensus seems to be the items are authentic. I don't mind that they don't have item names (wish they would add dimensions and details) because that's how other people can find the products easily through google search. By obscuring the actual product name, deal finders like us can snag products without things constantly selling out!

That's a good point about the product names and such, but on the other hand as a business wouldn't they want all their products sold out ASAP? I have mixed feelings about that...

 

[ashlie]

Thank you! That was really helpful, I am still skeptical but if something I really want goes down to the right price I will try it out. I look forward to seeing if Italist improves everything! They are the only somewhat legitimate site that sells Celine shoes, which are SO HARD to get online. As an American living in Asia getting anything over a size US8 here is like a needle in a haystack...thank god for online shopping

Omg! Stop! That is so funny. I'm a 9. Guess I'm too big as well [emoji85][emoji23]

 

[ashlie]

That's a good point about the product names and such, but on the other hand as a business wouldn't they want all their products sold out ASAP? I have mixed feelings about that...

You would think but the items aren't in a warehouse. I go on italist pretty much everyday. Once you order something, it gets taken down right away. Also, nothing stays up there for a long time because these items are also in boutiques. Therefore, once it sells, it's not online anymore. It seems as if certain things sell fast or are taken off the site quick because they are sold in the boutique. I guess they just aren't worried about selling items because of that reason? It still bothers me though because sometimes you need more info. [emoji49]