Has anyone shopped at Italist?

[Ly07jf]

I think somebody saving up to buy an item for whatever reason might just be overly suspicious and not know much about the company or product and all that, just speculating here, as a way to explain an experience that is so significantly different to what I experienced, and apparently other people too. It could be just jumping the gun, the best way forward would be a reputable, independent authentication service. Heaven knows I was really unhappy about the crinkled strap and made no bones about it, but I wasn't blocked, the issue was addressed fairly promptly, maybe the way it was worded because temper was flying high had something to do with it? Italist is a pretty solid company, if one of their suppliers would send out a fake, I think they'd drop that supplier ASAP as it would really damage them. Of course it could happen, I just think it is not very likely

Yes maybe a bit off the gun there and you’ve offered sound advice. However, someone’s gotta report the first one for them to drop off the supplier?
I wished my experience was like the veterans of this forum too and/or like my first purchase with them.

I think the first thing that threw me off was the smell too... (I didn’t mention because it’s subjective) I don’t have many but my other luxury shoes but my Gucci Ace, Gucci Jordaan, Alexander Wang and Stuart Weitzman didn’t come with any strong scent.

I will admit I am very picky which is why I look forward to the qualities in luxury goods.

And maybe I shouldn’t have posted because my experience is just irrelevant because I saved up money, is overly suspicious and made bones because I was so upset to received shoes that looks so off.

Maybe someone can also tell me that Givenchy shoes are like this with a smell, inconsistency between the left shoe and the right shoe and the craftsmanship is different from one pair to the next.

Curious to know if this looks authentic to you though

 

[Ly07jf]

You uploaded that video to YouTube back in July. And you're just looking to authenticate them now? Seems to me like you're fishing for views on the video.

I found the video of the same shoes for reference... I didn’t make the video. Lol

 

[Ly07jf]

The stock photos can also just be a "sample" that differ from production. I see the poster created the profile just to address this particular issue.. *shrug* so unclear if we'll hear more

I didn’t create the profile to address this issue... but I can see why it seems that way. I guess no one can check that my profile started back in January?

 

[TC1]

I didn’t create the profile to address this issue... but I can see why it seems that way. I guess no one can check that my profile started back in January?

All 6 of your posts are about the sneakers being fake. So pardon my assumption that this is the case. What was your respsonse from Italist? you mentioned you were blocked on IG..perhaps more about your experience would help us all in this thread.

 

[Gabs007]

Yes maybe a bit off the gun there and you’ve offered sound advice. However, someone’s gotta report the first one for them to drop off the supplier?
I wished my experience was like the veterans of this forum too and/or like my first purchase with them.

I think the first thing that threw me off was the smell too... (I didn’t mention because it’s subjective) I don’t have many but my other luxury shoes but my Gucci Ace, Gucci Jordaan, Alexander Wang and Stuart Weitzman didn’t come with any strong scent.

I will admit I am very picky which is why I look forward to the qualities in luxury goods.

And maybe I shouldn’t have posted because my experience is just irrelevant because I saved up money, is overly suspicious and made bones because I was so upset to received shoes that looks so off.

Maybe someone can also tell me that Givenchy shoes are like this with a smell, inconsistency between the left shoe and the right shoe and the craftsmanship is different from one pair to the next.

Curious to know if this looks authentic to you though

Actually, not a massive Givenchy sneaker fan, but the pictures looked OK.

I am not saying somebody saving up for an item is irrelavant, it is just if you aren't very familiar with a brand and you compare the actual product to the stock photos, you can get the impression that it is fake, even if it is just a slight manufacturing variation.

Well, I wasn't looking over your shoulder when you exchanged messages on instagram, so I don't know what was said, but if you were very upset, you possibly used terms that weren't polite, and the person replying is somebody working there, not anybody who sent you the shoes. Why don't you email them with the pictures and ask for an explanation and say you want to return because you feel uneasy about it? Even if you are angry with a company, if you want a return, it is better to be polite, state your grievance in a cool and rational way, that way it is a lot harder for them to dismiss them.

As for smell, most sneakers have a rubber sole, so there will always be some smell, not being able to smell them over the internet, I am afraid nobody can help you here. But if you do really have doubts, why not get them authenticated? Mail the Italist as well and tell them you are planning to have them authenticated as you are really not happy with what you have received, and you do wonder if their supplier might have made a mistake.

Look, even if they are not genuine, it might not even have been deliberate, people have ordered items and returned items that were not authentic, it might have been a genuine mistake, of course it should not happen, but those mistakes can be sorted out, but only if you are calm and present your argument in a very calm and rational way.

 

[Ly07jf]

All 6 of your posts are about the sneakers being fake. So pardon my assumption that this is the case. What was your respsonse from Italist? you mentioned you were blocked on IG..perhaps more about your experience would help us all in this thread.

This was the short conversation we had on IG... I posted the parts where we actually conversed and in between was just the same images I had uploaded here...

Already too rude?

 

[Gabs007]

This was the short conversation we had on IG... I posted the parts where we actually conversed and in between was just the same images I had uploaded here...

Already too rude?

View attachment 4863906

View attachment 4863907

I think you might have made a public comment, they offered to follow up in email, unless something has dramatically changed, they are really good about it, even if not always timely, but since they saw the comment, I assume that you posted about them sending fakes and if you kept on bombarding them with pictures, they offered to take it to emails where they can verify. That person there possibly is addressing questions about items as well, if you keep sending and sending, and stopping them getting to others, yes, they might have to block you.

 

[Gabs007]

Let us know how it turned out, in all honesty, I think they will make it right, judging from my own experiences.

Look, if it helps, years ago I was spending some time in the South Pacific, they had a La Coste shop and I bought shorts and a shirt, went home and they seemed lighter and more flimsy, less solid, I thought I was sold fakes and went back to the shop, luckily I wasn't loud, but expressed some serious concern about material and authenticity, the guy went "Please follow me to my office" - he showed me his orders and that La Coste makes 2 editions, one regular and one for hot climates. I felt like a right boob!

 

[Ly07jf]

They had asked me to send them pictures via Instagram but I obviously thought more pictures are better than less.

Well, maybe they are doing this right but it doesn’t make mine a good experience nor feel good about their approach. Could’ve just told me we will handle this via email right of the bat and kindly ask me to remove my comments for the time being.

Anyways, I’m just sharing my experience as being upsetting. They initially offered an exchange/return so I asked for them to exchange it for the same style and size but then they turned around and said they ll offer me a return. (So I will take the return, not really a choice) Which is why I no longer will be authenticating these shoes because I don’t want to spend my hard earned money on authenticating something I am returning.

So somehow I ended up in Nordstrom and bought another pair. So we can look at them objectively. The ones at Nordstrom matched the online images.

Here’s what they look like side by side:
We can basically play spot the difference

I have highlighted some:

Font on logo on elastic
sharp V stitching
Tongue size and imprint
Heel cap height
Heel tab
Logo on the soles

But we can say what we want (maybe different seasons? Different batch? Different factory? They are both made in Portugal just a side note)


Pictures tell a thousand words so maybe you can decide for yourselves.

This is just my personal experience and I would have loved to known something like this had happened to someone before so at least it’s a calculated risk? And I will know what to do or what not to do if this happens to me. That’s the only reason I made the post initially.

 

[Gabs007]

Look, I know you are upset, but they are taking the return and I am pretty sure they will look into it, but the pictures, to me (again, not a fan of the sneakers so I wouldn't know) just indicate that there is a slight difference which could be explained by a different factory. But you are returning them, you get your money back, you have sneakers you are happy with, so it is all fine.

As an example, I have 4 different Fendi Spy bags (love that bag) despite the obvious differences in material and colour, they also have slight variations, yet they were all bought from Fendi stores, where I highly doubt they sell fakes. Same with shoes from different brands, if one is comfy and sort of timeless, I tend to get them in black, a neutral shade and a brown, and sometimes in a colour, variations do happen. Maybe in the future you will feel better if you buy directly from the brand? It might cost a bit more but the peace of mind you get, that would be priceless

 

[Ly07jf]

Yea, that’s good advice. Just buy from the retail stores for a peace of mind.

But it really makes me wonder about my first item from them... I am too scared to even authenticate them because it cannot be returned... and I wouldn’t know what to do if they turned out to be fake... I will just try not to think about it?

Obviously not all experience will be like this. I just had a bad one. A good one in my mind is just getting the item I had wanted and that’s it. I am now stressed about how the return process goes. Never sent things back this far away... fingers crossed**

 

[Gabs007]

Look, my return went smooth and painless, I hope yours will be the same, I think maybe some wires were crossed, but hope you enjoy the sneakers you have now, in the future, also always pay with a credit card, if an item is not authentic (you will have to pay for authentication but that is usually not too expensive, less expensive than spending a few hundred for an item where you aren't sure and it will bug you forever) you can do a charge back and back it up with the authentication report

 

[Coco.lover]

I ordered a Golden Goose crossbody bag on Tuesday night and just received it today. I’m beyond happy with the bag and service. It was my first time ordering was a little apprehensive since I didn’t know the site but I’m now a customer for life. Plus I saved $$$

 

[roxya81]

long time lurker here, but just had to put my .02 in about the sudden influx of new members' glowing review of italist - it's highly suspect. Glad i'm not the only one that noticed it.

I shop on italist regularly, made 6~+ purchases from them? Everything I bought is authentic and arrived quickly with great tracking. I can’t help with the return questions because with their incredible prices I assume you can’t return. I worked in fashion and to get a price this good it’s usually final sale or close out (from the boutique not the brand)

I check italist first when shopping for Gucci, Loewe, golden goose, and ysl.

I have shopped on italist quite a few times and so far I have not had any issues. I purchased a large Valentino Rockstud tote bag, three Gucci Soho disco bags and a Gucci scarf, and also a Gucci cosmetic case and everything arrived promptly and in perfect new and authentic condition. The prices were so good (I’m a bargain luxury shopper). They are similar to Farfetch and that they utilize various boutiques in Europe, however their boutiques are all in Italy. It’s so nice to be able to take advantage of European prices while living in the United States and I don’t have to waste money flying to Europe to get a good deal. I work in the designer handbag industry and I handle many, many designer bags on a regular basis so I am confident the items I received from Italist have been authentic.

hello I am a loyal customer to italist !! I confess that in two years it has been my best choice you get great designers at a very good discount, so that you can get them without discount and still exceed the prices of other platforms .... I particularly have had very good experience with them .. I really believe that everyone will make mistakes but I confess to me it has gone super fantastic !!!! There is variety in prices since there are several stores in Europe with items on sale some more than others make sure you place prices from less to greater .. and if you really do not have the option of free return to me I have to return some Fendi sneaker but why I was wrong the size because in Italian it is a size and in Europe it is a little smaller but it is not a big deal either I am really happy with this platform do not hesitate to call them and they will get you out of all your doubts they will answer you very kindly believe me I am a faithful customer and really I recommend them 100%

 

[Coco.lover]

that was literally what made me apprehensive. But I figured if anything goes wrong and they refuse to fix it I can just call my card. But my experience was pretty great.

long time lurker here, but just had to put my .02 in about the sudden influx of new members' glowing review of italist - it's highly suspect. Glad i'm not the only one that noticed it.