Rue La La shopping experience?

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adoptastray

adoptastray

springtime lavender
O.G.
Aug 15, 2006
2,361
7
#1
The private/sample sales sites are getting a lot of attention. In a lot of cases these sites are doing sample sales which means they might not be perfect. Read closely the terms of the condition of the items because a lot of them are final sale.

Smartbargains sent me a used Balenciaga besace. I believe it was used by a customer and returned within the 30 days allowed--so they got to "rent" it for up to a month. Smelled like Loving My Bags leather lotion was used to buff it up. LMB has a VERY distinctive smell. I was relieved that smartbargains had a return policy but their sample sale site might be final sale. Something like this bag could wind up on a sample sale site. Ruelala is owned by smartbargains...
 
#3
adoptastray said:
The private/sample sales sites are getting a lot of attention. In a lot of cases these sites are doing sample sales which means they might not be perfect. Read closely the terms of the condition of the items because a lot of them are final sale.

Smartbargains sent me a used Balenciaga besace. I believe it was used by a customer and returned within the 30 days allowed--so they got to "rent" it for up to a month. Smelled like Loving My Bags leather lotion was used to buff it up. LMB has a VERY distinctive smell. I was relieved that smartbargains had a return policy but their sample sale site might be final sale. Something like this bag could wind up on a sample sale site. Ruelala is owned by smartbargains...
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Hi Adoptastray,

Was it the green one? I ordered one and now I'm afraid I'll be getting the rented one. :sweatdrop:
 
#4
I don't think it is possible to "rent" a bag from them, as they place a red plastic security tag in a prominent place, and it must be intact in order for the return to be accepted.
 
#5
sparkledust, yes it was the green one.

bagatella, I tell no lies--the bag was used, used, used. The lining also showed very clear signs of use. When it came to me directly from smartbargains the bag had no security tag which made me nervous that they wouldn't take it back from me. Like sure lady, uh uh, there wasn't a tag...It's easy to slip off the security tag on the balenciaga bags with buckle straps like the besace. Someone can unbuckle the strap, slip off the tag and wear the bag for a while. I bought a balenciaga courier bag from bluefly and I could have slipped off the tag the same way because the strap unbuckled. I'm not saying the person decided from the beginning to rent it. They may have worn it for a while within the 30 days and decided not to keep it. But what this transction does say is that the people at smartbargains aren't inspecting the returns well enough and then putting them back out for sale on the website.

ambiguousness, thanks for the info that they have a 30 day return policy! That's more generous than some of the other private sale sites. Gilt, for example, allows exchanges only and in fine print they say all sales final for leathergoods, jewelry, etc.
 
#6
Oh, that's terrible...I'm so sorry, I had no idea that was the case! They should not have accepted it as a return, as it violated their policy. Good thing you called right away and informed them it had been used. And shame on them for putting it back up for sale!:tdown:
adoptastray said:
sparkledust, yes it was the green one.

bagatella, I tell no lies--the bag was used, used, used. The lining also showed very clear signs of use. When it came to me directly from smartbargains the bag had no security tag which made me nervous that they wouldn't take it back from me. Like sure lady, uh uh, there wasn't a tag...It's easy to slip off the security tag on the balenciaga bags with buckle straps like the besace. Someone can unbuckle the strap, slip off the tag and wear the bag for a while. I bought a balenciaga courier bag from bluefly and I could have slipped off the tag the same way because the strap unbuckled. I'm not saying the person decided from the beginning to rent it. They may have worn it for a while within the 30 days and decided not to keep it.
Click to expand...
 
#7
adoptastray said:
sparkledust, yes it was the green one.

bagatella, I tell no lies--the bag was used, used, used. The lining also showed very clear signs of use. When it came to me directly from smartbargains the bag had no security tag which made me nervous that they wouldn't take it back from me. Like sure lady, uh uh, there wasn't a tag...It's easy to slip off the security tag on the balenciaga bags with buckle straps like the besace. Someone can unbuckle the strap, slip off the tag and wear the bag for a while. I bought a balenciaga courier bag from bluefly and I could have slipped off the tag the same way because the strap unbuckled. I'm not saying the person decided from the beginning to rent it. They may have worn it for a while within the 30 days and decided not to keep it. But what this transction does say is that the people at smartbargains aren't inspecting the returns well enough and then putting them back out for sale on the website.

ambiguousness, thanks for the info that they have a 30 day return policy! That's more generous than some of the other private sale sites. Gilt, for example, allows exchanges only and in fine print they say all sales final for leathergoods, jewelry, etc.
Click to expand...
WOW! I am NOT going to ever buy a bag from them. I thought they had better measures than that to ensure authenticity.
 
#8
That sucks! I am SO refusing that order! I don't want to get stuck with a used bag with no security tag!

I called earlier to ask about a PA because smartbargains keeps marking the bag down-- just hours after I purchased it and this biotchy CS agent named D*bb*e basically told me to go "eff myself."

And now I find this out.. I'm staying far away from those losers!

Thanks for the heads up adoptastray! My tPf girls have got my back!:tup:
 
#9
Last month I ordered a YSL bag from bluefly, and it came with no security tag either. So I'd to call them to ask for a return authorization number. So maybe someone could take off the tag and then say it didn't come with a tag and used it? It sucks!
 
#11
Thanks for the supportive replies, TPFers! I thought it important to share to give others a heads up.

The worst part about the transaction was how much my heart was pounding when I saw that the bag was used and that it had no security tag. I took all these photos the same day I received in case I'd have to pull in my credit card company to fight. I breathed a huge sigh of relief when I saw the credit on my account (I was checking online daily).

I was started to get all excited about these private sales (I signed up for Gilt, Rue, haute) but put the shopping brakes on myself when I saw Gilt doesn't take back any leather goods. It's final sale, period. At least Rue has the return policy. So it's a trade off of trying to get a good deal versus a possible hassle like I experienced.

Another thing I forgot to add was that when inspections in the return process break down, then it's easier for a customer to slip in a fake bag as a return. So, smartbargains may honorably start with authentic bags but might inadvertently sell a fake if they take one in as a return.

Whew, I'm just so glad I got out of the transaction relatively unscathed!
 
#12
I placed my first order with Rue La La on August 1 morning. Now it is already the end of August 5 and still my order has not been shipped. Is that normal with them? I am starting to worry since they carry only a small inventory. I certainly don't want a cancellation email later. Thanks!
 
#15
I have had a great experience too. I've ordered from them twice. However, I think some of the sale items may ship directly from the supplier, so that may explain the delay. I would definitely call to follow up. I've read great things about their customer service.
 
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