Singapore blogshop sizes too small? This US blogger found out the hard way
The end of the year is fast approaching and so is pay day! Which only means one thing: Prepare to shop.
For many of us, shopping means logging on to our favourite online blogshops or retail outlets and adding anything beautiful to our virtual carts.
Not every blogshop should be trusted though.
US blogger Lindsay Ferrier recently wrote about the experience she had with a Singapore blogshop called Nasty Dress.
She was amazed by how the clothes were beautiful, the prices were unbelievably affordable and even the shipping cost to the US wasn't very expensive.
Unfortunately, when the delivery came, she discovered that two of her items were missing and were being delivered separately, while the rest simply didn't fit. They came in different materials, looked nothing like the pictures used on the blogshop and even had holes and loose threads on some of the clothes.
The only good thing that came out of it was that her 10-year-old daughter could fit into the clothes better, though she still would have to grow into them.
The post should strike a chord with many blogshoppers here - we're all used to the quality some blogshops offer.
Take it from someone who shops online regularly - there are things you can do to make sure you're getting quality stuff from local blogshops.
Here are some essential tips:
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Check and double check measurements
Not every country follows the same measurements. Size M in Singapore is not the same as an M in the US. Do a quick Google check if the blogshop isn't clear on their sizes. There are tons of charts online that will help give you a clearer picture of what size you should be ordering.
If after extensive research, you still can't figure it out, I'd say click that cross on the top right and move on to the next blogshop. Better to be safe than sorry.
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Check reviews
There are too many blogshops to keep trackof. That makes it harder to figure out which are the better ones and which are the rip-offs. Try searching on Google for the blogshops' names and see what comes up. Check their Facebook pages or even try searching for 'The best blogshops in Singapore'.
You'll find lists helpfully compiled by other customers.
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Check out what social media stars are wearing
Social media stars are a good source of information, and there's no better source for blogshop recommendations than Instagram accounts. They tend to caption their 'Outfit of the Day' pictures with the names of the blogshops or retail outlets they shop from. Buy from those outlets and you will never go wrong.
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Be wary of prices that are too low
If the items are too cheap, don't get too excited. This may indicate that the clothes are ordered in bulk from other countries and that isn't always a good thing. Again, search online for reviews or you could always try ordering one or two items as a test. If your first haul turns out well, then you know you've found a blogshop you can trust.
Photos: AFP, Forever Unique, Suburban Turmoil, Google screengrabs
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Contact the owner
If you still feel a little nervous, why not contact the owner and ask them everything you need to know? Size, cost, delivery time, material, colour and specific measurements are details the owner of the blogshop should be able to provide. They should be able to answer your questions confidently. Don't be afraid to bug them. You're a potential customer and honestly, you wouldn't want to waste your time and money shopping from a business that delivers less than what it shows.
Source: Suburban Turmoil
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