– Hi guys, I hope all is well. So for today’s video, I thought I would do what I mentioned in I think it was my last video, or maybe it was my Top Shop call, that I would do a video on some of my online shopping tips. It is very specifically for online shopping because I think that going to an actual shop, the experience of shopping is entirely different. I can probably do a video on that because it’s a vast topic. Still, for today’s video, I will be focusing on the online.
So without further ado, let’s get straight into it. So my first tip is to keep in mind the measurement. Almost every website lists the thicknesses and lengths of most of its items on the actual site. It’s always a good idea to look at the size of the model as well, they usually list them as probably like five foot nine and size eight, but sometimes they do vary.
I’m not looking at label sizes; I always look at how they’ll fit. I always think of something long on a model that’s five foot nine; it’s going to look way too long on me. Or if something looks oversized on someone who’s a size eight, then maybe think about sizing down. Obviously, in an online situation, you don’t have the luxury of seeing what it will look like before it comes. Therefore, guesstimate based on what it looks like on the model, and then what sizing I would typically get, and just kind of play it by ear and hope for the best.
My second tip is to always Google for discount codes. I’ve noticed that discount codes usually come up around public holidays, like Easter, Halloween, Christmas, and New Year, and usually codes around payday. Still, I think it’s always really, really important just to Google whatever shop, like New Look discount or whatever, and see if there are any active codes at the moment.
This shirt is actually from River Island. For example, the other day, I bought some stuff off River Island; I don’t usually do my online shopping at River Island, just because it’s not one of those shops I often go on. I just Googled discount codes River Island, and then one popped up for 25% off, which is a pretty good deal, like this shirt was like 39 pounds, with 25% off, it’s even better, you know. If you’re a student, always use your student discount, and I think UNiDAYS is the big thing; I think that’s the site that everyone uses now for discount codes for students.
I haven’t been a student for a long time, so I feel like I can’t comment on that, but always Google it; it’s still worth it if you’re going to save like 10% or 5%, or even 25% like I did with my River Island order it’s so worth spending those extra five seconds Googling. I have also noticed that if you’re a member of a site and you’re logged in, and you save stuff into your bag and don’t check out, often you’ll get a discount code a couple of days later; trying to push you into buying stuff.
The next thing is about quality and cheapness. I don’t think quality and cheapness are always relative. I know that FeelUnique and Lookfantastic do that all the time; they always seem to like, send me a discount code just a couple of days after I’ve been on the site and not bought anything. Though it’s stalkerish and very, very weird, it does save you money in the long run.
Sometimes you can find something that is cheap and affordable. They look amazing; for example, I have this white top from Boohoo which I love, and I think I paid 16 pounds for it, but I think it looks expensive, it’s impressive quality, and it’s just honestly one of the most beautiful things that I’ve bought in a very long time. It’s a lot harder to tell when you’re looking at a picture if it will be cheap or look bad in real life.
Although I love Boohoo, I often find a lot of their stuff is very, very hit and miss; some of it’s amazing, some of its really rubbish, so it’s worth keeping that in mind if it looks cheap and sounds cheap, and is cheap, it might be reasonable in the end. That makes no sense; I’m sorry. I’m struggling to film this video because we’re having our irrigation system redone, and it’s so loud and noisy, and it’s making this room that I’m in a shake. (distant machinery hums) Ooh, they stopped; maybe I can talk again.
Another thing to keep in mind is if you desperately need something for an event, don’t leave it till the last minute and buy more than one size. I’ve had so many mishaps with Asos recently; basically, their delivery cutoff time usually is like, 11, 12 o’clock, and I’ve ordered things at like, nine for next day delivery. They arrived on time, and then I ordered stuff around the same time, and they’ve not come on time, and it’s the most frustrating thing ever.
There are brands that I don’t order from because they’ve done so many things to annoy me in the past. Now, to do with delivery, for example, Missguided, I won’t buy from Missguided because I hate Yodel, the delivery company, and I don’t like Missguided at all, I don’t like, I don’t like them. Obviously, it’s my fault for leaving it so late, but typically they’re pretty reliable, but I’ve had a few mishaps recently, and it’s pissed me off. Maybe I’ll talk about it one day, the behind-the-scenes stuff about that, but that’s another story. Again if you desperately need something like a dress for an occasion, buy more than one size.
Obviously, it’s more expensive, and if you have the money to be able to buy the same dress in two sizes to see which one fits better, then definitely do it; it’s not worth risking it if you need something ASAP, and you need something urgently, and it comes, and you could do with a size up or a size down, so order the two sizes.
Then we come to sales; now I’m not a sales person, I don’t enjoy sale time; I always think if I didn’t want something full price, why would I want it half price? Look around for presales and then regular dates that sales start; if anyone works for any specific retailers and wanna leave some tips down in the comments section, then help a sister out. I’m sure there’ll be people out there who’d love sales and would love to know when they’re going to start because there’s nothing more annoying than when you buy something full price, wear it, and then next week it’s like half price in the sale. I’m not that into sales, so I can’t comment on this, but I’m going to add it because I feel like it’s an important thing to make.
That always happens to me, and that’s why I get so annoyed about sale time. But I think it’s worth looking for high-ticket items that go into the sale, for example, coats; coats always get super cheap around New Year. Check other brands’ websites.
An example of this is when I bought a mesh bodysuit from the brand Glamorous on Asos, and I think it was like 28 pounds. I went on their actual website, the Glamorous webpage, and I think it was like in the sale for like, ten maybe, and then I found a discount code for 15% off, so I believe in the total I paid plus postage, for this bodysuit which was on Asos for literally, like double the price. I don’t usually do that, but I was checking something else out on the Glamorous website, and I was like, wait for a second, why am I spending double on the same thing. Hence, it’s worth checking out the original retailer if you’re buying something on a multi-brand website.
But speaking of multi-brand retailers, they’re perfect if you want to buy things from more than one shop but don’t wanna keep paying all the postage for different things. For example, Asos and Zalando have so many different brands, Asos has tons and tons of brands as well as their own branded stuff, and they stock River Island, they stock New Look, Warehouse, Oasis, like so many High Street retailers, and you can buy it all in one place. Always look for free shipping and free returns. I still always loathe any website that makes you pay to return something.
I don’t think that’s right; I know Missguided charges like to return a parcel, and I think that’s wrong; I think you shouldn’t charge your customers a return fee; I just think it’s weird. Most, if not all, online fashion retailers offer free postage over a certain amount. But always look for free shipping codes. When you’re buying stuff online, and you’re not sure if you’re going to keep it, you don’t want to be throwing away four pounds delivery if you don’t like it; it’s just a waste of money. I love Asos Premier, and I think Asos Premier is worth it; it’s like 10 pounds for a whole year of free next-day delivery.
Boohoo has also started doing free next-day delivery for a year for a tenner, and honestly, it’s one of the best things that I pay for; it’s so useful, it helps me out in so many sticky clothing situations, and it is worth it. When you think about it, next-day delivery on many websites can be between 6-8 pounds, and I know that Zara is something ridiculous. Yeah, always check for free returns and free shipping, don’t pay for it, just don’t; it’s not worth it. So yeah, there we go; those are my online shopping tips. I think that those are the important ones; I feel there’s probably more that I’ve missed out on, but if you guys have any tips or tricks or whatever when you’re online shopping, then do leave them in the comments because I know that most people watch videos and read comments at the same time.
That’s not just me, right? Because I swear that I’ll watch a video on the YouTube app, I’ll always scroll down and read the comments. So if you do comment with any useful information, I’m sure everyone will be appreciative. I know many people find it intimidating buying things online, but I haven’t had any huge issues ever, which I’m very thankful for; apart from with Missguided, I don’t like Missguided.
I hope you guys enjoyed watching this video; please give it a big thumbs up if you liked it, please subscribe to my channel if you’re not already, and I’ll speak to you guys in my next video. If you have any suggestions for videos you’d like to see on this channel, please let me know.
Yeah, thank you so much for watching, and bye.
