Wednesday, November 19, 2008

ASOS Online Shop Review

I've decided to share my experience on various online shops, and I'll start with ASOS. I'll mention the good and bad, because then you hear about the online shop from someone who has tried it before.

Please note that the review beneath, is my own opinion, and doesn't necessarily reflect all ASOS' customer's opinion.

Website: ASOS.com
Sells: Designer clothes (RED Line), "the look for less" clothes - meaning clothes that has been seen on celebrities, and ASOS has produced something similar, accessories, shoes, and gifts.
Price: Varies, their RED line is "famous" for being cheaper than elsewhere, while some of their items are fairly expensive, and some are cheap. They have their "Sale" category, and there are always a lot of items available there.
Quality:
Depends, IMO (in my opinion), the quality of ASOS-produced clothes is often disappointing me, because it looks fancy, but in the end it's often polyester or very thin silk. But, they also have decent quality clothes from e.g. other brands that they just sell.
Shipping: It cost either £5 if you buy little (e.g. two items or so), and a flat rate of £12 for orders with more items.

I have been a customer at ASOS for about 2 years, and I must say I've had mixed experiences. When I first ordered from them, I was amazed by the super quick delivery (it cost me £12), but it was worth it because it came within a couple of days. I will however also mention that I've been disappointed several times by the terrible quality. I looked at pictures and it all looked great, but when I received the item it was very thin.

I was so satisfied with ASOS that I ordered again within 2 weeks. But then for a period I didn't shop online, but less than a year ago, I ordered again and from that moment I experienced terrible customer service.

Experience no 1. I placed an order with my sister & friend, and when they tried to deliver it here in Denmark none of us were home, so their courier company "GLS" sent a letter asking us to either choose another address or agree on a day where someone would be home. So we decided to move the address, and my friend and I were home the whole day from 8 AM - 5.30 PM. But I never received my package, I called them around 3 PM and she informed me that the package was in the truck and they would deliver it later. - But they still didn't.

So next day I called them again and she told me the package was attempted delivered at around 8.30 AM and now I would have to pick it up in a city that was 1 hour by train away from my home. I was so angry I never picked up the package, so GLS mailed it back to ASOS and after much struggle, they gave me back my money.

Experience no 2. I gave them another chance about 1 month later, and I waited for my package for almost two weeks, then I contacted ASOS by mail, and after many e-mails, the lady told me they had lost the package. So I didn't receive any items there.

But last week, I tried my luck again, and ordered three items. I received it after approx. 1 week and luckily all the items were intact.

Good features on the website:
  • The pictures are quite clear and they zoom in on small details.
  • On some of the items, they have models modelling them on the runway, so you see it on an actual person - this gives you the opportunity to see small details and e.g. whether the material is thin.
  • You can cancel your order within the first hour after the order has been placed.
Missing features on the website:
  • They don't provide a direct number for you to call them in case of missing order, or the like. They only have e-mail.
  • They don't have the runway video on items from their RED line.
  • You have to mail them to get the track & trace number - they don't automatically provide it for you.
Overall I'll give it 5 out of 10 because of their (often) great design, for their RED line (that I'm crazy about), but not more because of relatively poor customer service and terrible courier company - in Denmark. The prices are IMO quite high considering the polyester material.

Monday, November 10, 2008

Spotted on ASOS # 1

I spotted this gorgeous dress on ASOS a while ago. It's from their RED Line and from the brand Unique Boutique. It's amazingly beautiful, too bad the fabric looks bad. It's polyester and I have bad experience with ASOS' polyester. - I wouldn't want to pay £38 for a polyester dress.

But drooling over the design is okay..




















In case you are interested anyway, it's sold out right now. But I saw it there this morning, check this link: ASOS

Pictures credits to ASOS

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Latest Purchase # 3

Sorry for being MIA, been busy with a million things.

Yesterday, I purchased something from ASOS - even though they always, always disappoint me with something, either the delivery, the actual purchase or something else, I always find myself giving them another chance.

Hopefully they have changed their courier company in Denmark - last time I checked it was GLS and that sucks, so bad ! - They practically only deliver half the time.

Purchase # 1 - lovely silk dress from their RED line.
It's from the British brand TFNC and it only cost me £ 18 !I love the colour !
Interested? - Check this link: ASOS TFNC Dress
Picture credits to ASOS

Purchase # 2 - another silk dress
This dress is from the brand Gestuz
A gorgeous black silk dress, hopefully the fabric isn't too thin, it cost which £28 - so that isn't too bad for a silk dress !
It's sold out right now, but you can check back in a couple of hours/days and it might be back: Check this link: ASOS Gestuz Silk Dress

Picture credits to ASOS

Monday, October 20, 2008

The Look For Less # 1

OMG, thanks to fabsugar, I just spotted the prettiest clutch ever ! - Really, I'm in love. I know I won't buy it, but it's damn fab !

Look at this gorgeous red clutch from Valentino
I love everything about it, the colour, the bow, the shape, all except the price.
The price is at $600 on Bluefly.

But...
Fabsugar found a cheaper and very similar version at Spiegel for only $39, which is a lot less than $600.

They only have it black though, but black is good too. Very versatile.
I'll have to admit, despite Spiegel's pretty and cheaper version, I still prefer Valentino's. It's so beautiful..!
Although I'm on a strict budget right now, I thought perhaps someone else was interested?

Pictures and source, credits to fabsugar and shopstyle.

Saturday, October 18, 2008

Fashion Book # 1

Okay, so I'm actually not very into books, at least not as much as I should be. But, I came across this book when I went shopping this Thursday.
I haven't bought the book myself, at least not yet..
But I'm considering it, although I heard that their books weren't as great as their BBC show.

I'm talking about Trinny & Susannah's book named "The Body Shape Bible"
What's it about?

Read the short summary from their website:

Forget Your size - Discover Your Shape - Transform Yourself


Skittle, Goblet, Hourglass, Cornet, Cello, Apple, Column, Bell, Vase, Brick, Lollipop or Pear... Trinny & Susannah have identified 12 classic women's body shapes. Which body shape are you?

The book is written by the famous two women Trinny & Susannah from BBC's "What Not To Wear". While I found the BBC series hilarious and full of great advice, I heard that their books weren't as great as the show. But I flipped the book through when I saw it, and it doesn't look too bad.

If you are interested in finding out what shape you are, and by that find out what clothes will look good on you, you can buy the book in hardback or paperback at The Book Depository that offers free (..and quick, might I add) worldwide shipping plus cheaper book prices.

The hardback costs £14.73 and the paperback costs £6.63

Thanks to Trinny & Susannah's website

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Confessions of A Shopaholic

If you haven't read the amazing books yet, I suggest you google it. No. 1 is named "Confessions Of A Shopaholic" by Sophie Kinsella.

All shopaholics must read the books, they will definitely make you laugh, and I'll bet you will find a bit of yourself in Becky Bloomwood.

But anyways, the movie will be out in February 2009, but so far you can watch the trailer.
(Becky Bloomwood is played by Isla Fisher, while I have nothing against her, she's just not what I imagined Becky would be like. I mean she's not British, in fact none of them are, she's not blonde, which I had the impression that she was).

Credits to bantamdell

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Latest Purchase # 2

So what does the change of season mean? - Mid season sales, of course !

In case you haven't noticed, then almost all online stores and actual stores have mid season sale right now, so go out and shop for less !

I bought this amazing Salvatore Ferragamo Continental Wallet yesterday. I'm so happy, I can't wait to use it. It's a bit expensive, considering I'm supposed to save up, but when you really think about it, I got it for less than half the original price!
And I'm so in love with it, I can't bear to return it.

Other than this amazing wallet, I haven't really bought anything. I think the next item I will be buying will most likely be a poster or something along those lines, I'm going to re-decorate my room this week.
On the other hand, I have quite a few things on my "watch list" on eBay, so who knows?

Saturday, October 11, 2008

Latest Purchase # 1


I haven't had the time to go store shopping, so I ended up doing it online instead =)
Actually, I've become a frequent visitor at eBay these few days. (I feel an addiction already !) - So I ended up buying a necklace or should I say two, on eBay. It cost me $36 and I really like it. It's sterling silver with white gold plated, which sounds pretty good too.

Actually, I wrote about it a couple of days back. It's the necklace from the Korean drama "Stairway To Heaven", only in a better version - I've made a decision to try to stick to better quality jewellery since, I have too much crap that is cheap and the colour fades after a short while.
Then, my sister bought me a new knit-tunic (shirt) from H&M. - It was sold out everywhere, even though they just arrived in the stores this Thursday. But for such a killer price, I can't say I'm surprised. The price is DKK 79,75 which is about $14.5 and £ 8.5 !
(I know the picture is pretty crappy, but I believe you get the pattern etc?)

Credits to H&M & Yu Candy Charm

Thursday, October 9, 2008

I Want # 1


So, I've been looking at ankle boots for a while without really finding any that I like or that I can afford.

I've been eyeing this pair from ASOS, but unfortunately they are already sold out long ago.

Aren't they fab?







My alternative is something I can't afford at all. From Ted Baker and in real leather, but price is £ 100, which is way over my budget. I know that great leather boots costs around that amount, but I won't be able to afford it, since I'm on a tight budget as I'm saving up for my trip to Australia next year.

But I'll flash them anyway, in case you are interested? - You can buy them at ASOS

Photos thanks to ASOS.

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Spotted on eBay # 1

So, my first relevant post. I'll make it sort since I have to write a ridiculous essay that is due tomorrow.

Here is a post that combines both my passion for fashion and for entertainment, more specifically Asian ET.

Pic credits to yucandycharm @ eBay





















Do you remember the heart-breaking Korean drama "Stairway To Heaven"? - Well I certainly do, I remember crying through almost every episode, because Han Jung-Suh (played by Choi Ji-Woo) had such a terrible life and she even ended up dying in the end.

Do you also remember the popular necklace that she shared with her friend, boyfriend and husband Cha Song-Joo (played by Kwon Sang-Woo) ? I do, since it had such a special meaning to their relationship.

Well, it's currently available on eBay for a "Buy it now" price at US $39.99

Check it out on eBay