ShopVu: BlueFly Review

In the ever-growing online shopping market, US e-tailer Bluefly is a fixture. I'd heard so much about it from friends, I thought I'd give it a go...

Photo: Bluefly Logo

WEBSITE PERFORMANCE

Website friendliness is massively important to online shoppers. Bluefly has lots of extras that make it fun and easy to navigate.

Flyview is a handy option when considering an item. It gives you a clearer photo (although not any larger), colors, product availability and the option for more details on the item. 


The My Fly menu allows shoppers to  save items in a wish list, refer it to friends, put in a closet (not sure I get the difference between the wish list and the closet?) and check out what's in your shopping bag. 


Although, I put a number of selections in my closet, I was unable to retrieve them when I signed back in. And, I'm a very slow shopper and Bluefly moves things out of your shopping cart after 30 minutes. Having said that, my items were moved to Saved for Later section. Only fair, I suppose. But really? 30 minutes is all I get to make up my mind?

Photo: Bluefly Website

 SELECTION

Alice + Olivia,  BCBG, Badgley Mischka, Calvin Klein, Rag & Bone is a small sample of labels carried and price ranges from affordable to the lower end of the high end. There are exceptions with designer offerings from Prada, Miu Miu and Alexander McQueen hitting the  $1-3k mark. 

Honestly, I can always find a dress, I ended up buying a cashmere sweater as I wasn't getting that must-have-it feel toward any of the more than 2000 dresses. Very unusual for me! Maybe I was in a mood. Ok, I would've like to have purchased ALL the Emilio Pucci dresses, but my budget wouldn't have it. 


I also purchased two shirts for my husband. One had a flaw, a snip in the placket. which leads me to the next section....

ISSUES, COMPLAINTS OR RECOMMENDATIONS

With so much competition in the online shopping world, the most likely reason I won't be shopping Bluefly again is the amount of money I paid for shipping. 

Granted it was an international order but I was so shocked by the shipping charges (yet committed to what I was buying), I swallowed hard and paid the $90+. This is clearly a company that offers international shipping begrudgingly. 

Making the situation worse, when I had to return the damaged shirt—guess who had to pay to return it? YUP...me! Out of pocket another $48 because I had to return it with tracking.  Now, in BlueFly's favour, with the refund for the shirt I also received a credit for my original $90+ shipping fee. I suppose they could've taken the cheaper way out and only paid for the return, so I'm giving them props for this.

However, with the likes of Asos and others offering free international shipping (and returns!) I will not likely be back unless and until they turn over a new leaf and offer free shipping and returns as the entire process was complicated, tedious AND expensive. Also, I don't appreciate being held hostage whereas if you accept store credit for the refund, then shipping is free?

If you are in the US, discounts, sales and USPS shipping...go for it. I can see how those living in the States would become quick & loyal FLYfans! If you're outside the US, might be better off spending your online dollars elsewhere.

________________________________ Why not look your best every day?

Set Sail with Nautical Dresses

Let me first say, I'm not a big fan of the nautical look.
It is a style that can go very wrong, very easily. 
I shudder to think leaving home resembling
 Mrs Howell or Muffy Regatta Queen of the Seas.

About $70US ModCloth's All for Nautical Dress

 When considering the nautical look, I say

 Be Ye Warned! 

There's a fine line between looking ship-shape 

and being made to walk the plank. 

Elwood Hardline Vintage Black & White Stripe Knit Dress, $90AU at Surf Stitch

I think this collection of dresses is dreamy. 

And although they might fit loosely into a nautical theme,

 my hope is that all of you Dressologists 

make the look your own. 

Milly Lace-up Cotton Blend from The Outnet on sale now

Throw overboard any notion of navy blazers with gold buttons, penny loafers and straw hats.

 Instead go full speed ahead with the unexpected. 

Secret Squirrel Lagoon Halter Dress at BirdMotel about $185AU

Combine with fitted leather jacket, leggings, bedazzled sky-high stilettos or chunky ankle boots. 

You get the picture! Think Anti-Sailor Sailor...

Sexy Printed Cotton Caftan, Victoria's Secret, $59US

Zing some bold personal style into it and 

you will avoid looking like a prop on Gilligan's Island and

instead will be ready for smooth sailing ahead.

Forever 21 Navy & Gray T-shirt Dress, $17US

Kate Sylvester Fredrica Dress at Fashion Artiste $142AU

Thankfully I'm well-and-truly out of 

horrible seafaring cliches...

Ahoy, Matey.

_______________________________________ Why not look your best every day?

Dress of the Week: Calvin Klein

I couldn't love this dress more if it was 
hand-delivered by Mr. Klein himself.

Nordstrom $125AU

The details: Shades of Indigo highlight a dress designed with a pleated bodice and banded empire waist above a gently flared skirt. Back zip, unlined, cotton & spandex.

____________________________Why not look your best every day?

ShopVu: Birdsnest

Photo: Birdsnest Logo

I found Birdsnest a few months ago and was intrigued, I had to buy something so I could honestly write about the complete online retail experience. 

The perfect excuse to shop, right?

WEBSITE PERFORMANCE

The Birdsnest website is clever and easy to navigate. Shop by brand, color, shape, outfit, personality, occasion, and personal fave....SALE!) In fact, the home page has so many options, it could be a little overwhelming—or an adventure!

Photo: Birdsnest Website

Once inside, thumbnails are a tiny bit small but the excellent quality of the the photos work well to compensate. I also appreciate that with one-click all the detailed information on the item is available as are the enlarge and zoom features.

. 

Firefly Dress at Birdsnest $89.95

Perhaps the best feature is at check out, up pops a screen with recommendations to complete your outfit! I bought a gorgeous Firefly dress and up popped photos for coordinating sandals, necklace and hand bag. The clever girls at Birdsnest help complete the look.

SHOP SELECTION

With Jag, Esprit, Wish, Metalicus, Howard Showers and many others, the diversity of brands & styles makes Birdsnest appealing to a wide range of shoppers. I didn’t see a dress for more than $300, making it a fun and affordable shop especially with the summer sale on now  For those living near Canberra, there is a shop in Cooma NSW.

SERVICE & SUCH...

Birdsnest is based in Australia, shipping globally. I ordered on Sunday, Monday was  a public holiday—I had my parcel in hand Tuesday morning! I also had a super friendly email with tracking details and a link to a return form (2 weeks) if all is not perfect. Shipping is $10.95 express within Australia, $17.95 internationally with combined postage available.

My lovely parcel, received overnight!

My gorgeous dress came in a reusable canvas bag with Birdnest logo. The girls included a handwritten note and a loyalty card entitling shoppers to a free gift once they’ve spent $500! These girls have thought of it all. 

I am a blackhearted customer service tyrant...and the Birdsnest girls have melted me. I am now a loyal, loving & completely won-over customer for life.

ISSUES, COMPLAINTS OR RECOMMENDATIONS

Because this is such a LoveFest, here are my few things I could come up with to whine about, and believe me, I had to ponder:

1. No Paypal? Maybe I missed it...

2. The Contact Us button doesn’t link  to an email. A pet peeve of mine—don’t make me copy and paste, or heaven forbid, type an email address. 

3. The link to Suppliers came up with empty page—take it down or fill it up, I say.

 Big deal, right?

 I have a feeling if the girls at Birdsnest read this, it will be fait accompli within the week. Then, Birdsnest really will be the perfect online shopping experience. 

4.999 out of 5