As many of you might already know, I am an avid shopper. No denying, I'm always tempted to add something new to my closet every now and then, which happens way too often by the way.
In recent months, I've noticed the expansion of the online shopping industry, especially on Instagram. A lot of online stores based on Instagram (now dubbed insta-shops) do not have a domain and feature mostly pre-order items but you can expect a wider range of items as well.
I, too, had my go in this now-rapidly-growing industry but a friend and I started @classygeeks with the intention of selling our preloved (secondhand) items. Of course, we attempted pre-orders as well but it was too time-consuming for both of us.
Anyway, @classygeeks eventually went on a permanent hiatus unless we have more preloved items to put on sale.
In the last 2 months, I've been scouting around for good deals and I usually find them on Instagram so I thought hey, why not? As a precaution, I only purchase from insta-shops with positive reviews. (You probably will never expect to find negative reviews anyway.) I usually follow them for a while before deciding if they're worth the investment.
Lately, I've purchase from a couple and I'm just gonna list them below. (Please note that these are entirely my own opinion.)
#1. Bold Me Out top from @shopelr (They also have a domain and you can find them here.)
I waited 3 weeks for my top to arrive. I was informed about my tracking ID and I received my item within 2 days after mailing out. Unfortunately, when it came, it came with a couple of black spots. I reverted back to them but I was told there's nothing they can do unless the top was obviously stained. Can't say I was very satisfied but I did my best to remove the stains although they never came off. How unfortunate. The top itself cost $19 and I paid $5 (flat fee) for registered postage. Later on, I found out I could find the exact same top at Bugis Street for $15 and I would be able to vouch the standard first-hand.
I'm not disappointed. I think I sort of expected the worst since it was my first time purchasing from an insta-shop and I mentally prepared myself for standard to fall below expectation. But the $5 flat fee for registered postage sure isn't fair when you're only purchasing one item.
#2. Black Loafers from @kittyondeck
I have since sold this pair off on Carousell after wearing them once for a couple of hours.
Firstly, I wasn't informed of my tracking ID. And I think this is fairly important to be told because I paid for the service. This pair came unexpectedly and because the reviews were really good, I had high hopes. But I was more than just disappointed.
In deciding between a size 37 and 38, the owner very kindly provided me with measurements. Of course, I have no reason to doubt her advise because she should know better than anyone else, right? I was told the insole for a size 37 measures 23cm because the sole itself is already 23.5cm so I was advised to take a 38, which I did. But the insole for a 38 measured 24cm, which can only mean the insole for a 37 cannot be 23cm, no?
Anyway, them shoes were too big for me. And because they were too big, they cut me. Also, they were so uncomfortable to walk in! There was no support for my heels, which is a huge downside for me. Despite being flats, my poor ankle continued to suffer. Either way, they weren't supportive of my sore ankle.
A week later, I went to Charles & Keith and bought a similar pair. (Featured some posts back.) This also taught me to never buy shoes online. Shoes are best bought when you can try them and assert for yourself the level of comfort. I will never invest in buying shoes online again.
#3. *Chanelle Boy Inspired from @shopkysse (They also have a site.)
I bought it for $26 (now $23) but the bag came in excellent quality as suggested by their premium series. I was only disappointed because I wasn't informed of my tracking ID and when I told them, they said they will only inform me if I asked to be informed. Excuse me, but isn't it common sense?
Anyway, the strap was too long for my short body so I manually cut the strap to fit my length. Other than that, I can say I am pretty satisfied with what was sent to me. I later on purchased a clutch for my cousin's 21st.
The good thing about them is most of their bags are instocks unless stated otherwise. But even if on pre-order, you only need to wait about 8-10 days (excluding mailing time). Anyway, I noticed most of their instocks are out of stock right now and I don't assume they will be restocking these items again.
The other disadvantage is the shop is managed by one owner, who is out of town right now till 19th, which means there is literally no one to respond to your enquiries/orders. No matter how desperate you are, all orders will be processed and mailed out when the owner returns.
#4. Striped Polo Tee from @instockshere
SJ bought the black one and I bought the white one (as shown above).
As the name suggests, all items are instocks so no waiting time is needed. The other thing I love about this insta-shop is the prices are really pocket-friendly! The top featured only costs $14 (inclusive of normal mail).
When the top came, I was once again disappointed with one black spot I noticed on one of my sleeves. As hard as I tried, it couldn't be removed with bleach.
The thing about white tops is once I've noticed the unremovable spots, my eyes will always pay attention to them. I get so self-conscious about them because as small as they may be, I really hate how them spots make the entire item seem so... dirty?
Fortunately, this one is really tiny. I suppose I can forgive that.
In recent months, I've noticed the expansion of the online shopping industry, especially on Instagram. A lot of online stores based on Instagram (now dubbed insta-shops) do not have a domain and feature mostly pre-order items but you can expect a wider range of items as well.
I, too, had my go in this now-rapidly-growing industry but a friend and I started @classygeeks with the intention of selling our preloved (secondhand) items. Of course, we attempted pre-orders as well but it was too time-consuming for both of us.
Anyway, @classygeeks eventually went on a permanent hiatus unless we have more preloved items to put on sale.
In the last 2 months, I've been scouting around for good deals and I usually find them on Instagram so I thought hey, why not? As a precaution, I only purchase from insta-shops with positive reviews. (You probably will never expect to find negative reviews anyway.) I usually follow them for a while before deciding if they're worth the investment.
Lately, I've purchase from a couple and I'm just gonna list them below. (Please note that these are entirely my own opinion.)
#1. Bold Me Out top from @shopelr (They also have a domain and you can find them here.)
I waited 3 weeks for my top to arrive. I was informed about my tracking ID and I received my item within 2 days after mailing out. Unfortunately, when it came, it came with a couple of black spots. I reverted back to them but I was told there's nothing they can do unless the top was obviously stained. Can't say I was very satisfied but I did my best to remove the stains although they never came off. How unfortunate. The top itself cost $19 and I paid $5 (flat fee) for registered postage. Later on, I found out I could find the exact same top at Bugis Street for $15 and I would be able to vouch the standard first-hand.
I'm not disappointed. I think I sort of expected the worst since it was my first time purchasing from an insta-shop and I mentally prepared myself for standard to fall below expectation. But the $5 flat fee for registered postage sure isn't fair when you're only purchasing one item.
#2. Black Loafers from @kittyondeck
I have since sold this pair off on Carousell after wearing them once for a couple of hours.
Firstly, I wasn't informed of my tracking ID. And I think this is fairly important to be told because I paid for the service. This pair came unexpectedly and because the reviews were really good, I had high hopes. But I was more than just disappointed.
In deciding between a size 37 and 38, the owner very kindly provided me with measurements. Of course, I have no reason to doubt her advise because she should know better than anyone else, right? I was told the insole for a size 37 measures 23cm because the sole itself is already 23.5cm so I was advised to take a 38, which I did. But the insole for a 38 measured 24cm, which can only mean the insole for a 37 cannot be 23cm, no?
Anyway, them shoes were too big for me. And because they were too big, they cut me. Also, they were so uncomfortable to walk in! There was no support for my heels, which is a huge downside for me. Despite being flats, my poor ankle continued to suffer. Either way, they weren't supportive of my sore ankle.
A week later, I went to Charles & Keith and bought a similar pair. (Featured some posts back.) This also taught me to never buy shoes online. Shoes are best bought when you can try them and assert for yourself the level of comfort. I will never invest in buying shoes online again.
#3. *Chanelle Boy Inspired from @shopkysse (They also have a site.)
Anyway, the strap was too long for my short body so I manually cut the strap to fit my length. Other than that, I can say I am pretty satisfied with what was sent to me. I later on purchased a clutch for my cousin's 21st.
The good thing about them is most of their bags are instocks unless stated otherwise. But even if on pre-order, you only need to wait about 8-10 days (excluding mailing time). Anyway, I noticed most of their instocks are out of stock right now and I don't assume they will be restocking these items again.
The other disadvantage is the shop is managed by one owner, who is out of town right now till 19th, which means there is literally no one to respond to your enquiries/orders. No matter how desperate you are, all orders will be processed and mailed out when the owner returns.
#4. Striped Polo Tee from @instockshere
SJ bought the black one and I bought the white one (as shown above).
As the name suggests, all items are instocks so no waiting time is needed. The other thing I love about this insta-shop is the prices are really pocket-friendly! The top featured only costs $14 (inclusive of normal mail).
When the top came, I was once again disappointed with one black spot I noticed on one of my sleeves. As hard as I tried, it couldn't be removed with bleach.
The thing about white tops is once I've noticed the unremovable spots, my eyes will always pay attention to them. I get so self-conscious about them because as small as they may be, I really hate how them spots make the entire item seem so... dirty?
Fortunately, this one is really tiny. I suppose I can forgive that.
~~~~~~~~~~
In conclusion, I don't suppose I will be purchasing from insta-shops anymore. It was worth the try and even though I cannot generalise my results to the entire insta-shop population, it was still quite an experience to me. :-)
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