Did you know the e-commerce apparel market in the United States was worth $127.8 billion in 2022?
According to Precedence Research, the tally for North America last year was $223.9 billion. So, online shopping has gone mainstream.
While it can be convenient to find what you want online, order it, and have it delivered, you’ll want to be careful to avoid buyer’s remorse.
Keep reading to learn about seven common errors with purchasing clothes online. You’ll want to avoid these mistakes at all costs.
1. Ordering the Wrong Size
One of the most common mistakes people make when patronizing an online clothing store is ordering clothing in the wrong sizes.
Going to a brick-and-mortar store means you can walk up and down the aisles, handle the clothing you like, and try things on to ensure a proper fit. You won’t have the luxury of doing any of these things online.
That’s why you must be more vigilant and perform due diligence. Before adding anything to a virtual cart, take proper measurements. You need to measure your waist, inseam, bust, and height.
Depending on the e-commerce storefront you visit, you can use their size chart to get an even better feel for what sizes are best for you. Retailers don’t have consistent size charts, so verify a proper fit before buying.
2. Failing to Read Customer Reviews
Another mistake to steer clear of is failing to check out what other people have to say about various online clothing retailers.
You’ll want to know if people have had issues with inaccurate information about sizes for shirts and pants, for instance.
Do reviewers complain that sizes are too loose or too snug? Are there lots of comments about inaccurate clothing descriptions? Take note of what reviewers say about online apparel retailers and their clothing.
Another reason to check out online reviews is that some reviewers might include pictures of their appearance in their purchased clothing. You can better appreciate the fit by checking out such photos.
3. Neglecting to Check Out Return Policies
You need to read the fine print before you finalize any online transaction.
Different online retailers have different policies for returning items. Some policies are more consumer-friendly than others, so you’ll want to review the pertinent details before buying clothing online.
You might open your package and find that the clothing doesn’t look like it did online or that the fit isn’t to your liking.
If you can’t send stuff back, you’ll have to eat the loss. Another thing to keep in mind is the timeline for returns. Ensure you send things back on time should you have any issues and no longer want the clothing you’ve bought.
4. Not Weighing Shipping Options
Before finalizing a sales transaction, look at the retailer’s shipping options. Failing to do so might mean spending way more than you anticipated.
After all, do you want to pay more for shipping than for the clothes being shipped? It might not be worth your while to pay for shipping unless you’re buying enough apparel to justify the cost of having them mailed to you.
You’ll also want to consider how long the shipping options will take. If you need specific types of clothes within a few days, you won’t want to buy them online should the shipping time be one to two weeks.
In such cases, you’ll be better off finding what you want in a brick-and-mortar store.
5. Not Comparing Prices for Clothes
Buying clothing online without comparing prices on different sites is never a good idea.
Comparing clothing prices can save you a ton — and there are online tools that can help you find the best prices for what you’re seeking.
While you’re at it, see if there are digital coupons you can use to bring down costs even further. It also makes sense to make a note of special sales or promotions that can save you even more money for the clothing you want.
6. Ignoring Care Instructions
You must avoid failing to consider the care instructions for any clothing you purchase online.
Do you mind having to dry-clean clothing outfits, or will doing so be a burden? Ensure you read up on information such as cleaning and maintaining the clothing.
Buying apparel that aligns with the time and effort you want to invest in your clothing is best.
7. Choosing the Wrong Style for You
Just because the clothing you see in an online store looks great on the models wearing dresses, pants, skirts, shirts, and other items doesn’t necessarily mean that the styles fit you.
So, you can’t focus only on things like the sizes for clothes. You also need to consider the styles.
If you need inspiration to expand your horizons, consider something like https://www.etsy.com/shop/ArtfulBitsyDesign.
Tapping into your creative side by looking at some digital artwork might help you explore more creative forms of expression through your apparel.
Avoid These Errors With Purchasing Clothes Online
Many people purchase online clothing, which can be a great way to add to your wardrobe. You can get quality apparel at great prices, and some retailers will sweeten the deal by offering free or low-cost shipping options.
You’ll just want to be careful, so you avoid errors with purchasing clothes online. Making any of the mistakes mentioned above may leave you with a sour taste in your mouth, but these errors can be avoided.
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