If anything converts me to online shopping, this may be it
A few weeks ago I did some work with an online retailer. In the course of my work, the subject of online shopping came up and my colleague was aghast when I told her I don’t shop online. It’s true, I don’t. Apart from the odd book from Amazon – which by the time you’ve factored in delivery charges isn’t that much cheaper than the high street – I do all my shopping in bricks-and-mortar stores. I prefer the in-store experience and when it comes to clothes shopping I want to know I can return them with no hassle. It’s also why I feel happier buying from department stores rather than ‘no refunds’ boutiques. But news reaches me today of a new initiative from ASOS called ASOS Premier. For £24.95 a year you get free next day or ‘nominated day’ delivery and free returns which are collected from your house! Now, forgive me if this is common practice with online retailers but I’ve never heard of it and I think it’s bloody genius. I was so gobsmacked, I had to get someone to check that I’d read the blurb properly and got the right end of the stick. This is something that would seriously make me rethink my ‘no online shopping’ stance. It means you can order the item you want in a couple of different sizes, try them on at home playing dress-up with all your other things, then return the non-fitting item without hauling your ass down to the post office and paying for the privilege. Duh, they should have done this years ago!
At this week’s Fashion Summit, one of the main messages coming across was the importance of customer service. When business is tough, a good product, a good price and good customer service will see you through. If anyone knows how to succeed in online retail it’s ASOS and we all know that they are doing very well with product and price. It’s great to see customer service being addressed like this, let’s see if others follow suit.
VexInTheCity
20 November, 2009 @ 4:28 pm
Hmmm ok, but if you order from, for example Next before say 2pm you usually get next day delivery and their returns are free – the courier will pick them up from your house and you don't get charged £24.95 for the privilege.
Oli do free returns too.
ASOS can't even fulfil their next day delivery promise right now, let alone charging somebody an additional £25 annually for it.
britishbeautyblogger
20 November, 2009 @ 4:33 pm
For £24.95 you can probably get a cab there and home again and shop in the shop!
Rollergirl
20 November, 2009 @ 4:40 pm
But British Beauty Blogger, that's £24.95 for the whole year!
Make Do Style
20 November, 2009 @ 9:37 pm
I do the same thing with Amazon pay up front for a whole year and get everything delivered for free – not as exciting as fashion though!
The Unbearable Lightness of Being a lawyer
21 November, 2009 @ 12:47 am
my wardrobe.com does it the same and their tends to be cheaper and is also very relaible (DHL)
Anonymous
22 November, 2009 @ 10:17 pm
duh, N-a-P has done that for a year or so! for free!
you can order the item(s) home without paying anything, try them on, and return them all of you want to w/o shpping cost!
Rollergirl
22 November, 2009 @ 10:32 pm
Hmm, I've checked My-wardrobe and Netaporter. NAP's returns may be free but delivery is not. My-wardrobe doesn't do free returns during the sale.
Am I wrong?
Style Mews
23 November, 2009 @ 7:04 pm
haha loving everyones comments, but I like the idea, it guaruntees (I can never spell that damn word) that your item gets back to them (generally I am so lazy with returns and sometimes even end up just keeping them-I know Im terrible), and it also feels like a little personalized luxury x
enc
24 November, 2009 @ 1:25 am
ASOS are onto something here. I think all shipping should be free, and I wish more companies would allow this "try it at home" thingy. Zappos are the only company that come close here, and when I order from them, I'll order whatever sizes I need all at once, knowing I'm getting free return shipping. It's really the only way to fly.