Reader 163

Hi fashion truth girl! :)

I would like to share my two cents with everyone

As a buyer/ex-blogshop owner,I would like to share my opinion on online shopping vs 'offline' shopping, comparison of prices, and whatnot :)

From my knowledge of the available online blogshops operating in general, most are charging at very reasonable prices. At most, the profit markup is 100% (ie if the cost is rm20, the selling price will be rm40), which is acceptable. However if competition is fierce, most blogshops will lower their prices and thus sometimes only manage to earn measles for an item sold. However, this may differ from blogshop to blogshop due to exposure and reputation among customers (ie the more popular blogshops which not only sells off fast, and manage to have plenty of requests for restocks).

I do agree with Reader 160, however i would like to draw attention to this phrase "If you've taken the time to walk around window shopping, you'd realise that many blogshops are actually selling pieces at a higer price compared to real stores outside. Yes, they don't need to pay high rental for their shop, electricity bills, etc. But do you know that there're other hidden costs? "

Yes, some online blogshops do charge higher than offline shops, but this may be due to an entirely different reason. It is widespread knowledge that offline boutiques such as those at Bangsar and other areas charge at incredulously high prices (note: not only the upmarket areas, I've even come across a few at my not-so-classy neighbourhood which sold a dress at RM259 when the cost is just rm20 . and for such thin pasar malam material!)

But if you compare sungei wang, yes, I have seen plenty, numerous, countless of pieces which are sold half the price of those found at blogshops (hint: kimono, clincher and etc dresses). Oh, yes, the price difference is notable. But this might not be due to 'hidden costs' faced by the blogshop owners. The main reason is simply because the suppliers are bypassing the middleman and selling straight to the end user (us customers!).

No, girls, before you think of heading straight to sungei wang to get that kimono, do consider the parking fees first (that is if you're driving there)

(and please, if you do know of anywhere with cheaper parking fees, do let me know, drop a comment or anything! I will be every so grateful)

Now, where were we...oh yes, the price issue.Now that I have retired from selling online, I can only rely on these blogshops for my online retail therapy (and yes, it is very heartening to see the mushrooming of more blogshops, which equates to non-stop shopping). Eventhough I do know the cost of the item and can get it cheaper elsewhere, I still purchase them from online blogshops. One, because I'm impulsive, and two, because the blogshop is marking up a small amount.

Oh, and one last thing, there was some complaints that the models are too skinny, and thereafter the respective blogshops changed their models. Boohoo! As hard it is for plus sizes to purchase clothes, it is also the same for the skinnier ones eg uk4. There is now lesser and lesser blogshops with petite models that it is hard for us petites to gauge if the clothing will fit.

Thank you for reading this long post :) Please comment as I would like to know your opinion on this issue also. Thanks!

*to fashion truth, thank you in advance for posting this up