Zara & Online Shopping

Let’s talk online shopping at Zara…

Is it scary ? Is it exciting ? Is it nerve wrecking ? Definitely and undoubtedly all of those. Who knows what you might find once you open that oh-so-big brown cardboard box …

Before we dissect Zara’s online shopping, here’s a teeny bit on online shopping in general. I have been online shopping for a few years now. From brands such as Superbalist, Woolworths, TFG stores, Takealot you name it. This included overseas online shopping from Shein that comprised of shipping and customs. Despite this, all have been a breeze.

How does it work?

Now let’s focus on the online shopping experience that Zara provides to its customers. It’s truly either a miss or win, and trust me I have had my fair share of both. 

Step 1: Download the App/ browse online 

Step 2: Pick your items 

Step 3: Checkout

So you’ve downloaded the App, browsed online, you have your cart , you checkout now what? 

Waiting period? 

Well you wait of course, and boy does Zara make you wait. To be honest I’ve received my Shein orders faster.

According to Zara you shall receive delivery in the next 14 days. Kill. Me. Now.

Packaging? 

Zara has these crazy huge boxes or sometimes brown paper bags that has .. you guessed it, another paper inside around the items with a little sticker fastening it close. Probably the reason why it takes 10 days to prepare, we’ll just never know.

Mishaps ? 

I’ve had several Zara orders that went particularly wrong. First, I was double debited for an order, luckily I contacted my bank and Zara, after much back and forth I was refunded. Secondly , I ordered a pair of combat boots and Zara delivered two different sizes of the same boot. I was mind boggled by this, and only realised after parading around the house with them on. The most recent mishap included , the following:

 

I’ve been trying to uphold my blue phase, and ordered blue buttoned bermuda shorts. This is what I received: 

As you can tell, something seems off. They’re completely different colours! 

Returns, exchanges & refunds ?

Most people are not aware, but if you go into a Zara store to return an online purchase , you can not pick an item to exchange it with. Yes, you read that correct , Zara does not exchange online purchases in stores. Zara offers its customers 30 days of liberty if you are not 100% satisfied. Moving on, Zara allows customers to bring in the item and request an online refund in the same method which you have made payment, which takes up to 14 days. Kill. Me. Now. Please.

Overall?

If we’re rating the online shopping experience, I personally rate Zara a 4/10. The waiting period to receive items are too long , packaging is unnecessary, on some occasions you can not select your specific store as pick up, no in store exchanges are done, incorrect orders are sent out, and a refund takes a long, long time.

 

Will I order online again? 

100% yes, now you’re probably thinking I’m deranged to do so, but sometimes online shopping at Zara is much more convenient and less stressful. I mean, have you seen the in store layout? I walk around oblivious to the fact that there are shoes at the bottom of their shelves. Let’s save this for another blog…

With Love , Lena xx