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| copy and paste ZBAPmw1 |
Before anything else, here's a discount code for first time customers: ZBAPmw1, get a 15% OFF discount on your first purchase! Discount is applicable on discounted items (I'll explain more later at the bottom of the page).
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I'm going to share my first shopping experience in Zalora Philippines so prospecting buyers would have an idea on what they'd be getting themselves into should they decide to make an actual purchase.
So there's a reason why you want to buy at Zalora instead of going to your local mall, it's either you A.) are a bargain hunter B.) are too busy with work C.) are too worked-up D.) want to try partly due to the heavy volume of their advertisements E.) feel like moving as far as possible from the clothes you're checking out when at the mall because you feel overwhelmed by sales representatives swarming you when you're simply just browsing. They're just doing their jobs, but hey, introverts unite. I'm not writing this to discourage sales reps to abandon good customer service, it's just me, and a lot of people like me who'd like to keep social interactions to a minimal. Not every time though, just most of the time. I literally feel like I'd pass out whenever a sales rep approaches, especially if there's more than one involved.
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| It's a type of magnetic attraction, what we're experiencing. The closer you get, the farther I become. |
So, where exactly do I fall? That's right, it's D.) I want to try partly due to the heavy volume of their advertisements. They're everywhere. So, are you in that situation where you're browsing and you're stuck between "I really want this" and "but it's too risky"? I was sceptical myself at first, but I'm never going to know what's what if I don't try it for myself. Second hand opinions are great, they save you from disappointments (and a few regrets), but sometimes it's best if you get to experience things for yourself too so you would know what is true first hand.
So what convinced me to give Zalora a try?
✓ Webpage design enables easy navigation and comfortable browsing
– It's easy to look through a selection when the interface is clean and uncomplicated.
✓ Cash-on-Delivery payment option
– Convenience at your doorstep.
✓ 30-day free exchange, return, or refund period
– Everybody deserves a second chance, right?
✓ Free shipment for purchases summing up to P995 above
– Why charge you more when you're already spending so much?
✓ Practical discounts on top brand items
– Because nothing says poor financial decision better than buying in full mark up prices.
✓ P250 voucher when you're a first time customer
– Well...
✓ Significant percentage of savings from using discount vouchers and from site wide sales
– WELL...
I'll give you a brief run-through of my experience. So, I'll begin with what items I bought; a pair of pants, a set of shoes, and other things which will not be shown here. Then, on how the whole thing turned out. Let's start with this:
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| The pants is practically saying "BUY ME". How could I resist? |
I was browsing for clothes when I happened to chance upon this particular gem, the Three Paris Chino Pants from Selected, an apparel trade that I liked. I bought it immediately as it was on sale (I wasn't going to let that opportunity slip through my fingers!). It's a recent screenshot though, I bought this before the 80% sale at around one half of the original price, but lucky I did because their sizes drop fast! (click this "link" to check it out). If the item no longer shows in the link, it means the item is already out of stock, a crippling experience for anyone who has their eyes set on a particular item, surely.
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| "Please take me home", said the shoe. |
This was the other item I bought, a set of suede Sandals with Tassels from
Ezra. The pair is valued at
P1649, but I bought it for half its original price at the time (click this "
link" to check it out). A casual reminder; the next time you see a
Zalora advertisement with an 80% off sale on it, it's not a scam, it really does happen!
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| Cash-on-Delivery payment method require you to pay the exact amount. |
After trawling for clothes, I proceeded to checkout. A few minutes after securing my purchase, I received an email confirming that my order is now being processed.
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| "Dear [insert your name here]," |
You'll get an email like this shortly after securing your purchase. Included within the message is your complete billing information or invoice (partly shown here). The parcel is estimated to arrive within
1-3 days for areas within Metro Manila and
5-7 days for areas outside Metro Manila after the purchase is processed. I live within Quezon City so I should expect it to reach my place within 1-3 day.
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| The "your order has been shipped" email came sometime around daybreak. |
Sometime around daybreak, the morning after I ordered, I received an email saying "your order is on its way!". True enough, my parcel arrived later that morning at around half past 9 o'clock! I chose the Cash-on-Delivery option so I have to pay the courier the exact amount, though I usually just give them a round off of my total bill. It's easier that way when your bill has point odd something's. It's lovely how sometimes they politely insist on you paying just what needs to paid because they don't have change with them (this isn't the way to tip them, by the way).
The delivery time was surprisingly fast. The package was delivered to me at about a day's worth, that is 1 day from the promised 1-3 days. Though my subsequent orders came at a much later time; one arrived sometime before lunch, and one came sometime mid evening. But hey, they come the very next day after I purchased them so I'm not complaining. You can't blame them, it was raining hard that day after all.
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| It is adequate. |
So, this is how your parcel will look like when it arrives at your doorstep, they come in boxes like these. The boxes will differ in size depending on the amount of items you'll buy. Aside from packaging tape, the parcel is also sealed with a "please do not accept if seal is broken" sticker with your name on it, adding a personalised touch to your parcel. That was mainly the reason why I made a second purchase in Zalora after my first one. It's the little things that make you giddy.
The parcel will occasionally be beat-up (it's an exaggeration, calm down) because the courier travels with plenty of luggage in tow (your item will not be the only one to be delivered in a day you know), but the contents are all in good condition, rest assured. In case they weren't, there is always a 30-day period free return, exchange, or refund. Fortunately, I haven't had a need to return any broken or defective goods.
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| Selected 'Three Paris' Winetasting coloured chino pants. |
So, this is one of the items from my first purchase, a pair of pants from Selected. The pair is valued at €49.95 (that's about P2875) but I got it for a fraction of its price. I'm certain it is legit as the pair had its original tag intact, complete with price and SKU so you can have it authenticated if needed be.
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| Close up of the pant's inside. The item includes several other extra buttons attached on the inner tag (not shown here). |
Individual items come with their own packaging when boxed or "plasticked" (see below). In this case, the pants had its own plastic packet for protection, fresh from the stock room. The pants and shoes I bought had the same colour and tinge as the photo shown on their website. It is still likely though that a product's colour may vary slightly or greatly even (I blame too much photoshop) from the displayed photos.
That happened to me once when I bought shoes from our local mall (there were no photoshop or photos involved, of course). I tried on a pair of shoes I liked, I intended to buy it right then and there until I noticed a bruise on the shoe's exterior. I had it exchanged for a new set but the replacement was lighter in shade than the ones on the rack (the one I tried on) even though they were of the same make and design. I had asked for a different pair for several times but every time it came out, it was a different shade from the last one. I got what I wanted eventually, and I apologised to the sales rep for making too many requests. I guess it's bound to happen when things are made by hand, so don't get too worked-up if this happens to you, it's normal. You can always have it exchanged for another one.
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| It comes with a charming black box and a drawstring cloth pouch for each shoe. |
This was the other item I bought, the Suede Sandals from
Ezra. The shoes were a perfect fit, by the way, seeing as shoe size accuracy was a common question I have found when I was "researching". To help you properly choose your shoe size, their website's size drop down has UK, US, EU, and AUS sizing. There is also a separate size guide tab to ensure you get the proper fit. Where the brand is originally from usually helps with identifying shoe sizing too.
If you're still unsure which is which, try measuring your foot with a tape measure and then look for what best describes your foot size (this is how I measure my "standard" shoe size). Do take note though that shoe sizes do not remain constant across brands; with one brand you're a size 10 but with another you're a size 7. It's an artist's prerogative, in this case the shoe maker's.
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| You're going to need something sharp to open this. |
Apart from the box, you're parcel may also come in sturdy plastic packets like these. This is for when you order smaller articles of non-fragile items like shirts. There's a pouch slip at the backside of the packet where your invoices will be put in. This is just an example, my first purchase all came in one box.
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| An opened envelope. |
This is how the your invoice will look like, it comes in a sleek envelope together with a return or exchange form and an occasional gift voucher (not shown here). Aside from the gift voucher, the sales invoice also includes a printed discount code. The discounts vary greatly, it ranges from P150, P200, P500 to more digits presumably. I'm not particularly sure how much 'more' exactly do they give, I've only gotten the P150 and P200 discount codes in my purchases. I'm also not certain if their is a minimum total purchase to acquire a discount code or a voucher.
The return or exchange form basically gives you the option to get a refund or get an exchange within a month long period of 30 days (every customer deserves to get their items proper). The form gives you several reasons to choose from for returning damaged or inadequate goods. These are the actual reasons listed within the form:
1.) Item is too large 7.) Labelling mismatch
2.) Item is too small 8.) Defective
3.) Poor quality 9.) Not satisfied with colour
4.) Not satisfied 10.) Not satisfied with style
5.) Wrong item sent - Swapped order 11.) Changed mind
6.) Photo mismatch 12.) Others (you would be required to specify)
By no stretch of imagination, this is as secure a fall back as you could get. So if you feel like you've made a mistake, here's your second chance!
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| You done good bruh. |
All in all, everything turned out fine. I would say that my first experience shopping at Zalora was a gamble, and it was worth it. If you haven't found a particular answer to a particular question you're looking to answer, do feel free to form your queries! I would be delighted to answer them, so long as my internet connection doesn't have a fit.
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And look, I am now a brand ambassador for Zalora! *sabog confetti* Basically, it grants me the authority to hand out discounts for first time shoppers and earn by doing so.
Give your vast number of friends, and acquaintances, a reason to enjoy their first shopping experience with Zalora by using this discount code: ZBAPmw1
*This discount is valid only for the first purchases of those who have not previously shopped at Zalora Philippines. This discount is applicable on discounted items.
(If you're a first time shopper and would like to know how to buy, among other things, click this "
link" to view FAQ.)
*Disclaimer; All other images and screen captures aside from the images of actual items belong to their respective owners. I do not claim ownership to any of them.
