Ezra by Zalora Open Box
This is the first time I’ve ordered from the fashion giant Zalora. I use to order stuff from time to time in the UK but since living in Thailand I hadn’t shopped much online. I had heard about Zalora back when I was living in Bangkok. I’d browse their site on occasion but never saw anything that made me stand up and go “ah I gotta have it!” Most of the clothing made available on the Bangkok Zalora site was available in stores quite close to where I lived so didn’t really make much sense to order online. However, I did order a camera (which I used to take pics for this post – Pentax Q10) from their sister tech site Lazada.
But back to the review! I had a lot of fun picking out items from their sale. Also, as I signed up for the newsletter I got a special $100 (HKD) discount on my first order (but only on the full priced items only not sale ones). After hours of browsing their site I picked 4 different items and decided to take the plunge, time to order me some goodies!
I’m splitting this review into different parts, you know the parts that count:
- Ordering – Ease of use
- Payment – Method
- Communication – Is key!
- Delivery – How many days?
- Packaging – It’s parcel time!
- Product – Quality
- Overall – Would I order again?
How I actually ordered was using my iPad but not through the Zalora app, but through their website on my iPad. Here’s where I’m a bit miffed. I spent ages on their app choosing items and putting them in my wishlist…it’s was a freaking longggggggg list. But when I decided I wanted a proper look at the items on my good old laptop they weren’t there on the site when I logged in. Confused? Yeah me too! It seems that the app and website wishlist ARE NOT LINKED. You could understand my anger frustration after hours of carefully picking items in size (and colour!) and finding I had to go through it all again if I wanted to browse the website wishlist version. So, I did…it all again.
So this is why I purchased through the website not the app. The website was pretty straight forward you sign up for an account, you add the items in the size/colour you want and add to the basket. Once you’re done you simply fill out the shipping address and payment method. Sorted.
One of the amazing things about Zalora is that they offer Cash on Delivery (COD). COD is amazing (yes I know it sounds like I’m talking about fish :P) not many websites offer this method of payment. In case you haven’t come across this term it simple means you can pay for your items when they turn up, just pay the delivery guy in cash. This is amazing if you don’t have say a bank account or credit card in the country you’re ordering from (like me) and don’t wish to pay using a card as currency conversion will cost you. It’s very simple and the first time I’ve used it. Delivery was FREE as I had ordered over $150 HKD.
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3. Communication – Is key!
Once I had placed my order Zalora sent me an email confirming the order. The next day they sent me an email telling me my order had been packed and shipped and would reach me within 5-7 working days. Although I had ordered from the HK website, the order was actually coming from Singapore as I guess that’s where their warehouse is based. They do have an office here to handle returns/exchanges which is always good to know you can talk to someone direct in case there is a problem/mix up.
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4. Delivery – How many days?
I had been tracking my order online using SF Express as Zalora provided me a tracking number. This makes it very easy to see where your order is. The last message I had seen before it arrived was that is was in HK but needed some more time to be delivered. So it was a surprise on Sunday morning when a delivery guy knocked on the door with my package (don’t you love it when that happens?). It came in about 5 days (3 working days not including weekend).
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5. Packaging – It’s parcel time!
Receiving a parcel is like Christmas for me, it’s doesn’t happen everyday and I’m so excited opening things that are wrapped (yes this does include sandwiches). Wow, the level of packing was extensive. Lots of wrapping paper, plastic bags, boxes, cardboard and protective material bags (for the shoes). One of the shoe boxes looked like it had taken a bashing but nothing was wrong with the shoes inside. I’d say they were well protected.
Package from Zalora
Packaging T-shirts
Zalora Boxes
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6. Product – Quality
To be honest the quality was to be expected, I had paid maybe on average $100 HKD per item and knew it wouldn’t be Mango or Zara quality but be more on the H&M or Forever21 versatility side of the spectrum. I had ordered 2 pairs of shoes and 2 t-shirts. The t-shirts were from the same brand CATWALK88 and the shoes were from two different brands, one owned by Zalora themselves EZRA and the other from EDGE.
First the shoes, I got into the shoes first so heres what they looked like:
Shoes from Zalora
I chose one pair of extremely high heel shoes in nude from EZRA, maybe 5 inches tall for shoots/catwalk work. The shoes are actually quite comfortable, the material is synthetic but I expect after wearing them a while it would hurt as they are very high. My only disappointment was that there was a mark on one of the heels already, but not extremely noticeable. But you get what you pay for which was $142.90 HKD:
Nude Heels from EZRA – $142.90
Wearing Nude Heels from EZRA
Slight Damage on Nude Heel 😦
I also chose one pair of flats from EDGE called “Sienna Sandals” in a light pink with chain detail for just an everyday kinda shoe for $89.90. As far as I can tell they are quite comfortable and will look great with some outfits I’ve got planned. Quality is not the best but I think I will get a good run out of them. They are very cute!:
Pink Sienna Sandals – $89.90
My feet wearing Sienna Sandals from EDGE
Up Close and Person with Sienna Sandals
Next are the t-shirts from CATWALK88, I love t-shirts with words on them! So when I saw these I had to have them. The “C’est La Vie Mon Cheri” was discounted using the $100 HKD first order coupon code so was only $9! What a bargain.:
C’est La Vie T-Shirt by CATWALK88 $109 HKD ($9 after $100 discount!)
T-Shirt Tag CATWALK88
Lastly, the t-shirt “Chilled to the Bone” was $82.90. Both tees are made from 100% Cotton (or so it says on the label). But both t-shirts looked very creased when they turned up and smelled strongly of warehouse. I advise to wash before you wear these kind of shirts but on a delicate cycle. Both t-shirts are a size S which fit me fine as I’m quite small. Good thing is the shirts aren’t too short either which I was a little afraid of, let’s see how they handle the wash!:
Chilled to the Bone T-shirt by CATWALK88 $89.90
T-Shirt Label CATWALK88
7. Overall – Would I order again?
Thank You for Shopping with Zalora
Yes, I say I would order again but maybe from some of the better known brands such as Dorothy Perkins or Steve Madden, of course higher price but higher quality, yup yup.
I also checked out one brand after I had ordered (and immediately wished I had ordered some stuff from them, ah C’est La Vie ;)) which was Something Borrowed. Safe to say they’re on my wishlist.
I didn’t have any issues with wrong order or trying to exchange/refund so I don’t know how that is on that end but I do know they have a 30 day return period which can be done at the closest SF Express location, at the Wan Chai Zalora office (both free) or by arranging a pick up from a delivery service (this method is not free).
Have you order from Zalora? Is there a clothing website you love ordering from? Had a return/exchange nightmare? Tell me about it and warn the world!
All photos were taken by me using my Pentax Q10 and were edited by me in Photoshop. If you wish to use/share photos please keep the blog address in the photo, the images belong to me. This was NOT a sponsored post but just my wanting share some great shopping experience with you guys.
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