85% see scams as a major problem on shopping sites and apps.
How Smart Shoppers (and Brands) Protect Themselves
For Consumers:
Check HTTPS + padlock
Google vendor reviews first
Use virtual cards for unknowns
For Ecommerce Brands:
Transparent policies build trust
Clear “verified” badges
Mobile apps reduce third-party risks
I recently ordered a bunch of stuff off Shop Miss A, which I’ve been wanting to do for ages, and I might review it if I ever receive it - I ordered from them knowing they tend to be slow and send the wrong colors for items, but I was willing to deal with it for the low prices (and I’m still excited about that order!). Anyway, I saw that they have a sister website, Off Duty Intimates, that sells...well, intimates. For very cheap.
I always need more bras, so I checked it out and saw that the largest size they carry is my size. Hooray! I was skeptical, but it said they carried my size (L or XL) in a few of their...less fancy items, and I decided to order some underwear, a bra, a body shaper thing (because why not?), and a lacy sexy slip.
SO.
First off, I got some underwear - they’re pretty cute, pretty soft, pretty much what I’d buy at Target maybe. They were $1 a piece, I ordered XL which is what I usually get, they fit, I’m happy. 5/5 would order their underwear again, but beware that in the larger sizes your choices of style and color go from hundreds to maybe like...3.
Then, the bra. It’s simple pale pink/nudeish. It’s a push up. It’s...maybe actually a 34B, despite claiming on its tag to be 36D, and that’s where the problem lies. It wouldn’t go around my ribcage without an extender, and each cup would maybe cover half a boob. This is beyond me being big - this is several sizes smaller than it claims to be. 1/5 would never waste $5 on another bra from them.
The body shaper - it wasn’t something I was super hopeful about anyway - but it’s also incredibly small. Again, yes I’m big, yes it’s supposed to be tight - but an XL should still, if that is my normal size, go more than 2/3 around my body stretched to its max. 1/5 don’t waste your time.
Now, the slip. It’s so cute. It’s pink. It’s lacy. It’s well within my budget. I really wanted it to fit. I managed to get it on my body. But just barely. Given the option, I would have ordered it one to two sizes larger, but XL is as high as they go. I would definitely need to lose about 20 lbs to be able to wear this without fear of ripping it when I inhale. It’s something I really could fit into if I lose that weight, but then at best I would be calling it a large, because 20 lbs ago that’s what size I was wearing at most stores. 3/5 order one to two sizes larger than you typically wear, and if you’re a L or XL don’t even try
Bottom line? This company’s sizing makes the rest of the fashion industry look sane (and chubby which is ridiculous). If you’re on the larger side, they’re not going to have nice things in your size, and the things that claim to be your size won’t be. I’d say if you wear M, buy L to XL. If you’re small, buy M to L. I can’t imagine who would fit into their Smalls that would actually be of age to wear them.
Off Duty Intimates will not be getting my money again.
So, I literally just got this in my store e-mail. Be careful anyone, especially shop owners.
They will e-mail you with a PDF attachment with an apparent purchase for their company and will ask for a quote for the best price. The PDF attachment will show a message that looks like it’s from Google saying there was a problem viewing the document and will link you to a website to update.
Do not click on it! I don’t know what it is, but the link obviously not from Google, lol.
I’m not even a store that carries large stocks of anything, so why would you need to send me a pdf file of your order LOL.
