Hi fashion fans!
I’m excited to take you on a journey through my latest online shopping adventure with Farfetch, the global marketplace that’s a treasure trove of luxury fashion.
Living in a town where high-end fashion is as scarce as a desert rose, I’ve always relied on the digital world to quench my thirst for luxury labels. Farfetch, with its vast collection of over 1,400 top brands, designers, and boutiques, promised to be a gateway to the fashion heavens.
From the allure of Prada to the timeless elegance of Gucci and the chic sophistication of YSL.
Join me as I delve into the details of my Farfetch shopping experience, exploring everything from their unique business model to the actual delivery of high-fashion right to my doorstep.
Why I Order from Farfetch
My journey with Farfetch began out of both necessity and opportunity. Living far from the bustling city centers, where designer boutiques and luxury department stores are a common sight, my world is quite different.
Here, in my quiet corner of the world, the high-end fashion scene is virtually non-existent. This geographical challenge has turned me into an avid online luxury shopper, always on the hunt for that perfect item.
The decision to shop at Farfetch wasn’t made on a whim. I often get asked, “Why not purchase directly from the designer’s website?”
The answer lies in the elusive nature of luxury items:
More often than not, by the time I set my heart on a particular designer piece, it’s already sold out in my desired color and size on the official website. This is where Farfetch shines.
Farfetch, a platform that feels like a global fashion market, often has a wider stock availability compared to individual designer websites. A perfect example of this was my recent quest for a Burberry tote bag. This particular bag, which had captured my heart, was nowhere to be found on the Burberry website – it was sold out.
However, to my delight, it was still available on Farfetch. Similarly, a stunning YSL bag, in the exact color and size I desired, was only a few clicks away on Farfetch, while it remained elusive elsewhere.
This availability is not just about luck; it’s about Farfetch’s unique business model. By connecting with a vast network of boutiques and designers globally, they provide access to a more extensive range of stock than what might be available on a single designer’s website. This extensive network was my gateway to securing the items I coveted, which would have otherwise been unattainable.
When Farfetch is Cheaper, and When It’s Not
One of the most intriguing aspects of my shopping experience with Farfetch was the unexpected discovery of pricing differences compared to direct designer purchases.
Let’s talk about the Burberry tote bag first. Here’s a fact that might surprise you as much as it did me: the bag was significantly cheaper on Farfetch – by about $270 less than on Burberry’s official website.
Yes, you read that right – cheaper on Farfetch!
This pricing scenario baffled me initially. Farfetch, after all, doesn’t set these prices independently; they are predetermined in collaboration with the designers or brands themselves.
Given that Farfetch earns through commissions charged to these brands for sales made on their platform, one would logically expect higher prices, not lower. Yet, in this instance, Farfetch offered a better deal.
However, this isn’t a universal rule. Take, for example, the YSL bag I had my eyes on. This piece was about $100 more expensive on Farfetch than on YSL’s own website.
But here’s the catch – the color I desired wasn’t available on YSL’s website.
They had other colors, but not the unique grayish hue I was looking for. So, in this case, I was willing to pay the extra $100 to get exactly what I wanted from Farfetch.
This experience led me to a curious observation about stock availability.
The YSL bag, unavailable on YSL’s own site but present on Farfetch, shipped from the same warehouse as YSL’s orders.
It’s a peculiar situation – the same item, from the same place, but with different availability and pricing on two different platforms.
Authenticity on Farfetch
A crucial factor for any luxury shopper, myself included, is the authenticity of the items they’re investing in.
This is especially pertinent when shopping online, where the physical examination of products isn’t possible. My experience with Farfetch in this regard has been reassuring.
Farfetch serves as a bridge between the world’s top designers and us, the buyers. They don’t just list items on their website; they play an active role in the procurement process.
When an order is placed on Farfetch, they first source the product directly from the designer or brand before it’s shipped to the customer.
Given that the items are shipped directly from the designers themselves, it’s reasonable to infer that the products are genuine.
In the case of my Burberry and YSL bags, both items arrived with all the standard designer markings, tags, and quality you would expect from direct purchases from the brands.
For anyone concerned about the authenticity of items when shopping online, Farfetch’s model offers a sense of security. By acting as an intermediary that ensures products are sourced directly from the original designers.
Farfetch Delivery Times
My experience with Farfetch’s shipping process was a mix of predictability and surprises, reflecting the complexity of their delivery system.
Farfetch’s shipping times and locations vary depending on the item ordered. In most cases, as I’ve observed, the designers or boutiques themselves handle the shipping, which means that delivery times and return policies can differ from item to item.
Farfetch does provide an estimated delivery time for each product, visible under the ‘add to bag’ section on their website. However, these estimates are not always spot-on.
Take, for instance, the Burberry bag I ordered. It arrived five days later than Farfetch’s estimated delivery time. This delay could be attributed to the fact that it was an international shipment, which often involves more complex logistics than domestic ones.
On the other hand, the YSL bag, which was a domestic order for me, arrived within the estimated timeframe. This variance in delivery times highlights the unpredictability of international shipping compared to domestic.
Another point to note is that both items were shipped via FedEx, and required a signature upon delivery.
This is an important detail to consider for anyone ordering from Farfetch – ensuring someone is available at home to sign for the packages is essential.
In summary, while Farfetch provides estimated delivery times, my experience suggests that these can vary, especially with international orders. The free shipping for orders over $200 was a pleasant bonus.
A Note on Return Policies and Paperwork
As part of my quest for the perfect tote bag for an upcoming trip, I found myself ordering three bags, including two from YSL (one directly from ysl.com and the other from Farfetch) and one from Burberry. While each bag had its charm, I decided to keep only the Burberry bag, which meant returning the YSL bags.
The decision to return the YSL bags was purely based on preference; the Burberry bag simply resonated more with my style and needs for the trip. This led me to navigate the return processes of both YSL and Farfetch.
YSL’s return policy allows for returns within 30 days of receipt, which is quite generous. Farfetch, on the other hand, has a tighter window, accepting returns only within 14 days of receipt.
Despite these differing policies, my return experience with both was surprisingly similar.
I returned both YSL bags at the same time, and they were processed identically. They arrived at the same warehouse, were processed in the same timeframe, and the refunds were issued promptly.
The refund from Farfetch appeared in my bank account within the 14-day period they mention on their website.
It’s important to note that each item from Farfetch might come with slightly different return policies and paperwork, depending on whether it’s a domestic or international order.
Also, if you’re ordering branded items from Italian or French designers, be prepared for the return process to take more than 2 weeks.
Final Thoughts on My Farfetch Experience
As I reflect on my entire journey with Farfetch, there are several key takeaways worth sharing.
Would I consider shopping at Farfetch in the future? The answer is yes, but with specific considerations in mind.
If Farfetch presents itself as the more economical choice, or if it’s the only platform offering a particular item in the color and size I desire, I wouldn’t hesitate to place an order.
My confidence in their authenticity and the overall quality of customer service, based on my experience, is solid.
To sum up, my shopping experience with Farfetch was undeniably positive. They offer a legitimate service with authentic products and competent customer service. However, keep in mind their 14-day return window, which I find quite restrictive compared to the more common 30-day policy.
Thank you so much for joining me on this shopping adventure.
