Katie SpenceIs Bluefly legit, is Gilt legit, is Rue La La legit? Discount designer retail sites like Bluefly, Gilt, and Rue La La are legit businesses with positive Better Business Bureaus ratings — but customer reviews report issues with delivery, authenticity, and returns.
Are the discounts too good to be true? Not necessarily, but you’ll want to be sure to read the fine print in the item descriptions. We have what you need to know about these fashion sites.
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Is Bluefly Legit?
Note: In early February 2019, Bluefly shut its business.
Are you itching to get your hands on a pair of Christian Louboutin heels? Fancy a Chanel purse? Bluefly has some options — all at a discount. Bluefly is a “fashion marketplace for the style-obsessed,” and it carries more than 3,000 designer brands, such as Armani, Burberry, Christian Dior, Dolce&Gabbana, Hermes, Jimmy Choo, Prada, and Versace — just to name a few. But, beyond the allure of designer fashions, customers have reported issues with Bluefly’s customer service, shipping, and returns.
Types of Products Sold
Bluefly carries a number of different new and used — or vintage — designer brand products from Chanel to Prada. Items include beauty products, clothing for men, women, and children, home furnishings, handbags and accessories, jewelry, and shoes.
Product Quality
Bluefly guarantees the authenticity of each designer product it sells, and it doesn’t sell reproductions. Because it sells high-end brands, products from designers like Dior and Hermes will be of exceptional quality.
Bluefly also sells vintage and pre-owned goods, and these products will be listed as such. When you choose to purchase a vintage or pre-owned product, make sure you first check its condition. (This will be listed under the product’s details.)
Flash Sale Policies
Bluefly offers flash sales on a number of products. This is a great way to get a designer item for less. There’s not an across-the-board discount on flash sale items. Instead, each product is listed with a certain percentage off.
It’s a good idea to check the product’s description before you make a purchase. Some flash sale products are final sale; all products listed as final sale can’t be returned or exchanged.
Shipping
Standard shipping typically takes four to eight business days and costs $4.95. Expedited shipping takes two to three business days and costs $14.95.
However, customer reviews on sites like ResellerRatings and TrustPilot report poor customer service from Bluefly and shipping issues, including not getting items on time — or at all. On sitejabber, Bluefly only scored two out of five stars when it comes to shipping.
Return Policy
Unless the item is listed as final sale, all items can be returned within 14 days, as long as it’s in its original packaging and the item is unused, undamaged, and has all the tags attached. Shipping charges are not refundable. Bluefly also notes there is only a seven-day shipping window from the day the return merchandise authorization is assigned.
Based on customer reviews on ResellerRatings, TrustPilot, and sitejabber, returns to Bluefly are complicated, and you’ll likely have to contact customer service multiple times. A number of customers reported that they were given the runaround until the 14-day return window expired, and then they were told it was past the return window.
Accreditation
According to the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Bluefly is not rated or accredited. It does not have any customer reviews or complaints on the BBB’s site.
Is Rue La La Legit?
Rue La La sells designer products for less — up to 70% less, according to the site. To shop, you’ll need to enter your email address to sign up as a Rue La La member; membership is free.
What makes the site different is that Rue La La “Boutiques” are only open for a set amount of time. A countdown clock will show how much longer an item is available for purchase. For example, a Boutique might have a Louis Vuitton handbag for sale, but it will only be available for a certain period of time. If this sounds somewhat gimmicky, that’s because it is — the Boutiques are just different parts of Rue La La’s website. Here’s what else you should know:
Types of Products Sold
Rue La La carries a number of different products from well-known and top designers like AG Jeans, Kate Spade, and Burberry. It sells beauty products, clothing for men, women, and children, home furnishings, handbags and accessories, jewelry, and shoes. Additionally, Rue La La offers discounts on travel.
Product Quality
Rue La La “stands by the authenticity” of every product on its site. But, customer reviews on ResellerRatings and sitejabber report fake merchandise being passed off as authentic by the site. And, according to the reviews, in many cases, Rue La La refused to allow the merchandise to be returned because it was listed as final sale. Does Rue La La sell fakes? According to customers, fakes have been sold on Rue La La.
Flash Sale Policies
Because of the timed Boutique setup, everything on Rue La La’s site is essentially a flash sale. It’s a good idea to check the product’s description before you make a purchase. Some products are listed as final sale; final sale items can’t be returned or exchanged.
Shipping
Each item on Rue La La’s site tells you how fast it’s expected to ship. (This can be found under the item’s description.) Standard shipping is $9.95, or you can pay $50 for one year of unlimited shipping. Once the item ships, it should take between two to seven business days to arrive. Expedited shipping is also available.
Return Policy
You can return your purchase within 30 days of receipt, as long as it’s not a final sale item; final sale items cannot be returned. The item must be in its original packaging and in the original condition. You can return merchandise for credit or a refund to your original payment method. If you return your purchase for credit, return shipping is free. If you return it for a refund, you’ll need to pay $9.95 for return shipping.
Customer reviews on ResellerRatings, sitejabber, and TrustPilot report returns are difficult, at best. On sitejabber, a number of customers have complained about not receiving a refund after a return and that refunds take an exceedingly long time to process.
Accreditation
According to the BBB, Rue La La has an A+ rating and has been accredited with the BBB since May 2009. But, Rue La La has received 44 negative reviews and 69 complaints on the BBB’s site. Forty-five complaints were due to “Problems with Product/Service” and 11 were due to “Delivery Issues.”
Is Gilt Legit?
Gilt features designer items at up to 70% off retail, according to the site. Additionally, Gilt says its “advanced personalization algorithms” help it offer you brands and specials that are specifically suited to your tastes. Your personalized deals will be sent to your inbox when you enter your email to sign up as a Gilt member; membership is free.
Note: Gilt was recently acquired by Rue La La.
Types of Products Sold
Gilt carries a number of different products from an extensive collection of designers like Cynthia Rowley and Zac Posen. Items include beauty products, clothing for men, women, and children, home furnishings, handbags and accessories, jewelry, and shoes. Additionally, Gilt offers discounts on travel, luxury car rentals, and city-specific events and experiences.
Product Quality
Gilt guarantees the authenticity and quality of each designer product it sells. However, customer reviews on ResellerRatings and TrustPilot report receiving poor quality products. A number of consumers have complained that the merchandise they received broke after limited use or was broken upon arrival. And, in some instances, customers said Gilt would not refund them for the broken items.
Flash Sale Policies
Gilt has timed sales on a number of the products available on its site. These are usually under the Featured tab and will count down until the sale ends. The products do not have an across-the-board discount. Instead, each product is subject to a certain percentage off.
It’s a good idea to check the product’s description before you make a purchase. Some products are final sale; final sale items cannot be returned or exchanged.
Shipping
Under each product’s description, there’s an estimated delivery date. Many items come directly from the vendor, according to Gilt. Standard shipping is $7.95 and takes three to eight business days to arrive. For 30 days of unlimited shipping, you can pay $9.95. Expedited shipping is also available.
Customer reviews on sitejabber, ResellerRatings, and TrustPilot report long shipping times, specifically for furniture and other large items.
Return Policy
Eligible items must be returned within 30 days of the item’s ship date and be in their original packing and condition. You can request a return online by logging in to your account. You can return merchandise for credit or a refund to your original payment method. If you return your purchase for credit, return shipping is free. If you return it for a refund, you’ll need to pay $9.50 for return shipping.
Accreditation
At the BBB, Gilt has an A- rating. It is not accredited with the BBB. Gilt has 24 negative reviews and 177 complaints on the BBB site. Of those, 105 complaints were due to “Problems with Product/Service” and 24 were due to “Delivery Issues.”
In Summary
Is Bluefly legit, is Rue La La legit, is Gilt legit? If you’re looking to score a new item from your favorite or most coveted designer, Bluefly, Rue La La, and Gilt may have what you’re looking for. But, keep in mind, that each company has its fair share of poor customer reviews relating to customer service, product quality, and shipping and returns. It’s a good idea to be wary and to read the fine print before you make a purchase.
Suggested articles: Is Farfetch Legit? and Is Surprise Kate Spade Legit?
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