Ever open a package only to find that the sturdy, beautiful item you ordered is tissue-paper-thin, or much larger (or smaller) than it appeared online? We’ve got some tips to help you make sure what you get doesn’t disappoint—whether you’re buying it as a gift or for yourself.
see light color
This excellent tip comes from Reddit, where a smart shopper gives advice That you shop for dark colored shoes, bags and clothes by looking at light colours.
May be the stitching, texture, material and other details are always black, brown, dark gray, Or Navy item. But if the same backpack, Say, Available in light gray or beige, the picture there may be more indicative of how to make it.
This is where you realize that part of the bag is fabric where you thought it was leather, or it only has a one-way zipper where you were expecting the two-zipper type. On clothing, you’ll be able to notice seams in strange places, or that it doesn’t have pockets as you’d expect.
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take measurements and check glasses
Shopping for clothes for someone else can be crazy if you need to know the specific size and fit of the item. But if you have those measurements, or if you can compare yourself or a similarly sized family member, definitely use a size chart.
This also applies to non-clothing items. Especially if you think you’re getting a good deal on something, measure to make sure it’s the dimensions you expected. we’ve all seen those pictures From people who didn’t know they were buying dollhouse furniture, but this can happen with other items as well. For example, I once shopped for weight plates too small to put on the Olympic bar, and then fell down the comparison-shopping rabbit hole. I didn’t realize until the package arrived that the plates had a 1″ hole instead of 2″, and didn’t fit my barbell.
So, double check the dimensions before checking out. If you’re buying doll clothes, for example, there’s a big difference between 18″ doll clothes and 14″ doll clothes. for some items, You may want to trace the measurements onto a piece of paper or cardboard to see if it’s a good size. (I’ve done this when phone shopping.)
Check out resale websites to see how it’s wearing.
The pictures on the shopping website give you the best view of the item. One has chosen the most attractive angles, and possibly filled or smoothed its shape. If it’s an item that can be worn, the model’s body type can also skew your understanding of how it will look in real life.
Luckily, there are other ways to see what the item is. really sounds like. Some shopping sites allow customers to upload photos or videos to accompany the review, but these are still new items, just unboxed.
For a more honest look, check out places like Poshmark where people sell gently used items. If something fades, tarnishes, or wears out easily, you’ll see evidence of that. It can also help you make an informed decision about whether you really want to buy the item, rather than just seeing how it’s packaged or photographed.
A redditor posted on r/MakeupRehab that they See used listings for expensive makeup To see if they still like it after seeing it. “I’m rarely excited to buy it,” they note. If you are tempted to buy things Self When gift shopping, this can be a great way to curtail some of that excitement.