Receive Luxurious Unmentionables At Work! Victoria's Secret is Discreet.
Written: Jan 17 '06 (Updated Jan 17 '06)
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Like so many shopping escapades begin, my Victoria's Secret Online Store experience happened while browsing the site for a gift for my near mother-in-law who is going on a cruise with a male companion.
I thought that a long, silky purple robe would be nice for the trip, but as soon as I started looking through the website, I remembered how few silky, flowing things I had to call my own. I work hard, I rationalized. I deserve to have a few pretty unmentionables.
The site is nicely organized, allowing you to search by size (including XS!) and/or item (bras, lingerie, tops, swimwear, etc.) and brand or line (for e.g., Body by Victoria). I looked through several of their sale items during a recent clearance and the site does let you search for clearance items only, which is a nice feature for thrifty shoppers. In addition, the site usually filters out sizes and designs that aren't available so that you don't get to the point of putting it into your shopping cart and ordering only to find that the item isn't available. However, Victoria's Secret is notorious for backordering items, so make sure your item isn't on backorder if you need it immediately.
While browsing through bras, they will automatically show you drop down boxes for the matching style of underwear to save time. They also allow you to view most of the items shown in a picture and have optional drop down boxes for adding extra matching pieces in sets.
The site does do a very good job of describing the items in terms of elasticity, and feel on the skin. You can also shop by catalogue item number or browse through recent catalogues themselves. Because of previous experiences ordering from Victoria's Secret via phone, I don't buy their clothes. I was never happy with the quality of the tops, dresses or jeans (I've owned them all). I stick to what's beneath!
The pictures are high resolution, but I did have trouble with the feature that allows you to see little patches of the various patterns for particular items that come in a variety of colors and designs. This feature worked fine at my workplace, so it might just be my internet browser at home. Still, it was annoying when I was scrolling over different patterns and had no idea what was on them. I couldn't distinguish hearts from checks or crazy lettering (which I personally am not a fan of).
But because they have such a wide variety of items that appeal to various age groups and demographics, I had no trouble finding things that I knew I'd love in solid colors and sensible materials like silk (so sensible, right?). Soon, I'd racked up a sizeable little shopping bag of goodies and had to start the process of sifting through and making tough choices. You know what I mean, ladies. It's the time in any shopping excursion on a shoestring budget where you have to sit there and yell at yourself in a military fashion things that only your mother would say, like, "How often are you REALLY going to wear this? Don't you need something else more? That is going to stain so easily. You usually sleep in a t-shirt anyway!" And so on and so forth.
When you've finally whittled down your shopping cart to something a little more manageable both in terms of price and type, it's time to do one last check through the clearance items to make sure there aren't any superb deals you'll be kicking yourself for later for not taking advantage of. A few more 3 for $10 items later and I was finally ready to check out - except that the browser actually crashed this time with an error message that said the server was too busy to respond to my request (which was just to look at a page of nightgowns). That caused me to lose my shopping bag and be forced to start all over again. At least I took such a long time picking out exactly what I wanted that I had no trouble remembering it the next evening when I went back and reloaded my shopping cart.
See? I even did the "wait a day" thing to make sure I really wanted everything before impulsively spending the money. I am a good girl!
So, I had to create a Victoria's Secret Online account with my email address and other information in order to completely my order, though I don't think that was mandatory. I just like to be able to sign back in and track my packages easily so I decided to do that. You can also simply write down your desired product numbers and call the toll-free number where a hilarious ultra-sexy British woman will ask you to hold for an agent.
I placed my order on a secure https site online with a Mastercard and have had no trouble with my card since. Your card is not charged until your order is actually shipped, so beware if you are living paycheck to paycheck and decide to put this charge on your debit. It may suddenly come out of your account a week after you made your purchase.
I received an e-mail receipt immediately with html images and text that was very easy to read and understand. I was also given an automatic link in this email to use to track my packages. I ordered 2 items totaling $55.50. I would have liked paying a few bucks less, but these were high quality items so . . .I placed my order on January 5th and received them today, January 17th. For that, I paid $10.95 in shipping (STEEP!) and $4.15 in sales tax for a grand total of $70.60!
That's highway robbery, in my opinion, for a package that weighs about 1 pound at the most, but somehow it just feels so good to indulge that you don't realize how steep the costs are until you write an epinion about it! The upside to the online store is that you DO get a better selection than you do in the stores. I was in a pretty major Victoria's Secret location while my order was pending just out of curiosity to see if my items were cheaper in the store. Neither of the two items I ordered were actually in the store, so I couldn't compare.
You get a catalogue with your order, which is a plus or a minus depending on your outlook. I was very pleased with the fact that Victoria's Secret is discreet when they send you your items! This was a huge relief for me since I'd had them send it UPS Ground to my work because - hey, that's where I am during the day! Of course I'd love to lift my spirits from my work doldrums by being able to rip open my gifts for myself. When the potential embarrassment sunk in, I was really worried. I could picture our older secretary handing it over to me with a look of disgust - or worse, my boss with a disappointed look in her eye ("so this is what you spend our money on!") - or the one man who works here! I was scared, but to my pleasant surprise, the return address is simply "VSD" in Ohio.
Victoria's Secret does a nice job shipping their items. I like that I received both items in one package, which was a waterproof white envelope. My included receipt also had a return shipping label included just in case there had been a mistake with my order. My items were folded beautifully and even my one silk item came without any folds or creases, wrapped in seperate plastic packaging.
Overall, I'm very pleased with my little splurge at Victoria's Secret Online Store, though their shipping costs and long waiting time will probably make me think twice before ordering again. You don't get the instant gratification like you do when you order something off of other stores that ship quickly.
For more information, please visit www.victoriassecret.com
Shipping costs range from $4.95 (for orders under $25.00) to 5.5% of merchandise subtotal (for orders over $400.00). You can also add an additional $15.95 for express next business day delivery.
Customer Service can be reached at 1-800-411-5116 (for U.S. and Canada) or 937-438-4200 (for International Sales).
VICTORIA'S SECRET
North American Office
P.O. Box 16589
Columbus, Ohio 43216-6589
U.S.A.
Recommended:
Yes
What product did you purchase or try to purchase? slip, bra
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About the Author
Member: Meagan Downey
Location: Chicago, IL
Reviews written: 359
Trusted by: 214 members
About Me: Can't find the online store or service you'd like to review? Request it here.
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