So - so, but in the end, Lillian Vernon's Online Store will come through
Written: Dec 27 '02
| Customer Service: |
 |
|
| On-Time Delivery: |
|
|
| Selection: |
 |
|
|
| Full Review |
Why Lillian Vernon's Online Store?
I try to get things done ahead of time. It's a blessing and curse as I can be obsessive about it but usually, in the end, it works out for the best. In September of this year I started looking for a costume for my 4 year old to wear for Halloween. He wanted to be Spider Man. It had to be Spider Man of course, since no one locally carried a Spider Man Costume! I headed over to my other home on the web, eBay and looked around. There were many wonderful Spider Man costumes, some new, some used. The best looking ones were said to have been purchased from Lillian Vernon. I was more than familiar with Lillian Vernon as I'd received their catalog for years. When it became obvious that for just dollars more than I'd pay on eBay, I could buy a new in package Spider Man costume for my son from Lillian Vernon myself, I went ahead and placed my order. (Apparently Spider Man was really popular this year.... gee, wonder why.)
About Lillian Vernon's Online Store
Lillian Vernon, originally a catalog company branched out into the world of Online Shopping. You can view their catalog online however, should you wish to do so. You can visit them at www.lillianvernon.com
They sell toys, home decor, bedding - basically, all manner of products for the home as well as many great gift ideas, many of which can be personalized. In all, I'd recommend you visit Lillian Vernon's Online Store if you're looking for a gift for someone and really have no idea what to get them.
For all you deal seekers like myself, be sure to check out the current Christmas Sale and Clearance sections!
My Lillian Vernon Online Store Experience
Since I knew exactly what I what I wanted I simply typed Spider Man Costume into the search box and there it was. I quickly added it to my shopping cart and went to check out. I registered with the site which was quick and every easy to do and have since received just a few updates about special deals and sales they've run.
For the Spider Man costume, which sold for $35 (yes, YIKES!), I was charged nearly $8 for Standard UPS Ground shipping which was supposed to arrive in 7 to 10 days. The costume arrived two and half weeks later and I was rather disappointed with the time it took to reach me. Seriously, nearly 3 weeks is a long time in my opinion. Sure, the online store only has so much say in long it takes and then it's up to UPS, but Lillian Vernon's Online Store did take about a week before they shipped my in stock item out. But hey, I ordered early, so all was well. I looked the costume over and there was no doubt about it, this was a high quality product; had many accessories that most Halloween costumes don't - and to top it off, it had a muscle chest. It was adorable and I got over how much it cost me fairly quickly.
However.....
I had ordered the wrong size. Here is where panic set in. Even though I'd ordered the costume mid September, it didn't arrive until the first week of October and at that rate I knew full well that doing the usual exchange would leave my son without his much wanted Spider Man costume for Halloween. I also realized that placing another order for the correct size costume would mean I'd have to break down and pay for quicker shipping or there was again no way the costume would reach us in time. This was hard for me, for as much as I love Online Shopping I hate paying for shipping and I really hate paying a huge amount for shipping.
Of course, I placed the order for the correct sized costume and requested the *gulp* $14 shipping option to get my order within 2-4 days. I waited for the new costume to arrive. I admit, I had my doubts as the first order took twice as long as Lillian Vernon's Online Store had said it would. Imagine my surprise when just 2 days after placing my order it arrived at my doorstep! I was very happy that at least the quicker shipping options seemed to arrive on time.
Returns
I did return the first costume I ordered which was too large for my son. I had to pay for shipping the costume back to Lillian Vernon and they recommend you sent it via UPS or insured Mail. So, there was $9 just to send it back. Add that to the original shipping fee of $7 that I paid and can you say, ACK!? I thought so, but it was due to my own error, so no blame can really be put on Lillian Vernon's Online Store.
Within 10 days of Lillian Vernon's Online Store getting the costume my credit card was credited. In my experience, that is pretty quick for an Online Company!
bops_mom's Recommendation
In all, I do recommend Lillian Vernon's Online Store, but only if you're either willing to spend the extra for quicker shipping - or if you don't need your items quickly. I was disappointed my first order took so long to arrive as so many Online Companies have spoiled me into knowing my order can reach me within 7 days. However, Lillian Vernon is a reputable company, they will come through for you in the end, I've no doubt -- just watch those shipping times! As for myself, I may or may not order from them again - it really all depends on how much I need the item and how much time I've got until I need it to arrive.
Thanks for reading!
~ Melissa :o)
Recommended:
Yes
|
|
|
|
About the Author
Member: Melissa S.
Location: California
Reviews written: 627
Trusted by: 741 members
About Me: All caught up on SAP's. Feel free to e-mail me yours!
|
