Fashion, Style, Shopping – Ideeli.com

For all you hard-core shoppers out there, I have found something great. Think eBay’s get-it-while-it’s-hot feeling and Marshall’s or TJ Maxx’s discounts – but with better designers.

As a self-professed shopaholic, I am always on the hunt for different and new ways to shop; after all, the mall only stays open until 9 p.m. And about a month ago I found something, ideeli.com. I LOVE this Web site; ideeli offers designer clothes, shoes, handbags, and more at discounted prices. And I have gotten some great finds such as a Marc Jacobs bracelet, both Hype and Gustto handbags and a Calvin Klein suit, all for really great prices.

This is how it works, you sign up for an account which is free. But the site classifies people as first-row and second-row members. First row membership is not free, but you can pay monthly or quarterly. Now I know what you’re thinking: you said sign up was free, well it is and so is second-row membership. But the trick is that first row people get to shop the sales an hour before the second row people. And after weeks of missing out on things I wanted because they sold out quickly, I went ahead and paid the quarterly rate, which really isn’t that bad. It’s $23.97 billed every 3 months or $83.88 billed every 12 months. I started with the quarterly because I wanted to try it out to see if I could get the items I was missing out on as a 2nd row member. And I could, I can usually get all the things I want so at the end of my three months I will probably just switch to the year membership.

But, if you don’t shop online this site will NOT work for you. Also if you are not frequently at a computer it may not work for you. Because, the down side is that you have to BE AT YOUR COMPUTER, since each day at 10 am the sale is released meaning you can view all the items available for sale that day but you can’t purchase them yet. This is the preview period and it only give you an hour or less if you don’t log on until after 10 to look through the sales and see if there is anything you want. After this preview period, the actual sale begins at 11 a.m. EST for all first-row members and noon EST for second-row members. But the trick to getting the items you want is to be first-row (unfortunately) and to have your page open to the item you want to click on so when the clock sticks 11 a.m. you can get the items. Several items will sell out in the first few minutes. Every now and then I still miss out on something and just I call that my savings.

Now a few more things about the site is that they have a standard shipping rate, which is $10. I think that is a bit high but that is the only rate they have. Also may close attention to the expected shipping dates because these could be weeks later. So don’t use ideeli, if you have to have the item quickly, because chances are you won’t get it in time. And the last downside is the return policy, many items, especially accessories such as shoes and handbags are final sale only and no returns. For clothing, most do have a return policy but it is only 14 days from the date of shipment not the day you receive it. So, you better try those clothes as soon as they arrive or you will end up with a closet full of designer clothes you can’t wear or don’t want and would be a real tragedy.

But overall, I think the site is pretty great. I recommend ideeli.com for anyone looking for some great deals on designer clothes; but don’t blame me if you become addicted.