I never buy clothes online. I rarely buy them in a store,
for that matter, but I never buy them online. Why? Because even when buying in
a store, everyone seems to size things differently. A small from one brand
might fit, whereas the medium for another does the same. There’s even a few
larges in my closet.
Many people do buy online, however, and those sites that
sell clothes know they have to have a good return policy in case the garment
isn’t what someone expected, especially in terms of size. If they don’t, word will spread and they’ll lose customers fast.
Well, problem solved! Over there on the BBC is a story about a new technology called fits.me that allows you to enter your dimensions and specifications, and it then creates a virtual you, otherwise know as an avatar; that movie title was no accident! When paired with a linked retailer, you can virtually try on the clothes to see how they will look on you specifically, and decide whether you want to order them.
This is not new; similar technology has been around for longer than ten years. It has never quite achieved a foothold, which is surprising considering - as the article states - one in four garments are returned because of a wrong size.
I'll say it again; I'm surprised it has taken so long for this kind of thing to become more prevalent, especially considering that online retail is so prevalent that it is impacting retail sales and causing a shift in the retail landscape. But it never will for clothing unless this takes off.
This is a cool concept. One of the reasons why I shy away from buying clothes online is because I don't want to be confident I'm ordering a medium, then have it not fit. This would definitely alter my opinion on online clothes buying. I would be willing to test it out, when it becomes available for clothing I enjoy wearing! If anything, I know my mom will love it!
ReplyDeleteMy niece had a similar program she used for her virtual dolls on my sister's computer. She would interact with her friends online and dress their dolls in the lastest fashion trend. I am also surprise that did not catch on in the fashion industry. As far as buying clothes online, I would not do it. My sister does and she is constantly returning clothes because they are too small, too big, or she did not like the way it looked once she tried it on. The same goes for the shoes she buys. I do not comprehend how she continues to do so. Personally, I would rather go into the store and try on the clothes. Then and there, I know how it looks on me and have the correct size.
ReplyDeleteI almost always shop online. Brick and mortar stores are carrying less and less items. Stores like Walmart and Costco have perfect models that give the best of both worlds. They sport good return policies and they have larger selections online. As for sizes, both places offer the ability to bring your item into the store to receive credit. I do not think we can run completely away from the traditional stores, but I do feel we as consumers will change our buying habits.
ReplyDeleteWhere do I sign up?! Being 6'0 tall I hate shopping online; sure that's a cute shirt... oh dang, the girl in the picture must have been 5'2. It's such an inconvenience to return clothes and an additional expense. While some merchants send return labels with your order, they also deduct the cost from your total return or have a flat price, say $5.95. So not only have I paid for the item, I've also paid for shipping to get it to me; not I have to pay to ship it back because it doesn’t fit right?
ReplyDeleteThis is a hassle for the customer and for the merchant due to the fact that they lost a sale, they have to have a department dedicated to processing returns, and then they have to restock/repackage that item. If this program will reduce the number of returns, it's definitely a win/win for all. When you want to buy something, many customers want that instant gratification. To anxiously await your package, you get it, you try it on, then it doesn't fit is most certainly a letdown. Consumers are all about convenience and online shopping provides just that; I hope to see this technology spread to other retailers in the future!
I love this idea, and until today, I had no idea that it existed. Working and going to college keeps me extremely busy, so I shop online to save time. However, when it comes to clothes and shoes, it can be really difficult. I always end up having to pay for return postage (which drives me crazy), not to mention the inconvenience of having to drive to UPS.
ReplyDeleteI checked out Fits.me and it looks like something I will try in the future. However, there are not many retailers linked that I would be interested in.
3D dimensional avatars might be a good idea, I have always had that problem of "trying it first" thats why the only place from which I buy clothes directly (shoes) is Zappos! How can you argue with the free delivery and free return? However I do see how this avatar could change the game, I'm still a bit skeptical nonetheless...
ReplyDeleteI had no idea that these even existed. For the most part, when I do purchase clothes, I usually purchase them from online. And yes, there are those times that you do have to return the items because they are either to small or to big when you receive them in the mail. Sometimes, when ordering the same style of clothing, just in a different color they will be to different sizes when you receive them and have to return one of them. One clothing brand that I have experienced this with was Levi's. One color of the same type of pants and same size as the other color was a lot smaller when I tried them on. Even with these type of avatars, I still think that you will have those few items that you are going to have to return because of the sizing.
ReplyDeleteI have serious doubts that this technology will ever really take off and become popular because people know that the way a garment will look on the avatar is not necessarily the way it will look on you once you get the item.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree that it is very difficult for me to shop online or in the store because of the size inconsistencies between brands, and it is very frustrating for me to have to return merchandise online or even at the store.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I have never heard of this type of technology, it seems like it is going to be a very successful for online retailers. You mention that a similar technology has been around for over 10 years and it recently being announced, this is crazy, because return policies is usually what hurts online retailers. Perhaps this new technology will increase profit and encourage new users to online shop.
I believe that this technology will be beneficial for individuals who know their dimensions and who stay on top of them, or who carry around a measuring tape. As for me, I constantly change in dimensions, so this technology would seem cumbersome.
I think this technology sounds amazing! I would use it myself; I just did not know it existed. I frequently see clothing items online that I would love to purchase, but don’t for the same reason, I am unsure if they will fit and especially fit properly. I too am shocked that it has taken so long for this concept of new technology to become prevalent; it seems very useful for both the retailer and the consumer.
ReplyDeleteI'm not quite sure how I feel about this new technology. I rarely buy clothes so it doesn't matter to me if you go to a store or use this virtual system to view them. One side of me thinks of how it could be a good thing. For example my sister has 3 children and says that she rarely goes clothes shopping and it is more convenient to buy them online. So if they had a system for children and adults it might be nice.
ReplyDeleteI'm not quite sure how I feel about this new technology. I rarely buy clothes so it doesn't matter to me if you go to a store or use this virtual system to view them. One side of me thinks of how it could be a good thing. For example my sister has 3 children and says that she rarely goes clothes shopping and it is more convenient to buy them online. So if they had a system for children and adults it might be nice.
ReplyDeleteI am a busy full-time college student and full-time employee, so this technology would be especially convenient for me. I'll be honest, after working, going to school, and running errands I hardly have time to go out and shop. I have always been "iffy" about buying clothes online for the mere fact that I just don't know how they would fit me. It is also an inconvenience returning these clothes if they don't fit me correctly (this means an extra trip to the post office). Fits.me would be a brilliant investment for retailer, and there is no doubt that it will help boost customer satisfaction! I hope that retailers start taking advantage of this.
ReplyDeleteI think that this concept is great, but it will take a little while for many to use it to their own benefit. Of course some ladies and gentlemen will begin using it right away and love it! But it's definitely a different concept that will eventually have it's pros more than cons but for the time being I would rather go in person and try the clothes on because honestly you never know if it will look good on your or not until it is on and your in front of that mirror. You also don't always know about the colors available and what they really look like until you see them in person. So this definitely has high potential but it might be a long time coming. Until then I will continue to shop in the malls!!!
ReplyDeleteMost of the time I rather go to the stores and try on the clothes, it is one of things I like to do on my days off, not just for shopping purposes but it helps me to distract. From time to time I do shop online but only from stores that I know will take it back if I don't like it. One of the things that stops me from doing it so often is the fabric and also the colors. Sometimes the pictures shown do not really show the actual product and you can be easily disappointed. Even though that sounds like a great program it might have some kind of flaw, like you said you are surprised more people do not use it, there might be a reason. Of course maybe people don't know about it or maybe it is still not the time for that advanced shopping system. I also feel it would add to the laziness of people ha ha.
ReplyDeleteI wish I would have heard about this site sooner. I am a big online shopper I love the extra discounts recieved just for shopping online. The one thing I do hate that is mentioned in the article is getting the wrong size or not liking how the clothing fits once you try it on. Then you have to go through the returns process which at times can be irratating. This is something I am going to look into, because it is hard to find my correct jean size, it ranges depending on the style of the jeans. But there might be a reason why this site is not so popular, I know a lot of people who shop online and they have never mentioned this website to use for sizing. But I find it interesting that you can make your own avator, I love those things. Will look into might be on to something......
ReplyDeleteShopping for clothes online is quite difficult for me. I believe it is due to the size differences between regions. I have tried purchasing clothes from Top Shop, and Cotton On. I would always have to get 2-3 sizes bigger in order to fit me adequately. Top Shop sizes clothes based on the European body types / sizes and Cotton on sizes towards Australian body types. Although, it is neat that you can try to see how clothes would look on a virtual self but how it actually fits would vary depending on body type and how the manufacture sizes. Personally, I still would much prefer shopping in stores than online. With online purchases if they do not fit I would have to deal with the courier and waiting time for the return or exchange.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy shopping for my clothes in the stores. I still enjoy trying them on and seeing how they fit.
ReplyDelete