Remember last month when I blogged about the half-off-clearance sale going on at DownEastBasics.com? Well I took that opportunity to place my first order from the site, which carries a small but chic selection of affordable fashions for women, girls and men. I had worked with DownEast Basics once before to bring you this giveaway, but I had never actually shopped with them myself. Keep reading to see what I bought (anonymously and with my own money), and to find out how I think this site ranks overall!
Vibe: Feminine and modest. Think Anthropologie meets Ann Taylor LOFT.
Pricing:
Shipping: Look for free shipping codes online. Otherwise standard rates apply (I paid $20.90)
Speed of delivery: Average; I placed my order on Sunday, January 17th and received it on Friday, January 29th but there was a delay because the men's polo I ordered was sold out, so they emailed me and offered to replace it with a different color or cancel that part of the order.
Customer Service: Very good. As I mentioned, one of the clearance items I bought was sold out in the color I ordered, but they were prompt and courteous with email correspondence to resolve the issue.
Quality: Similar to Target; some pieces like the olive coat were lined and nice, other pieces like the Drop Everything Dress were made of paper thin cotton. But then again, I only paid $3.50 so in this case, you get what you pay for. I haven't ordered any accessories so I can't comment on those.
Online shopping experience: Need improvement. The styling of the models is really charming, pretty and inviting. The site is very minimal but at least it's easy to use and navigate. I would like to see larger images and some detail shots.
Overall Grade: B+ DownEast Basics has a bunch of brick-n-mortar stores in states like Utah and Idaho, but their online presence is still evolving. The quality was not as good as I had hoped, but you have to consider the low, low prices. I think with a few improvements, they have grade A potential.
Pricing:
Shipping: Look for free shipping codes online. Otherwise standard rates apply (I paid $20.90)
Speed of delivery: Average; I placed my order on Sunday, January 17th and received it on Friday, January 29th but there was a delay because the men's polo I ordered was sold out, so they emailed me and offered to replace it with a different color or cancel that part of the order.
Customer Service: Very good. As I mentioned, one of the clearance items I bought was sold out in the color I ordered, but they were prompt and courteous with email correspondence to resolve the issue.
Quality: Similar to Target; some pieces like the olive coat were lined and nice, other pieces like the Drop Everything Dress were made of paper thin cotton. But then again, I only paid $3.50 so in this case, you get what you pay for. I haven't ordered any accessories so I can't comment on those.
Online shopping experience: Need improvement. The styling of the models is really charming, pretty and inviting. The site is very minimal but at least it's easy to use and navigate. I would like to see larger images and some detail shots.
Overall Grade: B+ DownEast Basics has a bunch of brick-n-mortar stores in states like Utah and Idaho, but their online presence is still evolving. The quality was not as good as I had hoped, but you have to consider the low, low prices. I think with a few improvements, they have grade A potential.
Spotlight Dress, reg. $38.99 now $19.99 (currently sold out in most colors/sizes). I didn't realize the print was off until I wrote this post. Oops! Also, read product descriptions very carefully. This dress had a nice sheen but was a knit polyester and I was expected a woven cotton or something based on the pic. Loved the hidden pockets. Had trouble accessorizing in a way that would make the quirky print fit into my wardrobe.
Lost In Love Dress in Navy (also available in raspberry wine), Size S, FREE to me (complimentary gift sent to me by DownEast Basics, separate from my order. They sent it to me after I posted about the MLK sale.). Price online: $34.99. Even though this item was a freebie, it's my least favorite. It's too long and dowdy. However, it's refreshing to find a store with dresses below the knee and higher necklines!
Left: Curtsy Coat in Black, Size X-Small, sale $12.49 (currently sold out online). The only problem with this coat is that you have to wear it buttoned up, otherwise it looks strange. Also not loving the plastic buttons.
Right: L'Amour Coat in Olive, Size X-Small, sale $9.99 (currently sold out online). Totally cute. Reminds me of J. Crew. Great piece for the office.
Right: L'Amour Coat in Olive, Size X-Small, sale $9.99 (currently sold out online). Totally cute. Reminds me of J. Crew. Great piece for the office.
Homeward Bound Top in Deep Red, Size X-Small, sale $8.99 (currently $9.99 down from $22.99 online). Just a cute, simple top, but very very thin fabric. Not good for winter.
Drop Everything Dress in Black, Size X-Small, sale $3.50 (currently sold out online). Again, very thin fabric which makes this versatile dress/tunic good for warmer weather, winter not so much.
The green jacket - not sure about this one yet; doesn't flatter a large bust and I may have to shorten the sleeves. I was pleasantly suprised to see that it was lined (with a cute plaid print). The polka dot dress - I got it in the cream (matches photo exactly), but had I known the black had pink spots, I would've switched colors! Trying to decide whether it's worth keeping, because the torso is much too long for me (I can't even reach the hidden pockets). Then I got the dropwaist dress in both pink and black - true, the fabric is thin, but I love it for the price. An easy throw-on piece.
Overall, I might order from Downeast Basics again, because the items were hit and miss for me, but only if I had a coupon code; shipping was much too expensive in my opinion.
it sounds like they have good customer service..which is a must for me with online shopping