WHICH ONLINE SHOP SHOULD YOU SHOP?

I know I'm not a full expert on this as I haven't tried shopping from each shop, but my little knowledge could somehow help you where to use that plastic. Online shopping, like they say, is the new porn. The thrill of waiting for the package, the call from the courier that it has arrived, the excitement of opening the box- priceless.

Suppose you're in Kenya and wanted to wear something by Rick Owens. You're in the fashion house packed place like Dubai but wants a Rad Hourani pants. You are in the Philippines and desperate of a Raf Simons hitop sneakers. Or you are too tired to go out and just wants stay in the attic and shop, online shopping is the answer. As a general rule, if the item is available in store, it is better to buy it in store.

So let's start by giving you few tips.

1. Always make sure that the site is legit and what they sell are real.
          Yes, to avoid you ending up crying.
2. Compare prices
           That item could also be available at some store.
3. As  much as possible, avoid North American shops( SSENSE.com and ALOHARAG.com).
          Only buy from them if you can't find the thing at any other shops. Why? They don't remove the tax        even though you are ordering outside the Americas.
4. Sign up for their newsletters and like them on Facebook.
          Once you are a member, you are the first people to receive info's about their sales and they often give free shipping or promo codes. Take advantage of these.
5. Know if your country charges customs duties
          You don't want to be charged again for that pair of shoes you just purchased. Trust me, that's based on experience.
6. Know the shop's delivery methods
7. Shop at stores that offer free shipping without minimum purchase. Shipping cost vary. Some store base it on country of delivery and some on amount purchased
8. Email their customer service for any queries about the anything.
9. Check all your favorite shops everytime for their promotions and contests.
10. Europe-based shops remove VAT on purchases made outside their territory.

DDU vs DDP

What are these? This is one of the things you have to consider shopping online. Yes, that dress is lovely but wait until DHL won't deliver it in your doorstep until you paid in full the customs duties. Nightmare. The first time I shopped online I never knew this until it happened. I purchase the Maison Martin Margiela Incognito glasses for 250 pounds. Sure it arrived after 3 days, only this time a 80-pound customs charge came with it. So to avoid this be sure to know what are these first.

DDU stands for delivery duty unpaid which means
1. Your purchase doesn't have extra taxes and duties
2. You are paying cheaper for the product  
3. Get ready to pay customs fees when the item arrives
DDU works if your country doesn't charge customs fees like the United Arab Emirates(although not all the time).

DDP stands for  delivery duty paid which means
1. You're paying extra for their calculated customs duties
2. You are paying a little more for the purchase
3. You are not paying a cent when the Fed-Ex delivery man knocks at your door.
DDP works for countries that charge customs like the Philippines. Prices vary from country to country when shopping at sites that delivers in DDP because customs duties also vary from country to country..

Here are some international trusted and legit sites where you can shop. There are a lot there but these are the sites I like. They are much organized, easier to navigate, and they have very good stocks.

Net-a-porter.com (womenswear) and MrPorter.com (menswear)
1. If you want to look like a celebrity, these are the shops to go.
2. Big designer labels and runway pieces are sold
3. Careful when shopping. Items are so well paired and styled on the model. You don't want to end up buying the whole look.
3. Delivers in DDP.
4. Charges shipping cost- 20 pounds
5. They remove tax if you live outside the UK.
5. They have an outlet for their off-season stocks.  Theoutnet.com


ssense.com and aloharag.com
1. Sells womenswear and menswear. More on street looks.
2 .They don't remove tax.
3. Charges shipping fees(depends on cost and country of delivery)
4. Delivers in DDU

Luisaviaroma.com
1. Very good selection of pieces for men and women
2. Sells also runway pieces from big labels and the up-comings.
3. Offers free shipping to some countries, otherwise free if you reach 500 Euros.
4. Delivers in DDP.

Oki-ni.com
1. Only menswear
2. Sells from suits to t-shirts. Very good selection of under the radar, and Japanese designers
3. Removes 20% VAT(although it will only appear like 15-17%) at checkout(email customer service for this)
4. Delivers in DDU
5. Offers free shipping to its mainline labels like Margiela, Marc Jacobs, Jil Sander, etc.
6. Free international shipping if you reach 250 pounds

LN-CC.com
1. Sells for both men and women
2. Under the radar designers and up-and-comings. Very good pieces by Issey Miyake, Martin Margiela, Ann Demeulemeester, and my new favorite Tze Goh.
3. Removes 20% tax in full at checkout(email customer service for this to work)
4. Prices are a little lower than others
5. They sell books and CD's, vinyl.
6. Delivers DDU
7. Free shipping on all items without minimum purchase(if the item is on full price).
8. Ships at 40 pounds worldwide if the item is on sale

Antonioli.eu
1. Also sells for both women and men.
2. Very good selection of labels and runway products.
3. Delivers in DDU
4. Price posted is  without VAT.
5. Ships worldwide for 30 Euros

Brownsfashion.com
1. Sells menswear and womenswear
2. Removes VAT on checkout
3. Delivers in DDU(i think)
4. Shipping cost vary

So for example I want to buy this Rick Owens shoes which is available on 7 sites I mentioned. Where should I buy this? I will use Pounds as currency and the item will be delivered in Abu Dhabi, UAE(where I'am now). Final price in red.




1. SSENSE.COM sells this for 990 USD(604 pounds) + shipping cost 70 USD(43 pounds) + delivers DDU= 647 Pounds
2. ALOHARAG.COM  sells this for 1125 USD(686 Pounds) + free shipping above 600 dollars + delivers DDU
3. LUISAVIAROMA.COM sells this for 623 Euros( 547 Pounds)-free delivery and duties included
4. ANTONIOLI.COM sells this for 583 Euros(512 Pounds) + 30 Euros(26 pounds) shipping + delivers DDU= 538 pounds
5. MRPORTER.COM sells this for 547 pounds( duties included) + 20 pound shipping= 567 pounds
6. OKI-NI.COM sells this for 513 pounds(after removal of 20% vat) free shipping + delivers DDU.
7. LN-CC.COM sells this for 460 pounds(after removal of 20% vat)  free shipping+ delivers DDU.

So where am I going to buy this? UAE does not charge customs duties(especially when items aren't that expensive) so I'll get this shoes at LN-CC.COM because they sell it the cheapest and I will not worry about customs charges after. If I'm not sure about whether or not customs will charge me because this shoes is expensive and heavy(which is their usual basis, I have been charged by UAE customs once when I bought an eyewear costing 370 pounds. my other purchases, although heavy but not pricey was cleared custom fee-free), I will go for LUISAVIAROMA.COM  because they deliver in DDP.

If I live in the Philippines, I will opt for LUISAVIAROMA.COM or MRPORTER.COM because(although it won't be 547 and 567 pounds anymore. Prices vary from country to country because of duties. for MRPORTER.COM's case, this shoes now cost 693 pounds including delivery and duties, difference of 126 pounds from its UAE price). The Philippines charges customs very high and the computed duties from these stores are actually cheaper. I ordered  sandals before when I was in Manila and it only costs 140 pounds but I paid 90 pounds for the customs fee because it was computed according to price, weight and volume. So imagine my shocked when DHL told me that.

That's it. The trick is compare prices and buy things where you can get it the cheapest.

Use that plastic and happy shopping.:)