A most awaited blog-post for some real online shoppers. As you guys know that recently “I am Mr.” collaborated with East Dane to showcase their market presence in providing us men with amazing stuffs, from accessories to shoes to shirts to even books.
So this post here is all about my shopping experience with East Dane and I plan to divide that into few categories, like:
1. Website Appearance & User-Friendliness
2. Product Scrutiny & Browsing
3. Product Information
4. Check Out
5. Invoice
6. Order Tracking
7. Order Delivery
8. Order Packaging
9. Purchase Satisfaction
10. Overall Experience
First and the foremost you will need to create an Account on EastDane, which like any other sign-up, is a child’s play. Let’s get started now.
1. Website Appearance & User-Friendliness
I have seen a lot of website’s nationally & internationally, from individual brand owners to online-multi brand retailer and honestly, East Dane as an initiative by Amazon.com looks quite simple but classy unlike Amazon. It is neatly coded with precise labelling to manoeuvre through the site smoothly and without being bored. The Homepage Photo-shoot illustrative showcasing latest in-store collectibles is too straight-forward if you are looking for a season-shopping and even if you are a picky-shopper, the tabs would be as helpful as a shopping assistant at a store, more friendly and not pushy though.
2. Product Scrutiny & Browsing
Browsing the products may take long hours if you are visiting EastDane for the first few times but once you are through with what they have to offer, your shopping spree just turns delightful. Let me share my experience on this: I was sure I wanted a Pink Casual Long Sleeve Cotton Shirt under $90 and let me shout out loud here, they gave me EXACTLY the same. Too Good To Be True, init? I just followed a few simple steps:
a) Click: Clothing
b) Select: Shirts
c) Refine Further: Casual + Slim (yeah Slims makes you look lean)
d) Designer: I did not select any, wanted to go unbiased.
e) Colour: Pink
f) Price range: $26 to $90 ( yeah I had a limit but you can go way upto $300+)
And BANG…there on the first page was what I was hunting for. Time saver.
3. Product Information
Aaah this one is tricky but interesting. EastDane showcases brands & designers from various countries hence sizing would differ on all products. So what you do there to get the best of your size? EastDane in their product description clearly mentions the origin of the product and shows sizing chart according to that so you don’t end up cursing your purchase.
For instance I bought a Sperry Top-Sider boat shoes wherein once I selected the product, its Size & Fit stated this:
True to American sizing. Buy your normal size.
Now if I was to buy a Paul Smith Oxfords it would look something like this:
UK sizing. Runs large. Buy 1 size smaller than normal.
Easee-bezee..I personally loved this feature.
4. Check Out
And here it comes, the check-out showcasing your cart and putting you on dilemma about what to keep and what to let go as per budget. But hay wait, you don’t trash away what you can’t afford on the shopping budget this time, just add that product to your WISH-LIST. Yes, it’s a feature that keeps your desirables at a place in your account and EastDane will notify you time-to-time if it’s running away or staying safe.
Rest the check-out is pretty usual like any other shopping portals, straight-forward with no nonsense.
5. Invoice
This is where you get the summary of your final purchase and the amount to be paid. It is simple if you are a shopper from US but for internationally shoppers like me, I would recommend you to go through their “INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING TERMS & CONDITIONS” in customer service section. It would roughly help you to get an idea of Customs & Duty that you will be paying on receiving the purchase. But yes they do provide with “FREE INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING”.
For my clients in India, you can calculate the Duties amount here: http://www.dutycalculator.com/new-import-duty-and-tax-calculation/
I however wish if EastDane could just add a feature wherein it calculates the Duties for the shoppers and notifies it on the Invoice might make the shopping experience better.
6. Order Tracking
Now once you are through with the payment, you will be provided with the Order as well as Tracking Number to trace your order. Tracing the order by logging on to EastDane will give you exact location and updates on your shipment. Their customer service is also 24 hours and 7 days a week with a very helpful staff to cater your queries.
7. Order Delivery
They say that the delivery would take upto 3 days or less but mine took almost 10 days because unfortunately I placed the order on 3rd of July and I am assuming that that they were off for the 4th of July “long weekend”. But still I have no complains on that, 7 days is a reasonable time. DHL happens to be their shipping partners hence there’s no reason you should not trust their shipping commitments.
8. Order Packaging
Yes, the packaging is a brown colored filthy looking cardboard box with a DHL sticker but then those are the typical trading-shipping norms one has to follow. Also as one says, it matters what’s inside and not what’s on the outside.
The products inside the box are traditionally packed, where the clothing are packed as they would be packed at the show-rooms – wrapped into a plastic bag. Shoes on the other hand are packed in the same box that of the brand (and Sperry provided the shoes with the shoe-shape holder, which was cool).
I wish they could write up a personal note to all the shoppers to give that personal touch of care and customer appreciation, though they do send a “thank you” card.
9. Purchase Satisfaction
EastDane offers stuffs from a range of international brands and designers keeping the quality and authenticity as a high-concern.
Honestly speaking, I am satisfied for the every penny I spent at EastDane or say even the hours that I logged for shopping. The products are of high quality, fresh (which you don’t get usually in online shopping) and of perfect fit. Though it is a bit heavy on pocket but who cares when you can get a Nudie Jeans and a Michael Bastian at your door-step (yes, obviously in India).
10. Overall Experience
Summarizing it in short. I can’t wait to shop next (once I budget my shopping expense..hahah)
To shop, click here: EastDane
We will appreciate if you can share with us your personal online shopping experiences, suggestions and comments.
Problem with us men is that we often shed our greens or say purple in India, with a mind-set : its should just be durable, be able to stuff much and get done with what its suppose to do. An easy-peasy way to deal with a purchase that’s a one-time go, or say more under-cover accessory. Bag, unlike women's purses and clutches has been a neglected segment and the ones that are there are mediocre enough to call it “old school”.