HALLIE EPHRON: Still no vaccine (but I’m finally signed up for one!) in my corner of the universe, so it’s been months since I’ve been to a store. But that doesn’t mean I’ve been wanting… for anything. Because whatever your little heart desires is only a click away, and the wonders of “free shipping” make the shopping guilt-free.
Almost.
Until the thing comes and it’s not quite what you had in mind. A parka that’s too tight across the shoulders. A pair of leggings that are six inches too long. A pair of shoes that, halfway around the block, begin to pinch. A dry vac attachment that it turns out I already had but didn’t rediscover until after I’d placed the order.
I’m as reluctant to go to the post office or UPS store as I am to go to Marshalls or Home Depot, so my not-quite-right purchases that came with free shipping gather dust in the front hall.
Have you been indulging in retail therapy during the pandemic, and how’s it working out for you?
RHYS BOWEN: We have bought everything online, and I mean EVERYTHING! From toilet paper to my favorite British cereal to all the medications one buys at the drug store. It’s amazing. One click and it comes the next day. That has all worked perfectly.
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| Rhys, waiting for her close-up |
Clothes and gadgets not so much. I ordered a 36 inch rope of pearls for my daughter and two 18 inch strands arrived. I ordered a mid calf linen dress (which came from China, little did I know) and it was white cotton, above the knee. The sort of thing an orphan would wear. And of course I am not going to send it back. I’ve ordered a lot from Chico’s which is my go-to store anyway and most have been really good (and cheap in their sales) but a couple have had such a different shade of color from the picture that I’ve given them to my daughter.
I have learned never to order from a Facebook ad because they seem to come from China and are not well made, if there get here at all. Paypal has refunded a couple of items that never arrived. But I get my second vaccine this week and then I CAN GO SHOPPING IN A REAL STORE AGAIN! Macy’s here I come, and then back to Arizona and Chico’s there I come.
However…. I have learned, from wearing the same pair of sweatpants for several months now, that I don’t need any more clothes. In fact I have weeded out quite a few. It seems shallow to say that I only want to look nice for other people but it seems to be true.
LUCY BURDETTE: Oh Rhys, this is so true about buying things from Facebook ads--they look so good! But I ordered a special blue rubber toy that you fill with dog toothpaste. Then the puppy is supposed to chew and clean her teeth all at once. It took a month to arrive from Shanghai (yes I should have read the fine print) and it took under ten minutes for Lottie to shred it to blue bits. I was mad because it cost a fair amount. I did complain and the customer service promised a new one for super chewers. That was three weeks ago…
JENN McKINLAY: Since Hub took over the cooking when the pandemic started - to give himself something to do - I wanted to encourage this new passion. Twenty years of being the chef de cuisine will do that for a gal. So my flurry of online pandemic purchases have been of the culinary kind but not for me. Hub has new knives, new pots and pans, new dishes, a manly apron and he’s found a new hobby that he’s really good at. Win win win!
JULIA SPENCER-FLEMING: Jenn, that’s the kind of hobby you want to encourage! In my house, I’ve gotten both a new phone and a new laptop online - both the sort of things I would have bought in person in the Before Times. The Maine Millennial has been doing a lot more shopping than I have; warm leggings and scented candles and toys for the dog etc, etc. I suspect, however, that she’d be doing most of this online anyway.
As for me, I miss two types of real-world shopping very much: bookstores and antique/junk stores. In both cases, I love to browse, and can spend two hours getting to one purchase. You just can’t replicate that experience online!
HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN: The returns! SO awful. I am pretty good about figuring out sizes on Facebook and Insta--but my purchases have pretty much been confined to camisoles (I always order L even though I am an M) and sweatshirty things (I always order XL even though I am an M.). Fleecy hoodies and comfy shoes. I am batting pretty well for on-line purchases, and I agree, I am more careful than I might be since I am not setting one toe into the post office.
However. I have had one EPIC EPIC FAIL. See this dress? How pretty it looks? All floaty and long and perfect for the Caribbean? And! It looked even better in the ad. I gasped when I saw it, what a perfect dress! And could it be--it was something like $27.95. (No, no alarm bells of utter impossibility went off, because how could you ruin this dress? Even in the cheapest version, it would be fine.)
WRONG.
First, it's made out of I don't know what, maybe...compressed slime. I have never touched such hideous fabric.
Second, here it is hanging on a door. Do you see how long it is? Imagine someone's body in it. See how extended the middle is? It pools on the floor, at least 6 inches too long for me. Also, the length is from the black part, so you'd have to cut off the pretty part to shorten it. This dress is perfect--for someone about 7 feet tall. I am not kidding. And I am not sending it back, because I have no idea where to send it.
HALLIE: Perfect dress for a stilt walker!
I've bought (I know you all knew this) jigsaw puzzles! And they've all been wonderful. One of them was missing 2 pieces. I emailed the maker and they gave me a free puzzle. Pretty great. Go Springbok!
Only once did I ever buy something from a Facebook ad . . . DISASTER. It was only a puzzle, but after months of waiting, they sent the wrong one. I complained, they ignored me, so I complained to PayPal and then they sent me an angry email. But PayPal refunded my money and I learned never to shop on Facebook . . . .
ReplyDeleteBack at Christmas time, we did order online and had the things sent directly to Colorado and/or Virginia. That worked out pretty well [except the girls ended up having to wrap the things for the grandbabies].
Most of the time, though, our internet shopping has been somewhat spotty due to [yep, you guessed it] no internet access. But when I can, I can buy books. They show up and my door and there’s no buyer’s remorse, no thought of sending them back. [But I do miss wandering through the bookshop.] I get to curl up and read, so I guess that’s a win-win . . . .
Paypal has been a true pal for me, too - I try to use it whenever I can.
DeletePaypal is the best! They've been able to get refunds when I couldn't.
DeleteOne TIP: whenever ordering online, always Google the name of the company with "reviews" Like: "ripoff company reviews." Wow, do you find out fast if the company is legit or responsible. I learned this of course from a bad experience.
I know exactly what Hank is referring to. The clothes look gorgeous online, but one dress I bought was so gorgeous when I took it out of the packaging, but had the same issue--I'd never put that material next to my skin. It was nasty. Thanks for this fun piece!
Hallie,
ReplyDeleteWhat a great topic! Since the pandemic started, we had a big lockdown in California for quite a while. The public library has been closed during this time and started curbside pick ups when the first lockdown ended. However, I decided to order iPads for my family so that we could borrow ebooks from the public library. I was able to order the iPads online and they arrived at my address.
I've ordered a few things online like warm clothes and Christmas gifts, including books. I preordered several books online and they were delivered to my address. Always ordered books online from local independent bookstores.
There is a go-to department store that I love and have used for many years. It is a little more expensive but worthwhile it since they have clothes that fit me. They often have great sales too. They (Nordstrom) are great about accepting returns as long as you use their enclosed Return Labels.
And I have ordered clothes from LL Bean, which are also great about returns too. I bought a few kitchen stuff online from Williams Sonoma.
Diana
I so agree, it's safer to order from the place you know has the kind of stuff you like, based on experience...
DeleteI’ve definitely into online retail therapy, and some of it hasn’t worked. I ordered 3 new quilted bedspreads, and only one looked like I thought it would. I’m either going to use the other two anyway or see if my daughter wants them. I’ve only ordered a few tops, and they were hit and miss, too.
ReplyDeleteHowever, my book orders are always satisfying. My cookware I ordered was great, too. My underwear order was right, too. And, the orders for my daughter’s family and my son have turned out well.
Oh, the order I really have to complain about is my Girl Scout cookies. They are in route, but they have been sitting in Wisconsin for two weeks. I know mail service is slow now, but that is rather ridiculous. And, I want my Thin Mints!
Oh poor Kathy, thin mints in Wisconsin! I wonder if they're already eaten??
DeletePoor Kathy! And poor Girl Scouts this year.
DeleteKathy,
DeleteI am so sorry about the thin mints sitting in Wisconsin. I just signed a petition to try to fix the Post Office.
I've been pretty lucky with most of my orders. That reminds me. I've ordered bath towels from LLBean and kitchen towels from WS.
Diana
My 2nd vaccination shot has been held up by the weather back East (I’m in California).
DeleteThank you one and all for your supportive and encouraging comments. I never-ever in the "before time" ordered groceries online for curbside pickup. Living in a rural area where stores do not deliver forced my hand. On the whole it has worked out well. Missing most?? My library (now curb-side pickup) and second hand stores.
ReplyDeleteI miss my library, too. The people as much as the books.
DeleteAfter just glancing in the mirror I realize I miss my hairdresser the most after a year without a haircut.
DeleteI miss my library as my escape from the frat house sooooooo much!
DeleteLike Diana, I mostly order clothes from retailers I already know and trust. Mostly LL Bean, Land's End and Nordstrom. Returning to Bean and to Nordstrom is easy. I have gone to the UPS Store, and mostly it is empty except for me. I only go to the post office at very quiet times of the day. That said, I have hardly ordered any clothes at all and have been spending a bundle on books!
ReplyDeleteOtherwise, all our shopping has been masked and in person. Groceries, UPS, post office, kosher butcher are all around the corner.
Now, I confess to one major, expensive shopping fiasco. Bras. Without describing my idiocy, let me just say that all future purchases of that product will be in person. If I had flushed the money ...it would not have been a bigger waste.
Now THAT is a good topic for another day... bra shopping. Talk about fraught.
DeleteI ordered three sports bras. The fit was actually good. Then the shutdown happened within a matter of days. No gym for me since last March. After my second dose of the vaccine in three weeks I plan to begin returning to the gym, and I’ll get to use them. I did wear one once when I was running low on clean underwear-:)
DeleteDebRo
DebRo
I had a bra win in the fall! I knew I wouldn't be able to hook the usual after my (first) hand surgery. An author friend (Maya Corrigan, perhaps) recommended True & Co. OMG - it was a life changer. Comfortable, slip-on, easy wash, but not constricting like a sports bra, and with a bit of shape and padding. I am sold, possibly for life.
DeleteEdith, I'll have to try the True & Co.
DeleteJudy, I have ordered bras from Nordstrom's as a member of the Trunk Club and it is very easy. They send a selection and I can try them on. If something fits, I keep it. If not, I can easily return them.
Deb, I have been able to take online classes from the Bar Method and they have recordings of the exercises. You can also participate live if you want to.
Diana
Edith and Diana, very helpful! I frequently buy bras at Nordstrom.
DeleteMy size is a huge problem and my "princess and the pea" level of tolerance for any discomfort makes bra shopping a challenge even in the store. It is very hard to find my size in the type of bra I want to wear. Enuf said.
I've never been much for retail therapy, but have been so grateful I can order books from Jabberwocky and then go pick them up (in the next town) at curbside. During lockdown last spring they delivered!
ReplyDeleteI also once ordered the cutest dress via FB, Zulily, I think. Also awful material and made for three of me in width.
I've been fortunate with returning things. If it's USPS and not too big, my postal carrier takes it from my front porch as long as it has a prepaid label. We have a UPS drop box downtown. And last spring I got set up for printing mailing labels from home, so all my book giveaways are also easy (also thanks to David the Mailman).
Today I'll have to make an emergency pop-in to our local small supermarket. The man who usually makes my coffee did not tell me I was about to be out of dark roast! (He has his, but it's a light roast I despise.)
Yay, Hallie, for getting a vaccine appointment and to Rhys for completing her shots!
Thank you, Edith. So far only sore arm
DeleteEdith,
DeleteWe have been very lucky that our local organic grocery store has been open with limited number of people - no more than 20 people at a time? And EVERYONE, including the employees, wear masks. I was at another grocery shop across town where I saw a few employees covering only their mouths and NOT their noses! I decided to stop going there until the pandemic is over! They think no one will notice them doing that but I did notice!
Prepaid labels helps with returns.
Diana
YES, I have ordered more items online last year/this year than ever before.
ReplyDeleteLike JUDY AND DIANA, I ordered from retailers I already know the sizing works and are having end0of-winter (!) sales such as Columbia Sportswear, as well as Canadian outdoors retailers such as SAIL and MEC. I have a REI dividend from 2020 that I have not been able to use yet since they can't ship specific brands to Canada.
HANK: UNIQLO HEATTECH is brilliant! I ordered tops in 3 different warmths for the first time from their Canadian online store. The shipment arrived in 2 days and the HEATTECH tops have been so comfy to wear these past few weeks during the polar vortex deep freeze.
And I have ordered dozens of hard copy books from my independent local bookstore and the Ontario-based Book Outlet.
In terms of food, I still do all my food shopping in person. Large supermarkets, local butcher, bakery, deli and farmers market have pretty good systems in place.
GRACE: I'm going to have to investigate Uniqlo Heattech. That's new to me.
DeleteAMANDA: The HEATTECH shirts are still on sale, although the ad originally said it was ending Feb 4
DeleteHere is the link to one warmest (of the 3) I bought:
https://www.uniqlo.com/ca/en/products/E428500-000?colorCode=COL09&sizeCode=SMA006
Oh I am so pleased that you love them ! I am so impressed by them—I’m not sure how a thin fabric like that can be so cozy—it’s amazing! And as I said—it’s so shockingly inexpensive. I am so glad you are happy! And toasty.
DeleteHANK: Yes, the price for the HEATTECH products is really low compared to the Under Armour/Icebreaker and other base layer tops I have been using and so comfy.
DeleteThese are my new fave tops for the winter.
Uniqlo! Going to check it out.
DeleteHallie, one warning: The link Grace shared is only for Canadians.
DeleteHALLIE: Just change the address to UNIQLO.COM to not include the /ca slash and you should be able to search the US site.
DeleteThanks for the link, GRACE. Fascinating to discover this line. Reviews say the fabric pills easily. Do you find that to be the case?
DeleteAMANDA: I have only worn the shirts for 3 weeks, and washed them a few times, so it's too early to tell whether the fabric pills.
DeleteSo, in keeping with the theme of this blog post, I just ordered two of the Heattech shirts!
DeleteI have not had pilling! But I have only washed a few times.
DeleteGRACE, I also have a REI divided and I think I have to go shopping in person in order to use it? I am not sure if I can use the dividend to order online.
DeleteDiana
DIANA: No, you can use the REI dividend online. I have done so in the past. I wish that REI will extend the time period or I may lose the money. It's just weird that the items I want to purchase cannot be shipped to Canada from REI and yet I can buy them from other US online retailers. Weird.
DeleteKAREN: Hope you like the Heattech shirts!
DeleteMy epic fails have also been in the clothing department. (You kinda can't go wrong with electronics, right? You gives them the money, they sends you the computer.) But clothing is a different matter. I can't complete with your slime-textured dress, though. That's in a class by itself!
ReplyDeleteYes, sigh. I burst out laughing when I took it out of the package. And it is in fixable. Gah. :-)
DeleteNo fixable. And if you put it in your closet it will hang there and taunt you.
DeleteAnd that is why the Big Brothers, Big Sisters Hartsprings picks up at the curb and resells everything to benefit their kids org. Yay for Hartsprings!! They are out of Springfield, MA, but there may be similar pick-ups happening near you!
DeleteI mean--not fixable.
DeleteHank,
DeleteIf you cannot return it, perhaps you can send it to the school drama department? They often lack money for costumes and I wonder if they would be happy to get the donation? They could also take it apart and use the fabric to sew something else?
Diana
Heading towards Christmas I ordered lots of books online from our local indie bookstore for curb-side pickup; so convenient. In the early days of the pandemic, we ordered food online from local shops for curb-side pickup. But I'm now back to in-person masked shopping. I miss the soul-satisfying browsing in the bookstore and my favourite kitchen and art supplies stores... No online ordering disasters to report, unless you count the headbands we needed due to three months without a haircut; the bands worked ok but the flowered patterns made me look like a 1940s hausfrau.
ReplyDeleteYes, first thing I'm going to do after I get my vaccine: HAIRCUT
DeleteHallie, I have already made my appointment for three weeks after the second vaccine. I'm so excited!
DeleteWe had both our shots too. I've gone to my hairdresser 3 times. He relocated to a one room stall in a salon that has little rental stalls. All very clean and ideal. I'll have my hair cut again on Monday. During the pandemic however, I gave up haircoloring. So, I am on my way to mostly gray.
DeleteJudy,
DeleteMy hair color is now Snow White. I can always say it is platinum blonde, right?
Diana
LOL! My color will be salt and pepper, with globs of salt and globs of pepper. LOL, again
DeleteAll (and I mean ALL) of my shopping has been online for the past year. I will be eternally grateful to our local supermarket for its online shopping (though their substitutions have sometimes been, shall we say, inventive) and contactless pickup. But I have to say I MISS MY TRADER JOE'S (which is in-person shopping only). I miss their avocados and their sardines and their cold brew coffee and their merinques and their ...
ReplyDeleteAMY: I also have TRADER JOE'S withdrawal symptoms since I only get my fix when I travel to the US. Last time was in San Diego last March...and alas there are none in NOLA (if I make it there for Bouchercon 2021) so I will have to wait a while longer.
DeleteI've been surprised at how good the avocadoes I get delivered from my local chain grocery store. They arrive pretty hard, harder than I'd ever buy them, but within a couple of days they are absolutely perfect. GO figure.
DeleteAmy, I, too, am a Trader Joe's addict. We should form a club. And it is the ONLY place I've done in-person shopping for a year, because their safety precautions are so good, and they have their fabulous senior hour. But our local Trader Joe's pipes burst in the winter storm here in Texas and they are closed. Hopefully they will be up and running again in the next few days.
DeleteYes, it certainly sounds like there are plenty of Trader Joe's fans here on JRW! Sad news about your local Trader Joe's, DEBS.
DeleteTRADER JOE'S has senior hours ONCE a week, while another chain has senior hours twice a week though I stopped going to the other chain because a few employees do NOT cover both nose and mouth!
DeleteI don't know that I've ordered more online. About the same. I only order clothes from retailers where I understand the size, so I've been fortunate there.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I'll get my vaccine in the summer if I'm lucky - I'm way at the back of the line - so if I really need something from Target or whatever, I pop on the mask and go. I'm not staying in my house for 18 months solid.
I think it's going to happen faster than that...
DeleteFingers crossed, Hallie - but what I see in Pittsburgh right now doesn't give me a lot of confidence.
DeleteMy only online purchase was my new IPad and it’s cover.
ReplyDeleteThankfully, I had no other urgent needs. Basically, even visiting stores isn’t one of my favourite activity. I certainly could not buy clothes or shoes online, I have to try tons to find something that fits.
As for food and essentials home supplies, it was safe to go masked to stores at the little city near home.
I want a Trader Joe's! The nearest one is too far away. Maybe someday. Here's my story: it was something I did not buy. During the summer lockdown I wanted sundresses. Something pretty and cool instead of my usual jeans shorts and tees. I saw a photo of the queen of Spain wearing a $30 sundress that was perfect. I can afford $30 too! So I went looking online. Alas, everyone else decided if the dress was good enough for the queen, they wanted one too. I began looking at different online shops. Most with exactly the same clothes, ridiculously low prices, and all made in China or thereabouts. Fabrics were often materials that sounded like a chemist's dream. So much cheap, knockoff fashion--not meant to last, just throw-away stuff. So no sundresses for me until it's safe to go in the fabric store or my local department store.
ReplyDeleteNo sundresses: SNIFF
DeleteTrader Joe’s has been my go to store throughout. We do senior hour and they are all so pleasant
DeleteAren't they great, Rhys? The staff there has been pretty much my only normal human contact, and if I miss a week I feel deprived.
DeleteWith you Rhys and Deborah on senior hours at TJ’s. And since I live alone, some weeks my ONLY human contact. What great staff there!
DeleteHow funny - I bought some sundresses, too! So much cooler than shorts and tees! Must go look for the queens!
DeleteHank, a good dressmaker could recut that dress so you retain the pretty part. In case you can deal with the compressed slime part!
ReplyDeleteWhile I'm grateful to Amazon for being set up to help out so many people, it kind of infuriates me that they barely pay any federal taxes. If they paid their fair share all the record amounts of money they've made this past year would have been taxed, and benefited all Americans.
I try to avoid buying things from them, and instead go directly to the company/manufacturer, if possible. I've ordered books and puzzles directly from various independent bookstores. Before Lord & Taylor went out of business I ordered a lifetime supply of their wonderful merino and cashmere sweaters, all at a deep discount. I've collected them for years, adding one or two to my wardrobe each year or so, but decided I'd fill in as many colors as possible. They came in many packages, each one or two sent from different stores.
Talbot's pants fit me perfectly, so when I got a notice of a 50% off sale (or new merchandise) I filled in cords and jeans, along with a cute cashmere sweater with polka dots. One pair of pants did not fit great (I ordered the wrong cut), and the sweater is not at all flattering, but it's warm, so I wear it. So that makes one thing that I could have sent back, but didn't.
Now I've been ordering garden supplies galore, so if it ever warms up enough to melt the snow here, I'll be ready. Heirloom seeds: check. Coldframe cover: check. Low tunnel covers: check. Pear and hazelnut trees: check. Strawberry and asparagus plants: check. Watering system: ready to order. Lots more! The plants won't get delivered for a couple weeks, but then I'll be BUSY!!
Yesterday I was researching a new computer, since my old one has been grinding slower and slower. I spend all my time waiting for things to load, which is a waste. There is reading to be done!
KAREN: Best wishes for a better gardening season this year! I am envious about the pear and hazelnut trees but I doubt the latter tree would survive here in zone 5.
DeleteI received all my organic seeds ordered online from 4 companies. My dilemna is that my local hardware store (Home Hardware) just closed last month after 80 years in the Byward Market. It was so easy to walk 10 minutes, buy and lug a 20 lb bag of potting mix home. But now there nearest store is 6-7 km (3-4 mi) away. UGH, I may have to order some of this gardening stuff for the first time.
Welllll.. it has no waist seam, so you’d have to cut the shoulders and yank it all up and make a new neck and armholes.
DeleteOr! You could cut off the top altogether and use elastic to make the bottom into a skirt. Might that work?
Yes, both, Hank. The top part really wouldn't be that difficult to recut, since it looks like it doesn't have a zipper. But it would be easy-peasy to turn into a skirt that you pair with a black tank.
DeleteGrace, it must be such a challenge to manage without a car!
KAREN: Part of the reason I have always lived in/near a downtown was to be in a walkable neighbourhood for most of my shopping needs. But I may have to buy one of those wheeled shopping carts I have seen older people use, and lug my heavy potting mix purchase on the bus/home.
DeleteBTW, I just got my eye exam on Thursday. My cataracts have gotten bad enough that I need surgery (next year). I learned that one eye is so bad (the right one), I would not pass a driving test at all! 20/70 is the best they can give me with a prescription.
The deteriorating eyesight is also affecting my reading (sigh).
That's a bummer, Grace. Luckily, there are so many options for the visually impaired now. They have both moved on, but we used to have two book club members who were blind. Between the various audio versions available they were almost always able to participate in the chosen book. In fact, we still all check the library first, to make sure actual books, e-books, and audio options are all available before we decide on the next title.
DeleteI hope it doesn't come to that, though, and that you can get cataract surgery that improves your eyesight.
KAREN: Apparently they can put in corrective lenses to replace my natural lens during cataract surgery, so I would have better vision that I have had in decades. The bad news is that because of COVID, the wait times for this type of elective surgery has doubled, hence the estimated schedule for surgery in Ottawa is spring 2022.
DeleteOh, geez. That's a long wait.
DeleteYes, and unfortunately I will continue to notice a significant deterioration in my eyesight this year while I wait for cataract surgery. Thank goodness for digital ARCs (I can increase the font size). I can still read hardbacks but most of my TBR pile of paperbacks are not readable.
DeleteGrace, so sorry to hear you are struggling with your vision, but the results of the cataract surgery are just amazing. I will cross my fingers that you will get in sooner!
DeleteGrace, I hope you're already on the list, so you can get the surgery next spring. I had mine done last year, and it was life-changing. I still need reading/ computer glasses, but for the first time since I was 5, I'm not wearing glasses for ordinary and distance vision.
DeleteKAREN IN OHIO: I'm with you on avoiding Amazon whenever possible. If Bezos paid taxes and gave back in some way (like, say Dolly Parton does), I would feel differently.
DeleteDEBS AND JULIA: Yes, the end results of getting cataract surgery and better vision sounds great. My optometrist send my referral forward so I am not on the list yet. The spring 2022 timeline was her estimate based on other patients.
DeleteGrace, that's so frustrating--I'm so sorry you have to go through that. But you will be SO happy when you get the surgery! xxxx
DeleteKAREN, I remember Lord and Taylor department store in Washington DC.
DeleteGRACE, I totally understand the feeling about waiting because my cochlear implant speech processors broke just before I went to San Diego. When I saw you at the LCC, I could Not hear anything and I am glad that you understood my signing. You will be happy with the cataract surgery. My Mom had the surgery about two years ago.
Diana
DIANA: Yes, I was able to understand your signing when we met in San Diego. And I am sure the cataract surgery will be worth it. The long wait this year into 2022 is the painful part.
DeleteAh the joys of online. Mostly I order books. Next is pet supplies, food, toys, more toys, did I mention toys? Clothes I've ordered from Macys and Lands End, because I know the sizes, but who needs clothes? Now I'm living in flannel nightgowns since I have external fixators sticking out of my ankle at all angles.
ReplyDeleteAs for return, no problem. Julie tosses them in the door of the UPS store close to us. And much of the stuff doesn't even need to be returned. I'm continually fascinated by this. People keep telling me to keep the unsatisfactory whatever and refund my money. This happens a lot with Amazon but even the Chinese companies are doing it. I think it's because they're stuff costs them more to return than it's worth. Don't hesitate to write a letter or a poor review. It gets me action every time.
I only miss Trader Joes really. Our weekly groceries come by instacart, usually curb side pickup but since Julie doesn't want to leave me alone in case the house catches fire, we are having them delivered. I love TJs frozen tamales, cheese and green chili. These aren't available anywhere else
We had TJ's tamales for dinner last night! But we haven't been in months and the two closest stores are each about a half hour's drive from us (in opposite directions). I miss it!
DeleteThese are the only tamales that taste like the real thing. The reason I'm told is that they come from Mexico!
DeleteAnn, thanks for the reminder about Macys. I usually found wonderful Christmas placemats there after Christmas. I wonder if it is still possible to order then online?
DeleteDiana
Oh, Ann, sympathy for missing Trader Joe’s. It is the only place I shop in person. Take good care.
DeleteI have tried to use online shopping with curbside pickup at retailers I know as much as possible. (Target, Kohl's, and Best Buy have had a lot of my business.) Some items I do use Amazon for, where I feel a name brand or a detailed description is enough predictor of quality. Ordering from a known retailer with easy returns seemed really necessary for clothing, as I had dropped weight in the spring when I went through a bout of thyroiditis and wasn't quite sure what size I needed for a while-- and I really HAD to buy a few pieces for summer that would fit. For several months now I have been willing to do what I think of as "surgical strike" shopping in person -- go into the store with a mask, preferably at a not-busy time, go directly to the one item I intend to get, select it and get out.
ReplyDeleteI would say my husband and son have both increased their online purchasing, and as neither of them ever enjoyed shopping anyway, they will probably never go back.
My husband desperately needs new jeans, but he absolutely needs to try them on. He's hanging in there for in-person shopping!
DeleteSusan, though I have used online shopping, I never use curbside pick up.
DeleteKaren, perhaps your husband can order several pairs online to try on at home then return whatever does not fit. Look for companies with prepaid return labels.
Diana
When the pandemic started and everything considered non-essential was shut down (including my job), I lost the bookstore, the music store, my friend's record shop and the comic book store. Delays on some stuff I would buy there meant I didn't miss out on everything because they simply didn't come out. The comic book industry shut down pretty close to entirely.
ReplyDeleteSo if I wanted a book or a CD, I had to buy online. So I bought from Barnes and Noble and Titcomb's Bookshop for books. For CDs, I was buying from eBay, from the band website or from the record company website. The only drawback was when I bought a CD from the Canadian band Helix in September. It took four months to get here.
Once things started easing so that stores where reopening, I've been going to the shops. But I go in and get what I went there for and then I leave. My friend's record shop and the comic book store are the only places I've really spent longer then five or ten minutes in.
I've never stopped going to the grocery store because I can't trust the online shopping to get the order right. One of my co-workers was doing that through Wal-mart and they screwed her over big time. So I go in with my list, buy what I need and get out.
I don't use Amazon either because a couple years back my account got hacked (didn't lose anything) but they were not the least bit helpful so screw them the miserable a-holes. SIDE NOTE: Because I haven't bought 50 bucks worth of stuff from them in the last 12 months, I'm no longer allowed to post reviews on their website, which screws me for adding book reviews for all the authors...sorry writers of lovely stories of murder!)
The music shopping through band sites is my VERY small part in trying to help out the bands who have lost the majority of their income because they can't tour. Helix and Y&T are a couple of bands I bought stuff from that way. And a small record label called Perris Records is running a huge sale until the end of the month that I'm going to take advantage of ASAP.
Given that I'm considered unimportant in the scheme of the vaccination schedule, it is going to be a good long while before I am eligible for getting the shot, I don't push things but I just can't do everything online.
Case in point, after about 4 months since my last visit, I stopped off yesterday for lunch at the 99 restaurant in Fairhaven, MA. My favorite bartender was working and the woman of my deluded dreams was working as well. Eating at the bar paid off in a miniscule way because when said woman saw me, she immediately came over, now six months pregnant (not mine, dammit!) and after comically asking if it was okay, gave me the biggest hug. TOTALLY WORTH IT! LOL.
So I will shop online for some stuff but it all depends on whether or not it makes sense for me to do so. Plus, postal delays...UGH!
JAY: Yes, the postal delays from the US have continued to be pretty bad.
DeleteLast fall, I thought the shipping delays were because of the Black Friday/Christmas shopping frenzy. But I finally got my last two online orders sent via USPS. The one from Michigan to Ontario took 6 weeks(!), the other one from Washington state to Ontario took 5 weeks, and was the second attempt since the original November delivery was declared lost by the supplier.
Oh, Jay, your unrequited love story is so touching. Totally worth it!
DeleteJay, the $50 or you cannot write a review deal at Amazon was what brought me to them in the first place. Between the Kindle I purchased when the library was closed last spring and the dozens of books I've bought for it since then, I am now one of their biggest customers. It's like an addiction.
DeleteJUDY/JAY: I agree that $50 minimum purchase is a pain. I can't post reviews on Amazon.com where I have all my ebook library from past years. However, I can do post reviews on Amazon.ca since I have a Prime account and done online shopping. Oh well, I still hope the reviews help the authors but the Canadian Amazon site gets much less online traffic.
DeleteThe US mail delivery is actually quite good inside the US. The delays to Canada are because of US and Canadian customs, are reviewing more parcels because the border is officially closed.
DeleteJay, we had a dear bachelor friend who said unrequited love was the best, because you didn't have to deal with the messiness of a relationship. He was also someone who took great pleasure in his friends, books, and hobbies. He is greatly missed.
DeleteSUSAN: That may be true in general but the USPS tracking system showed that Michigan order was sent and remained stuck in an Ilinois regional facility for 3.5 weeks. Once the order went through customs, it was shipped to Ontario in 2 days.
DeleteAnd believe me, I have heard plenty of horror stories of USPS deliveries taking over a month or more within the US from my Facebook friends.
Grace,
DeleteI have several US clients sending products to Canada. If the USPS tracking shows an item at a regional facility more than three days, I can guarantee it is not there, but in the US Customs holding area. There are several law suits pending, but I can say this much about it. The horror stories may exist, but they are inaccurate! My clients exclusively ship products USPS, regular mail, and the average delivery time, they keep track, from coast to coast is three days. Usually any delivery taking a long time are the fault of the product shipper, their status says they delivered the product but in most cases they have not. This is an area I deal in with business clients all the time and it usually is not a USPS problem. It is amazing how many products are misplaced on their way to the local USPS shipping point. The problem with US shipping to Canada in anticipated to get worse, because of pending lawsuits and federal government action. If you can order from a Canadian vendor, that is your best option.
With few exceptions I do not have much luck with ordering clothes online. Ordering from LLBean is no problem because returns are free and I can just put them in my mailbox or drop them off at a UPS box. However, I don't care what they say their sizing has changed drastically from what it was. I have to order XL even though the M ones I've had for more than 20 years still fit fine and are lovely. They used to have the best turtlenecks but they got smaller (narrower?) and the sleeves on my short arms are no where near long enough. I can count on LandsEnd for their quality but no free returns. They almost always are running a special free shipping deal if you spend at least $50, although I've heard now it's $75. But how is it that my purchases would come to $49.50 so I buy (and spend) way more than I intended just to have free shipping.
ReplyDeleteJudi, check online coupons/promotions (Google Land's End shipping) because sometimes you can get promo codes or even Groupons. My sister, who's a black-belt shopper, got me doing this, and I have saved money. At times, definitely not always.
DeleteJDUI: I 100% agree with you about LLBean's sizing having changed. Absolutely ridiculous. Whoever said a size Zero was needed? #crazyMarketingDepartments
DeleteAgree about the LL Bean sizing. I find most of the outerwear is cut to wear only a tee shirt under it. Don’t most people who buy parkas already have a sweater (or two) on indoors before they don their parka? I was thinking it was just my thickening body, but then I found a Classic LL Bean jacket from 20 years ago in a charity thrift shop and it had the lovely, roomy fit I remembered.
DeleteJudi.
DeleteLLBean had this great pair of jeans with fleece lining the first time I ordered it. When I tried to order another pair similar to the first pair, they did not use fleece lining though it was printed as fleece lining so I had to return it!
Yes, I have noticed the change in sizing too. For example, the slippers that were supposed to be 9 medium or wide arrived too small. I think the best thing to deal with LL Bean is to order the next size up.
As long as I order a size up like XL instead of L, I think the chances are better that the clothes will fit me.
Diana
I've had good luck with ETSY for masks and for silver jewelry - if you're careful to look at customer feedback. My favorite is a silver jewelry maker who makes lovely simple, hand-hammered earrings - So reasonable AND sturdy. Liz Blanchflower on ETSY. Love her pieces and my daughters do, too.
ReplyDeleteHallie, I have had good luck with ETSY orders from bookstagram friends like Ellie's Bakeshop apron and Lucy's bookmark art.
DeleteDiana
After reading the comments, I realize how lucky I am to have Trader Joe's 10 minutes away, with senior hours Wednesday and Sunday mornings. And a husband who willingly shops so he can browse the cookie department.
ReplyDeleteNOLA has a Trader Joe's in Metairie, in the close-up suburbs. Worth an uber ride if you're craving something special.
I survived Christmas shopping on-line, though several emails to Fleet Feet customer service were required to complete my 15 pairs of socks order. Lots of runners in the family.
Hank, the dress can probably be shortened at the top of the design area, though the fabric doesn't sound appealing.
MARGARET: Thanks for the tip about the Trader Joe's in Metairie. I will keep that in mind if I end up going to NOLA in August. Fingers crossed about the vaccine...I am pretty far down in the list in phase 3 here in Ontario.
DeleteMargaret, I have to say I was amazed at how much of my Christmas shopping was able to do locally. I would call, ask for the item or items, pay over the phone and then just swing by and pick it up. Only two times browsing in stores - Target and our local chain, Reny's - and one gift from Amazon. I was impressed with how easy local stores made it.
DeleteFleet feet had no socks in stock, but were happy to process my order. I should have asked for curbside Christmas crackers instead of ordering, via Amazon, from England (though Patrick in customer service was so nice). The local book chain, Joseph Beth, offered curbside, as did the local Target. Next year in person shopping or are we totally spoiled?
DeleteFor items I see on Facebook or Instagram, I check to see if it is on Amazon and normally you'll find same item, different manufacturer. So I lucked out on the one item I saw on FB/IG buying it on Amazon.
ReplyDeleteDue to my issues, I buy my groceries online, I use Instacart and Amazon Fresh. Between the two, I get what I need. Now that I know the pharmacy will deliver my prescription, I do that online as well.
I tend to order clothing from retailers I know.
I need to replace my iPhone, and I prefer to do that in person.
They've made it super convenient for us. My favorite thing is my local liquor store where I can order on line and they bring it to my car in the parking lot. I just pop the trunk. Surviving covid had required wine.
DeleteI call my liquor store and order , and they bring it to the curb. Absolutely necessary purchaes.
DeleteI just came back from picking up my wine/beer order at our provincial liquor store (LCBO). The online ordering is new to them. I don't think they do curbside pickup though since I see everyone going inside.
DeleteSee, Grace, there s at least one way America still leads the world - getting alcohol into our cars! :-D
DeleteJULIA: Believe me, the LCBO has a quasi-monopoly on alcohol sales here and we are so behind the rest of Canada (and the US)!
DeleteSnort, Julia! And yes, the liquor stores were in the forefront of online ordering and curbside pickup. I bought a lot of panic wine at the beginning of the pandemic--my kitchen counter looked like a liquor store for months! I have now given a good deal of it away to my daughter.
DeletePlus, thanks to the pandemic the majority of US restaurants are now able to sell "to go" alcoholic beverages. Prior to this past year very few US cities had laws allowing such sales.
DeleteGood news from our library. Although we still cannot go inside and browse, they are back to their big exchange program, sending books from town to town again. I am so happy. In the early days, I was driving all over in order to pick-up books from towns on our exchange, because temporarily, they were not shipping to one another.
ReplyDeleteThat IS good news! I've discovered hoopla for 'borrowing' e-books.
DeleteMe, too. But some books are still hard to find except on Amazon.
DeleteHank, I think I’m shorter than that dress! It’s very pretty, though.
ReplyDeleteI still do in-person grocery shopping, but I’m careful about when I shop. My trips outside of the house are for PT, grocery shopping, and the occasional medical appointment that cannot be done remotely. So I’ve done a lot of online shopping. I won’t buy clothes online, though, because I had a bad experience with that a long time ago. My online purchases have included a space heater, two small room dehumidifiers, a coffee maker, a vacuum cleaner, cleaning supplies, paper towels, print books, kitchen baskets, books for my Kindle, and more. I hate shopping, but doing it online makes it less painful all around. So far I’ve been happy with my purchases. I need bath towels but I’ve learned that colors in catalogs and on websites are different in person. I’ll continue using my faded and/or raggedy towels until I can shop freely in person. I had the first dose of the vaccine six days ago; I’ll have the second in three weeks.
DebRo
Oh, it is SO LONG! And SO weird. I mean--no one could wear it.
DeleteI still go to the office so I'm in a mask at least 8 hours a day. When the lockdowns first started, I tried to shop for groceries during senior hours on Saturday mornings but gave up and just aim for the weekend days. I needed a couple of pieces of new furniture for my new home. I purchase a new couch from Macy's, on line. Worked out fine but the mattress, not so much. I ordered one from Macy's, on sale, but wanted the delivery to happen after I moved. As I said, I got the couch with no problem but the mattress was not available when I wanted it delivered. Calling customer service for furniture was a trial but I was finally hooked up with someone who, after a few holds, told me the mattresses were made from the same material as PPE so the priority was for the PPE, understandable BUT my mattress' style was no longer being made so I needed to choose a new style. I finally got my mattress but next time, if I can't go to a store for a new mattress, I'll just wait. My online laptop purchase was no problem, thankfully. I'm used to ordering Christmas presents online for my sister's family in Oregon, just need to plan far enough ahead for on-time delivery. Books are online from the local bookstore or Barnes and Noble, or online to my Kindle. I will say it takes as long to get my books from the local bookstore, in the mail, as it does to get the ones from Barnes and Noble. The warehouse for the local store is in town so I obviously was ordering books not in stock. Go figure.
ReplyDeleteNow for the odd thing. I've been receiving packages this week addressed to the previous owner of my home. I know who the previous owner is because she is one of our home health care patients. I didn't know I was purchasing her home, her sisters handled the sale, I found out her identity because my first space rental bill still had her name on it. I've asked her nurse or therapist come to the office to pick up her mail but my concern is why I'm getting these packages now. I've lived here since the end of July.
I bought BOOKS! And never a mistake, because books are the right size, color, flavor, fit. My wife did buy some things (mattress pad, towels) from Bed, Bath & Beyond, but it was curbside pickup and we had bought similar items in the past, so no problem.
ReplyDeleteHere in Oregon, vaccine shots are just about impossible except for teachers and incarcerated persons, the groups the Governor prioritized. I'm age eligible (75), but no appointments for shots in sight. Very frustrating.
I haven't ordered much in the way of clothes, just practical things like sweatpants and t-shirts. Considering the fact that I haven't once worn "normal" clothes since last March, when I can go out again it will be like having a whole new wardrobe. I did order some LL Bean slippers a couple of weeks ago, but they didn't fit, and with the storm here in Texas I haven't been able to drop the return at the UPS store. I have some Ugg slippers coming from Nordstrom, they they are delayed, too.
ReplyDeleteMy pandemic retail therapy has been fountain pens--three since the beginning of lockdown! And inks! It's so much fun to get something special in the mail, and the little independent pen companies do such a terrific job with their shipping and packaging. Most of them even send you candy with your order!
Agreed! All of our clothes will seem so new!
DeleteARE YOU OKAY?????
Oh, spill. Who are you buying from? My ink supply is low and I can always use a new fountain pen! I used to buy from Levenger, but I'm looking to broaden my horizons.
DeleteHank, we are okay! We have power and water, and Rick did the burst pipe repairs himself. We have been so fortunate. Texas is really a mess.
DeleteKait, my favorites are Pen Boutique and Goulet Pens, both small independents. They are so nice! But my favorite new pen is from a tiny company in Pittsburg called Birminghan Pens. They are machining their own pens, but their stock is really limited and the new releases they have now are out of my pen price range. If you want to try some new inks, Goulet Pens has some great sample sets!
DeleteThe majority of my online shopping is for books. And it is hard to mess up that order. I'm currently waiting patiently for the latest Charles Todd Rutledge book. It might show up today. Fingers crossed.
ReplyDeleteOnce in a blue moon I'll order clothes from Zulily. I had been eying a cute top for some time and finally took the plunge. When it showed up it looked similar but was not the same fabric and was missing some of the button trim. NOT as described. It wasn't worth returning, so I wrote to customer service, told them how disappointed I was with the product, and I would not be ordering that brand again. Surprisingly, they responded. Told me to do whatever I wanted with the top, and they would be sending out the correct top to me again at no additional cost. Okay! Top came a week or two later. Same damn top! I give up. Evidently their supplier, probably in China, described one item and sent something similar. This time I really will not order that brand again regardless of how cute they look. Other than that foray I haven't really been shopping for clothes online or in person. I could use some bigger jeans but I have to try them on first, so I'm waiting.
I was outside surveying the yard and it is pretty much trashed by the deep freeze. I'm hoping for some survivors to wake up this summer but time will tell.
I've had great luck with my FB purchases - I bought marshmallow beds for my cats - they love them, and I just purchased two mugs featuring my cats with their names inscribed under the stock images. Ok, the mugs took over a month to arrive - which is when I figured out where they were coming from - but I do love them. Using one now. Given the choice (and the knowledge) I won't order anything from China, but sometimes it works out.
ReplyDeleteMost of my online purchases have been successful. I did have one return - broken merchandise - but it was from Amazon so I printed the return label and UPS came to pick it up without charge to me. Hank, the dress looks stunning! What a shame about the fabric and the excessive length.
Oh, I so agree. Sigh. xoxo
DeleteMy shopping habits haven't changed too much. What little I've needed to buy, I've either bought in stores or bought online like I normally would. No returning things issues here.
ReplyDeleteI did a LOT of online retail therapy last spring when we were on lockdown (Missouri has been WIDE open since the summer). I bought a lot of puzzles for myself and craft/art supplies to keep my kids entertained. I'm currently trying to behave myself because my husband is unemployed. So lately I've been putting things into my Zulily shopping cart but never actually buying them. It does satisfy me in some weird way, but Zulily will send me emails later when my selections are back in stock and maybe by then my husband will have a job!
ReplyDeleteI used to love to get into my car and go shopping. I didn't actually intend to buy anything, but just looking at all of the wonders of retail in the shops of my community gave me pleasure. Now with Covid, I have used Amazon more than at any time in my life. There was no Black Friday last year, venturing out into the cold November morning to seek that once in a lifetime bargain. No Christmas shopping, cause I avoid going into crowds, and a whole department store or mall was simply unthinkable. In the course of my online shopping, I did end up with a few returns from Amazon, but they make returns incredibly easy by using Kohl's as a return site. I did one the other day for a power cord that wasn't the right fit. I walked into an almost empty store to a booth with signage for "Amazon Returns." I showed my phone and the return code to the young masked store associate, and in three minutes I was done and took my double-masked and glove self back to the safety of my home.
ReplyDelete