thegracerysh0p's golden online shopping recommendations

How to use guide:

• I have broken down the websites into categories 
• I listed key things that may be helpful when shopping on this website.
• The less I write most likely means there's not many negative things to say so I will only touch on the key positives
• I have made this guide through my own experiences.
• So I have used and shopped at all these websites.
• This guide will always be evolving and increasing so check back for more updates!

FASHION

JEWELRY & ACCESSORIES

MAKE UP & SKINCARE

MISC. 

Selling App UPDATED [POSHMARK, MERCARI, DEPOP, VINTED]

Poshmark, Vinted, Mercari, Depop updates

I previously wrote a post about three selling apps that I started to use at the time [can find the link here] - now I am back with an update! A lot has changed since I started using these apps (it's been like a year) and I found new apps as well so here is my UPDATED review on each app. I will only touch up on updates and things that have changed since the last post and also things I've learned the past year using these so for more information - go to the link I provided above to read the older post for basic details.


Poshmark

I have had my best luck in sales with this one. I am not sure if it is just because it has been around for awhile and more people know about it or it is just have I gravitate more towards this one because my 'closet' for my other apps don't get much volume coming in - not sure but Poshmark has been my go to for majority of my sales.

Changes:

• SHIPPING PRICE
• I noticed the shipping price did increase since the first post. Now it's the normal cheapest 'flat rate' USPS shipping price of $5.95 which inclines people to negotiate more on the prices.
• I actually don't see anywhere saying that there is that "free shipping on prices over $500" anymore so it may be gone?
• WARNINGs
• I've been "warned" twice because PEOPLE  CAN'T READ all the descriptions and claim that I falsely advertised. And it's been awhile since I got those warnings and it hasn't gone away. So the "warnings" you get kind of just stays with you on your 'Closet stats." #buzzkill
• SELLING ANYTHING 
• I know last time I said you can sell "ANYTHING" but now it's more "acceptable." There are more categories  of listing you can make while back then, technically it was only suppose to be clothing... oops.
• Of course the same rules apply. No used make up, no used undergarments. Common sense right?
• Wholesale portal
• there's a wholesale portal area where you buy things in bulk from sellers to sell in your own shops
• go to "retail tools" --> "wholesale portal"
• You must be "retail certified" by poshmark
• Discount on bundles
• Seller can put discounts on their closet for bundles!
• This helps minimize shipping cost and lure in customers
• Bundles in general
• you can put listings from the same shop into bundles & purchase the bundle!
• usually it'll be discounted if the seller sets up a discount price
• Green $ button
• There is green $ on the right corner that manages your earnings!
• A great shortcut than before!

Here's a few poshmark closets I enjoy

• isacat
• jabberwocky
• beautybitten
• heyclaire
• epark1123
• eggychoi
• leejanice23
• lesassafras
• jeongalice12

Vinted

Having been using this much lately. I don't sell much or buy from this app.
Has forums that you can communicate and grow a community and network.

Changes:

• VIDEO LISTINGS! Like whoa!
• Layout has gotten a lot prettier
• Added sections
• trending: Shows what's in style and they show you items of people that are trending at the moment. 
• my feed: look at only the brands and closets you "follow"
• browse: literally what it means haha
• Can meet up instead of shipping if you're in the same area
• be careful though~
• You can delete comments on the listing without a trace. For me it only works on my computer, not via iphone
• Not sure if this is a change but I don't think I listed it before in my previous post

Depop

I have sold only one thing through this app but I have purchased a lot of vintage cameras! This is my go to website for old cameras.

• I still like this one because you can choose your own shipping price. They also use paypal so no credit information needed!
• Not much seemed to have changed

Few Vinted closets I enjoy

• heyclaire
• songofstyle
• eggcanvas
• coolvintagecameras
• ^ my go to guy for vintage cameras

Mercari

This is the newest one I have so far and only really use it if someone wants discounted price on a listing of other apps I re-list it here because Mercari has NO SELLING FEE!

Here's my pros & cons

Pros

• No selling fee - like YASSSS!
• I believe it's still in it's beta phase so no selling fee - go crazy
• You can pick a set shipping method/price OR ship it on your own!
• You can delete comments
• Vast amount of categories you can sell like VAST

Cons

• For some reason - compared to the other platforms, this is the most complicated to use in my opinion. I do not like how it's kind of complicated to use - I rephrase, it's not as simple to use as the other apps. You need to go within a link within a link (yes x2) to find a sections which sometimes doesn't even relate.
• No Stock photos
• You can delete comments, but it'll leave a section saying "comment deleted by seller"
• If you're OCD like me, that's annoying :p
• This too has no "private message" section - everything is public.

Helpful hints update:

• Beware of scammers - not only just people who take your money and run but scam listings. A lot of the things I bought from certain people were not as described and just subpar. Unless it's brand new with tag, don't expect the best of the best condition. 
• Ask ask ask a lot of questions - I believe I said this before but ask questions before purchasing. However, don't be annoying and then not purchase. Ask questions with the intention of buying. Please don't waste people's time.
• Be nice - I know sometimes you call people out on their price because it is ridiculous, but maybe they have a reason of the overprice. And, to be honest, overpriced listings won't attract people and nobody will buy it. No need to state the obvious and post on their listing and be completely mean about it. It's just petty :p Just say 'nuh uh' and move on with your day. 
• Aesthetically pleasing pictures definitely attract buyers. You're selling stuff so you really got to SELL IT to the customers. 
• List the item a little higher (but at a reasonable price still) - gives more wiggle room to negotiate as well as if you gain interest from people and they like or heart your listing, when you decrease the price they are notified and it'll spark interest. 

Benefit of having more apps is probably the exposure. You have more variety of people and just more access to different people. This may be good, but it is also a hassle keeping up with all 4 apps. But in the end it's entirely up to you to choose which apps to use.

Shopping wise - I think they're all pretty great besides the cost of shipping on certain apps.
HAPPY SHOPPING/SELLING!

xoxo

**disclaimer: I am not sponsored for this review. I don't know 100% logistics of each app so try it out for yourself or read the FAQs on each app/website!**

thegracerysh0p Golden Guide to Online Shopping

A lot of us get a little carried away when it comes to online shopping. It's so easy to just use the mouse and click click click. Once you add all these items you feel so powerful because for the time being it is almost yours. And then you let part of your will power go and do some more clicking and then you end up at the "order confirmation" page and oops damage is done. 

I have a few tips for you about online shopping in general - tips on being a smarter online shopper as well as help budgeting I guess. 

If you already have an intention to buy specific things, half of these tips may not apply but few tips toward the bottom might! If you are to lazy and literally just buy what you want, the tips towards the bottom may help for you too.

All in all, I want ya'll to enjoy the convenience of online shopping without making certain mistakes, because I have already made them for you :p

• Get Inspired
• Pinterest - check out fashion boards (and even create your own!). Get ideas of outfits and inspiration. 
• Haul videos of your favorite YouTubers
• Check out your favorite celebrities and stylist (instagram, google, magazine, etc.)
• Plan 
• Plan out what you want to buy. This can help you save time and money. 
• Of course just browsing on the website is fine too, but planning out what you like will save a lot of time because websites are bigger than stores. 
• Your style
• know what you like 
• pay attention when you try on things at the store; what style fits and what styles don't
• If you want to be daring, go for it
• just keep in mind the return policy incase you don't like it
• Buy what you LOVE, not what you 'like'
• Be intentional with your purchases
• This applies to those on a budget - if you don't have a budget and no spending max - go crazy girl
• A lot of girls have this issue where we buy something on a whim because we "like" the item and never even reach for it in our closest.
• This is obviously a waste of money for something you could have bought that you really love
• Mix it in
• When picking items, think of an outfit in your head. If you can't mix it in with what you have, you may not really need it.  
• Make a wishlist & sleep on it
• wishlists kind of give you a guide of what you actually want to buy and what you just think is cute
• Sleep on it & ponder on it for a bit - but don't wait too long, because if it's a hot item, it'll sell out!
• Leave it in your cart
• Certain websites that I've noticed will give you a coupon code if you leave items in your cart because they want you. Yes, you are a wanted person.
• Sizing
• size chart
• not all stores run the same - and even within each store certain items are not sized the same
• For example: forever21 and the love contemporary line sizing is a big difference so look out for that
• check the size chart or pay attention when you're in the actual store. 
• reviews
• Reviews often tell you how the item fits (negatives and positives)
• model stats
• models wears sample sizes (& they run small) so compare your size with the model's measurements in the picture and go from there
• Pictures
• Pictures on the website is the item looking it's absolute best
• don't be fooled by the picture alone
• Parts of the picture is not showing? BEWARE
• Suspiciousssss
• Time and money
• Think about realistically how many times you are going to wear it - divide the days by the cost and you'll get a number that shows you how much the item is really worth. 
• This seems very OCD but when you're purchasing more expensive things, it may come in handy to make you feel better about your purchase :)
• Return policy
• most websites have a decent return policy
• some even can return to the store!
• Check out their FAQs pages
• Shipping cost
• majority of websites have "free shipping" when you buy a certain amount
• if you don't reach the amount, get some friends to order with you!
• There is also this website that I haven't used yet but I heard it refund you the shipping costs for certain websites without having to buy the full amount required. I must look more into this. 
• Check other sites
• May find similar and CHEAPER!
• Coupons
• If you're shopping online - there is a GOOD chance that there is a coupon or a good deal out there. 
• Just do a little searching and you'll find at least one
• Subscribe!
• I know those emails from companies are annoying but subscribe to the emailing lists of your favorite stores! You'll get special deals, coupons, and information about upcoming products and such without moving your butt.
• Ebates
• cashback! 
• Instant discount-ish
• My review here
• Sign up here
• Reputable websites
• I will be doing a separate review on where to shop and where to NOT - to help give you an idea of certain websites that are just a no-no. 
• Click here
• All these Facebook ads and such showing you beautiful pieces are usually just to draw you in and then take your money and give you sh*t
• a lot of them are also scams - so don't click!
• or if you're not sure - read reviews of the website itself first

A lot of these tips seems like a lot of work, but if you are on a budget and want to be smart about online shopping follow a few of these steps and maybe you can benefit.

Happy shopping ladies (&gents)

xoxo

Start of something new

Kylie Jenner lip kits available online only~

Hello!

Welcome to the gracerysh0p! I wanted to make an announcement that thegracerysh0p will be trying out a new direction. I have been planning, contemplating, revamping thegracerysh0p for months because I felt that thegracerysh0p didn't have a solid identity. I was struggling because I have been so busy with the start of a new job, the stress, creativity block, all the above. But this is a start.

I am a shopaholic - first step is to admit that fact right? YAAASSSSS. Because of today's busy career-driven lifestyle many of us ladies [and gents] do not have a lot of time to go to the store and actually browse. We get out of the office when the mall closes and we're to tired to go anywhere after work. So due to all this a lot of online websites are making bank. Online shopping gives you the freedom to shop til you drop without anyone judging you and it's in the comfort of your own home! Who doesn't love that? Get a coffee, tea, or wine and just browse the massive interweb for something you want.

I am starting a series about online shopping or shopping in general. I'll be giving you tips and tricks to save money/time and just information about deals and steals.

I am going to have a list of all the places I shop at online with some information that I think is relevant and productive to an online shopper.  I will be categorizing each list by what you can buy - which are the best sites to buy certain things and such.

I will be continuing with fashion posts and things I have been doing in the past so don't worry.
(I make it sound like people actually read and look at my blog, but who knows, I'm just thankful for YOU being here!)

The plan is a post every monday and thursday and I am trying to squeeze videos in once every two week or so. I hope I can keep up with with this on top of my work schedule @__@ but this is something I enjoy doing so I'll be working hard.

I hope you enjoy this new journey with us at the gracerysh0p.

xoxo