Take Over of the Monthly Shoe Club
In 2009 and 2010 the world saw the emergence of monthly shoe clubs for women. The most notably known being ShoeDazzle and Justfab. When these two companies started they both came out with solid celeb fashionistas whose styles could be seen everywhere. For ShoeDazzle, it was Kim Kardashian and for Justfab it was Kimora Lee Simmons. The concept for both sites was pretty simple and paralleled each other. For $39.95 a month you got your own little personal shop of shoes, bags, and accessories. You had within the first 5 days of each month to skip, but if you didn't skip, then your card on file is charged. Not to fear though, the charge didn't go into no man's land but became a credit that could be used at a later time. I myself have let mine stack up and wound up with a bunch of credits sitting in my account.
The process... You first took a quiz which would help the stylists to assess what you would be interested in. It would then take a couple of days for them to email back your "personal boutique", which consisted of shoes, bags, and accessories picked out specifically for you based on your answers. Then comes decision time. Are you really ready to commit yourself to a monthly club, where you are charged $39.95 a month? If the answer is yes, then when you sign up you will automatically become a VIP member and get all the great deals and prices that each company has to offer. If the answer is no, then you will pay whatever the retail price is and it will be a one time purchase. I have told many people MAKE SURE to read everything carefully. For myself and a lot of women it was a yes, and in 2010 I became a member of both companies. A dream come true for a shoe addict such as myself.
In these past 7 years I have seen other shoe clubs come and go by the wayside but ShoeDazzle and Justfab have held strong. Kim Kardashian nor Kimora Lee Simmons are the faces of these companies, but that hasn't stopped the success. Taking the time to evolve with times and trends, by opening up a world of fashion to women at an affordable price. There have been some changes and additions, one being that ShoeDazzle and Justfab have combined forces under one umbrella. The biggest change since the inception of these companies, everything isn't $39.95 anymore. Some items are more expensive and some are less expensive, giving a range of items from $6.95 - $49.95. Each one has taken on a different role in this new relationship. ShoeDazzle is more for the funky diva shoe fashionista that is always looking for footwear that when you step in the room everyone is going to say "OMG, where did she get that shoe from," the step outside the box type of look. Justfab on the other hand, is about that head to toe look. With the addition of a great clothing line women are able to get ready for any type of event, whether work, out for the weekend, vacation, a night on the town, even formal functions.
Pros:
1. It's great one stop shopping that is tailored to who you are. You also have the ability to ask for new styles or retake the quiz.
2. You have the ability to skip within the first 5 days. So if it's not in your budget or you just don't have time to look then you won't be charged by just the click of a button.
3. Free gifts or free magazine subscriptions with purchases.
4. Ability to connect through social media with other shoe lovers and see how they are styling their purchases.
5. 24 hour customer service.
6. Free shipping over a certain amount.
Cons:
1. You will have to remember to skip the month, if you don't want to be charged.
2. You will only get the deals if you sign up as a VIP member.
3. Items can definitely sell out fast in popular styles/sizes.
4. Restocking fee for returns where the money is going back on your card and not being changed into a credit.
What does this do for stores such as Macy's, Bloomingdales, DSW, Charlotte Russe or brands such as your Steve Madden, Guess, Aldos, even Payless? Walking around the malls and seeing stand alone stores, they seem to be doing okay. I do see a lot more sales happening but that could also be because the horrible economy and a lot of companies getting back on their feet (no pun intended). Just because I belong to both of these clubs, doesn't mean that I am going to stop shopping at physical stores. Not every store has EVERYTHING! There are enough women to go around for everyone. Not all women are looking for a monthly commitment. Others just don't feel secure in ordering online. Plus ShoeDazzle and Justfab have both done some great collaborations with brands such as Jessica Simpson and Iron Fist.
What about the online merchants, Zappos.com or Heels.com. Zappos will always have a following, me being one of the followers. It is a site where a person can shop majority of the major shoe brands in one sitting. Plus it caters to everyone, not just women. Heels.com motto seems to be, if you can't beat em join em. I've shopped on Heels.com and they sell Justfab shoes on their site, along with numerous other brands.There is room for everyone's products to be strut down the street.
I'm not here to say any company or brand is perfect because none are. Individual people have individual experience, some great and not so great. What I will say is that both of these companies have hit on a niche that since their birth has spread into other areas. Along with the combining of forces there is also FabKids (clothes and shoes for kids), Fabletics (workout clothes for women), and FL2 (workout gear for men). I have seen in the past year the birth of monthly clubs for: make up, food, shaving products, and lingerie just to name a few. So whether you feel it is a good idea or a bad idea it seems that these two companies are continuing to thrive and hey as long as women love to look great and rock great footwear I don't see this joyride coming to an end any time soon.
Until Next Time
Hugs N Kisses
Your Chocolate Chick Shoe Blogger
