I haven't been shopping at all recently---just saving to try and make hirjah (inshaAllah)---but before I started saving I put away a little money for the perfect (cheap) satin abaya. I couldn't find one, so I forgot about my money. I was willing to spend from $60.00-90.00 CAD. Today on ebay, I found the perfect one. This is it. I've purchased from the seller before, and I always get my stuff, not the perfect length (but I can hem). So long as you know your measurements, and you can tell that the site can answer your questions (not other random ones) and that the pictures it has posted are original to the seller (not an online boutique that they've stolen the pics off of and are passing off as their own) you have an %80 percent chance of being %100 percent satisfied. I have purchased from ebay seven times (Islamic stuff). I loved my kohl, and my Kuwaiti farasha abaya is STILL the best buy for money and beauty I've ever got and that was gamble, and everything else I've recieved has been decent and most important, I've recieved it. I think it's fun, and while I know people do occasionally get ripped, I think it is often because of them not knowing how legit the seller is, and not taking the signs of an iffy seller as they come.HERE ARE THE SIGNS THE EBAY SELLER YOU'RE DEALING WITH IS IFFY:
1.) Um, the dude refuses to answer your question and answers something totally different that had NOTHING to do with what you orginally wrote [which makes me think this scammer copied and pasted something trying to confuse us].
2.) The pictures on their site are from a magazine or advertisement, not taken of the actual item itself. These CAN be legit like Islamic Boutique abayas that sisters never wore but are now flogging or Sona and Al Kareem jobbies, but for the most part, you are entering more risky territory here.
3.) The seller can't tell you what the item is made of. Which usually means that they can't guarantee the quality of what they're peddling.
4.) The feedback of people who have purchased from the seller and check their comments (if they were, I didn't get my stuff or the stuff shown wasn't what I got then don't bother with this seller) (if they are, the advertised sizes are all wrong but my garment is lovely so go up a size or down a size ect with this particular seller---these sort of comments can be helpful to you!)
5.) When trying to determine a colour figure out where the photo of the item was shot so you can get an idea if the colour might not be accurate because of the quality of the snaps.
If in doubt, stick to some all time online faves. You girls who have abaya shops near you, sooooooo lucky alhamdulilah, do you know:D?
Comments
I buy everything online since there isn't any Islamic clothing stores here at all. I use paypal on ebay and if the seller doesn't send your things you can file a claim with paypal and get your money back. The only time I've had to do that was with a non-ebay seller and I ended up getting my money back. Now, I almost always order from retailers that use paypal. It is the safest and most convenient, inshallah.
I feel pasionate about this topic not least because recently I have been robed myslef. As living in UK and being european size I do not find asian made abayas to my taste and size, i have to gambe and take risk with online sellers. I have been doing it for few years and always got what I wanted, and if not, returned the stuff for refund. But few weeks ago I payed for abaya at http://www.theabayashop.co.uk/ and never received anything :( They have replied to my question earlier, so i felt safe. i mean how can anyone with good intention - selling clothes for believing women - rob from you?!They would have earned more from me if I was a returning costumer...