Consumer Review on MDSCOLLECTIONS (http://www.mdscollections.com/)

MDSCOLLECTIONS (MDS) is a famous local online fashion retailer that has a simple and yet professional website which offers a wide variety of fashion selection with affordable pricing. It has started operating since August 2006. Over the few years, it has successfully trademarked itself as a stylish shopping site providing the latest runway trends with fuss-free shopping experience and speedy delivery service.

Other than having online fashion shopping sites, MDS also has two retail outlets at Wisma Atria and Plaza Singapura for customers who would like to patronize the outlets to try on the clothes and check out the quality before buying them. The outlets also offer self-collection service for those who purchase the clothes online as well, up to two weeks if the customer misses the collection date.

The lines of MDS are updated daily with new content and arrivals, estimated to be highly viewed by more than 100k women each month. MDS offers clothes such as dresses, tops, basics, trousers, shorts, skirts, jackets and cardigans. Other than that, the website also sells accessories such as watches, bangles, bracelets, necklaces, scarves, brooches, earrings, belts, hair clips and so on. They also sell shoes and bags that could match the clothes.

Each item has a wide array of images with the model which could be zoomed in to view each part of the item more clearly to aid the shopping process. For each item, it comes with a stylist’s note, details and sizing. Stylist’s note includes the brief description of the item and also recommendation on how to match the item and suggestion of occasion that the customer could wear the item. Colour available, fabric types and features of the clothes are mentioned in the details section. Sizing informs the customers the size of different parts of the item (ie: clothes) such as length from shoulder to hem, across underarm, across sleeve and so on such that the customers could estimate whether they could fit in the clothe. All items offered in the website also come with a size chart which could be used as a reference for customers so that they could select the size which not only perfectly fits their body, but also helps to enhance their asset accordingly. MDS also classifies their clothes and accessories by different features, namely Petite, Work Wear, Fit & Fabulous, It’s a Dollie World, Cover Girl and Pre Fall Lookbook to facilitate the online shopping experience. Since their designs get to sold out very fast due to limited quantity, the customers could add their name and email address to the waiting list (notify me on restock button) such that an automated email would be sent to their inbox once the item is restocked.

If the customer receives faulty or incorrect item in their order, she could just fill up the attached Return Note in her parcel and mail it with the item (unworn, unwashed and with price tag intact) within 30 days from receipt. I think this is a good practice as the customers could shop without having to worry that they would receive item that is inferior to its original quality. The practice also helps the customers to have their confidence on MDS to be enhanced as well.

MDS offers a plenty of payment options to provide greater convenience and effectiveness for customers. For international shoppers, they could choose Master cards, Visa cards or Paypal to make payment. On the other hand, local shoppers could choose to make payment via Internet banking or ATM Transfer. All additional transaction charges are fully absorbed by MDS as they endeavour to make their customers enjoying a pleasant shopping experience. Customers could also choose their delivery options as well, be it normal or registered mail. However, they strongly advise the customers to opt for registered mail with tracking capability as it is faster and safer.

MDS has the membership program where the customers become the lifetime members once they have spent $150 within a receipt. The members could enjoy 10% off in both online and retail outlets and 20% off during their birthday month. The membership program would definitely appeal to the customers since there is no additional cost incurred for registration and renewal. The program also offers exclusive discounts, sneak preview to new styles and fashion updates to their members. MDS has a point system which every $1 spent is equal to 1 point earned. For every $250 spent, there would be a $10 voucher that could be used for next purchase. This system helps to attract more customers and this would also encourage the customers to spend more than $250 to get the $10 voucher for discount.

MDS also has its own online magazine which is published weekly. The magazine would showcase the different lines of clothes that are up-to-date so that the customers would be well-informed and they could choose from the wide range of designs out there. Other than online magazine, MDS is also published in local magazines such as Nu You, Women Plus, Style Magazine, CHIC Magazine, Cleo and so on. It was also interviewed by Channel 8’s Good Morning Show on Entrepreneurship before. All these interviews and publications help in publicizing the website greatly.

In overall, I personally think that MDS is a successful online shopping platform since it provides reliable and excellent service other than a wide range of clothes. However, I would also point out that MDS should have consumer reviews on their website to allow better overview of their quality of goods and service as well. I would rate 4/5 for MDS shopping site.

How can the website be used in teaching of C&T lessons?

The website could be used in teaching students how to shop smartly by comparing the prices and quality. The students should be encouraged to read consumer reviews before they make their decision in purchasing the clothes and accessories so that they could check the reliability of the website. Other than that, they would also be taught on how to shop within their stipulated budget so that they would not be addicted to online shopping and splurge all their pocket money and savings on clothes. This would also prevent them from becoming an impulsive buyer that buys clothes that are unnecessary and non-fitting. The students would also learn about different payment methods and the advantages and disadvantages of each method. Consumer’s rights are also another important lesson for them as they would become more aware of their rights and know possible actions that they could take if they have purchased a faulty items or missing items in their order.

In addition, the students would be taught to observe the matching of clothes and accessories which are showcased in the website. They would learn about fabric types so that they would be informed on how different fabric would affect the body shapes being reflected. They would also learn colour matching and design patterns as well. For instance, empire dress works well with apple shaped bodies as it disguises the tummy and slims the overall silhouette. Vertical lines also help to make one look taller than usual whereas horizontal lines are always a no-no for plus-sizes. Size chart is also another significant aspect of clothes that the students have to learn. Knowing their own measurements would be helpful since they do not have the luxury of a dressing room when shopping online. All these tips are important to help them to select their clothes wisely so that they would look presentable in the public.