Overview of LightInTheBox
LightInTheBox is a China-based global online retailer catering to bargain hunters around the world. Founded in 2007, the company has grown rapidly to offer over 500,000 unique products spanning categories like clothing, shoes, accessories, home goods, electronics, wedding supplies, and more.
What sets LightInTheBox apart is its direct-to-consumer business model that cuts out the middleman. By working directly with manufacturers in China, the company can offer wholesale pricing while still delivering quality and customization.
Some key facts about LightInTheBox:
- Headquarters: Shenzhen, China
- Year Founded: 2007
- Product Categories: Clothing, Shoes, Accessories, Home Goods, Electronics, Weddings, Jewelry, Sporting Goods, Health, Beauty, Kids
- Number of Products: 500,000+
- Ships To: Over 200 countries
- Typical Processing Time: 24-48 hours
- Shipping Time: 10-20 days average (expedited options available)
When it comes to prices, LightInTheBox positions itself as an affordable alternative to sites like Amazon. By purchasing wholesale directly from Chinese factories, the company can offer significant cost savings that they pass onto consumers.
You can expect prices to be 30-60% cheaper than US or European retailers. Certain categories like wedding dresses and electronics tend to have the deepest discounts.
Pros and Cons of Shopping On LightInTheBox
Based on LightInTheBox reviews, here are the most common pros and cons mentioned by customers:
Pros
- Low prices: Customers routinely report saving 30-60% compared to other online and local stores.
- Huge selection: With over 500,000 products, you‘re likely to find what you need at a discount.
- Good quality: Many customers praise the quality and construction considering the low costs.
- Easy returns: LightInTheBox offers free return shipping labels for any reason within 7 days.
- Customization: Certain products like dresses can be customized for fit and styling.
Cons
- Long shipping times: Standard shipping takes 10-20 days on average which can feel like an eternity.
- Size inaccuracies: Some reviews mention sizing running small or measurements being off.
- Quality inconsistencies: There are rare complaints about items arriving damaged or poorly constructed.
- Low-res product images: The photos on the site sometimes don‘t show much detail or item specifics.
To sum up, the trade-off with LightInTheBox is lower prices but longer waits. Pay close attention to sizing charts and reviews before ordering.
6 Best Selling LightInTheBox Products
Let‘s explore some of LightInTheBox‘s top-rated and best-selling items showcasing the diversity of their catalog.
Chiffon Wrap Maxi Dress – $29
This gorgeous boho-inspired maxi dress has over 1,000 5-star reviews. It‘s made from a lightweight chiffon that flows beautifully. Customers love it for beach vacations, summer parties, and casual wear.
The adjustable waist tie lets you customize the fit. It runs true to size and provides excellent coverage. For $29, it‘s an absolute steal!
Lace Mermaid Wedding Dress – $149
With an average rating of 4.8/5 stars from over 3,000 reviews, this stunning lace mermaid gown is a best-seller for brides on a budget.
It‘s made of soft satin and detailed lace with a flattering silhouette. You can customize the size, color, sleeves, and length. Most customers recommend ordering a size up for the best fit.
Considering most bridal salons charge $1,000+, it‘s an unbeatable deal at $149.
360 Lace frontal Wig – $64
This 26-inch 360 lace wig is praised for looking and feeling incredibly natural. It‘s made with premium heat-resistant synthetic fiber that moves like real hair.
The lace front and adjustable straps allow you to blend it seamlessly with your natural hair for a flawless look. Customers love it for adding length and volume instantly.
At just $64 with free shipping, it costs 3-4x less than alternatives while maintaining quality.
More Best Sellers
Here are a few more top-rated favorites from LightInTheBox shoppers:
- Bohemian Beaded Sandals – $23
- Off-The-Shoulder Ruffle Dress – $36
- Faux Leather Tote Bag – $29
- Cat Eye Sunglasses – $14
- Sterling Silver CZ Stud Earrings – $9
How LightInTheBox Compares on Common Buying Factors
Let‘s see how LightInTheBox stacks up on some of the most important aspects consumers consider when clothes and accessory shopping online.
Sizing & Fit
LightInTheBox provides detailed size charts with measurements for every clothing item. They also show customer-uploaded photos of items on real people.
Reviews indicate most items fit true-to-size when you carefully follow sizing guides. About 20% of customers do caution certain items running small.
For the best fit, read reviews and size up if concerned. You can also order 2 sizes and return what doesn‘t fit for free.
Materials & Construction
The quality and materials used vary considerably across LightInTheBox‘s catalog given the immense product variety.
On average, customers find construction and fabrics meet or exceed expectations considering the discounted prices. Areas with the widest quality range tend to be jewelry and electronics.
Clothing-wise, pay attention to fabric composition described. Synthetic blends are more common than 100% natural materials. Checks reviews mentioning durability and structure.
Shipping & Delivery
The biggest drawback of LightInTheBox is slower shipping times. Standard delivery takes 10-20 days on average. Upgrades like DHL can ship as fast as 4 days but cost more.
Nearly all orders do eventually arrive. Tracking info can be unreliable until the package reaches your country. LightInTheBox issues refunds or replacements for any lost items.
Prices & Value
Dollar for dollar, most LightInTheBox shoppers feel they get outstanding value compared to pricier US and European alternatives. Discounts range from 30-60% off typical retail costs.
As the examples above highlight, you can often purchase similar-quality dresses, shoes, bags, accessories, etc for 3-5x cheaper than standard online stores.
Just set proper expectations around shipping times. Then the extreme value more than outweighs the wait for many savvy shoppers.
Return Process
LightInTheBox offers free return shipping within 7 days for store credit or 30 days for a refund. Approved exchanges are also free but take additional time.
Some customers complain returns can be a hassle with slow refund times. But most are pleased with the flexibility of no-question returns in the first week.
Pay attention to any return restrictions per category before ordering as policies vary. Document condition and timeline diligently if needing to make returns later.
Who is LightInTheBox Best For?
Based on its strengths and weaknesses, LightInTheBox tends to be most popular with the following shopper types:
- Bargain hunters seeking the best deals across all shopping categories.
- International customers with limited local access to global brands and styles.
- Plus-size shoppers needing extended sizes rarely found affordable elsewhere.
- Crafty Etsy sellers sourcing unique materials and wholesale supplies.
- Procrastinating grooms/groomsmen ordering last-minute affordable wedding attire.
The extreme discounts and range make it worthwhile for all types wanting to stretch their budgets. Just prepare for slower deliveries and carefully vet sizes.
3 LightInTheBox Alternative Stores to Consider
Here are three alternative online shops carrying cheap chic fashions and accessories to also check out:
Romwe
Like LightInTheBox, Romwe is a China-based global e-commerce company focused on women‘s clothing, shoes, bags and jewelry.
It carries a massive catalog of ultra-affordable styles with new arrivals daily. Prices can be even lower than LightInTheBox but more consistency issues are reported.
Zaful
Zaful shares a similar approach to LightInTheBox as a wholesale dropshipping platform. It stocks 100,000+ items from Chinese suppliers with Warehouse fulfillment worldwide.
Expect rock bottom pricing but slower delivery and occasional duds. Great discovering undiscovered boutique finds if you don‘t mind returns.
DressLily
DressLily predominantly specializes in women’s fast fashion apparel and accessories available globally. It works directly with over 1,000 Chinese and Asian design manufacturers.
Like LightInTheBox, prices run far below standard US stores while providing styles difficult to find locally. Expect extended shipping times from Asia fulfillment.
Tips for Finding the Best Deals on LightInTheBox
Here are some pro tips for saving even more money on LightInTheBoxes‘s already low costs:
- Sign up for email list to get exclusive sitewide and category promo codes
- Download the LightInTheBox app for mobile-exclusive discounts
- Shop special sales like holiday weekends for deepest discounts
- Buy LightInTheBox coupon codes on deal sites
- Qualify for bigger rebates by writing reviews
- Take advantage of bulk order bundles
- Use live chat support to request special loyalty promos
Combining these stacking strategies can lead to prices up to 70%+ off in some cases!
Is LightInTheBox Ultimately Worth It?
At the end of the day, despite a few hassles, savvy shoppers overwhelmingly consider LightInTheBox worth it for the extreme savings. Just follow these best practices to minimize headaches:
- Carefully vet sizes using their detailed measurement charts
- Read recent reviews sorting low to high to catch any quality declines
- Stick to best-selling items with enough reviews to demonstrate consistency
- Prepare for 10-20 day shipping times and set proper delivery expectations
- Inspect items immediately upon arrival and document for faster returns if needed
Follow those tips and LightInTheBox is almost always worth it for bargain shoppers who don‘t mind waiting a little extra in exchange for prices that can hardly be beaten!
The Verdict: An Incredible Source for Ultra-Cheap Finds If You Manage Expectations
At the end of my extensive LightInTheBox review covering policies, products, and peer reviews – I confidently award them:
⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 Stars
I subtract one star only for below-average shipping times. But when they deliver as promised, you simply won‘t find better prices on such a massive catalog of fashions anywhere else.
They add over 14,000 new arrivals monthly, so bookmark LightInTheBox to keep discovering treasures that will make you feel like a smart shopper!
