Italist vs Farfetch: Which One is Better for You?

Italist is an online luxury fashion retailer that specializes in selling authentic, curated designer clothing and accessories from Italy. Farfetch is a global online retail platform for luxury fashion, connecting buyers with the world’s best independent boutiques and brands.

So which one is better for you?

Price

The prices at Italist are lower than at Farfetch.

For example, a pair of Alexander McQueen Contrasting-toe Cap Leather Pumps costs $753 at Italist while the same pair costs $950 at Farfetch. A Saint Laurent Rive Gauche Shopping Tote Bag costs $1168 at Italist while the same bag costs $1690 at Farfetch. A pair of Balenciaga Triple S Chunky Sneakers costs $800 at Italist while the same pair costs $1050 at Farfetch.

In general, you can save 20-30% by shopping for Italian brands at Italist. But you can find discounts on your favorite shoes and bags at Farfetch. The prices are often more interesting than what you would find at Italist.

What Do Customers Say About Italist

Many customers have said that they are extremely happy with their Italist purchase experience. They appreciate the fact that they can get their items delivered quickly and that the products are always in great condition:

“This website is the best! I bought a pair of Golden Goose sneakers for $120 instead of paying $250, and they came super quick within around week. They’re amazing quality as well you can tell these aren’t knock-offs or anything fake because everything about them feels high end (the packaging wasn’t damaged when delivered).”

“Fantastic! I’ve ordered on their site twice now and both times the order arrived very quickly with well-packed items. All of my purchases are in brand new condition, so it’s easy to see why they rated five stars from me too. A great online store for all your needs!! I’m extremely pleased about how smoothly everything goes when ordering through this company.”

Some customers have noted that the packaging could be better:

“The first time I ordered from this site, and it came within five days! The duties were included on my payment so there’s no need to pay extra via DHL. Though the packaging could be better. I received an almost broken box with only cardboard for protection; though luckily everything else arrived in perfect condition without any damage or breakage whatsoever inside its plastic coverings (which was also slightly torn).”

Italist Shipping and Return Policy

Italist is committed to providing a quality shipping experience for its customers. Express shipping is used for all orders to ensure quick and secure delivery. They offer free shipping to most countries, and the prices displayed are inclusive of all taxes and duties for customers outside of the European Union.

For customers in the European Union, there are no customs duties. Italist makes it easy and convenient to shop for luxury items without having to worry about hidden fees. Italist ships via DHL or a similar third-party global courier. Delivery times will vary depending on the destination country.

Products typically arrive within 2-4 business days.

Italist has a very strict returns policy, and it’s important to be aware of all the requirements before making a purchase. All returns must be shipped using Italist’s courier, and they must be received within 14 days of the original delivery date. Additionally, all items must be returned in their original condition with all tags and labels attached. Final sale items cannot be returned, and there are also no returns accepted for underwear, swimwear, fur coats, or jewelry.

If you need to make an exchange, you will first need to return the original item. Once your returned item is received and verified, you will receive a refund for the purchase price, minus shipping costs, customs duties, and/or courier charges. Please note that customs duties are non-refundable. You may, however, be able to recover customs duties by contacting the local customs bureau directly. This option may not be available in all countries, so we recommend that you hire a customs broker to determine whether you can apply for a refund for customs fees related to your return.

Italist Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Free returns
• Committed to providing a quality shipping experience
• Express shipping is used for all orders

Cons:

• Strict return policy
• Some customers have complained about packaging quality
• Customers outside of the European Union are responsible for their own customs duties and taxes

What Do Customers Say About Farfetch

Customers have praised the ease of use on the website, the fast shipping times, and the overall professionalism of the company:

“I re-ordered from Farfetch when I saw that the deals were on again. Even though my last order was canceled due to “out of stock,” the refund came back quickly. My experience with Farfetch has been good so far easy, safe, fast responses. I will definitely buy from here again. The price was good and shipping was fast; it arrived days before the estimated delivery date. It was packaged very well with all of the receipts included.”

“Enjoying my new gorgeous pair of shoes. Product is excellent. The price was unbeatable, and the delivery was professional. Recommend shopping on Farfetch – the entire experience was wonderful! I didn’t have to worry about shipping or customs, which was a huge relief. I was able to track the shipping status and they arrived even sooner than expected. Packaging was perfect.”

There have been some complaints about damaged packaging, but this seems to be an isolated incident:

“The t-shirt arrived quickly after the order was placed, which was great. Item was exactly as described and fit well. But the packaging it arrived in was damaged, due to being left outside in the rain!”

Farfetch Shipping and Return Policy

Farfetch offers a variety of shipping options to suit your needs. For example, in the US, there is free shipping for orders over 145USD; in China Mainland – for orders over 3500CNY. There are also express and standard shipping options available for selected countries. “Same-day delivery” is also an option for some locations.

They have express delivery for most of Europe and the US, which is delivered within 2-4 days. For the rest of the world, standard delivery is 3-7 days. They also offer same-day delivery in selected countries for orders placed by 11:00 am. And for selected countries, they offer F90 delivery, which is delivered within 90 minutes from when the order is placed.

Farfetch has a pretty good return policy. You have 14 days to return items, as long as they are in the same condition you received them and with all tags attached.

Some items are final sale and cannot be returned, but if an item arrives damaged or faulty, you can still return it. Be mindful when trying on items you intend to purchase, and only remove tags or packaging once you’re certain you’ll be keeping the item. Always return items in the same condition in which they were sold to you!

If you cancel your order under the Consumer Contracts Regulations, you have 14 days from the date your order arrived to notify us. You will be responsible for the cost and arrangement of returning the items back to Farfetch.

Farfetch Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Curated selection of clothing, accessories, and home decor items
• User-friendly website and mobile app
• Excellent customer service
• Free returns within 14 days
• Has a “same-day delivery” option in some locations

Cons:

• Prices can be high, especially for designer items
• Shipping costs can add up, depending on location
• Items that are final sale cannot be returned

Conclusion

Italist only sells authentic designer clothing and accessories from Italy, while Farfetch offers a mix of luxury fashion items from both independent boutiques and global brands. They both have a user-friendly website and mobile app, excellent customer service, and free returns within 14 days.

Check out other comparisons: Farfetch vs SSENSE and Mytheresa vs Farfetch.