When you score the internet for designer bags and merchandise, what comes to mind? To me, it’s eBay and Etsy but there is also one more lesser-known retailer by the name Gilt.
Gilt is a retailer which offers steep discounts on designer goods like handbags, apparel, and jewelry. But the interesting part is that the discounts only last a day, which means flash sales.
Since you are buying designer goods from the internet, it’s vital to verify if they are authentic. So, join me in finding out the answer to ‘Is Gilt legit?’ today.
Gilt Review
Gilt was launched in 2007 from Vente-Privee inspiration with their headquarters based in Brooklyn, New York. They are part of a company called Rue Gilt Groupe, which is part of an e-commerce organization.
Gilt operate from their several warehouses in NYC, Las Vegas, Nevada, Kentucky and Louisville. They started with women’s apparel and accessories but also started including menswear in 2008.
Lifestyle brands and products were also added eventually and started acquiring more high-end brands. By 2018 they transferred company power from Hudson’s Bay Company to Rue La La.
Is Gilt Legit?
Whenever you shop online especially expensive items, you need to verify if they are legit. And this is no different.
In my opinion,
Gilt is legit but users have yielded mixed reviews based on their experiences. They sell genuine products from designer brands like Dior and LV as well as their own in-house brands. Most products come with warranties so you know you are getting the real deal.
But Gilt is not your typical discount store. So, how does it work?
How Does Gilt Work?
In order to view all the sales, you need to sign up as a member which is free. You can then see all the discounts and sales and also end up with additional discounts.
Each sale usually lasts for just a day or two at best. The discounts range from 30% to 80% and you can also use your rewards points for more savings.
You can either shop from their sales or browse through their categories. The Store claims that they only source items from independent vendors which are verified by experts.
Gilt Products
Gilt started out with women’s fashion like apparel and accessories. But now they have almost everything you need but all high-end, of course.
You will find many well-known designer brands like Dior, Prada, YSL, Chanel, Celine and Jimmy Choo. But among all these designers, you can also look for their in-house brands like Alex+Alex.
From clothes, shoes, bags, jewelry to lifestyle items like bedding, duvet and décor can be found at Gilt. You can also look for travel deals to exotic locations like Italy or dinners at fine dining restaurants.
Gilt Shipping Policy
Gilt delivers to most places in America barring a few places for a fee of $9.99. But you might have to pay more depending on weight and location.
Typically, Gilt takes around 3 to 9 business days but word on the street is they take longer. Some users faced delayed shipping but it might be for Covid-19.
If you join Gilt Unlimited Program, you can avail free shipping for 30 days after an initial $9.99.
Gilt Return Policy
Their return policy is also not much to write about according to customers. They offer two options.
A full refund is available if you return within 30 days and with original packaging. You need to ship it back to one of their warehouses with a charge of $9.99.
Other option is to opt for store credit which can be used the next time you shop. Refunds are usually processed within 7 to 10 days.
Gilt Customer Satisfaction
Upon doing some internet queries, I found Gilt to have poor to mixed reviews from users.
Trustpilot says that Gilt only deserves a 1.5/5 which is considered bad among 400+ reviews. The common theme of the complaints was that they delivered fake products to a lot of customers. Some packages were also not shipped and refunds were also hard to get hold of.
SiteJabber has a much favorable view of Gilt on the other hand with 3.34/5 based on 1200+ reviews. Mentions of good deals and quick customer help sealed the deal on the good reviews from customers. In fact, they are ranked fourth on the list of the best consignment stores in the USA.
Gilt Alternatives
Like Gilt, there have to be similar websites and you are right. I am here to name two of the best ones.
Rue La La: Parent company Rue La La is one of the OG consignment stores with great discounts. All designer items with amazing prices and no fear of getting scammed. You can get up to 70% off on designer goods along with a number of home décor.
6pm: 6pm can be your go to store for affordable designer brands like Calvin Klein and Adidas. They have greatly discounted prices for all things nice including clothing and accessories. Their early morning flash sales are usually the highlight of 6pm users.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1# Does Gilt sell authentic designer goods?
Ans: Yes, Gilt is very adamant about their authenticity regarding designer goods. They claim to source only from legit vendors and are always verified by experts. Moreover, you will be given warranties for further assurance on their legit branded items.
Q2# What kind of payments are available at Gilt?
Ans: Payments at Gilt are easy with the usual payment methods like credit/debit cards. They also have a special payment system which allows you to pay in installments called Afterpay. You can make four payments over the course of a few weeks without any interest.
Q3# How to contact Gilt for customer help?
Ans: To get any of your questions asked, Gilt has a hotline you can call during office hours. You can also use their online form to send a message or directly email them. They are usually pretty quick to respond to any inquiry.
Conclusion
So, there you go, all the details needed to make up your mind over this question. Is Gilt legit? Yes, Gilt has its faults but it seems like they are not a scam at least.
To get some good discounts you can try Gilt but make sure you know what you are buying. It doesn’t hurt when you can save money while looking like a million bucks.