Interview Specials #5: VainGloriousYou – A Fling with Fashion

Introduction to VainGloriousYou (VGY)…

VainGloriousYou was founded in 2008 and it offers a wide selection of desirable apparels, accessories and shoes online. Since the debut, owner Tricia Ong has been combing the racks, catering to each and every customer personally and gathering retail opportunities for VGY.

They pride themselves in carefully selected pieces for its style and quality that caters to the fashionable ladies today.

They have two shop spaces located at “THE BLOGSHOP” at 35 Haji Lane and Far East Plaza on Level 3.

Tricia also partners with her boyfriend, Mikal (whom all the ladies see during Flea Markets actively giving out VGY namecards!). He is one of the photographers in VGY and sometimes, he handpick the designs available in VGY!

Gaining trust…

Two of the difficulties which VGY faced were definitely gaining the trust of the customers and promoting VGY’s brand personality. “My motto for VGY is to leave a ‘sincere’ and ‘friendly service with a personal touch’ impression for my customers.”

VGY have to manage customers’ doubts if the items are really brand new or can they trust them to mail out their item via normal postage. Over the time, they have build their customer relationship by being honest to their enquiries.

“I have gain the trust of my customers and build a reputation for VGY. But I have to say, it was really hard to build a reputation from scratch as I am faced with fierce competition from other online shops.”

No hard-selling…

To gain the trust of customers, Tricia had a mind of her own.

“It will definitely be no hard selling of my own products. I also take precautions to assure customers by being professional in my services.”

Tricia shared with us about the measures that she took in every customer’s buying process.

“I have a tidy invoice format which has step-by-step instructions in proceeding payment for their item. After payment is received, I reassure customers by informing them when (i) the item will be mailed out and (ii) when they can expect to receive. It is a tough process but I stand by this as each order is fully accountable to the customer so he/she will feel safe with her purchase.”

During the peak period of Chinese New Year, there were many customers requested their items at the last minute. As she was overwhelmed with fatigue and did not manage to catch their emails in time for a mass meetup, she actually delivered the items to her customers personally on the eve of Chinese New Year.

“If in any circumstances when a customer is unhappy with our service, I go the extra mile by delivering the item personally to their doorstep anytime of the day at their convenience. Hence, I gain their understanding and appreciation for the extra mile that I go for my customers.”

Sincere, friendly and the ability to account for transactions are the qualities which Tricia believes a good and safe blogshop should possess.

Best way using registered postage…

For a first time experience with a blogshop, Tricia suggested opting for a registered postage.

“This is to ensure that the seller have mailed out your item as registered postage comes with a tracking number.”

Subsequently as shopper build a relationship with the blogshop which is one that has associable qualities like reliable, honest, responsible and timely deliveries, the shopper can safely opt for normal postage.

“From my experience, Singpost do not easily “lose” a mail during transient. As long as (1) the seller write the correct address on the envelope (2) the seller really mail out the item (in the case of a normal postage envelope where no tracking number is given), “LOST OF MAIL” should rarely happen to any customers.”

There are definitely times when envelopes are lost but chances are very slim.

“There are dishonest blogshops out there who brazenly claim they mail out your items but actually nothing was mailed to you. Shoppers always fall victim to clauses like “We are not responsible for lost of mail if normal postage was opted for”.”

VainGloriousYou would like to say some words to budding entrepreneurs….

“The route to building a successful blogshop is often plagued with obstacles. But if this is your dream, dream hard enough and work for it. No one except yourself can tell you, you cannot do it. Always be friendly to your customers and attend to each and everyone with sincerity. Good luck to your future endeavours!”

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SafeBlogShopper would like to say a big thank you to blogshop owners who responded to our interview request and gave their best in putting all these interviews a great success.

We will take a break from here and will continue to invite renowned blogshops to share about their success stories.

Feel free to drop us any comments if you have anything to say.

Disclaimer:

- All images are screenshot from VainGloriousYou

- Most of the content in this interview are contributed by VainGloriousYou.