6pm Review: Handbag Stores

When you first land on 6pm's website, you'll quickly notice its striking resemblance to another handbag retailer in this review: Zappos. 6pm is actually Zappos' sibling site, sharing a family resemblance in more ways than one.

Great place for discounted fashion

Since 2007, 6pm has been a reliable source for discounted fashion. Setting themselves apart in the market, they provide an extensive array of new styles, genuine brands, and a wide range of fashion choices including handbags. Unlike traditional retailers, their inventory tends to deplete rapidly, so if you spot something that catches your eye, don't hesitate to make your purchase.

Large inventory changes out regularly

You'll find an impressive inventory at 6pm. The entire handbag selection at this retailer includes 2,477 different items. However, there's a catch. Given their focus on offering discounted items, 6pm's stock may be limited, and you won't always find the same items there each day. You might discover only one or two of a particular item in stock, and they may not always have the exact color you desire. So, you might not find the exact Coach bag in your favorite color, but one close to it instead. It's a trade-off you must make when navigating deal sites where being overly particular isn't always an option.

Affordable prices

The majority of 6pm's inventory ranges between $10 to $200 and there are over 800 items in the $50 and below section of the site. The cheapest bag at 6pm (at the time of this review) was $15.98 for a Roxy wallet and the highest priced item was $918 for an MCM tote. Just remember the items will change out quickly, so these prices might change overnight.

User-friendly filter system

Like its sister site, 6pm is well designed with an array of filtering options to help you find exactly what you need. These filters span various categories including brands, prices, colors, materials, and strap styles. Whether you're seeking a specific closure type or a handbag with particular features, or perhaps you're enchanted by a specific theme, 6pm's got you covered (as long as the items you're looking for are in stock). Plus, with the unique "Trends Boutique" you can quickly browse the most sought-after colors, patterns, and styles in vogue if keeping up with fashion is your go-to style.

Free shipping on $50+

For any order exceeding $50, 6pm offers free standard shipping. Expedited shipping is also an option, but much like its sibling Zappos, it's restricted to addresses within the contiguous United States. However, considering that Zappos also offers free shipping without a price threshold, 6pm stands out as being less competitive in this area.

30-day returns + shipping

6pm grants a 30-day window to return your items. You'll need to send back the items in their original condition and packaging. And unfortunately, when it comes to returns, you shoulder the burden of all return shipping costs. With an average return window and an expensive return process, it may be smarter to shop somewhere more accommodating to customers.

Disappointing return policy

Like its sister site, 6pm has an "A+" rating and accreditation from the Better Business Bureau. However, also like Zappos, 6pm's reputation at the BBB isn't backed up by reviewers. Across the board, reviewers gave the company an average rating of just 2.1 stars out of 5. According to the comments, customers were particularly disappointed in the return policy.

Huge hassles with returns bring down ratings

Some customers received incorrect or defective products and were left paying return costs to get rid of them. In some instances, customers were sent items that appeared worn and scuffed. To compound the issue, many disgruntled reviewers voiced concerns about the high cost of return labels. For instance, some orders that initially cost $40 would incur a hefty $33 fee for the return. Customers noted that in response to such complaints about the return policy, nearly every customer service agent reiterated a common refrain: "We are a deals site, and in an effort to keep our pricing as low as possible, we do not offer prepaid labels."

Huge hassles with returns bring down ratings

With lots of low-cost handbag retailers out there, 6pm isn't that competitive for its pricing or its inventory. In a nutshell, 6pm could be likened to the budget airlines of the handbag world. It offers enticingly affordable rates, akin to those bare-bones ticket prices from airlines like JetBlue or Allegiant. However, similar to these budget airlines tacking on additional fees for selecting seats or bringing a carry-on bag, 6pm's cost-saving approach could potentially lead to extra expenses for its customers in the long run. Considering all the complaints shoppers have left regarding problems with returns and expensive shipping costs when 6pm is at fault for problems with merchandise, it's much safer to shop somewhere more reliable that puts customers first.

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On the 6pm website