SmallBizGenius Analysis

Modcloth, an online retailer specializing in vintage-inspired women's clothing, receives mixed feedback regarding its product quality, shipping, and customer service. While some customers praise the unique styles and occasional positive experiences, a significant number report issues with order fulfillment, returns, and communication.

Category Breakdown

Scores based on analysis of 96 recent reviews

Customer Service

2.5/10

Numerous reviewers express dissatisfaction with Modcloth's customer service, citing long response times, unhelpful representatives, and difficulty reaching support through phone, chat, or email. Many customers report feeling ignored or given the runaround when trying to resolve issues with orders, returns, or refunds; for example, one reviewer stated, "I have repeatedly tried to get. someone to find the missing item, replace it, or refund my money."

45 reviews mention this

Shipping & Delivery

3.0/10

A significant number of reviewers complain about slow shipping times, unexpected shipping delays, and orders being shipped from China without prior notice. Several customers report waiting weeks or even months for their orders to arrive, with some experiencing missing or incorrect items. One reviewer shared, "I ordered something from ModCloth In December and it still hasn’t shipped! Today is March 6."

38 reviews mention this

Product Quality

4.0/10

Many reviewers note a decline in the quality of Modcloth's clothing, describing fabrics as cheap, poorly made, and prone to damage after only a few wears. Some customers also report issues with sizing inconsistencies, with garments running too large or too small compared to the size chart. As one reviewer put it, "But the quality has tanked, the customer service is a joke, everything has a gross chemical smell and the sizing is all over the place."

30 reviews mention this

Returns & Refunds

3.5/10

Several reviewers express frustration with Modcloth's return policy, citing high return shipping fees, long processing times for refunds, and difficulties in obtaining refunds for items returned. Some customers also report being unable to return final sale items, even when the items are defective or incorrectly described. One reviewer complained, "They charge you for shipping if you want to return something. They don’t offer size exchanges."

25 reviews mention this

Sizing Issues

4.0/10

A recurring theme in the reviews is the inconsistency in Modcloth's sizing, leading to frequent returns. Customers report that items often run significantly larger or smaller than expected, even when consulting the provided size charts. This unpredictability makes online shopping with Modcloth a gamble, as highlighted by one reviewer: "Sizing is unpredictable, so you never really know what you’re going to get."

15 reviews mention this

Website Issues

4.5/10

Some reviewers mention issues with the Modcloth website, including problems with tracking orders, accessing accounts, and using discounts. These technical glitches add to the overall frustration of shopping with Modcloth, as noted by one customer: "Why can’t I leave 0 stars? They canceled half of my order because they oversold (so basically, because their website is shit)."

5 reviews mention this

Pros & Cons

What Customers Love

Unique vintage-inspired styles are offered. Mentioned 10x
"This used to be a fun place to get vintage styles"
Occasional sales and discounts are available. Mentioned 3x
"Modcloth still has cute stuff and great sales and discounts"
Some customers have had positive experiences with customer service representatives. Mentioned 2x
"Both the phone and email representatives I spoke with were very helpful, informed, and friendly."
Good customer service, good products for the price. Mentioned 1x
"Good customer service, good products for the price."
Quality fabric and I received everything I ordered. Mentioned 1x
"Quality fabric and I received everything I ordered. It all fit well"

Common Complaints

Customer service is unresponsive and unhelpful. Mentioned 45x
"Customer Service is TERRIBLE and non-existent."
Shipping is slow and unreliable, with orders often shipped from China. Mentioned 38x
"I ordered something from ModCloth In December and it still hasn’t shipped! Today is March 6."
Product quality has declined, with cheap fabrics and poor construction. Mentioned 30x
"But the quality has tanked, the customer service is a joke, everything has a gross chemical smell and the sizing is all over the place."
Returns are difficult and expensive, with high return shipping fees and long processing times. Mentioned 25x
"They charge you for shipping if you want to return something. They don’t offer size exchanges."
Sizing is inconsistent and unpredictable, leading to frequent returns. Mentioned 15x
"Sizing is unpredictable, so you never really know what you’re going to get."

Common Questions About Modcloth

Answers derived from customer review patterns

Is Modcloth legit and trustworthy?

Based on 96 reviews, Modcloth's legitimacy is questionable due to numerous reports of unfulfilled orders, poor customer service, and deceptive practices. While some customers receive their orders and are satisfied with the products, a significant number experience issues with shipping delays, incorrect items, and difficulty obtaining refunds. The company's unresponsive customer service and inconsistent product quality raise concerns about its reliability. Therefore, potential customers should exercise caution and carefully consider the risks before placing an order with Modcloth.

Based on 45 reviews

Does Modcloth have good customer service?

The overwhelming consensus from the reviews is that Modcloth's customer service is poor. Customers consistently report difficulty contacting customer service representatives, with long wait times, unanswered emails, and non-functional chat features. When customers do manage to reach customer service, they often encounter unhelpful or dismissive representatives who fail to resolve their issues effectively. This lack of support leaves many customers feeling frustrated and dissatisfied with their overall shopping experience.

Based on 45 reviews

Is Modcloth worth it for small business?

For small businesses, Modcloth presents a risky proposition. While the brand's unique vintage-inspired styles may be appealing, the numerous complaints about product quality, shipping delays, and poor customer service outweigh the potential benefits. The unreliability of order fulfillment and the difficulty in resolving issues could lead to dissatisfied customers and damage a small business's reputation. Unless a business is willing to carefully vet each item and handle customer service issues independently, Modcloth is likely not a worthwhile investment.

Based on 20 reviews

What is Modcloth's return policy like?

Modcloth's return policy is a frequent source of frustration for customers. The company charges a return shipping fee, and refunds are often delayed or incomplete. Additionally, many items are marked as "final sale" and cannot be returned, even if they are defective or incorrectly described. This restrictive return policy, combined with the challenges in contacting customer service, makes it difficult for customers to resolve issues with their orders.

Based on 25 reviews

Why are Modcloth orders often shipped from China?

Several reviewers express surprise and dissatisfaction with Modcloth orders being shipped from China. This practice is not always clearly disclosed to customers at the time of purchase, leading to longer shipping times and potential customs fees. The fact that items are shipped from China also raises concerns about product quality and ethical sourcing, as some customers suspect that Modcloth's products are similar to those sold by fast-fashion retailers like Shein.

Based on 10 reviews