BlackFive.com was founded in 2014 and was quite popular in the beginning. It offered free shipping, a vast selection of fashion as well as a lot of coupons and blogger programs.
Then it suddenly changed its entire product range, shipping and payment conditions, customer service and communication. Now you get to order wedding dresses, prom dresses and evening dresses at the former fashionista shop. We're quite disappointed with the lack of communication and sudden complete change.
Experience with BlackFive
We used to love shopping at BlackFive - it had a great fashion range, lovely customer service and free shipping to offer. We were happy with our orders, even though they took about 4 weeks to arrive. But nowadays, we're not as happy with the customer service and continuously hear about bad experiences with the former fashion blogger favorite. The pros and cons summed up:
Pros
- free shipping worldwide for $249+ orders
- Stylish and User-Friendly website
Cons
- Shipping times should be taken with a grain of salt
- no PayPal payment
Payment
BlackFive gives you exactly two payment options nowadays: Credit Card (Visa and MasterCard) and Western Union. Paypal payment at Blackfive is a thing of the past, so this shouldn't pose too much of a problem to most of you.
Shopping cart filled up, and now? About payment and shipping at Blackfive
Supported Payment Methods
| Credit Card |
| Credit Cards are just as quick and easy. |
|---|---|---|
| Western Union | This offline payment method requires a trip to your local Western Union branch to complete a payment. Beware of extra fees for international transactions. |
Shipping Costs and Delivery Times
BlackFive also changed its shipping conditions when it changed its product range. Now you only have one shipping option: Express Shipping. If you order for at least $249+, you'll get free shipping, otherwise you'll have to pay about $35 for shipping.
<imgclass="img-responsive" style="max-height: 400px; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="../assets/images/shops/blackfive-ordering.JPG" alt="BlackFive Payment and Shipping Methods" />
Only one decision to make: credit card or Western Union? BlackFive only offers one shipping option
BlackFive and Customs
Our first order on BlackFive arrived at our German office with no problems getting through customs.Our package was well packed and very carefully-declared, which helps but is no guarantee. Customs can stop packages for any reasons and regularly performs test inspections, so its always worth it to educated yourself about your country's rules and regulations surrounding international mail, import taxes, and customs fees.
For shipments entering the US, extra taxes and fees on your product are possible. Not every item is taxed when entering the country, and the majority are only subject to a nominal processing fee of between $2 and $9 in the case of a random customs stop. The amount to be paid, however, can vary widely depending on the product and how it’s sent. If you are concerned about your item, or are planning to order goods in excess of $500, it is worth it to check with the Customs Office at the port of entry to confirm any extra fees.
Any extra taxes or duties on your shipment will either be paid at your door when the mailman drops it off, or the package may be held at your local post office. In which case, you will need to go pick it up and pay any applicable fees in person.
Return Policy
BlackFive has changed its conditions concerning returns and now you can only return items within 7 days of delivery. Depending on the reason for the return, the conditions for your return are difficult: Now the bad news:
- wrong dress? Send it back and get a refund or keep the dress and get a 50% discount on it
- wrong measurements? Contact customer support, they'll let you know if you can return it and how
- simple dislike? You can return your order but BlackFive takes an extremely large restocking fee of 60%
A definite setback to Blackfive's former return shipping conditions. We'll have to wait and see if this is about to change again in the future.
Conclusion
Blackfive used to have a similar shop and range as Romwe or SheIn but changed abruptly, so that it features a comparable product range to shops like ElleProm or Dresswe. If you're looking for a wedding gown from China, you might be happy with what you'll find but otherwise we recommend checking out other fashion stores we list at PandaCheck.
Alternatives
| Alternative 1: |  SheIn |  | Equally-large selection of interesting fashion, free shipping |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alternative 2: |  Romwe | | A fashionista-favorite, Romwe offers some really interesting styles. Free Shipping is available. |
0 BlackFive Coupons
BlackFive is offering different coupons and promotions througout the year. Visit PandaCheck regularly to keep up-to-date on all deals and vouchers for Valentine's, Black Friday and other holidays and occasions!
