Simaland Store: Buyer Beware - Be Prepared to Break the Bank

Hello, everyone! I'm glad you're here to listen to my honest review of Simaland. I've been eyeing this store for a while, and I'm excited to share my experience with you.

At first glance, Simaland seems like a treasure trove – you can find anything from furniture to office supplies. It's like a one-stop shop where you can furnish your entire home, update your kitchen, or even pick up some car accessories. Plus, there are plenty of gift options for yourself and your loved ones. But is it all sunshine and rainbows?

Simaland Store

Simaland Online Store

Simaland Online Store

As someone who's been shopping here for a while, I feel like I can give you the lowdown on the quality of the products, shipping, and customer service.

What's Simaland all about?

The website is super easy to use, with a big, prominent homepage that's perfect for browsing. Depending on the season, you'll find special deals and discounts – great for holidays or seasonal shopping.

I love how you can easily find the product you're looking for by searching the catalog or typing in the name. The product cards are pretty straightforward, with all the key specs, article number, manufacturer, size, materials, and more. Adding the product to your cart and selecting the quantity is a breeze.

When you're logged in, you can see all your order information, including your personal details, phone number, and so on. Plus, you can track the delivery and assembly of your order right from your account.

Example purchases from Simaland online store

Example purchases from Simaland online storeWhen it comes to checkout, you've got a couple of options – you can either pick up your order at a designated pickup point or have it delivered by a courier. Now, here's the thing – previously, you could get free courier delivery, but then it changed to being free only if your order was above a certain amount. This year, they've gone back to charging for courier delivery, regardless of the order value. So, it's back to the pickup points for me.

I recently placed an order, but I was in for a surprise – even the pickup delivery option was now chargeable. Given the price, it just wasn't worth it for me, so I cancelled the order. A week later, the option to deliver to a pickup point was back, but I'm still not sure what was going on behind the scenes. Previously, orders over 1000 rubles were delivered for free, whether it was by courier or to a pickup point. Now, it seems like it's a bit of a rollercoaster ride.

Simaland Online Store Simaland Online Store Simaland Online Store

Simaland Online StoreI've noticed that around the holiday season, Simaland Online Store has a ton of deals and discounts on interesting items. To be honest, I've seen this trend over the past two years – prices tend to skyrocket even for small items.

I usually shop at Simaland during the holiday season, especially for decorations, craft supplies, and the like. My strategy is to buy these small items in November or early December, as I've noticed that even with discounts and promotions, the prices tend to increase every week. It's like the store is trying to clear out inventory before the holidays.

Another thing to consider is that the closer it gets to the holidays, the fewer affordable options are left. And if you do find something you like, the store will often list the wholesale price, which means you'll have to buy in bulk – 2-3 items or more. The final cost can be a real shock.

Simaland online store example purchases Simaland online store example purchases Simaland online store example purchasesOne weird 'feature' that caught my eye in this store is the extra charge for assembly of some products – 50 rubles, regardless of the category. So, if you order just one item or a bunch of items, you'll have to pay an extra 50 rubles. This doesn't affect the shipping options or costs. Not the most brilliant idea.

I can see why this store might appeal to bulk buyers or entrepreneurs who own their own stores or businesses – they can get a good deal on wholesale prices. However, for regular customers, it's essential to be careful and choose wisely, as you can end up with a lot of unnecessary items and a hefty final bill due to these hidden charges.

Simaland Online StoreSelection.I was blown away by the sheer variety of products available. You can really find some unique items here that are hard to come by elsewhere, and sometimes the prices are even lower than in retail stores. The product range is huge, with lots of different brands represented – including some local ones, but I have to say, there's been a surge in Chinese products over the past few years, and unfortunately, the quality isn't always great.

I've bought a bunch of different stuff from Simaland, from home essentials like glassware, kitchen textiles, and vacuum storage bags, to medical supplies like band-aids that are cheaper than in pharmacies, vitamins, and more. I've also picked up some nice bath and body products, personal care items like shampoo and soap, and even some clothes, like PJs and loungewear. And, of course, there are plenty of craft supplies, decorations, and creative goodies to explore.

Simaland online store example purchases Simaland online store example purchases Simaland online store example purchasesOne thing I've noticed is that they've got some decent oral care products (often cheaper than in retail stores) – toothpaste, floss, mouthwash, and so on.

But to be honest, it's mostly hobby and craft supplies, or stuff for Christmas and other holidays. There are some really interesting options that I've never seen in stores.

And then there are some weird products (with a bit of a flat sense of humor) or ones that seem to be targeted at a pretty basic customer. Sorry, but what you see is what you get!

Simaland online store Simaland online store

Simaland Online Store I've never ordered bulk or large quantities of products before, mainly because I don't need them, and secondly, the quality isn't always great. Yeah, I've had my fair share of low-quality products and even a few instances of outright defects. It's not just Chinese manufacturers, either. I've only had one serious issue in the past, where I received a defective product, so I filed a complaint on their website chat, and they did refund part of the money back to my card. However, the whole process was a real pain, and it left a bad taste in my mouth. That's why I'm hesitant to make large purchases or buy anything significant from this store.

Simaland Online StoreOkay, so let's get to the pros and cons.

Extensive product range and variety (in terms of quantity and options).Multiple delivery options (depending on the customer's location, delivery point, or courier service).Easy-to-use and intuitive website (placing an order is a breeze).A wide range of materials for hobbies and creative pursuits.User-friendly interface.Unique or hard-to-find products can be discovered here. Cons:

I've encountered some products with questionable build quality, and there's a chance you might get a dud.Be prepared to sift through a lot of junk and unnecessary accessories.Some items are only sold in bulk or by the pack, so you'll need to buy at least two or three units at a time.Keep an eye out for assembly fees, as they can add up and surprise you at checkout.The shipping options and costs aren't always clear, so be sure to double-check before you pay.And don't even get me started on holiday price hikes – you'll need to stay vigilant to avoid overpaying for the same product. Simaland online store example purchases Simaland online store example purchases Simaland online store example purchasesMy Verdict: Simaland online store is decent, but you've got to think carefully about what you're getting and how much you're paying. They've got some interesting and useful products worth checking out (and sometimes it's worth buying from them), but there's also a lot of junk and cheap Chinese stuff at surprisingly low prices. You've got to consider a few things when ordering to avoid buying unnecessary extras and clutter for a good price. I'd recommend this store to people who are into creative pursuits or hobbies, or those looking for something unique, affordable, or just can't find what they need in regular stores – their massive selection is a lifesaver. So, I'd recommend it, but be sure to choose carefully.

Good luck with your shopping and stay positive!