By Online shopping is the new standard for buying clothes, shoes, accessories, and, well, basically anything you can fit in a box and put on a truck. However, what we gain in convenience, we risk losing in transparency. It’s not always easy to tell if you’re getting exactly what you want, if it’s going to fit properly, or if you’re getting the best deal that exists. That’s why we’ve put together a list of our 6 best insider tips to buy scrubs online, so you can save money and avoid potential mishaps.
Choose Wisely
One of the hardest things about buying scrubs online is that you don’t always know exactly how the clothes will look or fit once they show up at your door. Scrubs are no different, but there are ways to increase your odds of success. Our number one tip for guaranteeing your scrub set will match is to buy within the same collection. Not just the brand, but the collection. For instance, a ceil top in Cherokee’s Workwear collection won’t necessarily look the same as a pair of ceil pants in the Cherokee Luxe collection.
If you’re having trouble finding specific details about a certain pair of scrubs—dimensions, material, collection, etc.—try checking the manufacturer’s website. They usually list a bunch of information that you might not find on retailer websites. If you’re looking to buy scrubs online and are worried about fit or color, shop with a store that offers free returns. This way, there’s no hassle in sending them back if they don’t work out. Medical professionals have different body types, so it’s important to find a vendor with lots of sizes to choose from.
Vendor Sites:
http://www.cherokeeuniforms.com/
Stores That Offer Free Returns:
Check for First-Time Customer Discounts
Being a first-time shopper can be a great advantage when you’re buying scrubs online. A lot of websites offer first-purchase discounts to healthcare workers as long as you subscribe to the company’s email list. You might not be thrilled about the idea of more newsletters crowding up your inbox, but these deals are totally worth it. You can always unsubscribe from the email list later if you don’t like what they’re sending you.
POUNCE ON Prints
If you work in a pediatric or neonatal unit, you might have the option to wear printed scrubs. Prints can be a lot of fun, especially around the holidays, but keep in mind that scrub stores definitely don’t carry them in abundance.
Nursing uniforms with prints are typically made in relatively small quantities, and they are rarely restocked once they sell out. If you have your heart set on a particular printed scrub top, strike while the iron’s hot. If you wait too long, chances are good you won’t be able to snag it. And since prints are notorious for being discontinued, it might also be a good idea to call the store or the manufacturer before you buy to confirm the item is in stock.
Treat Yourself for the Holidays
It probably won’t come as a surprise that the holidays are a huge time for online stores, and you can use this to your advantage. If you’re able to, consider scheduling your scrub shopping around big events or holidays such as National Nurses Day (May 6), Black Friday/Cyber Monday, and the start of Back-To-School season (August/September). Almost all retailers discount one or more brands on these days. Keep an eye out, and you might catch your favorite brand discounted up to 20%.
Skip the Shipping Fees
Paying for shipping is always a pain. The good news is that most retailers offer free shipping on medical scrubs. The bad news is that you typically have to spend a certain amount of money in order to qualify for free shipping. Industry average for this is around $120-130, but several retailers offer free shipping over $99. A handful of times, we’ve even seen free shipping for orders over $49. Considering the fact that scrubs cost around $20 on average, there’s a good chance you’ll be able to skirt the shipping fee if you order a few pairs.
Plan for Embroidery
If you know you need to have your medical scrubs or lab coats embroidered, getting them done at the same online store you buy the items from can be super convenient and cost-effective. Just make sure to allow extra time for embroidery orders, because these items take longer to process and ship. If you need your embroidered scrub top tomorrow, no amount of expedited shipping will get it to you on time. Trust us and plan ahead.
Buying scrubs online can be tricky, especially when it comes to clothes and shoes. But with these insider tips, you should have all the tools you need to get the most out of your scrub-shopping experience every time.
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