Zulily Shopping Guide: Tips, Tricks, and Everything You Need to Know

The Ultimate Zulily Shopping Guide: Deals, Tips, and What to Expect

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Welcome to your definitive guide to Zulily, the online retailer famous for its flash sales and treasure-trove of unique finds. Whether you’re a long-time fan or a curious newcomer wondering what all the buzz is about, this guide covers everything you need to know. From its unique business model and recent relaunch to expert tips for snagging the best deals, we’ll explore the complete zulily experience.

Table of Contents

What is Zulily and How Does It Work?

So, what is zulily exactly? At its core, Zulily is an American e-commerce company that built its brand on a "flash sale" retail model. Instead of holding a vast, standing inventory like traditional retailers, it launches new sales events every single day, each lasting for a limited time—typically 72 hours. This creates a sense of urgency and discovery for shoppers. Many people ask, "what is zulily all about?" It’s about the thrill of the hunt for unique items at competitive prices.

The process behind what is zulily and how does it work is key to understanding the platform. Zulily curates deals from thousands of brands, from boutique labels to household names. When a sale ends, Zulily places a bulk order with the brand, receives the items at its warehouse, and then ships them to customers. This model helps keep overhead costs low, allowing them to offer discounted prices. In essence, zulily – e-commerce site offering daily fashion and home deals operates on a high-volume, quick-turnaround basis that rewards patient shoppers. Some people might even misspell it as zulilly, but the unique shopping experience is the same.

Is Zulily Legit? Understanding the Recent Changes

One of the most common questions from new shoppers is, "is zulily legit?" Yes, Zulily is a legitimate retail company. However, its unique business model, especially regarding shipping times, can differ from what shoppers are used to with other online giants. The trade-off for its deals is often a longer wait for your items to arrive.

In late 2023, the company faced significant challenges, leading to widespread speculation and headlines asking, "is zulily going out of business?" The original company did cease operations and held a massive zulily liquidation sale. However, in early 2024, the brand was acquired by Beyond, Inc. (formerly Overstock.com), which promptly relaunched the site. So, for anyone wondering, "is zulily still operating?" The answer is yes, under new ownership. The question of who owns zulily is now answered: it’s part of the Beyond, Inc. portfolio. As with any online retailer, it’s wise to review the zulily pros and cons, such as great prices versus longer shipping and a stricter return policy.

How to Shop on Zulily: A Step-by-Step Guide

Getting started with zulily shopping is straightforward. The platform is designed to be a discovery-led experience, encouraging you to browse the latest events. Here’s how to shop on zulily:

  1. Create an Account: Historically, Zulily required users to provide an email address to browse the deals. While policies can change, the best experience and access to all features typically require a www.zulily.com login. The question of how to shop zulily without signing in is common, but creating an account is usually necessary to view the sales and make a purchase.
  2. Browse Daily Events: The homepage features all the new sales that launch each morning. You can browse by category, brand, or event.
  3. Use the App: For the best on-the-go experience, the zulily app offers a streamlined interface, push notifications for your favorite brands, and easy checkout.
  4. Add to Basket: See something you like? Add it to your cart. But don’t wait too long! Because inventory is limited and sales are timed, popular items can sell out quickly.
  5. Checkout: Once you’re ready, proceed to checkout to enter your shipping and payment information. Your estimated delivery window will be provided here.

The entire zulily.com shopping experience is built around these daily "events," making each visit a new adventure.

What Does Zulily Sell? Exploring the Product Categories

A frequent query from newcomers is, "what does zulily sell?" The answer is: a little bit of everything! The product assortment is vast and ever-changing. Key categories include:

  • Zulily Women’s Clothing: This is one of the largest categories, featuring dresses, tops, activewear, and more from both emerging and established brands. The variety of zulily clothes is a major draw for fashion-forward shoppers.
  • Zulily Kids Clothes: Zulily originally gained fame for its incredible selection of apparel, toys, and gear for babies and children.
  • Zulily Shoes: Find deals on everything from sandals and sneakers to boots and heels for the whole family.
  • Zulily Home Decor: Shop for bedding, kitchenware, wall art, furniture, and seasonal decorations to refresh your living space.
  • Zulily Toys: Discover a wide range of toys, games, and books for kids of all ages.
  • Beauty and Wellness: The platform also features skincare, makeup, and wellness products.

For those with a long history of catalog shopping, the curated, boutique feel might even evoke memories of flipping through a spiegel catalog.

Decoding Zulily Shipping and Returns

Understanding Zulily’s logistics is crucial for a positive shopping experience. The most common question is, "how long does zulily take to ship?" Because of its bulk-order model, the zulily shipping time is typically longer than at other retailers. It can often take 2-3 weeks for an item to arrive, as it must first ship from the brand to Zulily’s warehouse before being sent to you. However, some items are marked with a rocket icon, indicating they are already in a Zulily warehouse and will ship much faster.

The zulily return policy has historically been more restrictive than its competitors. Many items, especially those at deep discounts, are marked as "final sale" and are not eligible for return unless they are damaged or incorrect. For eligible items, returns typically result in store credit. It is essential to check the policy on each product page before purchasing. If you have any issues, you can reach out to zulily customer service through the website. For shoppers in the north, the policies for zulily canada may have slight variations, so it’s always good to check the site’s specific terms.

Finding the Best Deals: Zulily Shopping Tips and Tricks

While prices are already low, there are ways to maximize your savings. Many shoppers want to know, "are zulily prices good?" They often are, but with these strategies, you can do even better. Here are some top zulily shopping tips.

  • Unlock Weekend Free Shipping: Typically, when you place an order with shipping fees on a Friday or Saturday, you unlock free shipping on all subsequent orders for the rest of the weekend. This is the most popular way to get zulily free shipping.
  • Shop Smart Ship Items: Look for the rocket icon. These items ship out quickly, and they can sometimes help consolidate your orders.
  • Look for a Zulily Coupon Code: While not always available, it’s worth searching for a zulily coupon code before checkout for extra savings.
  • Use the "Notify Me" Feature: If an item is sold out, you can sometimes request to be notified if it comes back in stock.
  • Consider the zulily credit card: For frequent shoppers, the zulily credit card offers perks like extra discounts and "Smart-pay" options, allowing you to break up payments.
  • Browse "New Today": Check the site or app daily to catch the best zulily deals the moment they launch.

By learning how to find deals on zulily, you can turn a good price into a great one.

Zulily Reviews: Quality, Experience, and Alternatives

When evaluating any online retailer, it’s helpful to look at reviews and comparisons. Public zulily reviews are often mixed, reflecting the platform’s unique trade-offs. Positive reviews frequently praise the unique selection and low prices. On the other hand, some negative feedback centers on the long shipping times and restrictive return policy. A zulily quality review can vary widely by brand, as Zulily is a marketplace for thousands of different vendors. Some items are high-end, while others are more budget-focused.

Shoppers exploring daily deal sites often search for modlily reviews or ask "is modlily a legit company?" as they compare different platforms. If you enjoy the discovery aspect of Zulily, there are several sites like zulily that offer a similar experience. These zulily alternatives include:

  • Jane.com: A boutique marketplace with daily deals on clothing, accessories, and home goods.
  • The Grommet: Focuses on unique and innovative products from small businesses and makers.
  • Rue La La & Gilt: These sites operate on a similar flash-sale model but typically feature more high-end, luxury brands.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Zulily still in business?
Yes. After shutting down in late 2023, the Zulily brand and website were acquired and relaunched in early 2024 by a new parent company, Beyond, Inc.

What is the Zulily return policy?
The zulily return policy can be strict. Many items are final sale. For items that are eligible for return, the refund is often issued as store credit. Always check the return eligibility on the specific product page before buying.

Why does Zulily shipping take so long?
Zulily’s business model involves consolidating orders after a sales event ends and then receiving the bulk shipment from the brand before shipping it to you. This process reduces their inventory costs but results in a longer zulily shipping time for the customer.

Can you shop on Zulily without an account?
Typically, you need to create an account with an email address to browse the sales events and make purchases. This allows Zulily to personalize your experience and notify you of new deals.

What kind of quality are Zulily clothes?
The quality of zulily clothes varies significantly because Zulily hosts products from thousands of different brands, ranging from affordable boutique lines to well-known designer labels. Reading the product details and brand information can help set expectations.