Is Farfetch Legit?

Farfetch, founded in 2007 by José Neves, is a leading global online luxury fashion marketplace that connects consumers with over 1,400 boutiques and brands worldwide. The platform offers a vast selection of high-end clothing, accessories, and footwear from established luxury designers such as Gucci, Prada, Chanel, and Balenciaga. As of 2025, Farfetch continues to expand its offerings and reach, having achieved $2.32 billion in annual revenue for 2022.

While Farfetch has earned recognition for its extensive product range and competitive pricing, it has also faced some customer satisfaction challenges, particularly regarding delivery delays and customer service. According to Trustpilot, Farfetch holds an average rating of 3.7 stars from over 21,000 reviews. While many customers praise the platform's wide selection and luxury items, others have expressed dissatisfaction with issues related to order fulfillment and communication.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at Farfetch’s legitimacy, its business practices, and what customers can expect when shopping on the platform in 2025.

What is Farfetch.com

Farfetch.com is a global online luxury fashion marketplace that connects consumers with a wide range of high-end clothing, accessories, and footwear from over 1,400 boutiques and designers worldwide. Founded in 2007 by José Neves, the platform allows customers to shop for luxury items from various independent boutiques, department stores, and designers that may not be available through traditional retail channels.

Farfetch offers a broad selection of luxury fashion from top-tier brands like Gucci, Prada, Chanel, Balenciaga, and more. The platform operates globally, with services available in over 190 countries, making it accessible to luxury shoppers around the world.

The business model of Farfetch is unique in that it does not maintain its inventory. Instead, it works as an intermediary, connecting buyers with boutiques and designers, while handling the logistics, payments, and customer service. This enables Farfetch to offer a diverse range of products that may not be easily found in local stores, giving shoppers access to rare and exclusive items.

In addition to its fashion marketplace, Farfetch also offers services such as curated collections, limited-edition releases, and customized styling advice, making it a comprehensive platform for luxury fashion enthusiasts.

How Does Farfetch.com Work?

Farfetch.com is a global online luxury fashion marketplace that operates by connecting customers with independent boutiques, high-end department stores, and designers from all over the world.

A detailed breakdown of how Farfetch works is added below:

Product Selection

Farfetch offers a vast selection of luxury goods, including clothing, footwear, accessories, and handbags, from over 1,400 boutiques and designers worldwide. This unique business model allows customers to access products that might not be available in their local markets.

• Exclusive Brands: Farfetch collaborates with high-end brands such as Gucci, Prada, Saint Laurent, Balenciaga, and many more, offering their collections alongside emerging designers and boutique items.
• Wide Range of Categories: Shoppers can browse a wide variety of categories including women's, men's, and kids’ fashion, as well as vintage collections and exclusive pieces.

The Marketplace Model

Unlike traditional online retailers that maintain their inventory, Farfetch works as a marketplace.

• Independent Boutiques and Designers: Farfetch partners with luxury boutiques and designers around the world, giving them access to a global customer base. These boutiques list their products on the Farfetch platform.
• No Own Inventory: Farfetch doesn’t own the inventory; instead, it acts as an intermediary that facilitates transactions between customers and sellers. Once a customer places an order, Farfetch coordinates the shipping, customer service, and payment processing.

Global Shipping and Delivery

• Worldwide Reach: Farfetch serves customers in over 190 countries and offers global shipping. Depending on the seller, the shipping times and costs may vary, but Farfetch ensures that the logistics are smooth and that products arrive on time.
• Shipping Time: Typically, products ship within 3-7 business days for international orders, depending on the seller’s location and the shipping method chosen.
• Customs and Duties: Because Farfetch connects buyers and sellers from different parts of the world, customs duties and taxes may be applied based on the buyer's location. However, Farfetch aims to provide a transparent and hassle-free shipping process, sometimes covering these additional costs.

Returns and Exchanges

Farfetch allows customers to return products within a set period (typically 14-28 days) depending on the seller's policies. However, the return process can differ slightly depending on the boutique or designer.

• Return Fees: In some cases, customers may need to pay for return shipping costs, but many boutiques offer free returns within specific regions.
• Condition of Items: The items must be returned in unused, unworn condition with original tags and packaging.

Payments and Security

Farfetch offers a variety of secure payment methods, including credit/debit cards, PayPal, and sometimes Apple Pay.

• Currency Conversion: The platform supports multiple currencies, allowing customers to shop in their local currency. Farfetch handles the conversion and ensures transparent pricing.
• Secure Transactions: Farfetch uses SSL encryption to protect sensitive customer data and payment information during transactions, ensuring that all orders are secure.

Customer Service

Farfetch offers customer support to handle queries about products, orders, returns, and refunds. Support can be reached via email, live chat, or phone, with service available in multiple languages.

• Boutique-Specific Queries: Since Farfetch partners with independent boutiques, customers may occasionally need to contact the specific seller for inquiries about product details or availability.
• After-Sales Support: Farfetch also assists with issues related to refunds and exchanges, ensuring that customers are satisfied with their purchases.

Farfetch App and Mobile Experience

• User-Friendly App: Farfetch offers a mobile app that provides the same functionality as the website, allowing users to shop, track orders, and access exclusive deals from their smartphones.
• Personalized Recommendations: The app features personalized recommendations based on your browsing history and preferences, improving the shopping experience.

Is Farfetch Legit?

Farfetch is one of the leading online luxury fashion marketplaces, offering a vast selection of high-end clothing, accessories, and footwear from renowned designers and boutiques worldwide. Founded in 2007 by José Neves, the platform has grown rapidly and become a significant player in the e-commerce and luxury fashion industries. But with the growing number of online marketplaces and the ever-present concerns about online shopping safety, the question arises: Is Farfetch legit? In this article, we will explore Farfetch’s legitimacy, business practices, customer feedback, and other key factors to help you decide if it's a trustworthy platform for shopping luxury items.

Company Overview and Background

Farfetch operates as a global marketplace, connecting buyers with over 1,400 boutiques and designers from around the world. It offers a wide range of luxury fashion items, including clothing, handbags, shoes, and accessories from prestigious brands like Gucci, Chanel, Prada, Balenciaga, and many others.

• Founded: 2007 by José Neves
• Headquarters: London, UK
• Annual Revenue: $2.32 billion in 2022 (MarketWatch)
• Number of Employees: Approximately 5,400+
• Global Reach: Serving customers in over 190 countries, Farfetch has become a significant player in the luxury fashion e-commerce space, offering access to exclusive products from global boutiques that may not be available locally.

Farfetch’s marketplace model means it doesn’t hold stock directly; instead, it acts as an intermediary, connecting customers with third-party sellers (boutiques and designers) while handling the logistics, payments, and customer service.

Product Authenticity

One of the primary concerns when shopping for luxury goods online is the authenticity of the products. Farfetch addresses this concern by offering a guarantee that all items sold through its platform are 100% authentic.

• Verified Sellers: Farfetch works exclusively with verified boutiques and designers. The platform only lists products from reputable sellers who have been thoroughly vetted. This ensures that the products are genuine and come from authorized sources.
• Brands and Products: Farfetch offers items from well-established luxury brands such as Gucci, Saint Laurent, Balenciaga, and Chanel, as well as emerging designers. These products are authenticated by the boutiques that list them on the platform.

Farfetch’s commitment to authenticity is further supported by authentication processes and the platform’s transparency in sourcing items from legitimate retailers.

Security and Privacy

Farfetch takes its customers' security seriously, using the latest technology to protect personal and payment information.

• Secure Website: Farfetch’s website uses SSL encryption to ensure all data transmitted between users and the platform is secure. This provides peace of mind for customers when entering sensitive payment details.
• PCI-DSS Compliance: Farfetch complies with Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI-DSS), ensuring that customer payment details are stored and processed securely.

Customers can shop with confidence knowing that their financial information is well-protected on the platform.

Shipping and Delivery

Farfetch provides international shipping to over 190 countries, with delivery times generally ranging from 3-7 business days depending on the location and the specific seller. Delivery services are handled by trusted partners like DHL and FedEx, ensuring a smooth process from order to arrival.

• Shipping Costs: Shipping fees vary depending on the seller's location and the type of shipping selected. Some boutiques offer free shipping or discounted shipping on larger orders, while others may charge standard rates.
• International Taxes and Duties: As Farfetch ships globally, customers may incur import duties and taxes, depending on their location. These costs can vary and may not always be included in the initial checkout price. However, Farfetch generally provides clear information about these additional charges at the time of purchase.

Farfetch Legitimacy

Given its global reach, partnerships with reputable boutiques and designers, and strong security measures, Farfetch is undoubtedly a legitimate platform for purchasing luxury fashion. However, like any large marketplace, it comes with both advantages and potential drawbacks:

• Pros: Access to exclusive luxury products, a secure and user-friendly platform, global shipping, and authentication from trusted sellers.
• Cons: Mixed customer reviews regarding customer service, return policies, and refund processes, which may not be up to par with traditional retailers.

Farfetch Customer Feedback and Reviews

Farfetch has garnered a mix of customer reviews, with both positive and negative experiences shared across various platforms like Trustpilot, Sitejabber, and others. While the company is widely recognized for offering luxury fashion and exclusive collections, customer satisfaction varies depending on specific experiences related to shipping, customer service, and returns.

Positive Customer Feedback

Wide Selection and Exclusive Products

• Luxury Fashion Access: Many customers appreciate the wide range of luxury brands and exclusive items available on Farfetch. Shoppers often praise the platform for offering products from well-known designers like Gucci, Chanel, Prada, Saint Laurent, and Balenciaga, making it a one-stop destination for high-end fashion.
• Global Availability: Farfetch’s ability to offer hard-to-find and exclusive products from boutique shops around the world is a highlight for many users, especially those looking for unique pieces that may not be available locally.
• Authenticity: Positive reviews emphasize that the products received from Farfetch are authentic, with several customers mentioning their satisfaction with the genuine quality of the luxury items they purchased.

Quick Shipping and Delivery

• Timely Delivery: Many users report receiving their orders within the expected time frame, typically 3-7 business days for domestic deliveries. Shipping is often praised for being reliable, with packages arriving in good condition.
• Shipping Transparency: Customers appreciate Farfetch’s clear information on shipping costs, which are disclosed upfront, preventing surprises at checkout.

Negative Customer Feedback

Customer Service Issues

• Slow Response Time: One of the most frequent complaints regarding Farfetch revolves around customer service. Many customers have expressed frustration with the slow response times from customer support when trying to resolve issues such as refunds, order cancellations, or inquiries about product availability.
• Lack of Support in Resolving Issues: Customers who have encountered order problems (such as receiving damaged or incorrect items) have reported challenges in getting quick and satisfactory resolutions. Some users felt that Farfetch’s customer service team was not as helpful as they expected, especially when dealing with complex issues.

Return and Refund Problems

• Difficult Return Process: Another common issue is the return process. Some users have shared their frustrations about having to deal with complex return procedures, especially when items are not as expected. In some cases, customers have had to pay return shipping fees, which can be a downside for those who are unsatisfied with their purchase.
• Refund Delays: A few customers have mentioned that it took longer than expected for them to receive refunds after returning items. Delays in processing returns and issuing refunds have led to negative reviews for those customers who had issues with Farfetch’s policies.

Inconsistent Product Quality and Fit

• Size and Fit Issues: A small number of reviews mention issues related to the fit and quality of the products received, particularly with sizing discrepancies. Some customers felt that the product description or size charts on Farfetch were not always accurate, leading to dissatisfaction when the items didn’t meet their expectations.

Conclusion: Is Farfetch Legit?

Farfetch is a legitimate and reputable platform that offers a wide selection of luxury fashion from over 1,400 boutiques and designers worldwide. It has built a strong reputation for providing access to exclusive products from high-end brands like Gucci, Prada, and Balenciaga. While Farfetch excels in product authenticity and offers competitive pricing on luxury goods, some customers have reported challenges with customer service, return processes, and refund delays. Despite these occasional issues, Farfetch remains a reliable choice for those seeking exclusive luxury items. However, potential buyers should be aware of the mixed reviews and carefully review the platform's policies before making a purchase.