Why I'm Buying Less from Wildberries - Especially High-End Stuff

I've been a daily Wildberries shopper for a while now, but lately, I've found myself buying less - especially when it comes to high-end stuff. I'm not sure if it's because I've gotten a bit more cautious or if the prices have just gotten too steep for my liking.

I first started shopping on Wildberries back in January 2020, and at the time, there was only one pickup point near my place. But now, there are 12! Some of them are even located in the same building, and from what I've seen, they're always busy - especially in the evenings. It's clear that Wildberries is trying to keep up with the demand, so they've introduced new services like package delivery and free in-store pickup. It's no wonder they've managed to outdo their competitors.

As for me, I live in Moscow, and I've been using Wildberries for a while now. I've seen how they've expanded their reach and improved their services. It's impressive, to say the least.

I've got two Wildberries accounts on different phones. The second one I created when I started working as a courier in the Wildberries Courier app. I had to give my official number and identify my Wildberries wallet through Gosuslugi so that clients could top it up with tips. The tips do come in, but they're only reflected on my Wildberries balance, not in the courier app. They're not too frequent, usually it's just 50 rubles here and there, but one client did tip 300 rubles. The thing is, Wildberries takes a 6% commission on my tips, which wasn't the case initially. So, if a client tips 50 rubles, I only get 47 rubles, and with 300 rubles, they took 18 rubles in commission, and so on.

Screenshot from the appI'm not just picking up my own orders, but also other people's, sometimes up to 30 times a day. I get to see how the managers work, the customers interact, and I become an unintentional witness to all sorts of stories.

For my own orders, I also occasionally order couriers if the delivery is free. In December 2025, free delivery starts at 1500 rubles, previously it was 500 rubles.

What can you buy on Wildberries? Anything you want. I pick up clothes, shoes, cosmetics, household chemicals, kids' stuff, home goods, office supplies, pet products, sports gear, and even food - chocolates, tea, spices. I've even picked up furniture, carpets, building materials, electronics, and in one package, I had a constitution with mayonnaise and expensive Chanel earrings with instant noodles.

I've even bought an apartment on Wildberries, but there's no option to add it to cart and checkout, just a button to call the developer. Sometimes I browse prices just for fun.

Apartments on WildberriesWildberries prices. My friends are divided into two categories: those who think everything on Wildberries is cheap, and those who see prices as being way overpriced. I'm somewhere in the middle. Both sides can be right.

My sister, for example, goes to Karir to try on shoes, and then orders them on Wildberries, saving a few thousand rubles.

On the other hand, I buy seeds in other online stores because they're way cheaper on Wildberries, especially for small quantities. You can buy sets, but if you need something specific and can't find it in the store, you might as well order it. Last autumn, there was a great discount on fertilizers, so I took advantage of it. You can find non-seasonal items at a good price, too.

So, you need to monitor prices and compare them.

You can find some decent, affordable clothing from manufacturers who prefer selling on marketplaces on Wildberries.

Sometimes, cotton T-shirts from individual entrepreneurs can be of better quality and a lot cheaper than popular brands.

Where's cheaper: Ozon, Yandex Market, or Wildberries? I couldn't find any patterns: it's different for different items, so you need to check.

Yesterday, I needed to order a couple of products from the 'Synergetic' brand - the gel I ordered on Ozon, and the mouthwash on Wildberries, saving over 100 rubles by ordering in different stores.

How to Save? WB Wallet.

I noticed that paying with the WB wallet usually results in a lower price compared to paying with a card. It's worth keeping an eye on this.

The WB wallet is a better option because the money stored on it doesn't incur a commission when topped up via Sberbank, unlike paying with a card. The marketplace doesn't lose out, as it reduces the price for the customer while increasing its own profit. Don't be afraid to use the wallet if you're a regular buyer. You can transfer the money from the wallet to your other card or use it for future purchases if you decide to return the item.

There are three levels of wallets, each with different limits and conditions.

With the basic wallet, you won't be able to buy expensive items with a discount, as the monthly purchase limit on the wallet is 15,000 rubles, and any excess will be deducted from your linked card.

For example, if you have a wallet with a starter balance, you won't be able to buy a laptop with a discount, as the limits won't allow it.If you need to make a partial payment, it's better to pay for the purchase yourself using your own app. You can pay with your wallet, but if there's no discount available on the wallet, you can pay with a credit card and get cashback. You can do this at a pickup point with a stable internet connection, or at home when the courier delivers the order.

On my old account, I have a starter wallet, and it can only be topped up with my own credit card, which is linked to the same phone number as my V-B wallet.

The next level is the standard one. It's available after verifying your account on Gosuslugi, and at this point, you're an authorized wallet holder with your full name and passport details.

Here, the limits are up to 100,000 rubles, and you can top up your wallet with any card and from anyone.

I have a standard wallet on my new 'work account'. Lately, I've been using it exclusively, as there's a bigger discount on this account.

You can get products worth up to 200,000 rubles for the price of this wallet, but the discount only applies to the first purchases up to 100,000 rubles. Just make sure to read the fine print everywhere.When setting up your new-level VTB wallet, don't forget to uncheck the VTB club subscription if you don't need it. The subscription is checked by default, so it's easy to miss. I was initially annoyed that I could accidentally sign up for the subscription. And to make matters worse, it starts charging from the second month. It's only beneficial for heavy buyers, so I decided not to sign up for it.

The highest level of the wallet is the maximum one. Here, you'll need to send your passport details and a selfie to the VTB bank.

As a result, you'll become a full-fledged bank client and can enjoy not only discounts but also other banking services, such as opening a deposit account, a savings account, and more.

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I've been to my fair share of pick-up points in Moscow, and let me tell you, it's a mixed bag.

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Pick-up points. I've seen hundreds of them around the city, and each one is a unique experience.

Some of them are clean, organized, and a breeze to navigate. The products are neatly arranged, and it's easy to find what you're looking for. But then there are others that are a complete disaster. They're dirty, cluttered, and it's like a treasure hunt to find your order. The staff is often overwhelmed, and it's not uncommon to see long queues. It's a shame, really, because some of these pick-up points are a bit out of the way, and people have to go out of their way to get to them.

I was blown away by one of the pick-up points in Moscow - it's located in the basement of a building in the city center, but when I walked in, I thought I was in a museum. The furniture is beautiful, there are Barbie dolls on the fitting room mannequins, a huge TV on the wall, an aquarium with goldfish at the bottom, comfy sofas, a play area for kids, and a vase with fresh flowers on the counter where they hand out the products.

I took a few photos, or no one would believe me - most people are used to points that are cluttered with boxes. ––——————-

Reviews. Before ordering the product, it's a good idea to check out the reviews.

Are the reviews on V.B. genuine? Let's be real, not all reviews are genuine. Some sellers actually buy their own products and fake the reviews. I work as a courier for DPD too, and I've seen my fair share of orders where the items are collected from different pickup points, but they're usually the same thing. You've got to collect them, package them together, and deliver them to the seller's warehouse. The item often ends up being resold. I've even been asked to take a photo of myself wearing the clothes for a fee.

The product may also be offered for free testing, where the seller compensates you for the cost in exchange for a review. I've participated in similar promotions from cosmetics sellers, like Letuial.

There are Telegram groups where you can get the product for free or at a discount in exchange for a review.

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Shipping. Since last fall, there's been a courier shipping option available in my area. Now, you don't even have to go to the pickup point. The courier will bring everything to you. You can even try on the items if you want.

I personally use the shipping option a lot, especially when it's free. The delivery is made directly to the recipient, and the item is handed over using the same QR code as the pickup point or the code written next to it. There's an option for doorstep delivery, where you don't need a code, and the courier won't bother you. They'll take a photo of the delivery in front of your door, leave the package, and mark the order as completed. You'll receive a notification that the order is ready for pickup.

Shipping has definitely made things easier

People with disabilities can now buy clothes and shoes without leaving their homes and try them on. Of course, if you've got a lot of items and can come in person, it's better to go to the pickup point yourself, as the courier is only allowed to wait for 10 minutes.

Now I can order products, household essentials, clothes, and more for my grandparents. Having courier delivery is super convenient: all I need to do is share the pickup code with my grandma on the day the courier arrives, and it's in the app, so she can get her order even if she doesn't have a smartphone.

Many people have gotten used to ordering gifts for their relatives this way, choosing to have them delivered to the nearest city hub near their address and then having the courier bring it to them. It's definitely more cost-effective than buying something myself and then shipping it via post.

Can I get delivery to a different neighborhood? Yeah, I can, but it's unlikely they'll bring it. Couriers get a tiny extra fee for long-distance deliveries, and it's easier for them to drop off a few packages in the next building over than spend 30 minutes delivering to a different neighborhood. They might not even find someone willing to take on the job.

On the other hand, if the order is light, paid for, and ideally delivered right to the door, you'll get it way faster than if it's heavy, unpaid for, and needs a try-on.

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Unpleasant situations that might happen on V-B.

Unfortunately, I had to remove a few stories that were originally here. They happened at the delivery point, but not to me, so they'd break the rules of Airera, making this review not based on my personal experience if I included them.

So, I'll just say what I do to avoid getting into unpleasant situations on V-B.

When receiving the parcel, I make sure to carefully inspect it under the camera and report all the details right away.

I always double-check my orders for defects, like loose threads or uneven stitching. Don't rush to take your purchase to the fitting room just yet. Make sure to inspect the label for any errors or the wrong size. If the size turns out to be different after trying it on, according to the rules, you're obligated to buy the item.

If the wrong product is visible under the camera when you first open the package, that's a clear indication of a wrong purchase. And if you take the item to the fitting room and bring it back because it's not the one listed in your purchase card, that's considered product substitution – and you'll still have to buy it.

It's worth noting that not all Wildberries products can be opened for inspection. Some items come with 'factory' packaging that can't be opened. These usually include cosmetics, certain electronics, gift sets, and the like. You can't open bedding, for example. You can check the color of the bedding through the packaging, but you can't open it. If there's a defect, you'll have to report it to the seller through your personal account. Honestly, there are a lot of fine print details outlined in the instructions... Do people even read them? Although the checkbox about agreeing to Wildberries' terms is always there before making a purchase, and we do agree to their rules.

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Why I'm not exactly itching to order from them,

I'm afraid of getting a defective product, worried I'll miss a stain, and then they won't accept it back.

Dealing with defective tech is just a nightmare. I've gotten gifts in crumpled boxes, so for me, it's just a waste of time.

Another reason that's really putting me off is customer support. It's there, but more often than not, you get a generic response that doesn't even address your question.

I've never gotten a decent answer from them. At first, you have to deal with the chatbot, and if it doesn't understand what you're asking, the question gets escalated to an operator. But even the operator won't stick around to help - they'll just find the answer in the instructions, send you a generic response, and close the case. The problem can linger unresolved for a long time. There's no confidence in the buyer's protection.

Another annoying issue is lost items at checkout. I've had it happen where I go to pick up my order, and they can't find the item. It's frustrating, and unfortunately, it happens pretty often.

You can't avoid it, but I figured out how to minimize these losses. First of all, don't show up to collect your order on the day it arrives, and don't schedule delivery for that day either. The manager signs for the package right away, but doesn't immediately put it in the storage unit - they put it in a general box with hundreds of other packages first. It's a nightmare during the holidays or sales periods, and the managers are overwhelmed, so they might miss your package and mark it as 'not found.' In that case, the item will be returned, and you'll have to re-order it at the new price, with a new wait time. My second tip is to choose delivery points with less foot traffic, so they're more organized and less likely to lose your package. Don't expect your package to arrive on time, in good condition, and quickly during the holidays. It's better to plan ahead and get your gifts early. I still have some packages waiting, and delivery is taking almost a week, even though it was supposed to be 'tomorrow.' And there's no guarantee the items will arrive without defects.

If you can't make it, it's better to go to the store yourself - it'll save you a lot of stress.

My past purchases.

Kids' shoesFun MF t-shirts, which I bought for 300 rubles

I picked up a t-shirt for 150 rubles and it's been a great addition to my wardrobe.

I also grabbed a hat for 300 rubles - it's been a fantastic value for money.

The compression golf gloves were a steal, honestly, they're cheaper than I'd find in stores offline.

The professional badminton racket is definitely one of the best purchases I've made - it's a real game-changer.

I'm loving the solar-powered flashlight with a motion sensor for 300 rubles - it's been a lifesaver.

The planter holder has been a great addition to my home decor. Just a heads up, if you're shopping on WB, be sure to double-check your order! I wish you all the best with your purchases!

Thanks for taking the time to read my review!