Soot-covered goods and burned-out warehouses: Wildberries customers debate whether to return damaged orders.
Wildberries marketplace customers are debating on social media whether to buy back damaged and dirty items to support sellers. The destruction of large warehouse complexes has led to widespread delivery delays and damaged goods across the country.
The scale of destruction and damage to the retailer
The Wildberries warehouse in the Samara region, which was attacked the previous day, burned completely. As a result, the region lost one of its largest logistics hubs.
Of the 180 square meters, 160 burned. In fact, only the administrative complex remained. All goods were destroyed.
Consequently, according to analysts and independent assessments, 20% of Wildberries' entire warehouse infrastructure has already been affected by the attacks, along with a huge volume of products. In this situation, the primary support for the affected sellers unexpectedly became the customers themselves.
"I'll take it anyway": help from buyers
Instagram users began posting photos of surviving packages en masse. For example, a user named Eleonora showed a delivered package covered in soot:
I look at this package and think how sad it is for people and their businesses right now. Warehouses are burning, orders are delayed.
However, the comments included many Russians willing to take back goods in any form out of solidarity with businesses:
My four orders are on their way somewhere, I'll pick them up anyway.
My notebooks arrived very dirty. I didn't refuse them, the kids draw with them, I'll order new ones.
I received a skirt yesterday, it makes me look fat, but I bought it as a sign of support
I've been waiting for my orders for 10 days now. I hope they get here.
Alternative position: switching to Ozon and direct purchases
However, not all marketplace customers share this altruistic attitude. A NeMoskva reader, whose order status hasn't changed since July 27, said she doesn't plan to pick up her package and has already switched to Ozon.
I'd like to see the sellers receive compensation from Wildberries management, not at the expense of concerned customers. I love supporting local sellers and those who make unique, one-of-a-kind products. I already supported a small brand that lost its goods in a fire by placing an order through their website. I think this is a more appropriate and reliable option than picking up mass-produced consumables in soot, especially when they're no longer needed.
As a result, buyers are divided into two camps: some are saving sellers by buying back dirty bags, while others prefer to place orders directly with brands.
