TheFancy

Social Shopping Photo Blog

Published 06/11/2012 and rated 5 out of 5 stars
by Carmen Rane Hudson

The Fancy is a social shopping, blogging, sharing, and wish list app that allows users to find things they are interested in, “Fancy” them, and share them. Users can click directly on certain pictures to find deals on each of the items that capture their interest and can often shop directly from the Fancy site. A simple drop and drag toolbar allows users to “Fancy” things from all over the web. The users Fancies take on the quality of a scrapbook, a wish list, a vision board, or even a catalogue in a sleek display that some users might even find incredibly addictive.

Joseph Einhorn created The Fancy. Originally the site was invite only. The Fancy opened to the public in January of 2011. The Fancy is competing with the likes of Pinterest and other, similar apps and has not reached the kind of popularity that it perhaps could have had it gained Pinterest’s buzz.

The Fancy has a cleaner layout than either Pinterest or Mulu.me. The ability to shop directly from The Fancy is an element that these other popular shopping and sharing sites lack. The Fancy is ultimately far less focused on curating and is far more focused on shopping. Similar sites are focused almost entirely on said curating.

The site is clean and not too busy, which immediately makes it user-friendly. The cute popsicle adds a touch of whimsy to the experience. There are tons of categories and interesting things to look at, “fancy,” and explore. The drag and drop bookmark bar installation process which allows users to “fancy” things all over the web is easy and fun to use. Users will find that their own catalogues pop, shine, and inspire thanks to the clean layout. The app includes the option to discard items and photographs that no longer inspire or interest the user.

Registration is quick and simple. Users can sign up either through Twitter or through Facebook for maximum convenience. Users will each need to pick a unique username that becomes part of the catalogue URL specifically linked to that user.

The application appears to be permanently free. There are no ads to speak of, though of course it is arguable that the site is nothing but ads, ads that everyone involved wishes to look at and explore. Therefore there is nothing annoying about the promotion that is going on.

The Fancy is one of those apps which users will either love or hate. It could be used in a variety of different ways by a variety of different people. Those whose motivation thrives on vision boards will find a fun tool in The Fancy. Those who like to put big purchases on wish lists for the purposes of saving up for them and buying them later will also enjoy The Fancy. Virtual window shoppers will love the app as well. The interest lists covered by The Fancy are so broad that they could appeal to almost anyone: one need never go near clothing, jewelry or watches if there is a preference for sports, outdoors, and travel instead.

• Online scrap booking application allows users to form vision boards and wish lists in a wide variety of categories.
• "Fancying" items and travel destinations sometimes takes users to shopping links, allowing them to make direct purchases.
• Users with similar tastes can follow one another to discover even more.