How an “Expert” Agency Ruined Your Favourite YouTuber’s Merch Store: A Terrible
Introduction: The Unseen Flaws in Your Favourite Creator’s Merch
Fans often support their favorite creators by buying merchandise. When you click “add to cart,” you expect a smooth experience. We decided to review YouTuber Danny Gonzalez’s online store. We expected a straightforward look at a well-designed site.
What we found instead was a masterclass in e-commerce malpractice. The review found funny and surprising twists. These twists revealed major problems. The issues weren’t with the creator, but with Sandbag. This company claims to be a “full-service merchandise company” that built the store. This wasn’t just a case of bad design; it was a systemic failure of the most basic customer obligations.
Mistake #1: Forcing customers to guess their size
The Case of the Missing (and Useless) Sizing Chart
The first big problem in the conversion funnel stands out right on the product pages. It’s a cascade of amateur mistakes. The product description is a paltry “black T-shirt with a front print.” There are no images of people wearing the T-shirts, so you can’t see how they fit. Plus, you can’t zoom in on the product photos, which is standard for online clothing stores.
But the most glaring issue is the complete absence of a sizing chart. The store has sizes from x-small to 3XL. However, it gives no information on what those sizes mean. You are literally forced to guess.
Refusing to believe a professional agency could be this negligent, we went hunting. The chart wasn’t on the product page where it belongs. A check of the main Help page also came up empty. We were forced to use the site’s search bar to finally unearth the link. The result? The sizing chart doesn’t include details for the “unisex T-shirts” that the store sells.
This isn’t just a mistake; it’s a serious problem. It creates extra hassle and hurts the customer experience. As the original reviewer offered a frank assessment:
“It’s disappointing that this full-service company didn’t provide a simple sizing chart, especially with its experts available.””
A quick check showed this wasn’t just one mistake. The same error was found on another store Sandbag made for YouTuber Kurtis Conner.
Mistake #2: Hiding a month-long wait behind a small discount: A Terrible
The “Standard Shipping” Trap That Can Delay an Order for Weeks
The second major flaw is a deceptive use of dark patterns in the checkout UX. At first glance, the shipping options for a US-based customer seem normal. In the cart, you see three options: overnight, 2-day, and a cheaper choice—standard shipping.” Any US customer would assume that “standard” refers to delivery within a few days through USPS.
But a closer look raised a major red flag. For a cart of three T-shirts, the deceptive “standard shipping” was only $1.42 cheaper than the 2-day option. Why would a company offer such a tiny discount? To find the answer, we had to dig deep into the site’s FAQ page.
The hidden truth is that “standard shipping” to the USA is treated like “rest of world.” It takes 5 to 20 business days, or about one to four weeks. The 1-day and 2-day options show delivery times in the cart. However, the possible month-long delay is hidden on purpose.
This creates a disastrous customer experience. Imagine a fan buying Christmas-themed merch in early December. To save a little money, they chose “standard shipping.” Weeks go by, Christmas passes, and their package is nowhere to be found. Sandbag ships these orders without tracking codes. This leaves the customer in the dark, thinking their package is lost. a terrible
Mistake #3: When “Customer First” is Just an Empty Slogan
The Grand Disconnect Between Promises and Reality
The main irony is the gap between Sandbag’s polished image and the amateur reality of its work. This company has more than 70 employees. It works with top bands like Radiohead and Blink-182. But it still can’t manage a basic sizing chart or a zoomable product photo.
Their return policy perfectly illustrates the disconnect. On the surface, a 30-day return window seems generous. However, the policy forces the customer to pay for return shipping. This shows a cynical business model. Sandbag makes customers guess their size. Then, it profits from the mistakes by charging to fix them.
Adding this to problems like the “blurry homepage banner” makes the company’s marketing promise seem empty. The contrast between their pitch and their performance is stark.
“Our fully managed service puts the customer first always.” a terrible
Conclusion: Trust, But Verify
This store’s analysis teaches us an important lesson: customer experience fundamentals are key. Precise sizing, clear shipping, and basic site function are must-haves, not optional extras. Even if a creator teams up with a seemingly good agency, things can go wrong if they overlook the basics.
The takeaway is clear: If you’re a creator choosing a partner or a fan buying something, always check the basics. A strong pitch can’t replace a real, customer-focused online store. a terrible
