Returning an on-line purchase - any advice please.

Every time I shop from a new company online I google their reviews on Trustpilot before pressing Pay!

Alas, Tenko, I think that perhaps you may need to put this down to experience, accept the loss of cash, and donate the garment to a charity shop. (A hard lesson learned?)
Like other GNs here, I order clothes online only from trusted British traders, such as Seasalt, Cotton Traders, or Hotter. And mostly in their Sales!

Cambsnan

You purchased on line. You have the right to return. Quote Martin Lewis at them. They are reasonable to ask you to,pay return postage but nothing more.

None of this will help if the company is based in China.

Stop engaging, report to ASA, warn others with reviews, try payment provider for refund, and sell or donate the dress. Pursuing Consumer Rights is possible but time-consuming—best to treat as a lesson learned and move on.

MayBee70

I never seem to learn my lesson about ordering things online. A lot of Chinese companies seem to use UK addresses. I have to keep reminding myself to check the reviews on Trustpilot before I buy anything and then forget to do so.

I'm the same. Always check trustpilot before buying because 9 times out of 10 the reviews are shockingly bad.

There is a big industry of people who are paid to provide false reviews - probably the same people who put advertisements on threads on GN and other websites.

It's always worth checking the returns policy, contact details, etc. on the website. These sometimes give a clue as to where companies are based. Milford Manchester returns policy states

"To start the return process, please send an email to [email protected] with the reason for your return. We’ll then provide you with all necessary instructions. Items can be returned within 14 days of receipt, provided they are unused, complete, and in their original condition. Please note that the cost of return shipping is the responsibility of the customer. As our warehouse is based in Asia (China), return costs typically range around £25."

Trustpilot is the way to go. I always ask there when I am looking at a new company.

Just had an advert for Milford Manchester pop up on instagram. Really glossy ad too. Thankfully it’s had some terrible reviews from people.

But Claremont if you buy from a company with a co.uk Web address, and the Returns Policy says the usual, and the address is e.g. Manchester or Cardiff, how do you know you're dealing with China until you test the process?

Perhaps Companies House need to tighten their checking process. 💁‍♀️

Hopefully we will all learn from our mistakes and stop buying on line unless from reputable company with return facilities in the UK.

You purchased on line. You have the right to return. Quote Martin Lewis at them. They are reasonable to ask you to,pay return postage but nothing more.

Daddima

sharon103

I've learned my lesson. I've been had twice on Facebook adverts. Never again.
Why is it though that when I've read loads of the comments beneath, that people say how wonderful and happy they are with the advertised item..

If you look at the FB pages of these ‘happy customers’, you’ll see that they have very little content, comments from friends,etc. It will only take these firms minutes to create loads of false pages, then attribute testimonials to them.

The happy customers leaving great reviews also have the most ridiculous fictitious names. 🤣

Don't buy anything from Facebook ads .they all a scam..

If you bought it in England you can return it to the English addresses.they tried that with me ..I told them that I was within my rights to get a full refund..they sent the UK return address and a refund into my bank account .

Thanks for all the comments and advice. I shall be very very careful about ordering online now.

sharon103

I've learned my lesson. I've been had twice on Facebook adverts. Never again.
Why is it though that when I've read loads of the comments beneath, that people say how wonderful and happy they are with the advertised item..

If you look at the FB pages of these ‘happy customers’, you’ll see that they have very little content, comments from friends,etc. It will only take these firms minutes to create loads of false pages, then attribute testimonials to them.

Humbertbear

I have been caught in the past but Paypal refunded me the money. I always pay with Paypal.

I do too, but I would advise you raise it with your bank or credit card provider, as they will often refund you, then they take it up with the seller, if they decide it’s worth it.

Trading Standards are no good as company is in China! You're stuffed...learn and don't order from China again. Temu are fine

I've learned my lesson. I've been had twice on Facebook adverts. Never again.
Why is it though that when I've read loads of the comments beneath, that people say how wonderful and happy they are with the advertised item..

I too have got caught by a supposedly Manchester based website, the dresses I ordered are rubbish, and the return is to be sent to China (cost around £20 plus whatever customs documents needed!) - and I used to work for the Advertising Standards Authority!! I have achieved an offer of 60% refund, waiting to see if it appears back on my credit card. I did also buy some underwear - referred to as 'high waisted' - what arrived was a pair of bikini briefs, but they insist that they will not issue any refund on them as they are 'as described' - I think I might give up on this battle once I receive the 60% for the dresses, luckily only a small sum of money wasted, and a lesson learnt. Will stick with the likes of Brakeburn, Lily & Me and White Stuff in future.

keepingquiet

This is why I rarely buy stuff on-line, never clothes or shoes...

I’ve been buying shoes from Office for years ( on line) never been disappointed.

www.office.co.uk/brand/office

alita

This is a well known scam, and I don't believe you can trust Trustpilot any more. If you haven't heard of the company, you need to do extensive googling to find out, I find Reddit quite useful.

Reddit are brilliant 😍

I got caught this way once with an expensive item from a reliable source, I had bought their stuff before from an outlet in a dept store and so thought it would be OK. Unfortunately the item wasn't suitable and it turned out I had to return it to France, cost me around £25 to return and took a very long time to get a refund.
Nowadays I only buy clothes online from UK companies and always check the returns policy first. Seems nowadays items often have to go back to a certain shop usually a distance from where I live so only buy if can return via the PO.

kittylester

This is why I only buy from well known companies - usually during the sales.

Even then you get rogue companies pretending to be well known ones like Sea Salt.

Hello there I am in exactly the same position as you have tried emailing the company 7 times to no avail have been told they will give me 10% back or send back to China by tracked method this will cost £16.50 at the post office dress was £29.95 I am like you normally very careful they are called modern fashion limited this time or Isla Campbell I think they use lots of different names I am now trying to claim from PayPal waiting to find out if I can get a refund through them and I am so cross that these companies get away with the deception that they are doing !!!!!