J Reid
Belfast, Northern IrelandMember since March 2018

Reviews (1)


    • Mar 12, 2018
    • Verified Reviewer

    Piping Rock

    Updated review

    Update

    Overall Experience:

    I managed to view my parcel, and the company had inflated the true cost of the items, putting it over the threshold for incurring a customs and handling fee. I sent photographic evidence to the company that it was their responsibility and they should refund me. They are ignoring my emails. I'm not sure how the benefit from inflating the cost, which they have also done with other people reviewing, but there is something dodgy about the company.

    Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

    9 people found it helpful

    Link to this Review
    • Previous review
    • Mar 6, 2018

    Piping Rock - feel like I was scammed

    My first experience buying from this company was very negative and will be my last.

    Like others, I did not realize the company was based in the US. It does not mention this once in its 'About Us' section. I now know that wherever you are in the world, the company has fixed their website so that you see the flag for that country and the currency. In my view, this is deliberately deceptive. I thought it was UK based. When I was making the payment, there was still no alert about additional fees to 'international customers.' That is hidden away in a shipping policy link, and it is not obvious it applies to you because you believe the company is based in your part of the world.

    So, I was faced with the choice of either paying a customs and post handling fee, which was more than the items purchased, or declining delivery and requesting a refund. I chose the latter.

    I send several emails, all of which were ignored. When they finally responded, they refused a full refund, returning only half. I felt like I had been scammed. In addition, I received a very long email from the company, lecturing me about how wonderful they were and that I could be an "empowered" customer by writing about my experience because even negative reviews are good for business. The arrogance is astounding.

    I have since found out that these 'international' companies (that masquerade as being based in your own country) only have to give customers the option to collect their own parcel from customs, thus avoiding the vast majority of the additional fees. I've also been told that fees shouldn't even be applied to parcels under the value of £15, which mine was.

    There are so many negative reviews relating to their practice but they clearly just ignore them - it pays them to do so. The company is just not interested that so many people are being caught out by their trading practice. It doesn't take any responsibility and is very happy to receive negative reviews. Except on its own Facebook page. I have submitted my review but it is 'in moderation,' so I don't expect to see it there. They mustn't want the increased business.

    So, I'll make my reviews and recommendation here and elsewhere. Their information is not transparent, which makes it feel like you've been scammed. Steer well clear.

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