Bad Website

[carrianne123]

Where do I go to tell people not to order ANYTHING from a certain website?

[Ethel]

Be very careful - you could find yourself in all sorts of trouble.

Are you a competitor?

[dot.hawkes]

you can;t tell people not to, but you can advise them , you should be careful and not make accusations but be subtle and damaging but in a smart way, so, which site are we discussing ?

[carrianne123]

I am getting married and some of the girls bought there dress from christinasgowns.com. One of the dress's is way to big. She recived it today and called right away to exchange it, said she would pay postage and everything. Spoke to the owner on the phone, she wouldnt budge on it. Said she didnt care how many dress's I was prepared to order she would not exchange it.

[dot.hawkes]

what are the published terms and conditions then? and have you ticked that you accept them

[carrianne123]

Not sure. I didnt order it they did. Problem is that I spoke to the owner and she really could care less if it was a wedding or anything else for that matter. I own 2 buisness' myself and that is just not how you get return bus...

[meglet]

Does the law around distance selling cover this? Ethel will know.

[~max~]

It's very unusual for a shop not to accept an exchange...Do you have their phone number? Can you plead with them, or....threaten them? I'm told that if you've tried everything then threaten to report them to trading standards, they will finally bulge. Sorry this happened to you!

[dot.hawkes]

is it in the UK or the US? I can't find a UK one

[sir.prize]

Having looked at their website, they do not appear to supply bridesmaids' dresses. However, if you type in bridesmaids' dresses at the bottom of their site, it brings up a list of links. It seems that christinas gowns MIGHT have used a third party to supply your friends' dresses.

[~max~]

Sorry, only just realise you already phoned her. This seems a bit shady to me.....Did your friend tell you the whole truth? It IS very unusual for a shop to refuse an exchange.
I believe distance selling is covered by the same law as "regular" selling. The goods must be as described, and suitable for the use they are meant for (peobably not in those tearms though).

[dot.hawkes]

max, buying an incorrect size is not covered by the trading stanbards or any sale of goods act if the cutomer gave the size , it is only a custoner service issue and there is no law says any retail company has to exchange or refund.

[Ice.Maiden]

One gripe doesn't equate trying to ruin trade by telling people not to buy anything at all. I'm sorry to hear that the dress wasn't suitable, but for all the owner knows, it could've been worn for the occasion intended, and then sent back with a phoney excuse for a refund.
I'm sure that because sizes can vary so greatly, that had your friend contacted the place and asked for an exchange, the company would've obliged. I've sent a few things back which I've bought via the internet, and there were no problems at all. This particular store has some fabulous gowns, and boasts good customer services, so I can't understand what's gone wrong. x

[~max~]

Ach, true Dot, sorry! Still, it's very bad customer service. If I was in that position, I would certainly let people know about it.

[spaced]

www.bbc.co.uk/watchdog

[Ethel]

Sorry for coming back late - the Distance Selling Regs gives all mail order customers the right to return goods for a full refund within a reasonable time - usually 7 days.

There does not have to be a fault or any other reason - the DSR are in addition to the Sale of Goods Act.

However, s.5(c) of the DSR excludes made to measure or other personalised goods.

Was this dress made to measure - did she have to supply exact and detailed measurements, rather than size 12, for example?