Unscrupulous China business using online .co.uk website

K-Lye

Hi, I was scammed in early December by a Chinese business using a .co.uk website selling t-shirts (essentially masquerading as a UK business). My order hasn't arrived after nearly a month and (belatedly) checking reviews online, others indicate it'll either never arrive or it'll be of questionable quality. I'm currently going through Paypal to recover my costs but I'm not confident it'll get anywhere as the Seller is not communicating. I was just wondering if there was a legal position or formal recourse (ie. Trading Standards) at all on any of this or whether foreign rogue businesses are free to behave like this just because it's online? Many thanks.

Caz3121

what was the website? did they have a UK address and phone number? did their t&cs state under which countries laws they operate?
- you do not need to be a UK company to have a .co.uk address

K-Lye

I'm not sure I'm allowed to share the website on here (happy to do so if it's allowed)? Yes, they have a UK Portsmouth address and phone number (which doesn't answer). Their T&C's are suitably vague about delivery timeframes indicating they deliver domestically within a few days and overseas within 15 days. I'm very aware you don't need to be a UK comapny to own a .co.uk address, however essentially masquerding as a UK business is a little bit more than just owning the Domain.

powerful_Rogue

K-Lye wrote: »

I'm not sure I'm allowed to share the website on here (happy to do so if it's allowed)? Yes, they have a UK Portsmouth address and phone number (which doesn't answer). Their T&C's are suitably vague about delivery timeframes indicating they deliver domestically within a few days and overseas within 15 days. I'm very aware you don't need to be a UK comapny to own a .co.uk address, however essentially masquerding as a UK business is a little bit more than just owning the Domain.

Yes, you are allowed. Otherwise will be difficult for other people to assist.

K-Lye

powerful_Rogue wrote: »

Yes, you are allowed. Otherwise will be difficult for other people to assist.

Ok sure - this is the site: https://funnyteeshirts.co.uk/

Shaun_of_the_Dead

K-Lye wrote: »

Hi, I was scammed in early December by a Chinese business using a .co.uk website selling t-shirts (essentially masquerading as a UK business). My order hasn't arrived after nearly a month and (belatedly) checking reviews online, others indicate it'll either never arrive or it'll be of questionable quality. I'm currently going through Paypal to recover my costs but I'm not confident it'll get anywhere as the Seller is not communicating. I was just wondering if there was a legal position or formal recourse (ie. Trading Standards) at all on any of this or whether foreign rogue businesses are free to behave like this just because it's online? Many thanks.

Not sure what you expect trading standards to do with a Chinese company.

George_Michael

As Paypal appears to be the only payment option, contact them and start a dispute for non receipt of goods, something that a great many reviewers on here:
https://www.trustpilot.com/review/funnyteeshirts.co.uk
appear to have done.
I don't recall ever seeing a "company" with 99% bad reviews before.

The_Rainmaker

I wonder if this is a UK dropshipper trying to disguise their identity?

When dealing with companies you have never heard of you should check online reviews before buying.

TadleyBaggie

The phone number is a mobile.

The address seems to be fake too, they claim to be at 399 Silverdale Road, however that road appears to only go up to 201!

Takmon

TadleyBaggie wrote: »

The phone number is a mobile.

I've never seen a mobile number with 12 digits

Takmon

K-Lye wrote: »

I'm not sure I'm allowed to share the website on here (happy to do so if it's allowed)? Yes, they have a UK Portsmouth address and phone number (which doesn't answer). Their T&C's are suitably vague about delivery timeframes indicating they deliver domestically within a few days and overseas within 15 days. I'm very aware you don't need to be a UK comapny to own a .co.uk address, however essentially masquerding as a UK business is a little bit more than just owning the Domain.

The phone number at first appears to be a mobile but it's 12 digits long when mobile numbers are 11.

Also the shipping says it will be dispatched in 1 - 2 days but delivered in 5 - 10 days domestically.

When dealing with websites that you haven't used before you really need to pay attention to the details and search for reviews before making a purchase.