Compensation for Lost Items from Hon Kong online company

hedgethorne

Hi Forum, On13 June I ordered a Samsung phone from Tecobuy for £303.99. The money was taken from my account almost instantly. The website poses as a UK company but I discovered later that it is in Hong Kong. The tracking system told me that on 24th June the order arrived at P2P in Basildon, Essex for forwarding to Royal Mail and to me - 40 miles away.  After 27 emails to Tecobuy I was told the order has been lost and instantly refunded £10, the courier's maximum compensation, to my account. P2P refused to discuss with me and will only speak to Tecobuy. I paid by credit card. Can anyone tell me if have any rights in this please?

Caz3121

hedgethorne said:

The website poses as a UK company but I discovered later that it is in Hong Kong. 

First Line of their terms and conditions - TecoBuy UK (www.tecobuy.co.uk) is an online store and holding company, registered in Hong Kong.
also section 10 - By visiting and purchasing from the TecoBuy UK website, you agree with these Terms and Conditions. All Terms shall be governed and construed in accordance with Hong Kong Law. 

I am guessing you did not opt for the Insured Shipment 

Benefits of Selecting the Insured Shipment Option:

The service covers physical loss or damage of the goods during transit. Once confirmed by the courier that the shipment has been lost or damaged during transit, we will arrange a replacement or refund.

** Standard Shipping does not include insurance, any loss or damage during transit of the good is solely the liability of courier companies and their compensation will be subject to the maximum liability specified in the terms of conditions of their service. Tecobuy can only try to assist in the process of claiming from the related courier but has no control and cannot guarantee a full compensation can be claimed.

Certainly looks like a company to avoid. (more bad reviews than good on Trust Pilot) For future, having a .co.uk address means nothing except that they sell to UK customers. There are many overseas companies that have .co.uk addresses and no physical presence in UK

It might be worth exploring whether you can make a S75 claim with your credit card. You paid for something and you have not received it.

pinkshoes

hedgethorne said:

Hi Forum, On13 June I ordered a Samsung phone from Tecobuy for £303.99. The money was taken from my account almost instantly. The website poses as a UK company but I discovered later that it is in Hong Kong. The tracking system told me that on 24th June the order arrived at P2P in Basildon, Essex for forwarding to Royal Mail and to me - 40 miles away.  After 27 emails to Tecobuy I was told the order has been lost and instantly refunded £10, the courier's maximum compensation, to my account. P2P refused to discuss with me and will only speak to Tecobuy. I paid by credit card. Can anyone tell me if have any rights in this please?

Firstly, it does not pose as a UK company. There is nothing UK about it. The .co.uk can be used by anyone. Even the "contact us" details gives a Hong Kong address. 

I would contact your credit card company and see if you can get a refund that way given it has not arrived as otherwise you are bound by Hong Kong law.

mattyprice4004

They really don't hide the fact they're not a UK company - click on Contact Us and you're presented with an address in Hong Kong. 
P2P have no obligation to help you; their contract is with the seller. 

Edit: Beaten by pinkshoes!

pinkshoes

@mattyprice4004 - great minds think alike!

born_again

Chargeback for non receipt of goods.

bris

born_again said:

Chargeback for non receipt of goods.

Which will fail as the UK laws have no jurisdiction here.
S75 will fail because the CC has the same rights as the seller so if what they are doing is legal under Hong Kong law that is what the cc will go on.