Return postage - pushed into a corner

Zaza123

I bought an outfit online from a company called Bohme London.

It said that if I make a return the buyer pays the return postage.

The item arrived and did not fit and the fabric was not as expected.

I contacted them as it says to contact them within 14 days.

They responded with the email below.


'Of course, we understand if you want to return your order, but we have an exciting alternative that we think you'll love!

Instead of sending the products back and paying the return postage, we would like to make you a special offer. You can keep the products and get 20% of the purchase price back as a thank you for your purchase!

This means that not only can you enjoy your chosen products, but you also get a good discount .

This choice is not only financially advantageous, but also saves you the trip to the post office and the shipping costs of returning the items to our warehouse in China.

Returning to China: If you decide to return an item, please follow the return instructions on our website and also,
make sure that the item is in its original packaging and complies with our return policy.

**Note: The cost of the return is at the customer's expense in accordance with our returns policy (including tracking costs, which are usually between €25 and €30 depending on the weight/distance of the parcel).

Let us know if you take advantage of this great offer. We'll be happy to help you with any questions and decisions.

Attention! This offer is valid for 14 days after receipt of your order. If you still wish to return the product, this is possible. Respond within the specified period to receive the return form and send the product back to us.

--

With kind regards,
Customer Service, Eva,
bohmelondon.co.uk'

I feel like this is misleading. They said buyer pays return postage but did not at all mention that this would be postage to China! The company is called Bohme London. I expected return to a London address.

I believe they are putting me into a corner. The item was £44.95 for a co ord set. They are now saying they can give me 20% off and I can keep it, or I pay for return postage to china which is obviously more costly. 20% off is no good if the item is not as expected and doen't fit

Is there a law against what they have said? They did say that buyer pays return postage. Which I am hapPy to do in the UK at least!
Thoughts?

TELLIT01

I can't answer your question but firmly believe that all companies trading online should have to show the return address clearly in their advertising.  Having a .co.uk address means nothing I'm afraid.

Zinger549

If they are based in China, then no. There is no address listed on there and just because it says London in the title doesn't mean it's based there. (Edit, looks like there is an address)

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head

Sorry to hear OP, unfortunately the company is in Hong Kong so UK consumer rights won't apply/can't be enforced. 

There are a number of these websites, I get the impression they sell the exact same stuff you can buy from various "from China" outlets just they dress the website up to make it look better and charge more for the privilege.

The give some money back tactic is one that occurs often, as you say you're pushed in a corner.

When I looked at the site there wasn't the usual cookie pop up message thingy and their terms do mention they are in Hong Kong, always worth looking for such things when buying from unknown websites   

Not really anywhere to go with this one unfortunately, a chargeback requires a return, if the garment was over £100 and was paid on a credit card you could speak to your bank about a Section 75 claim if the sizing doesn't match what's on the website.

pinkshoes

The word "London" is just a brand name. No different to having a .co.uk web address. It doesn't mean the company is based in the UK unfortunately... 

If you click on the "Terms of Service" tab on their webpage, it quite clearly says:


So the company is quite clearly based in Hong Kong so unfortunately you will need to pay to return the items to Hong Kong too.

For future reference, don't buy from any UK company unless somewhere on their website is a UK address and a UK phone number. 

Their trustpilot reviews are very poor.

Their webpage was only registered on 14th April 2024!

https://www.whatsmydns.net/domain-age?q=bohmelondon.co.uk

Zaza123

That is frustrating. I agree they should put a return address. Most often they don't.
I just feel like they are playing me and putting me into a corner. The options they've given me are both ridiculous because I don't get my refund either way.
Do I just pick one and take the loss. 20% Off would mean I paid £35.96 for something I do not want and does not fit me and is not the material I expected.
Returning to China would leave me worse off.

sammyjammy

This is becoming very common, do your research, check on facebook if you can is a good option t see if others are complaining.  These companies use great pictures and then send inferior products.  Sadly nothing to stop it just buyer beware.  Sorry they reeled you in, my purchase was Nordic socks!  

Zaza123

Thanks for your help everyone. I didn't check the terms of service tab when ordering I've learnt a lesson for sure!

MeteredOut

If you've accepted you're stuck with the items rather than paying for a return, play their game a bit and they might increase the discount to 30-40% (they're making huge markups on those products).

That would hopefully reduce your loss if you decide to sell them on as new-with-tags.

born_again

Zaza123 

I feel like this is misleading. They said buyer pays return postage but did not at all mention that this would be postage to China! The company is called Bohme London. I expected return to a London address.

Thoughts?

There are 29 places around the world called London.
18 in US....

Did the length of time to delivery takes not make you wonder?

All our products leave our premises 1/6 days after the order is placed. We ship to all countries by plane, allowing us to offer an international service.

Estimated average times:

Normally: 7-14 days depending on product demand.

Sadly you might as well sell it on Vinted or ebay.

boobyd

From their FAQ.
Where are you based?

We are based in London, United Kingdom but we do ship worldwide to most countries for free!.

But Contact us is E mail only,No telephone number,no address. Red flag for not UK based