Company refusing return

Pamplemousse245

I bought a swimsuit on MeetCurve last year and it was great, but having lost weight since then I needed to reorder. I did so a couple of weeks ago and the new suit came but was too small.

I asked if I could return it for an exchange and they explained their return address was in New Jersey and it would cost a lot of money to send it back. I wanted to exchange the goods anyway so they offered for me to keep the suit and they would give me a voucher code to it's cost, which I could use against a new order.

I figured that would save me sending it back, so I took the voucher code (£19.99) and bought two new suits (two different sizes, hoping one would fit). 

The new suits are a different pattern and more expensive each anyway by over £5, so the voucher code only covered some of one. The rest of the order I paid for with my debit card (total was about £56). 

Neither fit. I checked the size charts and they're exactly the same on these items as they are for the original suit I bought last year so at least one of them should be slightly too big like my original. Both were tiny. 

I had a look through the listings and others, and saw there were also parts of the description that were inaccurate (several mention adjustable backs, various s hook closures etc - these do not exist) so I was immediately suspicious of general accuracy. 

I emailed the company and said I was displeased with the inaccuracy of the sizing and the descriptions, and that I need to return the items. The customer service rep did not address any concerns on sizing or info on the website, they just said that the goods could not be returned because they'd been bought with a voucher. 

I checked their returns policy again and unfortunately they do have that written there. However, I only paid for some of the goods with that voucher. I'm still out £36 of my own cash. 

I thought, according to consumer law, I was entitled to return anything unwanted within 14 days, regardless of how it was purchased. I understand that the 19.99 would not be refunded and would just go back onto a voucher or something, I'm not bothered by that. But am I really not allowed to return it at all for a refund for the cash (debit card) part? 

Thanks in advance. Happy to accept whatever is correct. Just checking my rights as it seems a bit strange. 

To note: the company is based in USA from what they say. I am not sure if this affects MY consumer rights in the UK. I read that not, but might make it more difficult. 

user1977

If you import something from an American company then your consumer rights are almost certainly going to be those of whichever state they're registered in. I suspect it's not going to be worthwhile trying to return anything of that value.

MattMattMattUK

Pamplemousse245 said:

I bought a swimsuit on MeetCurve last year and it was great, but having lost weight since then I needed to reorder. I did so a couple of weeks ago and the new suit came but was too small.

I asked if I could return it for an exchange and they explained their return address was in New Jersey and it would cost a lot of money to send it back. I wanted to exchange the goods anyway so they offered for me to keep the suit and they would give me a voucher code to it's cost, which I could use against a new order.

I figured that would save me sending it back, so I took the voucher code (£19.99) and bought two new suits (two different sizes, hoping one would fit). 

The new suits are a different pattern and more expensive each anyway by over £5, so the voucher code only covered some of one. The rest of the order I paid for with my debit card (total was about £56). 

Neither fit. I checked the size charts and they're exactly the same on these items as they are for the original suit I bought last year so at least one of them should be slightly too big like my original. Both were tiny. 

I had a look through the listings and others, and saw there were also parts of the description that were inaccurate (several mention adjustable backs, various s hook closures etc - these do not exist) so I was immediately suspicious of general accuracy. 

I emailed the company and said I was displeased with the inaccuracy of the sizing and the descriptions, and that I need to return the items. The customer service rep did not address any concerns on sizing or info on the website, they just said that the goods could not be returned because they'd been bought with a voucher. 

I checked their returns policy again and unfortunately they do have that written there. However, I only paid for some of the goods with that voucher. I'm still out £36 of my own cash. 

I thought, according to consumer law, I was entitled to return anything unwanted within 14 days, regardless of how it was purchased. I understand that the 19.99 would not be refunded and would just go back onto a voucher or something, I'm not bothered by that. But am I really not allowed to return it at all for a refund for the cash (debit card) part? 

Thanks in advance. Happy to accept whatever is correct. Just checking my rights as it seems a bit strange. 

To note: the company is based in USA from what they say. I am not sure if this affects MY consumer rights in the UK. I read that not, but might make it more difficult. 

You have no consumer rights in the UK for this purchase as you purchased it from an American company and in the US there is no right to return goods at the retailers expense. Your best bet will be to sell them on eBay/Vinted.

sheramber

Assuming you bought from meetcurve.co .uk their T&C state ‘under the laws of UK.’

born_again

Was this the site used?

https://www.meetcurve.co.uk

Even going to .com site still has same section in T/C

https://www.meetcurve.com/terms-and-conditions.html

Applicable Law

These conditions are governed by and construed exclusively under law without regard to conflicts of laws principles. This Terms of Use shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of UK.

Alderbank

Nothing at all seems to have changed since this thread two years ago, back in May 2023:
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6445536/ordered-from-co-uk-but-company-want-items-returned-to-usa

I think that @born_again's analysis of the company at that time was true and is still true:

Sadly they are not pretending to be a UK company. As there is no address at all on their site.
Pricing of products sold by meetcurve.co.uk is based upon figures calculated in U.S. Dollars (US$)
Big hint not Uk..
https://www.meetcurve.co.uk/delivery-guide.html
Express shipping 3 to 7 days no matter where in the world.
I would guess this is just a drop shipper. 
Goods coming from China.

born_again

I get GBP on .co.uk site.
Dollars on .com

Top left has currency selector.