ACHICA ?

I've used Achica (yes, go ahead, advanced search me. I've been here since 2003 under various names), and not had any issues.

I haven't used them often - mostly at Christmas for various stocking filler type stuff, or cheap craft kits for the children. It can take a while for items to arrive, but arrive they have.

Worrying that people who have had issues can't contact/don't get decent customer service though, and I hope they do get their issues resolved.

X post snorbs, almost word for word, snort!

Sorry to go against the grain, but I LOVE achica. Yes the orders can take time to come through but the delivery dates are clearly stated on each product. Usually they come through faster. At Christmas all my deliveries came through in 2 days. Whenever I have had an issue they have always come straight back to me and resolved it immediately. Yes refunds can take a few days to credit back to your account but that is the same as any other on line company where you pay up front for your goods. I cant recommend them highly enough.

I've unsubscribed from their emails

I keep getting emails from them. Because of this thread i shall never use Achica. Thank you Mumsnetters for the advice

I've used Achica at least 20 times for a wide range of goods (kid's clothing, jewellery (amazing deals) food items, cashmere scarves etc), saved a fortune and only been mildly annoyed once when an item I bought turned out to be tiny (no sizes were given) but it was still a nice item and worth what I paid.

At first the slow delivery times annoyed me (although I have received things within a couple of days). I'm used to it now and just sit back and wait. I've only had to contact them once by email, when I first started using them, to ask about delivery times and they responded quickly so can't comment more on their customer service.

I always check other sites to see of there's a better bargain but Achica do appear to have genuine bargains. I don't care for some of the companies they use but I guess that's a matter of personal taste. It does seem as they are a bit hit and miss judging by some of the posts here but I can only speak as I find. Sorry to hear others have had a bad time with them. Fingers crossed my dealings with them remain smooth.

I feel I have to Achica's defence and say I have ordered at least 18 different items and have always been delighted with their service. I received a rug once that had a fault running through it and e-mailed them straight away and they collected it the following day and refunded my money.

If you e-mail them, they have always got back to me within 24hours. I have recommended Achica to lots of friends and all have been delighted. I think they are an extremely professional company and I have never ever had an issue with them.

Any website that offers no means of contact other than a web form (or email account hosted on a free email service) is a significant risk. It doesn't definitely mean they're dodgy but it is a big red flag. They only want to deal with you at their convenience, not yours.

A website such as Ahica.com that lists two different addresses for its registered office is a bit of a red flag as well...

I have been using Achica for over a year but never again. Of the 7 orders I have made..,
2 were broken on arrival (faults that either occurred in transit as the items were poorly packed and/or were damaged before they were sent out - one chair in particular had the look of a "second" or shop soiled with chips on the arms
2 were not a described (the cups looked full size on the screen but were tiny. They were meant to be for mulled wine but held no more than a thimble of liquid!)
3 have never turned up. Including the latest order for a pair of sunglasses that was paid for more than 6 weeks. They have cancelled the order but have not told me. Goodness knows when then refund will be applied. It took them over three months to refund my money on an order that they couldn't fulfil before this. I really don't know why I gave them another chance!!! Their communication is non-existent and you have to constantly chase them if you want your money returned.

The site is glossy and lulls you into a false state of trust, however, scratch the service and the product quality is poor and the customer service non-existent!

USE AT YOUR PERIL!

So umm yes, not quite 'no problems'

I've use them lots of times with no problems. And when I had a problem with one if those items (a fancy lightbulb that kept blowing) they sent me a replacement three times over and then refunded me when it kept happening

Tbh I find it easier to drop a quick email than having to phone. And then you have all communications in writing which is never a bad thing

I have bought loads of things from Achica, some great, some not so great. I understand the shipping policy, so although annoying that they take your money straight away, it's part of the bargain. However, I recently bought a Pandora watch. I was so excited when it arrived. However, it didn't work. After many messages backwards & forwards, I have got no where, the watch doesn't seem to have the 3 year warranty it should have. This was not explained at the time of purchase. Sorry Mumsnet, the link you have just takes me to the usual contact site and they do not contact within 24 hours. They said that a courier would collect on 28/6 for a full refund, guess what, no courier. I would be very wary of purchasing anything expensive or that could be faulty again. It's a shame when very poor customer service let's them down.

Don't order anything - I have been charged for 2 x 2 pairs stools instead of for 1 pair. Customer service is by slow email - no phone number. They won't accept their error. I want to return them but the original packaging won't take the assembled (faulty) pair I have received. There are no instructions in the packaging saying to how to adjust them. I had some else's reply to a complaint sent to me in error regarding a completely different order. Plus I found them afterwards cheaper in the store than online. No phone number is a killer.

@lokkstar please tell me the courier is not Yodel? As if it is I feel your pain! Yodel are useless! :(

Dont start with them . The item took weeks. when it did arrive it was stuffed in a plastic bag , considering the cost I was shocked. the color was cream looked white on the picture. I didnt complain as it was a gift and they liked it. From then on it does not recognise my password so I went the way of forgoten password, It never arrived in my E mail . having spent hours looking I found questions and added it there. it took 2 days for a reply they sent me a temp pass word so I could change my password which worked once, now its the same again , nothing came to my E mail. I give up dont star with them.

I think it should be illegal to have an online business with no phone number for customer service.

HI Lisalentil. I am having exactly the same experience right now with no confirmation from Achica regarding a cancellation of an order I placed - and then had to cancel within 12 hours of placing the order! I've sent two queries via their website and also included my mobile number. No reply yet and it's been 3 days. They say on their website that they will respond within 24 hours. Not happy at all!!