Scammed and so angry with myself.

[Nosandalsforme]

I really fancied a pair of chunky doc marten sandals this summer. Trying to save money though. Kept getting a facebook advert for an online shop selling them at good prices. I was a bit sceptical but there were loads of good reviews in the facebook comments but decided to go for it. The picture on the site was the definite, genuine article and I paid £55 which is still better than the usual £90+. The site seemed to be US based and said the order would ship from the US.

A package has turned up from China with the cheapest, nastiest obviously fake DMs. Really horrible material on the soles and uppers and the “DM label” on the back is in Chinese and badly stitched on. They are also tiny and no way the size they are supposed to be. They are not even the style of DM sandal that I had chosen.

I know, I know, I should have checked the returns policy before ordering. I always do this and am so bloody upset with myself. I was just so excited about the bargain and it all looked above board. Anyway, it turns out that to return any goods, you have to email their customer services to explain the problem and ask for a return address – it isn’t published anywhere. Of course, I’ve received a really rude reply saying that I got what I ordered and they will not issue me a refund.

Their site is still advertising genuine DMs. I realise my money is gone and I’ve checked my bank statements, they haven’t taken any more from me but is there anything I can do here other than lick my wounds and be hugely upset with myself. DH is furious with me for being sucked in too and keeps going on about what we could have done with that money. Please don’t pile on and call me an idiot – I honestly can’t feel worse than I already do.

Normally, these companies offer you 50% back if you're not happy.

My DP purchased something and when it came it was nothing alike but he paid £60 and ended up with something worth £2 max. He haggled and got 70% and kept the item. I think they do it for that purpose, not to keep the full amount. I also purchased some simply curve leggings that were see through from China. Complained and got 50% back.

Yep, been there. Bought some beautiful trousers. Even checked that the company was British and they wouldn’t take a month to arrive. They took ages.

Eventually what arrived looked like a child had knocked it up in a textiles class at school. Bloody awful.

When I asked for a refund they said I had to send them back to China. I said no, the return address on the package is a warehouse in Essex. No, they have to go back to China. But don’t worry! We will refund you as soon as we receive them!

It cost me nearly as much to post as they did to buy but I was determined to make the point. They kept emailing with reassurance that they would definitely refund me.

After a couple of weeks I complained to PayPal and they instantly refunded me.

The company kept emailing me reassuring me that they would refund me. I did actually answer them a couple of times to say not to worry, PayPal had already refunded me and would be taking the money from them. They obviously weren’t listening and just kept fobbing me off. I already had my refund, I couldn’t care less at that point.

And then the trousers came back. Turned back at Chinese customs. I binned them.