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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Aibu to be annoyed with this online retailer?

26 replies

PureQuintessence · 19/02/2013 14:42

I ordered some clothes for hiking. I ordered two pairs of hiking pants, and some technical socks, etc. One pair of pants in size L, the other in size 16.

The pants are North Face, and not cheap.

I received my order today and the L sized pants were perfect. But the size 16 not so. The label inside the pants said 12. The label attached to the pants, with price tag, etc, also said 12. But, this was crossed over with blue biro and it said UK 16. Not 16 at all. I cant get it over my hips.

Imagine my surprise when I discover they dont offer free returns, but recommend recorded delivery as they cannot honour any other returns. Sad Angry

So, not only have theiy "tricked me" and sold me a pair of size 12 hiking pants that I cannot use, I have to pay to return them.

I have emailed them, and got no response, but I guess it is early.

Am I right to insist they refund me my postage seeing as they have sent me the wrong size trousers?

OP posts:
quoteunquote · 19/02/2013 14:44

Yes,

which company pulled this stunt?

Lafaminute · 19/02/2013 14:46

Would they be an american 12 (and therefore a UK 16)??????

Original poster
PureQuintessence · 19/02/2013 14:53

If they were a uk 16, they would have fit me. I usually wear size 14 pants. I ordered them in 16 to ensure I could fit a base layer under. These I could not pull up past my hips!

OP posts:
WilsonFrickett · 19/02/2013 14:53

Oh that's annoying! Can you get into a shop? Not that you should have to...

Original poster
PureQuintessence · 19/02/2013 14:54

I dont think they have a shop....

OP posts:
Carolra · 19/02/2013 15:00

They have to pay the return cost if they've sent you the wrong thing... Google "distance selling regulations" this is a direct quote from the oft website..."if the goods are faulty or do not comply with the contract, you will have to pay for their return whatever the circumstances."

Umlauf · 19/02/2013 15:01

Yanbu and I expect the company will happily cover the cost of your return as its not ur error in the first place if they don't, use the distance selling regulations and send the whole order back as 'cancelled' this entitles you to a refund of original p&p (although not the return costs) and the threat of this will probable encourage them to refund your return postage for the wrong trousers (just made me think of Wallace and gromit!)

Carolra · 19/02/2013 15:03

www.oft.gov.uk/shared_oft/business_leaflets/general/oft913.pdf this is a link to the guidelines, bit you want is on page 10.

Bejeena · 19/02/2013 15:03

A US size 12 is a UK 16. I think they could possibly be the right size.

I would have thought a size 16 would be coming up as a medium as opposed to large, so the large ones you have are possibly an 18 and this is why they fit?

I am basing this on XS being 6-8, S being 10-12, M 14-16, L 18-20

Could this be it? I don't think they have sent the wrong size

DinglebertWangledack · 19/02/2013 15:07

Love everyone is ignoring the fact that OP is saying they WON'T FIT OVER HER HIPS

Ergo..NOT HER SIZE!

HoHoHoNoYouDont · 19/02/2013 15:12

They have to refund the postage costs. As someone said upthread - Distance selling regs

Don't let them feed you any bullshit OP.

Original poster
PureQuintessence · 19/02/2013 15:14

I wish I could work out if it really is a US12. The entire cut is much smaller than any of my other pants, which is why I think it really is a 12. Even the diameter of the waist is very small. There is no room for any "bottom" inside it either.

OP posts:
Geeklover · 19/02/2013 15:19

Bejeena from experience north face don't do a L 18-20 their large is a 16. I'm usually a medium in NF.
It looks like someone had thought they are a US 12 but they are clearly a UK 12. Deffo sounds like their error and as such should be refunding postage.

PatriciaHolm · 19/02/2013 15:42

North Face stuff is made in US sizes with US labels; if it's labelled a 12, it'll be a US 12, so technically a UK 16.

So technically it's the "right" size, in that that is what you ordered. The fact it doesn't fit is another issue; but I would argue the point with them that it's a very different size and cut to the other trousers and thus clearly not suitable for the same size person. If you are polite and clear they may well let you return them free.

Original poster
PureQuintessence · 19/02/2013 15:58

Ok, found a size chart. So US 12 is uk 16 is EU 44. But L is 44/46 - which would explain why the L fits. But then the other pant has a very different cut, it is much much narrower than the L! The L is roomy, but the 12/16 is extremely slim fit. Hmm

OP posts:
Original poster
PureQuintessence · 19/02/2013 15:59

My first venture into North Face pants. My other pants are Endura and Berghaus!

OP posts:
KatieMiddleton · 19/02/2013 16:09

What are technical socks?

SaskiaRembrandtVampireHunter · 19/02/2013 16:36

I'm curious about the technical socks too.

Original poster
PureQuintessence · 19/02/2013 16:46

Technical Hiking and Trekking Socks are high-quality socks and stockings made with high-tech special technical fibres to suit the activity, like hiking, or running, and give effective, durable socks for walking in comfort. Good when you are covering lots of kilometers in uneven terrain wearing hiking boots.

OP posts:
SaskiaRembrandtVampireHunter · 19/02/2013 17:09

Ah I see, thank you for explaining :) I was thinking they came with a built in compass, or that geo-location thingy, and maybe a handy sheet for identifying birds.

Original poster
PureQuintessence · 19/02/2013 17:16

Would be good if they were motorized. Wink

OP posts:
oldraver · 19/02/2013 17:21

Technical socks = vair spesh socks that require their own wash cycle coz there blimmin expensive and you dont want to ruin them

penguin73 · 19/02/2013 17:23

A North Face US 12 is a UK 16; North Face large is 16-18.

KatieMiddleton · 19/02/2013 17:51

Ah. I was hoping for micro chips and satellite navigation. I'm a bit disappointed.

Original poster
PureQuintessence · 19/02/2013 17:55

I am a bit disappointed too, KM, for that price I wish my socks had sat nav and a microwave oven.

The company in question is communicating with me, they are all nice and pleasant, and they have confirmed the 12 is American. I must have widened since last time I bought pants. Oh well.

OP posts: