to think this maternity bra website may be dodgy and I may have lost £200?

[epicbrastruggle]

Namechanging as the woman in question has my RL details. And sorry, long saga.

OK so, I am due to have my baby by section next week. I ordered some Anita Maternity nursing bras from a small UK based website three (3) weeks ago. Paid by Paypal -- the only option offered other than cheque/PO. It is clearly a very small one-person type business, but they had sizes and styles that I had really struggled to find elsewhere as I have a pretty large cup size.

I ordered three styles in two sizes each, figuring that I would try on for size/shape and return at least four of them. Website says this is OK to do. However it meant I spent £200 up front

Reasons I am worried now:

1. When I ordered, I got a Paypal receipt but no confirmation from the company or despatch info. Nine days later (I know, ages but I have had so much to do) I tried the company's contact phone number but it just rang out. So I chased by email, and did get a swift email reply from the owner of the site, saying the bras were on order with supplier. No dates given though.

1. Five days after that, eg last Sat, I got an email saying two of the bras had been shipped to me and the others would follow shortly. No tracking info or dates. On Thursday when they hadn't arrived yet, I emailed her asking for info. No reply. Tried phoning again next day but both her landline and mobile rang out, so emailed again stating my concern and the fact I have a cs scheduled for the coming week; and this time got a quick reply containing generic reassurance and a promise to check on the order "when she got home later" and let me know, and not to worry.

1. Today: no word by email or phone, and no parcel in post. I also realized that although the despatch email said the postage method was "registered post", this is not a service the Royal Mail offers any more. And I Googled the company name and found a reference to the company being "dissolved" on one of those websites that wants to charge you for access to credit info about companies.

So I sent a very clear, firm email asking for specific details of shipping, when/what service was used, how she had "checked" last night and what she learned, as well as status of the other bras not shipped yet. Also re-emphasised I do not have much time left before going to hosp and that it has been three weeks since I paid £200 up front and I haven't had any clear detailed info. Also said I would have to cancel order if she couldn't supply actual details.

Just got a Blackberry email reply saying "Thank you for your message. I am out with my family at the moment so would it be okay if I call you later about your order. Please do not worry everything is ok with your order."

It just seems like no matter what, she won't bloody give me a straight answer. And if she checked on the order last night as promised, why hasn't she been in touch when I had already conveyed that I was worried? Or here's a thought, given how long this has dragged on, why not take a moment to ring me now, instead of when it suits her? Is that not a tiny bit crap to say the least, assuming this is a legit business?

Really worried that it's in fact not legit, that I have lost £200 I can ill afford, and I know it can be hard to reclaim via Paypal. Feeling really stupid for buying from her.

AIBU and should I just chill? Or is it in fact as dodgy-sounding as I now fear?

Ive no idea byt £200 on bras?? Is this even real?

Raise a dispute with Paypal. Don't give her any more time.

Sounds like she is very disorganised at the very least. Hopefully just that and not a fraudster.

Don't know how you should proceed though, aside from emailing her.

Perhaps contact the CAB?

Of course this is real, RedRedWine, why would it not be? Maternity bras from Anita cost about £50 each, and she ordered 4.

Agree,raise a dispute with PayPal straight away & you will get your money back.

It sounds like she has ordered the bras from a 3rd party & they havent delivered to her & she is stalling for time.

Good luck with your cs & baby.

RedRed, they are Anita Maternity underwired feeding bras, really expensive I'm afraid. Yes it's real, sadly! I have HH cup breasts already and when the milk comes in ... suffice to say it's really hard to find feeding bras that fit and give a little support. I know this from when I fed DS.

As I say, I planned to try on and find one or two that fit, return the rest. Have done it many times on Figleaves etc with non-maternity ranges (sadly their stock of maternity stuff in my size is poor)...

Poor you. It sounds more disorganisation than anything else but I'd raise a dispute asap. Good luck with CS.

OK. I'm glad it's not just me thinking this is, at least, pretty crap.

Have replied to her email saying a chat "later" won't work, as we are also going out (which is true); and that I would prefer an email with the details in b&w.

Hopefully that will arrive tonight, but if it doesn't (or if it is, again, infuriatingly vague) I guess I'll raise a dispute tomorrow. Never done that before but hopefully it will be OK. DP is telling me not to worry ... it's just so maddening to think I've handed over money to someone so crap. And my boobs are really hurting from not being in the right sort of bra at the mo.

Really WISH the mainstream retailers were better about supply feeding bras in big cup sizes. Instead anyone over a G cup has to squirrel around under the sofa cushions of the Internet for a half-arsed, disorganised and stressful retail experience. Pah!

oh and thanks for your replies, by the way

epicbrastruggle Where abouts in the contry are you? Bravissimo stock Royce nursing bras upto a J cup in their stores and online.
www.bravissimo.com/products/lingerie/nursing-bras
If you are nearish to a store they do a really good fitting service too.
www.bravissimo.com/shops/default.aspx
I would definitely lodge a claim with paypal, you've given her plenty of time now. Tell her you're not willing to wait any longer. Good luck with the CS next week.

Ah right, I was assuming that I could only raise a dispute if I was cancelling and giving up on the entire transaction. Did not know it could be closed if the item turns up. Will go and read up on procedure - thanks v much.

Will investigate bravissimo too, thanks, although have previously struggled to find style/size I need there. No harm checking again though.

As you weren't in the presence of the items when they were purchased (ie. online), you're covered by Distance Selling Regulations.

Can't remember the details off hand, but google it and it will tell you what your rights are.

You are covered by the Distance Selling Regulations 2000. But also Section 75 of the Consumer Credit act.

Dont worry.

Raise a dispute with Paypal. You are covered. Chances are the bras will turn up.

If they do and you want to return some (which you definitely do) remember that you have 7 days in which to do so under your statutory rights (website's T&C's might give you longer) and in this case, I would make sure you send them special delivery so she can't say she never received them, and so you are covered if they go missing in the post. Recorded delivery only compensates about £30, most people dont know that.

Her disorganisation makes me feel sorry for you having to return any of the items by the way - I would track and trace if I were you, and keep on at her.

But you are offered a lot of protection with Paypal so dont stress, it will sort itself out in the end, one way or other.