ACHICA ?

[phoebus]

As ACHICA is a Mumsnet Partner - (and I have nothing but the highest esteem for you, Mumsnet!) - I foolishly trusted them, as they seemed to have lots of great stuff for sale on their site, so I signed up as a 'member' a few weeks ago. - Wish I hadn't now!! - Of my 2 orders, things have gone badly wrong in both cases:

• First order (small) took forever to arrive, and then, when it did, one item was smashed. Lo and behold, I discovered that they have got NO PHONE LINE on which you can ring them to discuss any problems!! - the only way to 'communicate' with them, is laboriously and indirectly, via an 'online helpdesk' and it takes them at least 2 days to get back to you via email. OK, well I did this, and eventually I got a reply promising to send me a replacement. Which never came. So a subsequent laborious 2nd email from me a couple of weeks later, got another slow, emailed reply to say, oh we haven't got that item after all, so now we'll give you a refund. (But they'd never bothered to let me know that! I'd had to chase them up for that info) . And that refund has still not arrived, after a few weeks.
  

• Second order (much larger, around £500) I thought better of the next day, so I emailed the so-called 'Helpdesk' to cancel it a few hours later, as I was well within my rights, and their given timescale, to do this. Received a reply to say that was fine, they had 'cancelled it and had refunded my credit card in full'. This was two weeks ago. My credit card statement arrived today, and - guess what - it shows the full amount which they HAVE TAKEN, despite their promise not to. I've rung my card provider who assure me that I have not had this refund. Once again, search as I might, I cannot find any phone number for Achica Customer Care or complaints etc! The lack of this vital channel should have warned me at the outset.
  

Anyone else been taken for a ride by ACHICA? Are they just extremely incompetent, or actually a load of crooks?

[LouisSurrey]

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.

[gwendraith]

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.

[hollyisalovelyname]

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

[hollyisalovelyname]

I've unsubscribed from their emails

[beekachoo2]

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.

[BoysAreLikeDogs]

X post snorbs, almost word for word, snort!

[hothereinnit]

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.

[WitchOfEndor]

I've ordered lots and lots a few things from Achica and never had any issues with them. My only quibble is the post and package charges, once you get used to free delivery from Amazon it's a bit of a shock to get charged £4.99 for delivery!

[beekachoo2]

:)

You are all right this is my first post, and yes I did only just authenticate my account, despite registering a while ago, to make my post. To be honest I had just googled achica to see what they had on offer today when I came across your thread. I think its easy to jump on a band wagon when one or two people have had a bad experience and I believe it is only fair to put across wide range of views so that people can make a fair and informed choice. Perhaps this will be my last post (perhaps not) as I hadn't appreciated that mumsnet was a site where people were taken to task over giving a differing opinion. There would be no point in me commenting if you were all saying how wonderful achica were as my point would be lost, as you would all know, surely?
I hadn't appreciated I had jumped in on a witch hunt. Just a mum offering her own experiences, but goodness imagine if I had a different view to you all on weaning or nappy changing you would be at my door with burning torches ha ha.
I find it far more interesting that people with no valid or helpful views on a subject are needing to criticise my comment, or research whether or not this is my first comment. I think that says far more about you!

Thanks though, your humour has brightened my day ;)

[VirgoGrr]

I just cried at Honeydragon's post. Brilliant. :D

[Snorbs]

Beekachoo2, it is far from uncommon for companies to engage marketing companies to keep an eye out for online complaints and then, rather than deal with the actual issues, to post (either directly or via lowly paid shills) comments on the thread about how marvellous said companies are. It's so common it's even got a name - astro-turfing.

So when there is a thread like this where not just one but several first-time posters pop up to say how fantastic a company is and are then never heard from again it does tend to make people somewhat suspicious. Does this come as a surprise to you?

But do tell - other than being a satisfied customer do you have any other relationship with achica, its employees or any marketing company it may employ? Do you get anything in return for posting positive message about it? And given that you are a satisfied customer, could you satisfy my curiosity about just what you were googling for when you came upon this thread?

[BoysAreLikeDogs]

Yes, snorbs, agree again.

If folk google Hariborange Kills Otters they will see what we are on about. Go.on.

[beekachoo2]

No I guess it doesn't surprise me. it just saddens me that we live in such a cynical world and one where people are tried as guilty of something dishonest just because they swim against the tide.

I genuinely have no ties what so ever with achica. I wish I got something in return for posting nice things about them I have a shopping list as long as my arm, but unfortunately not pockets that are as deep.

I was googling Achica when I came upon your thread, you came up 3rd on the listings and I chose to investigate. I rarely engage in any discussions on these type of things, but the kids are away and I have a morning free to shop and browse.

I have recommended a lot of people to achica, mostly to get the £10 discount vouchers they send you :) and bar one of my friends they have all been satisfied.

It is rare to get a thread started just because someone has had exceptional service etc, I guess because people would be instantly cynical which is why I think its equally important to create a balance when there are some damning reviews. :)

[BoysAreLikeDogs]

But did you google Hariborange Kills Otters? go ON. Do it.

[Melty]

Well, I've used them a few times.
I always check if whatever I am looking for is available somewhere else cheaper, and sometimes it is.
Ive never had a problem with delivery. It tells you when stuff will be delivered approx. In all but one case the stuff came earlier.
I've had a delay on a pair of Sabatier scissors, but it was hardly an emergency purchase, and they emailed with updates.
My Boss on the other hand, spends a fortune on them. I've never heard him complain.

[suzyplum]

My experience of Achica has been nearly wholly positive. I've ordered loads of lovely things for my holiday rental house at often much lower prices than elsewhere, though I always double-check online to ensure I'm getting the best possible price. They feature some of my favourite brands such as Garden Trading, Nkuku and Rice, and some brands that are normally hard to get in the UK such as Danish homeware from Bloomingville or South African Biggie Best. The way it's set up with new sales every day is rather addictive and I've got to know my local couriers a bit too well! I like that you can return things so easily - they pick them up from my garage free of charge. The only problem I've had in the past was having to chase up refunds but they seem to have improved that now. If you have a problem, you can't phone them direct however if you email customer services, I've found they come back to you very quickly by email or phone, whichever you ask for and are extremely helpful. BTW I have no links with Achica aside from having bought loads of things way too many - - from them over the past 16 months. I always recommend them to anyone interested in interiors. Oh, and sometimes orders take weeks to arrive though they always give you an estimated delivery window before you order. If I sound like an Achica fanatic it's cos I am and luckily my husband won't read this post!

[SoupDragon]

Welcome, Suzyplum!