Getting fleeced by a company that poses as UK-based, but isn't.

[TryingToFigureItOut2]

Hi,

I think I am getting fleeced by a clothing company that poses as a high end UK fashion company in London, but which is really not. I wondered if I could tell you, and also ask if anyone has any idea of how to return the clothes?

I bought some shirts from a company called Ashford of London, after a recommendation from the Style and Beauty forum. After I bought them, I realised that the person who recommended them had never actually used the company and had just googled.

This is the company:
https://ashfordclothing.com/

I don't normally spend a lot of money on clothes, but this was to be special, so I was asking for a recommendation of an upmarket brand. I thought this brand would be good because it said it was a London company.

The clothes didn't arrive for two and half weeks, which I thought was odd. The tracker said they came through customs, so they had not come from London at all. When they arrived, they had a Royal Mail 48 label on, which was pretty weird for a three week journey. The clothes seems to have been made in China and possibly posted directly from there. They weren't nicely packed but were jammed tight into a tiny plastic bag.

The clothes didn't look at all like the ones on the website, and weren't suitable. They were meant to be men's shirts, but looked very like ladies shirts (pink and floaty). I started the process to return them.

The weird thing is that when I tried to return them, the company said I had to post them back to the Netherlands at my own expense (not London). They said that I must do the postage in such a way that they had no customs charges to pay to receive them. If they had to pay any customs charges, then they would reject the parcel and refuse to refund.

I sent the parcel by Royal Mail, stating that it was a "Return", so no duties would be due. I said they were from country of origin Netherlands, since I got them from this company which seems to be in the Netherlands. I figured that that would mean they didn't need to pay customs duties since none should be due.

After about a month, I have just heard that the parcel has been rejected because customs charges had been demanded, and they refused to pay them.

This means I will have no refund and will once again will have £350 worth of shirts, that I can't use, and can't send back. It cost me £17 to ship them before, and I'm not sure it's a great idea to spend another £17 to try again.

I wondered if anybody might have any idea of how to send a return parcel to the Netherlands without incurring customs charges? I really would like to return the shirts, as they are no use to me, and cost a lot of money.

Failing that, I wondered if I could just send out a warning not to take Ashford of London too seriously as a UK company who will play fair on returns, because they really seem not to be very helpful.

Thanks!

Just had a look on google maps, the address given in Germany is most likely a fake, the building is actually occupied by a well known insurance company, no sign of any sort of fashion based business.

Of course it’s not a German company.

There are hundreds of websites like this and you can spot them within 5 seconds of looking.

The stretch makes every motion effortless, and the tailored silhouette sharpens my entire look without ever feeling restrictive. It’s not just a shirt – it’s a piece of confidence, 😆😆😆😆😆😆😆

OP - never buy from a website or brand that you are not familiar with.

Other fake sites suggested by posters recently were Golf Vitals, Ashford and Clark, Velanora and Sylverton.

I do a lot of buying online, both personal and for a sideline ebay business and sm really wary of unknown brands. Always check trust pilot especially if buying out of the UK. Do a small test purchase before anything larger even if that means paying 2 x postage.

This one had red flags all over it from the star. Unless you can get a charge back from your bank or credit card company you won't see your money again unfortunately.

No need. Just stick to well known uk based retailers.

Nobody's Child did the same to me. They have an EU website with prices in euros so I thought they had a warehouse here, but I had to pay for the return because I'm not in the UK. They did, however, supply a label to use to explain they were returns and no customs due.

That's not necessarily good advice. I'd never heard of this brand until someone suggested it on S&B.

Klements

The differences between their site and these dodgy ones are

1. There's a very clear house style for their clothes. Google lens will only find their stock on their own site or genuine third party retailers like Wolf and Badger.
2. The returns policy is clear - no nonsense about "returns having to be approved" and the website gives a UK return address.
3. There are verifiable facts e.g their founder Charlotte Allen has a long standing, verified LinkedIn account.
4. Klements Ltd and Charlotte Allen are listed on UK Companies House.

It's really unfair to mention Nobody's Child in the same thread as these fake companies.

So far as having to pay return postage, there's no legal obligation for UK companies to offer that. Many don't-Palava for example, high quality, made in UK and high ethical values, don't. It's not something that bothers me. I rarely have to return things.

Well it bothered me a lot. The cost of registered post was huge so I had to take a chance with normal post and they told me there would be no refund unless they received the item back. I had accidentally bought the wrong size by many sizes.
I thought most companies did free returns if you used their packaging...Online buying doesn't really work otherwise does it as there's no chance to try the clothes on.

I buy most of my clothes online. I rarely have to return anything. Your post is still unfair. Nobody's Child is a reputable UK brand. They're nothing like the brands being complained about.

This is a common type of scam, OP. There are lots of Chinese companies that have set up websites to look like quality British knitwear, for example.

I have nearly fallen for this too. I always look at Triustpiltot reviews before ordering from a company I have never heard of. If you do that, you are much less likely to fall for this scam. I do a few other checks too, like look for a UK phone number and address.

There was a programme about this sort of thing on radio 4 last week: https://www.bbc.co.uk/articles/clyg4rly4p1o

I've had a similar issue with a website called golfado.com. I had bought clearly fake trainers from them. Took ages to arrive then offered a discount when i wanted to return them and said I had to return them to an address in the US. It had clearly come from China. Luckily I had used my credit card.
I miss the days when you could pop to the high street and come home with loads of decent clothes. I hate shopping for clothes online.

@BringBackCatsEyes Thanks for showing that. That's truly bonkers.

This is a whole new world of weirdness. I'm really glad the style and beauty forum is here to keep us right. Thanks

Yes, I completely agree with you but it’s probably not a bad rule for people who are not as savvy when it comes to brands and websites.

As I said, I can spot these within 5 seconds but that’s because like you, I am interested in fashion and I am a lawyer, so have an eye for detail.

as you say, it’s all about due diligence. A while ago my dd lost an earring from a pair she really loved. I tracked down a replacement on a website that I had never heard of. My starting position is “is this a scam” so I did lots of checks and only ordered after being satisfied that this was in fact a legitimate Scandinavian platform I had not come across.

I started a thread a few weeks ago about a similar company called Belezza - apparently Italian (its not), but basically a Chinese trader with an address in Amsterdam. But a complete scam. Clothes sent were nothing like the description or promised quality. Returning them - to China - would could about £40 - half the amount I paid for the goods. They offer to let you keep the rubbish goods and choose more to the value you paid. BUT the goods are utter rubbish, so they are still quids in. Example my £89 dress is probably worth £3 at most. Same with shoes - they would not be good enough for a bargain bin in Poundland.
Am trying to get credit card company to refund. Its hardly fair on them, but the only way to get money back.

I am really learning a lot here.

I'm a research scientist and my job has always been to try new things and see if they work. I will try to start thinking like a lawyer.

Arveilo is another company to avoid. Fortunately, I used a credit card and was able to request a charge back on the order, (which I cancelled within an hour of making the order after checking on Trustpilot).
Arveilo said they would refund the money when I cancelled, but kept finding reasons as to why the refund wasn’t forthcoming. My bank was quick with the chargeback.

Im surprised a research scientist wouldn't do some research before buying, do a test purchase etc. Lesson learned!

Avoid Peper&leafs too

https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/peperandleafs.com

I got my money back via a chargeback

There are so many companies like this who often pop up on Facebook, usually called something which makes you assume it's british - PoppyLondon or EllaLondon or just blatantly ripping off another well known brand's name. They may have a fulfillment centre in Europe, but will be a Chinese tat-merchant.

If you google “are ashford clothing legit” lots of warnings come up. Do this with every website you use in future.

Whilst I don't disagree with your username to be fair to Shein they are upfront about it and where they are. I've never ordered from them but from posts here they seem to fulfil deliveries. And if you're buying a dress at £10 it's not going to be great quality.