Spotting a dodgy retailer

[UTH]

I’ve never really thought it was necessary to do a load of googling about a company when you’re shopping online but I guess you do.

I’ve been looking for outdoor furniture, and finally came across a set I really like. Stupidly I actually bought it before thinking about checking online about the company. I then became quite worried and have cancelled the order and am currently having a few emails back and forth but hopefully it’ll end with a refund. I cancelled within minutes of placing the order.

Here’s what I ordered. Anyone know this company? Am I right to have backed out? Shame because I can’t seem to find anything else similar in style

https://muk.homary.com/item/4-pieces-modern-l-shap...

[Ham_and_Jam]

Looks a genuine company, but is based in China.

Like anything based and shipped directly from China, it’s all good until it goes wrong.

Any missing or damaged parts will be a pain in the arse to sort out.

[egomeister]

I always have a google about a new online store before I use them!

Doesn't look scammy or anything like that to me. Proper UK address and phone no available on the site etc. Professional looking site, lots of payment options and so on.

Does look like a China based operation though. This is backed up given how the reviews read - I suspect a delivery could be quite variable if the stock isn't sat in the UK waiting for dispatch.

[UTH]

Yeah I don’t think it’s a scam as such, but I did come across quite a few people saying the stuff that turns up isn’t what you see in the photos.

Not sure what to do, perhaps it would turn up all as expected. But if it doesn’t then god knows what happens from there.

And does make me wonder about the price as I’ve come across this stuff which is similar but a hell of a lot more expensive!

https://www.harbourlifestyle.co.uk/products/panama...

[Jeremy-75qq8]

I have bought from homary. They are legit company. Delivery is from China

[Simpo Two]

Always use a credit card if in doubt.

[craigjm]

As said it comes from China but they do have a showroom in Sutton Coldfield if you want to go and look at anything before buying

[richhead]

you could always buy that from a local shop, and support the local trade, yes it may cost a bit more. But you could see it before you buy.

[UTH]

Jeremy-75qq8 said:

I have bought from homary. They are legit company. Delivery is from China

Hmmmmm, okay, maybe I've jumped the gun a bit then.
Still, not ideal to wait 12 weeks or more, and it looks like they're processing my refund, so I'll probably go with something UK based.

[UTH]

Just to close this off as I know you all care, have ended up finding pretty much the same thing, UK based, delivery very soon. More ££ but it did have an extra 10% off, and it feels much nicer to be getting it from here rather than China

https://www.gardenfurnitureworld.co.uk/gardenfurni...

[RedWhiteMonkey]

UTH said:

Just to close this off as I know you all care, have ended up finding pretty much the same thing, UK based, delivery very soon. More ££ but it did have an extra 10% off, and it feels much nicer to be getting it from here rather than China

https://www.gardenfurnitureworld.co.uk/gardenfurni...

Probably also made in China though. Not that I'm having a go at you for that, unless you are willing to pay silly money it is very difficult to get anything that isn't made in China.

[UTH]

RedWhiteMonkey said:

UTH said:

Just to close this off as I know you all care, have ended up finding pretty much the same thing, UK based, delivery very soon. More ££ but it did have an extra 10% off, and it feels much nicer to be getting it from here rather than China

https://www.gardenfurnitureworld.co.uk/gardenfurni...

Probably also made in China though. Not that I'm having a go at you for that, unless you are willing to pay silly money it is very difficult to get anything that isn't made in China.

Yeah, you're probably right, so perhaps I'm just now paying a premium to get it in the next week or so instead of months. But it does just feel 'safer' instead of coming from a company that does have some shady reviews.

[Chrisgr31]

UTH said:

Yeah, you're probably right, so perhaps I'm just now paying a premium to get it in the next week or so instead of months. But it does just feel 'safer' instead of coming from a company that does have some shady reviews.

Have you had a refund confirmed on the first lot? Potential risk of ending up with 2 lots of furniture!

[UTH]

Chrisgr31 said:

UTH said:

Yeah, you're probably right, so perhaps I'm just now paying a premium to get it in the next week or so instead of months. But it does just feel 'safer' instead of coming from a company that does have some shady reviews.

Have you had a refund confirmed on the first lot? Potential risk of ending up with 2 lots of furniture!

Haha, yeah, I got confirmation of cancellation/refund, luckily I'm not THAT stupid, but sometimes not far off.

[UTH]

Just to close this off, this finally arrived last week. It was nearly a month since I'd ordered it, which was certainly longer than I'd hoped for, especially as May seemed to be our summer!
I did get my refund from the 'dodgy' retailer - to be fair to them, their comms were good and refund didn't take too long, so maybe I was over cautious based on the reviews I found.

Oh well, I ended up paying a little more and it still took a while to arrive, but all well in the end I guess

[Simpo Two]

Nice fig tree too.