I have most of my shopping done online (except clothing). I always check online reviews before shopping on a new website.
I thought the rating of over 3 stars at MouthShut_Official is a good indication for safe shopping and quality service. (I can now only guess that there may be something wrong with genuineness of some of the reviews posted - Most Positive Reviews are from people with total 1-2 reviews)
After successful initial purchases, in one instance I needed to interact with customtakeouter service and am waiting for promised refund for almost a month (It is almost impossible get them on phone). Find explanatory details in excerpts and details below:
1. Placed Order: Order #1496604 Date: 29 Aug 2012, 11:42 PM - i.Tech Clip Radio 602 Bluetooth Headset with Buil-tin FM Radio
2. Payment done via Citibank CC - 29/08/2012 SHOPCLUES.COM GURGAON IN 849.00
3. Cancelled via email -
From: SG
Sent: Thursday, August 30, 2012 7:59 AM
To: support@shopclues.com
Subject: Cancel payment made for incomplete order Id:1496604 Fwd: Transaction confirmation on your Citibank credit card
Please refund the payment Rs.849/- debited to my credit card (MasterCard).
The order remains incomplete and I do not wish to complete the same. Request you to treat the order as cancelled and refund the charged amount.
Regards,
4. Confirmation of Cancellation:
From: ShopClues.com
Sent: Friday, August 31, 2012 5:08 PM
To: SG
Subject: [ShopClues.com] Re: Cancel payment made for incomplete order Id:1496604 Fwd: Transaction confirmation on your Cit...
ShopClues Support, Aug 31 05:08 pm (IST):
Hello,
Greetings from Shopclues.com
We regret for the delay in replying to your e-mail. Based on your e-mail, we have forwarded a request for the refund to our appropriate team. Please be assured the same will done at the earliest.
We hope you will allow us the opportunity to serve your future buying needs, as we would like the opportunity to provide you the level of service you expect from Shopclues.com. If you have any further queries, feel free to contact our customtakeouter support team.
Always looking forward to serve you better.
Thanks & Regards,
Shopclues.com customtakeouter Service
5. Inspite of Cancelation of order, the order was Shipped on 01.09.2012, which was returned as advised oby customtakeouter Support. Still there is not Refund. Now no one responds to Emails.
From: SG
Sent: Sunday, September 30, 2012 4:46 PM
To: ShopClues.com
Cc: support@shopclues.com
Subject: Reminder 3 Re: Reminder 2 Re: Refund Reminder 1 Re: [ShopClues.com] Re: Cancel payment made for incomplete order Id:1496604 Fwd: Transaction confirmation on your Cit...
Clearly there is insensitivity towards claims of refund and general apathy towards customtakeouters, I am glad that I do not have large buy/exposure to your site.
I am initiating refund charge back via bank. It is very unexpected as I had created account after checking online reviews and did not expect such unfortunate experience.
All the best.
Regards,
SG
From: SG
Sent: Saturday, September 29, 2012 6:45 PM
To: ShopClues.com
Cc: support@shopclues.com
Subject: Reminder 2 Re: Refund Reminder 1 Re: [ShopClues.com] Re: Cancel payment made for incomplete order Id:1496604 Fwd: Transaction confirmation on your Cit...
Please Refund my money. It is overdue.
Regards,
From: SG
Sent: Thursday, September 27, 2012 12:16 PM
To: ShopClues.com
Subject: Refund Reminder 1 Re: [ShopClues.com] Re: Cancel payment made for incomplete order Id:1496604 Fwd: Transaction confirmation on your Cit...
Hello,
It has been 20 days, Pls check as I have not received the expected refund.
Thanks,
Regards,
From: ShopClues.com
Sent: Saturday, September 08, 2012 9:21 AM
To: SG
Subject: [ShopClues.com] Re: Cancel payment made for incomplete order Id:1496604 Fwd: Transaction confirmation on your Cit...
ShopClues Support, Sep 08 09:21 am (IST):
Hello,
Greetings from Shopclues.com
We regret for the delay in replying to your e-mail. Based on your e-mail, we have forwarded a request for the refund to our appropriate team. Please be assured the same will done at the earliest.
We hope you will allow us the opportunity to serve your future buying needs, as we would like the opportunity to provide you the level of service you expect from Shopclues.com. If you have any further queries, feel free to contact our customtakeouter support team.
Always looking forward to serve you better.
Thanks & Regards,
Shopclues.com customtakeouter Service
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SG, Sep 06 02:02 pm (IST):
Hello,
Kindly note shipment has been returned to origin as advised.
Waybill No : 43932242701 Reference No : 1496604
Pickup Date 01 September 2012
From Gurgaon
To Mumbai
Status Returned To Origin
Contact customtakeouter Service
New Waybill No 46135042295
Waybill No : 43930791531 Reference No : 027 - 46135042295
Pickup Date 04 September 2012
From New Delhi
To New Delhi
Status SHIPMENT DELIVERED
Date of Delivery 05 September 2012
Time of Delivery 12:30
Recipient Roshan
Request for processing of refund.
Regards,
I am sure I will get my money via Citibank escalation as it has been with my experience in earlier dealings with bad online sites.
I feel purchasing at the site is very risky, if anything goes wrong or an order is cancelled then expect horrible experience @ customtakeouter service - Shopclues.com.
UPDATE 07-10-2012
Received Update from Citibank
Specific to your email dated October 01, 2012.
With regard to the charge of Rs. 849.00 debited against M/s. SHOPCLUES.COM GURGAON IN for the transaction incurred on August 29, 2012, we have already received direct credit from the Merchant Establishment for Rs. 849.00 on October 06, 2012.
I have updated my recommendation for Shopclues.com to YES and Avg (2 star) in rating due to excessive delay in reacting to customtakeouter communication and providing solution.