Before I start this post I would just like to make it clear that I really dislike spreading negativity in the blogosphere, it rarely has a positive outcome and I try to steer clear of it when I can. Unfortunately, today is not one of those days and I have something that I really feel I should be sharing with you all.
Being a fashion blogger, I’m lucky enough that I’m regularly contacted by online clothing boutique’s to review items from their site – a lot of the time the stores won’t be ones I’ve heard of before and it’s quite exciting discovering new, on trend shops with affordable high street prices. Last month, a company called Miss London Fashion got in touch with me and we exchanged a few emails before they sent me over (which I actually really love). Everything was fine – an easy, simple process and within a few weeks I had my outfit post live to share with you.
I’ve now been contacted by one of my readers (hello Katie! :)), informing me of some pretty disturbing news that I felt I just couldn’t keep from you.
After reading my blog post on them, Katie had a nose on their website, found some items she loved and placed an order. Over 2 weeks later, her items still hadn’t arrived. Of course, understandably she was concerned and proceeded to send 3 or 4 emails - without any reply from the store. The money had been taken from Katie’s account so she wasn’t able to cancel her order and without a reply from them advising what would happen next she was feeling in a bit of a pickle. Katie decided to do a bit of research on the company and whilst browsing their , noticed that a hell of a lot of other people were voicing their concerns on the company, experiencing exactly the same problems as Katie.
Katie has since been to her bank and cancelled her card to hopefully avoid any further issues – but I really wanted to share this with you, as I feel terrible for helping to promote this company.
Miss London Fashion’s website is still up and running, which means that people could be continuing to buy from them. Whilst I am not responsible for their actions, and haven’t actually experienced any issues with them, I would urge any of you that have had this problem to contact Citizens Advice for advice or perhaps visit Action Fraud and report what’s happened.
I think it’s absolutely disgusting that this has happened and thank Katie for taking the time to get in touch with me and let me know. I feel so awful that I’ve put others in a vulnerable position and would strongly urge any other bloggers that have received items from this site to let their readers know also.
Whilst there isn’t a lot I can do in terms of stopping Miss London Fashion, I would really appreciate, if you have a few spare moments, sharing this post – whether it be Twitter, Facebook or simply making your friends and family aware we can hopefully avoid this happening again.
Sorry for such a negative post but I thought it was important to let you all know and apologise. And to all bloggers, it’s certainly taught me a lesson...when I am contacted by a company going forward (that I’ve not dealt with before) I will be doing detailed research to try and eliminate any danger to my readers. I’m so, so sorry. I'd also love to hear your comments, but I will be moderating so please refrain from making unfounded allegations. Anything that resembles this will be removed immediately.
N.B. I have tried to contact Miss London Fashion to ask them to respond to allegations from the unhappy customers, but the email unfortunately bounced back.
N.B. I have tried to contact Miss London Fashion to ask them to respond to allegations from the unhappy customers, but the email unfortunately bounced back.
I RT'ed your tweet about this, this is so awful and unfair I'm glad you have brought the issue to peoples attention. Thank you
ReplyTheir postal address is an indian restaurant: https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?ie=UTF-8&layer=c&z=17&iwloc=A&sll=51.517867,-0.166222&cbp=13,132.8,0,0,0&cbll=51.517911,-0.166298&q=10+CRAWFORD+PLACE+LONDON+ENGLAND+W1H+5NF&ei=I32xUsXUG4qqhQepu4GoCg&ved=0CDAQxB0wAA
ReplyIt's actual real URL is: http://misslondonfashion.myshopify.com which means anyone looking for a refund should complain to shopify.com or @shopify.
You have attempted to contact the company to clarify what's going on, haven't you? If you say things like "clearly ripping off their customers" and you don't actually have proof there's a risk they can come after you through the courts for libel.
ReplyYou have to be so careful about this sort of thing. Libel is a legal minefield. It wouldn't even matter if you'd been telling the truth, they could still sue and win.
I'm not saying you shouldn't raise awareness of questionable activity and if there are rogue businesses out there then it's a good thing to draw attention to them.
My advice to you, as a former journalist, is to avoid using language that might be used against you.
Just to be clear, because I know on the internet some things can get taken the wrong way, I'm not defending the actions of anyone. I'm just trying to offer a little professional guidance on keeping yourself safe.
Gr8 job done. U must be proud that, for the second time you have guided ur readers in right direction. First, when you liked the product and referred to others, and second, when you sensed some kind of fraudulent activities, warned the readers again. Cheers!!!
ReplyWhy would you think that this post is negative?! All your doing is making people aware that people have had problems with receiving their products from this company. If people still chose to buy from them after reading this, they do so at their own risk. Personally I wouldn't buy anything from them because judging from past experience I keep to reputable/common companies. Who likes being ripped off!
ReplyNot a negative post at all, totally important to share this!
ReplyThanks for sharing! It is good that you are warning people :)
ReplyNew follower!
Rachael x
All The Little Things x | Rachael McClenaghan
Thanks for sharing! It is nice and good that you have warned people about this!
ReplyNew follower!
Rachael x
All The Little Things x | Rachael McClenaghan
Thanks for sharing and don't worry about negativity. We had to know.
ReplyOh my gosh this is awful, thankyou for sharing lovely this is what people need to know so you've been a great help.
ReplyXx
That's awful and thank you for posting this!
ReplyI can only reiterate what Sean said. Attributing criminal conduct to anyone is a serious instance of libel, and the way the law works in the UK, you have to be able to PROVE what you have published is true (and that includes the comments you've published - you're as liable for those as for your original post). The company being libelled doesn't need to prove the allegation isn't true, only that it is damaging, which is potentially really could be.
Replyso great that you're voicing out and updating us on what happened. the internet is seriously such a complex and risky place!!! i'm going to retweet your twitter message about it too, hopefully we can spread the word so more people are more cautious about websites like this
Replyrachel x
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