I'm sorry this is long winded but please bear with me. I thought I would give you my update. My friend and I bought 5 items between us, 2 for me 3 for them, before we discovered it was a scam. This is how they work. They take your order and your payment, then give you the tracking number they have used to send a piece of polystyrene/foam. (One of my friends items was NOT received so that was a straight forward full refund via paypal dispute)
When you then open a dispute with paypal the company say they have sent you the item and provide the correct tracking number of their piece of foam and tell paypal that you've had it, hence paypal refuse the claim. However, the claim should be made using "item not as described" for it to stand a chance. You need to provide photographs of "the item you ordered including the tracking number". Taking screen shots from the sellers website can show the item and tracking number together. Also provide photographs of what you actually received, showing the packaging and clearly showing the Tracking number. This will confirm the tracking number has not been used for what you actually ordered. The seller will then offer a full refund if the item is returned as they assume you won't bother because of the cost.
Paypal do have a return shipping policy where you can claim back the return shipping cost. NB. YOU NEED TO SIGN UP TO THE PAYPAL RETURN SHIPPING PROGRAM BEFORE POSTING ANYTHING BACK. You can find it in the help section. You can only claim return shipping refunds about 5 times per year (I can't remember the exact number) The maximum I could claim for my return was £15.00. This is enough to cover the cost of the return by Royal Mail, including full international tracking and a signature on receipt back in China. Paypal refunded my shipping fee a few days after I claimed it. I had to provide proof of cost and the return tracking number (a photo of my receipt) - I also sent a photo of the item at the post office after they had put the labels on. Once a signature is taken on delivery, your item refund should be made. In our case, I contacted paypal before posting and got their agreement to send the 4 pieces of foam back in one package to save on refund costs to them. The postage price for the 4 was £14.56. I wrapped each separately with written order/return details on each one, within the single package. I have taken photos of every stage of wrapping and posting my return because I know just how bad this company really is. I'm now waiting for my package to get back to them and get the receipt signature in China.
Due to the 2nd Covid wave in China, there is a backlog at the receiving airport but at least I now have a decent chance of getting refunds. So, don't be put off sending the rubbish back 😉 Please also note that this company use several different company names and use the same scam in each one ! I will post again as and when I have any more news. Apologies for the long post.
