FLORYDAY DE*****S CONSUMERS AND IS A ****!

Consumers need to be made aware of the highly ********* and ********** behaviour of the online clothing store Floryday.

I ordered items from Floryday on 3 December 2017 in an amount of R4146. Shortly after confirming the purchase, I became aware of online reviews saying that taxes and custom duties may be payable, in spite of the website repeatedly stating that delivery over a certain amount was free. I immediately notified Floyday that I would like to cancel the order, as I am entitled to in terms of their website, as it was still within 12 hours of the purchase.

I chatted online with a customer care official who actively dissuaded me from cancelling the order and repeatedly assured me in writing that no taxes, customs or any additional amounts would be payable by me. And that the package would be delivered to my delivery address within 15 days with no further amounts of any nature being payable .

On 14 December 2017 I received an SMS notice that a customs amount of R1449 was due on this package before delivery of my parcel, including an account number into which the payment must be made. I immediately contacted Floryday and was first told that customs may be payable in certain jurisdictions and that it is for my account as it is not in Floryday's control. This is in direct conflict with what I was told by Floryday in writing on 3 December 2017. When I raised this, I was told that I must pay the customs amount and that I can then submit a claim to their after-sales department who will, and I quote, consider "sharing" the customs costs with me.

This is breach of contract, in bad faith and possibly ********** and amounting to theft. Floryday confirmed to me in writing that no further amounts would be payable by me but I am now faced with customs amounts. In spit of repeatedly demanding that Floryday either procure delivery of my parcel or repay me the amount I paid to them, I have not received any confirmation from them. Further online searches shows that this is repeated behaviour by this company and many South African have complained about this. For Floryday to say that they were not aware of possible custom duties in South Africa is therefore disingenuous to say the very least and more likely an outright lie.

As an additional concern and indicator of the extent of this ****, there seem to be a multitude of ********** positive reviews in respect of Floryday online which should be investigated as it falsely lures consumers into purchasing from their site.