AboutLee Horner Expertise California attorney and independent business owner with Rexall Showcase International, an international e-commerce home based business focusing on natural health remedies and sports nutritionals. I analyze all sorts of home based busineses for clients as well as franchise operations, joint ventures, etc. I can tell you what to look for in a good opportunity and what to stay away from. Also tips for promoting your business both on and off-line.
Experience Formerly a distributor with Amway for many years; now a director with Rexall.com. Do what I did and check the fruit on the tree for yourself.
Expert: Lee Horner Date: 4/21/2008 Subject: replica's
Question I have recently started an online retail business. I have been trying to find reliable suppliers for authentic products. Recently I had purchased Ed Hardy t-shirts from a warehouse distribution company in Florida. (http://www.abwholesalebiz.com/home.html)
I was under the impression that the goods were coming from a warehouse in Florida, and not from a replica manufacturer in China. The site lead me to believe the items were going to be authentic.
Upon receiving my the items, I was immediately disappointed and emailed the company stating I wanted a full refund because the items are not authentic and came from China which was not expected.
They replied with an email stating that I can not return the items due to the fact that I had to agree to their terms and conditions before proceeding to the payment. (http://www.abwholesalebiz.com/privacy/policy.htm)
I do not recall clicking on the little box in order to agree and proceed in the process, however it is possible that I did and as a stupid consumer didn't read the privacy policy.
So now I am stuck in a hard place and need some assistance on how to proceed. I do not wish to be taken advantage of and being stuck with replica products that I can not resell. But I also can't get my money back at this time from them.
I am tempted to send a nasty email educating them on selling replicas and threatening to take them to court. I have a feeling that the privacy policy won't stand in court and I could win.
Please advise on how I should consider proceeding. Thank you
Answer If you paid by credit card put the transaction in contest with your credit card company immediately. It sounds to me like you didn't get what you bargained for. Take a close look at your agreement with them; if you did agree to accept Chinese knock-offs you might be stuck. On the other hand it might be a case of mail fraud. If you send the money to them in the mail the U.S.Postal inspectors should be contacted as well. A lot of your remedy will be based on what your agreement says and doesn't say. This is one of the hazards with dealing with wholesale vendors on line, unfortunately. Good luck!
