I came across www.couturehardwear.com while searching for some new shoes. The company is affiliated with Yahoo! Small Business, which I have worked with on many occasions without incident. The front page of the website also posts "testimonials" from, apparently, happy consumers who describe their experiences with the website as very positive, and the products delivered as being of high quality.
I made a purchase, and promptly received an email with a confirmation number. The email also indicated that the goods would be sent "in 3-5 days". My credit card was debited for the full amount. After one week of hearing nothing I sent a follow-up email, requesting the method of shipment and any relevant tracking information or number. No response. One week later I sent a similar, albeit more urgent, email. No response. 2 days later I sent yet another email demanding a response via email or phone call. No response. Around this time, I also began looking online for a contact phone number. Nothing. There is absolutely no way to contact this company via telephone that I (or my best friend who is an attorney) could find. What I did find however, is a number of different websites, by consumers, for consumers (such as this one) where many, many people described their extremely negative experiences with this company. Several people have simply been robbed, others described their purchase coming WEEKS after the order date, others described receiving the "run-around" for weeks and being spoken to unkindly by company employees (I have no idea how they obtained a phone number!).
To their credit, some consumers reported having very positive experiences with the company.
Needless to say, I have been left very confused. I sent my tenth email indicating I was going to consult with my attorney and the BBB if they did not respond to me within 48 hours. Exactly 48 hours later I received a generic email response, much like the one and only initial email I received, thanking me for my purchase. This email also indicated my purchase would be shipped in 3-5 days.
I have no idea what is going to happen. I'm writing here for 3 reasons: 1) In hopes that the merchant will reply to my testimony in their defense, offer a solution to resolve this issue and redeem their tarnished image in so-doing. 2) To warn other consumers about this company, and perhaps save someone else from the stress and upset I have experienced. 3) To reach out to other consumers, who have perhaps had similar negative experiences (or alternatively positive experiences!) with www.couturehardwear.com. Has anyone been able to resolve their disputes with this company effectively? If so, would you be willing to share your story and specific details about how you eventually made contact with them?
I truly hope this all ends well. I am an extremely understanding person who tries to see the best in people and in life. That said, some people simply lack integrity and morality. They hurt people and are completely unaffected by others pain. I have never posted on a forum such as this, but if my post can help even one person from enduring this headache, it's time well spent.
Any response from consumers or the merchant would by greatly appreciated.
If I do receive some information about this issue (a phone call, a tracking number, a delivery, etc.) I will update my post to reflect the most accurate and current information. If www.couturehardwear.com takes the time to resolve this issue, I believe that redeeming information should also me made aware to consumers.
Thank you for taking the time to read my story.
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