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- So Special’s website as it currently appears as
I thought I’d heard the last of So Special, the online beauty website who debited my card for beauty products that never arrived. It took four months and relentless emails back and forth before approaching Consumer Direct for assistance in getting my money back.
I’ve written so many posts on this site that they ought to have their own category. If you’re visiting us for the first time or don’t remember much about So Special, please allow me explain why here.
Out of curiosity, I logged onto their Twitter page last week and was stunned to see they are still duping people. I contacted a couple of disgruntled customers on Twitter and discovered one had had £100 taken but months on, no sign of the goods. Another explained she was ready to give up as she didn’t have any energy left to fight, what with looking after a baby too. It prompted me to write this post to highlight that this website is still getting away with it and nothing has been done to monitor or even stop them ‘trading’. A quick search on Google and this page comes up.
I actually filled in a form on BBC’s Watchdog site last year and I’ve been told by other customers they have done the same too but obviously it hasn’t been looked into. I would have thought this was a good example of why there should be a push for more legislation on online purchases by raising the issue on national television.
Here are just a selection of tweets they’ve sent out:
- We are not Fraudsters, I shall find out about your order & will sort for you right away 5:37 PM Feb 28th
- I can confirm your order has definitely been sent it will be with you any day now! 12:28 PM Feb 18th
- Can you let me know your order number so I can help you. Thanks 4:59 PM Feb 10th
- can confirm a replacement order is going back to you as explained in our last email to you. Thanks 4:59 PM Feb 10th
- You have been emailed a few times regarding your order can you ensure the emails are not being blocked or going in your spam 5:26 PM Feb 1st
- Thanks for your tweet, a representative will email you shortly regarding your order. Thanks 5:24 PM Feb 1st
- We emailed you to inform you of the situation with your order, it was as requested cancelled and refunded. Thanks 4:47 PM Jan 27th
- We have been in contact with your regarding your order and so you are now aware of the ETA. Thanks 4:46 PM Jan 27th
- We have emailed you to confirm your order has been sent out and so you will get it any day now. Thanks 4:18 PM Jan 21st
- Can you please email us with your full name and order number so we can assist you. Thanks 4:16 PM Jan 21st
- Thank you for your tweet, you have been emailed regarding your order. Thanks 5:43 PM Jan 14th
- Glad has been received, wanted to be sure! Apologies again for delays, Hope you were pleased with the item though! 5:42 PM Jan 14th
- Hi, have you had your order now? 6:29 PM Jan 11th
- Hi, we have emailed you about your order, let me know if you still need assistance 8:26 PM Dec 16th, 2010
- Hi, we have been in contact with you regarding your order, let me know if you need further help 8:25 PM Dec 16th, 2010
- we have tried emailing you, we need your full name & order number to assist you. Thanks 8:24 PM Dec 16th, 2010
- Have you received your refund? 8:24 PM Dec 16th, 2010
- Dear *****, you have been emailed regarding your order, please reply directly to the email sent. Thanks 7:13 PM Dec 3rd, 2010
- Dear ********, you have been contacted regarding your order and the situation should now be sorted for you. 2:48 PM Nov 26th, 2010
- I can confirm your order has been dispatched. Thanks 12:07 PM Nov 11th, 2010
- Can you confirm your order number again please 12:07 PM Nov 11th, 2010
- Thank you for your tweet, apologies for the delay, an email has been sent to you today regarding your order. Thanks 5:54 PM Oct 21st, 2010
- Dear Customer, I have requested you be emailed today with a resolution to your order situation. Thanks 12:06 PM Oct 19th, 2010
- Hi *****, we emailed you regarding your order. The situation is being sorted for you and a refund is being processed. Thanks 6:01 PM Oct 7th, 2010
- Dear *******, you have been emailed regarding your refund which has been processed for you. Thanks
- Can you confirm your name and order number so I can help you. Thanks 12:22 PM Oct 1st, 2010
- We did email you your Transaction reference as confirmation it has been processed, Have you received it? 12:21 PM Oct 1st, 2010
- Hi *****, you have been sent an email this morning confirming your refund. Thanks 12:38 PM Sep 29th, 2010
- @SheenieShaikh Hi, it is not likely to take that long, we just ask you to allow this amount of time, it is likely to take a few working days 6:24 PM Sep 28th, 2010
- @SheenieShaikh Can you please provide your order number so we can help 6:18 PM Sep 28th, 2010
- Hi ***, your refund has been processed, we asked you to allow 7 working days, it will show on your statement shortly 6:17 PM Sep 28th, 2010
- Dear ******, an email has been sent to you today regarding confirmation of your refund. Thanks 6:27 PM Sep 27th, 2010
I grew tired of scrolling through the messages as they are all repetitive. If you’ve been a victim of So Special, I urge you not to give up in getting your money back:
1. File a complaint against them with Consumer Direct. They are a government funded advice service for everyone to use and have advisors specially trained to give practical advice on consumer issues including online purchases. They really are efficient in responding and will issue you with a case number.
2. You will more than likely be advised to send a written letter to So Special as a final warning and mention you have been in contact with Consumer Direct. Set them a deadline to respond to you before you take further action. I did and swiftly got my money back. You must post the letter by recorded delivery so they can’t claim they never received it.
3. If in the unlikely event, they ignore your letter, seek further advice from Consumer Direct.
4. Finally contact BBC Watchdog. If more people speak up, there is more chance something can be done to stop these rogue traders scamming people.
Sheenie
Great post hun. What are a bunch of fraudsters – its despicable. I came across this site too – http://www.sitejabber.com/reviews/www.sospecial.co.uk
It seems so many of been duped 🙁
Thank you. Can you imagine how much money they have must have accumulated? I’m shocked at reading the responses on the link you posted. I feel like replying to each and everyone of them.
I’m glad there are people like you, Sheenie who don’t give up. I am the one “with a baby 🙂 ” who was conned by sospecial and feel disgusted that these people are still trading. Maybe I should count myself lucky as I did get half of my order and is still being promised to be refunded for the rest. However, I doubt it’ll ever happen. I wonder if Google can stop their website being advertised by their search engine??? Just a thought as there seems to be nothing else stopping them from ripping more people off…
Thanks for the advice! I am another one of their victims and will definately be pursuing this. Total criminals!!
l am fuming that these fraudsters can get away with this con and for so long i’m still waiting for my goods or refund, and like you l will not give up till these con artists are shut down.
I’m pleased you are all determined. Please do not give up. If I can do it, you can as well. Let me know how you get on. I’m sure others would be interested to read some good news.