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corsur
regular
Reg'd: Sun
Posts: 51
Loc: UK
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Hello can anyone advice me what to do next ? I bought a camera from Bite Size Deals using my Visa Debit Card. anyway after some time it was still showing up on there website, order still processing, so I emailed to find out why, this was there response.
Thank you for your e-mail. We apologize for the inconvenience. Our system requires that all orders follow verification procedure before they can be processed and approved. This is to ensure that we protect our customers against from any incidents of fraud and we just want to make sure that you are the one who placed the order. In line with this, we had been trying to get in contact with you in order to continue the processing of your order at the phone number you have registered in our website but wasn't able to grab hold of you on the phone after several attempts. Please provide us with an alternate phone number so that we can approve your order.
Will they took there money but where not going to send the camera without contacting me ???
They did phone but I was out, anyway decided to cancel after this and get my refund, which they did approve on the 31.08.09 but I am still waiting my refund as today 18.09.09 so after yet another email this is there reply.
Thank you for your e-mail. Your refund is currently in process and you will be refunded in full. Processing of refund starts from the date the order was canceled. Your order was canceled on August 31. Please keep in mind that per Distance Selling Regulations, we do have up to 30 days to refund you. The 5-7 days quoted on site is how long it can take for the credit to be reflected, once it has been issued. Our apologies for the inconvenience and thank you for showing interest in BiteSizeDeals.
Do I have to wait now this 30 days before I can do anything ? and what do I do if it never comes back to my account this 126 pounds for a Sony W220 camera ?, I should have looked at this website more closely, it gives its prices in UK pounds and they use a co.UK email address but no contact number and there address seams to be in the USA ??? hope some one can easy my mind on this thanks.
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George
regular
Reg'd: Tue
Posts: 4024
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After searching in Google I came across this article on Bitesizedeals.
Seems they are indeed a US based company and have been taken to court recently for misleading customers in the UK when purchasing.
Type into Google 'Bitesizedeals' and you find a number of complaints against this company. To be fair there are also satisfied customers making comment.
Hopefully someone else will come along and provide expert advice to help you. In the meantime a call to your local Office of Fair Trading for guidance would be the best move.
Sorry I can't be more help.
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greysts
regular
Reg'd: Thu
Posts: 19288
Loc: Colchester
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They clearly know the law regarding DSR and they are correct in what they say - they have 30 days from the date you cancelled in which to make the refund. You must therefore wait until the 30th September before taking any further action. I should add that they sound a very responsible company because they are trying to combat fraud by checking that you are indeed the customer before sending out a valuable piece of equipment to a first time buyer. They say they tried several times to contact you and couldn't which is hardly their fault.
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FilthyRaider
regular
Reg'd: Thu
Posts: 913
Loc: It's dark very dark.......
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As mentioned above, with the DSRs they are on the ball.
The only matter I would mention, that has been said before (and sorry it is after the event), NEVER use a Debit car for purchases online. Get a Credit Card. If the company fail to deliver the card company are as liable.
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I loved my grandmother very much.......and she fetched a good price on eBay.
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corsur
regular
Reg'd: Sun
Posts: 51
Loc: UK
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Hello again just to update on this www.bitesizedeals.co.uk they will be out of there 30 days to provide a refund tomorrow and I still have not got a refund from them ??? Who do I turn to now it looks like sites How to complain only deal with UK based companies and the same for the office of fair trading so who do I contact now?? as this company is still trading and have my hard earned cash I need :-(
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FilthyRaider
regular
Reg'd: Thu
Posts: 913
Loc: It's dark very dark.......
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I would suggest that you email them - keep it Polite But Firm and explain that you have had no refund and they have 24 hours to make one.
Having briefly looked at the site, yes, they use a .co.uk BUT appear to be US based. I am surprised that they make no mention of Customs duty if the items are coming from the States, but the site does not make this clear.
I would phone your local council and ask to speak to Trading Standards. The ones round by us are actually really nice - and we must thank the diligent competitor on eBay who thought he might put is out of business by reporting us 12 months ago (actually the advice we got led me to taking the business into a new direction).
Anyway, ask them to look at it. It might not be in their area BUT you are and you pay their salaries via Council Tax.
Make a note of everything you have done and keep copies of emails. And please let us know how you get on (it may be useful to others).
And to sound like a broken record in future ALWAYS use a credit card or PayPal - both protect the buyer. (My credit card refunded a few hundred quid last year when a seller failed to deliver and all it took was a letter).
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I loved my grandmother very much.......and she fetched a good price on eBay.
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Sandhound
regular
Reg'd: Fri
Posts: 533
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G'day corsur.
Quote:
I bought a camera from Bite Size Deals using my Visa Debit Card.
As you used Visa debit card you have a good chance of getting your money back.
The Sony equipment you were after can be found in Germany and it should work out a lot cheaper as there will be no import tax, customs duty, VAT (already paided at 19% on purchase) and the Post Office collecting fee ( £8.00 + vat ).
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sandhound.co.uk
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corsur
regular
Reg'd: Sun
Posts: 51
Loc: UK
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Just to update This Bite Size Deals have now passed there 30 days by law to provide a refund a week ago now and are now not responding to any of my emails, I filled in a complaint forum at http://www.ftc.gov/index.shtml The Federal Trade Commission USA but have heard nothing from them :-( also contacted http://www.consumerline.org/ In the UK and they say, cant help :-( I went in to my bank and they got me to fill in a complaint forum,they say it can take up to 45 days and I don't think there's a guarantee to whether they can get my money back :-( What I cant understand this Bite Size Deals are still trading or should I say still stealing peoples hard earned cash and getting away with it, is there know one to stop this fraudulent website, Its daylight robbery and there getting away with it.Let you no if I get my money back on this one but its not looking to hopeful :-(
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steffi7
new user
Reg'd: Fri
Posts: 1
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Hi Corsur,
I signed up to this forum just to say, hang in there! I also made a purchase from Bite Size Deals, and when the goods didn't arrive after 2 weeks, did a search online. Lo and behold, they are no better than con artists (and I'm sooo glad to see that they are now being taken to court for tricking customers into believing they are uk based!).
I also registered a complaint with the ftc, and once I did that Bite Size Deals suddenly sent me my goods, but as it was US software I couldn't (legally) use it, and as I had bought it for my company I wasn't going to take the risk. Plus, it arrived only in a dvd case, not the usual box, and no instruction booklet or manual which you always get with adobe software, so I was also concerned it might be a bootleg copy.
I also paid by visa debit card, and was worried that there was no way for me to get my money back, but I filed a visa dispute with my bank (ask to speak to the visa dispute team), and asked them about "visa chargeback", where the bank is able to literally charge back the money that someone has taken, once they have investigated it and found it to be fraudulent. So, ask them about this, although some staff may not have heard of it, so be persistent.
Keep records of everything, including proof of when you were told the goods should arrive, correspondence, etc. as they may want copies of this, and it will help with your case.
I eventually got my £320 back, but I received very little correspondence form my bank, and the money just turned up in my account one day! I am a business banking customer and we sometimes get treated better than regular personal account customers, so there's a chance may have simply given me the money out of their own pocket to keep me happy. But keep trying anyway, and ask them about "visa chargeback".
Oh, and never once did I receive a response to the numerous emails I sent to Bite Size Deals, so instead focus on talking to your bank and the ftc. I got my money back in the end, so keep your hopes up!
Good luck!
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nikkih
new user
Reg'd: Fri
Posts: 2
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Hi corsur & steffi7 - I have also signed up specifically because of this thread. I ordered software from bitesizedeals.co.uk too, and have not received anything yet. I have sent countless emails with only autoresponses back, so took your advice steffi & have just phoned my bank. They said send them everything to do with the case & 30 days after the transaction they will take some action. Again it is a business account, so I will keep my fingers crossed.
I will also register a complaint with the FTC and see if that provokes any response from BSD. Will keep checking back here to see how you are getting on, corsur, and I hope you get a result. Will let you know how I get on.
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FilthyRaider
regular
Reg'd: Thu
Posts: 913
Loc: It's dark very dark.......
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The directgov.co.uk site has information on buying from Overseas:
Overseas Online Problems
Then in turn suggest econsumer.gov which also shows up on FTC - might be worth going through them too:
Econsumer
The BSD site is quite crafty, but it does state it's trading address in the US. It might be a bitter lesson to those caught out but to others you should always check a site thoroughly.
Curiousity got the better of me and and I see that MoneySavingEXpert.com has a few threads on it and one has even been suspended as BSD have threatened legal action. Unfortunately that simply shows the lack of bite in using MoneySavingExpert - lot of bark and no bite!
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I loved my grandmother very much.......and she fetched a good price on eBay.
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corsur
regular
Reg'd: Sun
Posts: 51
Loc: UK
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Hi I actually sent them email last week and got this response
Our apologies for the great delay. I will follow this up to our management and I will get back to you as soon as I receive an update on your refund. I'll make sure this concern gets prioritized. We will keep you posted regarding this matter.
Maybe the FTC or my Bank are on to them, or there feeling guilty.
Ill keep you posted, but have heard nothing from my Bank or the FTC but will ask my bank about that charge back to my visa if nothing happens in the coming week or so.
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FilthyRaider
regular
Reg'd: Thu
Posts: 913
Loc: It's dark very dark.......
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Another interesting site here:
BBB
Interesting rating they have. The Better Business Bureau states:
"Company Rating F
Our opinion of what this rating means:
We strongly question the company’s reliability for reasons such as that they have failed to respond to complaints, their advertising is grossly misleading, they are not in compliance with the law’s licensing or registration requirements, their complaints contain especially serious allegations, or the company’s industry is known for its fraudulent business practices. "
And this is the US version of Distance Selling:
"The Federal Trade Commission's Mail Order Rule allows the seller 30 days to ship ordered products to the buyer unless otherwise specified at the time of purchase. If the seller cannot ship within the 30 day period, they are required to notify the buyer in writing of the delay, and give the option of waiting, or having their money returned within seven days. Credit card payments must be credited within one billing cycle."
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I loved my grandmother very much.......and she fetched a good price on eBay.
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nikkih
new user
Reg'd: Fri
Posts: 2
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Hi everyone - thanks for the advice, filthyraider. I wasn't too concerned about the fact they were in the USA, as I just assumed they were a trustworthy company having come up first on a Google search. Stupid me, shan't do it again!!!
Through the econsumer.gov site I have registered a complaint with the FTC which will be entered into their Consumer Sentinel database for law enforcement agencies in the US to use. They won't take action for individuals, but my naivety may help others not to make the same mistake.
Corsur - I am afraid I have had exactly the same email today from BSD, from someone called Brian, so I wouldn't set too much store by it! I am going to keep emailing them just to see what happens, but come Monday I am emailing them to officially cancel the order and am hoping that I will get the money back through my bank eventually. It's the Co-op, so I am hopeful they will live up to their caring sharing ideology.
I am going to have to order the software from elsewhere. Needless to say, this time I will check the company out very carefully before I hit that Purchase button!!
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lynndaz93
new user
Reg'd: Thu
Posts: 1
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is there anymore information from anyone on these cowboys, I fear I have also been conned (wished I had read this beforehand), I thought I had bought my son's Christmas present earlier in the week. Money has gone from my account but Ive received an e-mail saying order cancelled, I'm waiting for their response to either send the goods or refund the money then I stumbled over these threads. Does have any more information or ideas to help? One thing I would say it aint that clear that they are from the US. Any words of advice would be much appreciated.
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FilthyRaider
regular
Reg'd: Thu
Posts: 913
Loc: It's dark very dark.......
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Yes, they are a US company but they also are fairly crafty in not making it 'too' clear,
However forget all that now and as the thread states a lot of it is down to payment method. With Credit Cards you should be covered - contact the Credit Card company. By bank card and things get a bit tricky - there really is no definate cover paying this way excepting how the bank reacts - the classic example of this was a lady who accidentally transferred a few grand to the WRONG account. The bank will not do anything as she authorised it. It's been stated before but ALWAYS use a Credit Card online not a bank card.
If a company only offers the Bank Card option, go to someone else. The money 'lost' in savings is saved in protection.
If you have paid by bank card contact your bank. They may be one of the ones that will help.
Follow a few of the links given in the thread to complain. BE persistant with the company - email lots as it is free. Depending on the money at stake is it worth using International Signed For (£3.70 I think on top of Airmail) to write a concise letter to the company asking for a full refund? Keep a copy - it is useful when claiming on your card.
I wasn't being funny when I pointed out both their CONTACT US details only showed a US address and the front page states The best deals from the USA to your door. A simple Google search leads to this and other Forums all saying do not use them - but that is all 'Shutting the stable door' but at least it means many people will be more cautious in future.
The only way I know about some of the issues was getting caught out myself by a rogue company two years ago. Luckily my Credit Card company coughed up within a few weeks.
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I loved my grandmother very much.......and she fetched a good price on eBay.
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Kitkat
new user
Reg'd: Mon
Posts: 2
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I have also been fooled into ordering a camera from this company, once the order was placed i came across all the forums about how bad they were and when they contacted me to verify the order i thought it all seemed a bit suss and cancelled (7th nov).
I received email saying order was cancelled and i am still waiting for my refund (which has never appeared- i have emailed and am awaiting a response).
I paid by credit card- how soon can i contact my cret=dit card company because i have a feeling they will never refund me.
Any help would be apprecitated as i have never had any problems with online shopping before
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FilthyRaider
regular
Reg'd: Thu
Posts: 913
Loc: It's dark very dark.......
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Contact your credit card company NOW. Only delaying will lose any refund.
If you are able to access the card online, you can often do this on the site, but the best bet is to write a clear, concise letter.
They may ask you to prove contact with the company so they can see you have taken steps to recover the funds, or cancel. If you have the email you sent, print that off with the letter.
It is also important you let everyone on here know how you get on - that way it may help others too. Quite a few new members appear on this thread - but it is no use to anyone to make a comment decrying the fact you have been conned and then not following it up with a post telling us how you got on.
Most credit cards should refund without too much issue.
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I loved my grandmother very much.......and she fetched a good price on eBay.
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Kitkat
new user
Reg'd: Mon
Posts: 2
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Re your response yesterday i contacted the credit card company who are sending me out a form to dispute the transaction and the dispute team will then look into it. Still no reponse from the email i sent enquiring why i had not yet received a refund!
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FilthyRaider
regular
Reg'd: Thu
Posts: 913
Loc: It's dark very dark.......
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It's good the credit card are reacting well - that's to be expected,
Bitesize not responding - unfortunately that is also to be expected given what the others on here and other Forums are saying.
BUT the key thing is, your credit card company will most likely ask you for proof that you have made an effort to contact Bitesize, so the email will be that whether they choose to answer it or not.
Keep us informed how you get on. It will be good to get some good news on this story, and also may give others an insight into how to recover their money.
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I loved my grandmother very much.......and she fetched a good price on eBay.
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