Elfie Waren from Berwick-upon-Tweed was left “gobsmacked” after ordering two knitted cardigans online, only to receive items that bore no resemblance to what was advertised. She paid £62 for the “fluffy” cardigans, which were supposed to feature a beautiful floral pattern, from what she believed was a reputable London-based shop.
While scrolling through her social media, Ms. Waren found the cardigans eye-catching. “I don’t normally buy any clothes online, so it was unlike me to actually think something was pretty enough to order,” she shared on BBC Radio 4’s You and Yours programme. The website, Milena-London.com, was running a promotion boasting a 50% discount, further enticing her to make the purchase.
However, upon opening the package, she was shocked to find two polyester sweatshirts with printed images of knitted cardigans instead of the expected knitwear. “It was actually a printed picture of knitting on a polyester fabric,” she explained, noting that the pattern was poorly executed and faded at the edges.
“I was gobsmacked,” Ms. Waren continued. “I tried one of the cardigans on and thought, ‘that looks horrible – no one’s ever going to believe that looks like a knitted garment.'”
This incident highlights concerns surrounding dropshipping, a business model where sellers list products they don’t physically stock. While legitimate in many cases, it can sometimes be exploited by scammers who send inferior products in hopes of dodging complaints.
As Ms. Waren’s experience shows, the quality and value of items received can often differ drastically from what was advertised, raising important questions about consumer protection in online shopping.