Via and add on Facebook, I purchased a dress through the online shopping store branded “Hamilton Boutique Queensland’. The purchase price was $59:95, a relatively small purchase and photographs and “testimonials?’ were positive. However emails and messages advising dispatch and tracking came from “Charleston Boutique”. Other names tied up in this SHOPPING SCAM include Aussie Look MelbourneOn receipt of the order, the garment was very obviously not ‘Merchantable Quality’; a very cheep fabric with poor and very puckered stitching (see comparative photos)Prompted to carry out further research, I discovered a considerable number of web reviews suggesting that the supplier, Hamilton Boutique is a Shopping Scam.The Hamilton Boutique returns policy is clearly stated, full refund if the purchaser pays the return postage.The return address is “their overseas dispatch warehouse” and the postage cost was quoted at $60, so that is not a sensible option.On communicating with the company via email, I was initially offered a 15% refund and I could keep the garment. Keeping the Garment is of no value, it is not useable! A subsequent 4 emails lifted the refund offered to 50% which I have reluctantly accepted, (but as yet have not received the refund)Hamilton Boutique have a website that appears to be in Queensland, but I am certain that this is fake. Further investigation came up with a very similar website for “Aussie Look” which pretends to be in Melbourne.Both ‘Hamilton Boutique’ and ‘Aussie Look’ have the same ‘look and feel’ and offer the exact range of fashions at the same prices, with the same terms and conditions for things like ‘returns policy’. Neither quote an ABN.The Scammer’s business model is simple, most are likely to accept the initial 15% offer, some may negotiate a 30% refund, and a few a 50% refund. The cost of manufacture and postage is likely to be under $30, so even with 100% of garments returned the Scammer is still ahead,
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