iKitchen - if I could choose "zero stars," I would.
Written: Feb 13 '09 (Updated Feb 13 '09)
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(I didn't see where you can add "pros" and "cons," so I'll do it here:
Pros: None
Cons: Paid for an item I never received; frustrating and fruitless attempts to contact vendor
Please let this post serve as a warning - don't order from iKitchen.com until you have searched the internet for feedback on this merchant. I was negligent and got burned, and have little hope of a positive resolution.
iKitchen.com is a very tempting website -- their posted prices are so good that you tend to rationalize away the warning signs: only contact is by email; no physical address or phone number listed; the fact that they tell you not to contact them until 15 days after the order is placed to allow for delays in shipping; prominent mention of the possibility of items being backordered or out of stock -- everything that would normally scream at you, "Warning, Will Robinson!" Looking back, it should have been pretty obvious that something wasn't quite right, but the bargain price blinded me to the obvious.
I placed an order for a teapot with iKitchen.com on December 23 (not a Christmas gift) and paid with PayPal. iKitchen.com's website states that they will let you know within 2-3 business days if an item is on backorder; otherwise, allow 12-14 days for delivery. They advise you to contact them if an order hasn't arrived at that time. On the fifteenth day, I contacted them by email through their website asking the status of my order. I received a reply 3 days later that the item was on backorder and should be available to ship within 10 days. Another bad sign; obviously, they didn't let me know within 2-3 days that the item was on backorder.
Two or 3 emails from me later, I received an email from them stating that the item should be available soon, but that I could cancel the order if I wanted to. I responded immediately that I would like to cancel. After several days, I still had heard nothing back, and by the time I thought to go to PayPal to file a dispute, it was day 46 (you have to file within 45 days of the purchase). iKitchen basically strings you along (if you allow yourself to be strung!) until it is too late to do anything about it.
Yes, I was gullible; I am not too proud to admit it. I buy things online quite often, am usually very careful, and rarely get burned. This time I got careless, and I paid for not doing my homework.
During this whole ordeal, I did what I should have done before ordering from them in the first place -- I searched the internet for ratings, which were overwhelmingly negative. I also found posts (which I can't confirm) saying that iKitchen has several other websites under various names, all run by the same merchant.
I haven't given up - I am still trying to contact iKitchen to pursue a refund, but I don't have much hope that I will be successful.
Recommended:
No
What product did you purchase or try to purchase? Bodum Clara glass tea kettle
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mlwlouky59
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