SAFE SHOPPING:
You may be spending a lot of money on your home décor so you will no doubt be looking for a good price. However it is wise to remember the old adage “if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is”. The Internet has been a boon to retailers and shoppers but it has also allowed thieves and rogue traders to thrive under a cloak of anonymity.
When looking for a source for your fabrics and wallpapers please consider the following questions:
Are the products genuine? How can you tell?
With fabrics we ensure that the manufacturer's cutting label is intact on your roll - proof of authenticity. With wallpapers every roll is checked to make sure it is sealed and labelled and the batch numbers the same.
"Seconds" may look like genuine products at first sight, but common defects include out of specification colour, weaving or print imperfections and out of tolerance pattern repeats - which will make joining 2 pieces almost impossible.
Is the business VAT registered?
Even a small retailer of fabrics will want to be VAT registered and they should display their VAT number on their website and correspondence. If they are not registered or want to hide this fact, ask yourself (or better still, them) why.
Fake businesses are set up all the time to steal customer information (identity theft) so do you really know to whom you are giving your personal and financial information? (Unfortunately some unscrupulous operators use fake or copied VAT numbers.)
Does the company only take on-line orders?
If you pay directly via a website you will have NO opportunity to check that you are ordering the correct product or the correct quantity. Designer fabrics and wallpapers are expensive - if you order the wrong product, a restocking charge will be payable by you which could be as high as 40% of the original order value. If you order too little material you might not be able to get more from the same production batch.
Does the company sell fabrics and wallpaper on Ebay?
If they do, they may be "imperfects/seconds" and may supply these instead. All "perfects" will have a manufacturer's cutting labels attached to your fabric - seconds don't.
Is the company based in the UK?
Overseas companies including Jersey are not governed by the same laws as the UK - your consumer rights may not be the same and you may be liable to pay import duty.
Is there a real “bricks and mortar” shop?
If a website fails to list a real address with a landline phone number, to where would return faulty goods? It’s a legal requirement for a legitimate business to list its full particulars on its website. Visit the real shop or use Google or Street View to investigate the listed address if you are purchasing at a distance.
As of January 1st 2007, new amendments to the Companies Act 2006 dictates businesses must disclose their full company name, registered address and registration number on all company websites, regardless of whether they trade online.
Does the website LOOK professional and up to date?
Anyone can throw up a simple one page website nowadays. A legitimate business will invest time and effort in their website. It will be substantial and up to date.
Including or excluding VAT?
That on-line quote could work out a lot more than you think if you have to add VAT. Some websites only add tax & carriage after you have registered and are part way through the purchasing process. 20% VAT makes a big difference!
How long has the company been trading?
Ask the question - we've been trading since 2005 and Companies House will verify this.
Does the website show a contact name?
If not whom would you contact if you had a problem?
50% Sale? 60% Sale? 70% Sale?
Silly "supposed" mega-discounts just don't happen except for roll-ends, withdrawn products or seconds. Nobody in the trade gets 70% discount so how can this be passed onto consumers?
Are you being asked to pay using PayPal?
Any bona-fide business will have the facility to process customer orders using a credit card terminal, and they will have been bank verified to get a merchant account. Credit cards also give you consumer protection rights. HOWEVER, any member of the public can accept money using PayPal. How safe is your money?
Hidden costs: Is there a surcharge for buying on a credit card? Extra carriage costs?
An initial quote may look competitive until you add 20% for VAT, 2.5-5% for credit card and then delivery fees and insurance. This all adds up a higher real total price.
Remember that the safest way to shop is to visit your local high street retailer, where you can see and feel what you are about to buy, you can ask questions and get advice and you can "look the seller in the eye".
Let's be careful out there....
Come see the latest and most attractive collections of fabrics and wallpapers for your home.
Come in to our shop to experience these collections first hand.
We look forward to seeing you... Bronia and Steve