Secret SalesReviews 632

I had a bad experience with Secret Sales last Christmas. I ordered some pearls for my Mother. They arrived 3 weeks later than expected (at least just in time for Christmas). The colour was completely different to my order and the pearls were very poor quality. They were either damaged or not properly polished as they had a gritty, dull surface and had hardly any shine. It was so close to Christmas that I felt I had no choice but to keep them and I still feel dreadful that these were given to my Mother as a present.

I had also ordered a watch for my husband. This did not arrive in time for Christmas although the site said it would. In fact it did not arrive until 6 weeks after Christmas. What they sent me was the wrong item - a woman's watch, not the man's watch I ordered. There was no return form in the package and I had to call them to get a returns label so I could exchange the watch (this was their exchange process at the time). After 2 weeks, this had not arrived. I chased them for it... after another 2 weeks, still no label... and so I chased again... and again. 3 months passed and I was still unable to return the item. In the end, I thought it was highly unlikely that they were going to be able to exchange this for the man's watch I had originally ordered and I sold the watch on to my sister as she particularly liked it.

I thought their problems may be the result of one bad supplier and a Christmas supply problem. So I thought I would give them another chance. I recently ordered some pearl earrings and what was supposed to be a quality freshwater pearl necklace. Both items were apparently at around 70% discount, saving me hundreds of pounds. The items arrived today. They were in a plain brown manila envelope with no padding. The 'pearls' are all plastic - poor quality plastic at that The shaft on the earrings was very thin and soft and had completely buckled in the post, making them unwearable. I have seen better quality costume jewellery on sale for just a couple of pounds. I cannot believe that these items were ever originally sold at the ludicrously inflated prices quoted on their website.

The postage on these items was £4.50 - given the weight and the quality of the packaging, they must be creaming a huge profit off this postage charge. They also say that they will only reimburse postage 'at their discretion', so when they send you wrong or faulty items, chances are they still make money on it, at your expense. And of course, I still have to pay to return them.

Having looked on the internet, it seems that this company has also been caught out selling fake items (Balenciaga bags and Ed Hardy items with 3 l's in 'hell'!)

Steer well clear of them.

I feel conned and very very stupid after ordering from two of their sales. Should have done my homework. The first had the following blurb at the head of it:

"Valentino handbags
Founded by the Italian designer Valentino Garavani in 1959, the eponymous label is renowned for its fairytale-like feminine creations as well as the brand's signature red dress. Since Valentino's retirement in 2008, the company is now headed up by designers Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli."

They stated that the bag I ordered retailed at £190 (didn't know that Valentino Garavani's bags sell for £000s!). I thought I was getting a real bargain at £55. The bag turns out to be a MARIO Valentino which I could have bought at Debenhams for, you guessed it, £55! I like the bag but the DELIBERATE misleading by SecretSales has spoilt my enjoyment of it.

In the meantime, before I found out about their shady marketing technique, I ordered some jewellery which they IMPLIED, in the same way as above, was Victoria Fine Jewellery which turned out to be a line just called Victoria which is made in China. I need say no more.

NEVER, NEVER again will I order from these con merchants.

Oh yes, surprise, surprise, no reply to my email.

While they do have great bargains, I've had so much trouble with them, it's just not worth it. They take your order, and your payment, then your items are late, then later still, so if it's for a gift,... forget it! I ordered a watch for my husband's birthday, at about £200. They sent the wrong one! I had to return it then wait for a refund, which they couldn't get right, even though I told them what they owed me. It took so many emails! I've had so many wrong items, and now their latest farce has really ticked me off. They take orders, and your money, yet often don't actually have the items available. Then when the make mistakes, they take over a month to refund you! It's just not on. Trading standards should take a look.

While the items they sell may look fantastic & you think you're getting a bargain, the delivery is terrible. EXTREMELY slow to deliver and often the wrong item has been sent. Returns are at your expense unless it's faulty / wrong but you then need to send them proof of postage costs. Refunds take even longer - they say 28 days which is terrible when they can process your money almost instantly when you buy. Don't recommend to your friends unless you really don't like them much!

This sites prices are absolutely wicked. However, you have to wait 6 weeks or more before you receive your purchase. I bought a pair of sunglasses from the site on or around the 1st of may but I am yet to receive them! I live around 5 miles away from the head office and warehouse based in London. They sent me an email saying that my item had been dispatched two weeks ago with a tracking number and up to now I havent seen them. I contacted the customer services to be told that they have received the glasses from the supplier but not the cases for the glasses?
Anyway great deals on designer merchandise but be prepared to wait a century for anything you purchase!