CONSUMER ALERT: ONLINE AT LIEPIES

CONSUMER ALERT: ONLINE AT LIEPIES

The Consumer Goods and Services Ombud (CGSO)has issued its first consumer warning of the year against e-commerce retailer, ONLINE AT LIEPIES. A clothing outlet, LIEPIES purports to sell ladies’ clothing, shoes and accessories at what appears to be bargain prices but once consumers have made payment, the goods are seldom delivered.

Ms Magauta Mphahlele, Ombudsman for the Consumer Goods and Services sector, said: “The CGSO only issues a consumer alert if suppliers do not cooperate with our office and continue to rack up complaints of a similar nature.”

She added that the CGSO is currently dealing with 11 complaints relating specifically to ONLINEAT LIEPIES: “The complaints began to trickle in late last year in the run-up to the festive season. We have since received four more in the New Year. One complainant advised that she paidR700 for two pairs of boots from the supplier on 08 June 2021, and has yet to receive her order, nor is there any sign of the refund she was promised. In common with the other complainants, she claims that emails to the supplier are being ignored and, in the absence of any other contact details on the website, she has no other way of contacting ONLINE AT LIEPIES.

“Notwithstanding the deplorable customer service, this seems to be a clear contravention of section 19 of the Consumer Protection Act (CPA), which states that a supplier must refund a consumer if they are unable to deliver the agreed goods or services on the agreed date or time and no alternative arrangements have been agreed by both parties. The supplier also seems to be contravening section 41 of the CPA, which prohibits a supplier from making any false, misleading, or deceptive representations regarding the availability or delivery of goods or the performance of services at a specified time.

“We are therefore alerting consumers to exercise extreme caution when ordering from this site.” Despite claiming to be in liquidation, ONLINE AT LIEPIES continues to trade and promise refunds which don’t materialise. “This appears to be a tactic to buy time, and to continue trading with impunity. Once again, we urge consumers to practice good e-commerce hygiene by doing their homework before being tempted by online deals that seem too good to be true.

“Always check with online communities before purchasing anything from an unknown site. A cursory internet search for this supplier reveals several disappointed customers, many of whom have lost money. This should be a big red flag,” cautioned Ms Mphahlele.
For further tips on how to protect themselves, consumers can visit the CGSO website

ISSUED BY OUMA RAMARU ON BEHALF THE CONSUMER GOODS AND SERVICES OMBUD TEL:(011) 781-2607 CELL: 073 899 9551 EMAIL: oumar@cgso.org.za CGSO share call helpline 0860000272
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