Buyer beware: holiday gift basket - online gift.ca

[Zouzou]

Spent a lot of money (150) on a holiday "gourmet" pack where goods included had a combined value of at most 30.It was advertised as a luxury gift and instead included only bottom of the barrel, cheap goods of questionable quality.   The owners will not acknowledge their mistake and will not get back to us.  It's dishonest and should be removed from your platform.  Their online reviews are mostly fake.  All negative reviews online are threatened by a lawsuit from the company.  Buyer beware!  onlinegift.ca is a scam

[DFWthekiwi]

I have also had issues with onlinegifts.ca. I believe they are a scam. I purchased $500 worth of product on 17 December. This has never been delivered. I followed up but after the 2nd email received a 'don't contact us again' response. I posted a review to warn others and received a threatening email for defamation. They won't post my negative feedback on their site so can only conclude their reviews are bogus. They simply pass the blame to the he couriers ICS, which I think are also part of the scam.

[DFWthekiwi]

The basket arrived yesterday so I retract my concern expressed that this company is a scam. This opinion hformed on an honest opinion at the time. I suggest that the business might want to work on:

Customer care: instead of retaliating against disgruntled customers listen to their concerns and address these concerns. In my case I  would have been horrified that the courier company failed to deliver for so long and I would have put all of my efforts into complaining, chasing and rectifying this. I understand that ICS was used maybe due to a postal strike. This courier company has the worst reviews ever. I sent items from NZ which were couriered to the address in less than 2 weeks.

Transparency: personalise with your name and company. Hiding your company details and personal identity shouldn't be necessary for any well run reputable business. This was one of the reasons why I was concerned I had been scammed. I would have rung a customer who was expressing concern. Rung the couriers and reported my progress. Not simply 'it's in transit, not my problem'.

Representations: if you provide a link to purchase a Vancouver gift basket, people use that specifically to avoid delays. Don't then send from Montreal. Also provide a product as close to that advertised as possible.

Learn and develop: take on this advice. It will serve you much better than emails threatening the police and legal claims.

[DaisyVo]

Hi @Zouzou 

It’s genuinely frustrating to hear about your experience with onlinegift.ca. Spending $150 for a "gourmet luxury" pack only to receive cheap goods worth far less feels like a clear case of false advertising and poor customer service. Based on your description, it sounds like this business has been exploiting customers, and their alleged fake reviews and intimidation tactics are huge red flags.

If this purchase was made through Shopify, here are some steps you can take:

1. Report the Store to Shopify

Shopify takes merchant conduct seriously. You can report the store for violating Shopify's terms of service by submitting a complaint here: Shopify’s Report a Merchant Page. Be sure to provide all details, including screenshots of the product listing, your receipt, and the goods received.

2. Request a Refund

• If you paid through a credit card or PayPal, contact your payment provider immediately to dispute the charge. Explain the situation, include evidence (product images, receipt, website description), and request a chargeback.
• If the company refuses to communicate, this further strengthens your case with your payment provider.

3. Leave Honest Reviews

Share your experience on platforms like Trustpilot, Google Reviews, or Reddit to warn others. Be factual and detailed, as this will help potential buyers make informed decisions. Since they allegedly threaten negative reviewers, make sure to keep all your reviews civil and based on evidence to avoid legal complications.

4. Contact Consumer Protection Agencies

Depending on your location, file a complaint with consumer protection organizations. In Canada, for example, you can contact the Better Business Bureau (BBB) or the Competition Bureau.

5. Raise Awareness

Use social media to share your experience with the store, tagging the company if possible. This can sometimes lead to faster resolutions because businesses often don’t want bad publicity.

I personally think it’s unacceptable for businesses to operate like this, and Shopify or other hosting platforms should take quick action to protect buyers. If you need screenshots or a template for reporting, let me know—I’d be happy to help.

If you need any other assistance, feel free to reply, and I will try my best to respond.

Best regards,
Daisy