Dubious business practices from Forefront Cases

HarryT · 10-30-2014, 09:32 AM

On 29th September I ordered a "Forefront Cases® New Leather Shell Case Cover for Amazon Kindle Voyage" from Amazon UK:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00NV9XVU8

On 3rd October I received a dispatch notification, with a delivery estimate of 17th-25th October.

Since nothing had arrived by this week, I sent an email to Forefront Cases, asking where my case was, and received the following reply:

Quote:

Hello,

The Voyage isn't released until November so the cases won't be available till Mid November. All the adverts do state they won't be delivered for 3-5 weeks clearly and implicitly to the customer prior to purchase.

Kind Regards,
Rachel
Forefront Cases

Look at the product for yourself - where on it does it say "3-5 weeks", and why did they claim to have shipped it on 3rd October when they have in fact not done so?

This whole thing smacks of dishonesty to me. Naturally I've requested a refund and cancellation of my order.

aceflor · 10-30-2014, 09:40 AM

I have had exactly the same dispute with them. They did refund me in the end, but first they tried to tell me that I had made a mistake ordering the product since, according to them, it was said it would not dispatch before mid November.
1. It never said so
2. I received at the beginning of October also a dispatch notification.

I did receive the refund through Amazon but maybe we should alert them too on Forefront practices.

here the exact text of their first answer to me :

Quote:

Hello,

Please see the information below.

The Voyage isn't released until November so the cases won't be available till Mid November. All the adverts do state they won't be delivered for 3-5 weeks clearly and implicitly to the customer prior to purchase.

Kind Regards,
Rachel
Forefront Cases

here what I answered :

Quote:

Hello Rachel,

Thank you for your answer, but I do not accept it. Not only was there at the time I ordered no mention to be seen on the ad that the cover would not ship before mid November, but I even actually received a status email through Amazon at the beginning of October informing me that the covers had shipped, which is obviously not true.

Please reimburse me the order, I am not interested in waiting until mid November.

Regards,

and here their final email, which was indeed followed by a refund:

Quote:

Hello,

I can confirm I have cancelled the order and refunded you in full. Please note these cases will be available mid November if you would like to re-order then.

Kind Regards,
Rachel
Forefront Cases

HarryT · 10-30-2014, 09:47 AM

Anyone can see for themselves that it does NOT say that on the product page! This really is a shady business practice, to my mind. By claiming to have dispatched the item they get paid.

TimW · 10-30-2014, 09:53 AM

No, it's a very poor business practice to take someone's money under false pretenses. Usually, a preordered item shouldn't be charged on your card unless it's ready for shipment. I got a Tuff-Luv cover for my old K2 a few years back and I was very pleased with it. Tuff-Luv is based in Weybridge so they're local to you. Their covers would be well worth a look.

HarryT · 10-30-2014, 09:54 AM

I've ordered the Belkin case. They're a company I know and trust.

pdurrant · 10-30-2014, 09:55 AM

They are also either being very cunning, or they don't know the meaning of 'implicit'.

I think a message to Amazon would be appropriate here. Sellers are not allowed to mark items as shipped until they have shipped.

HarryT · 10-30-2014, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pdurrant

I think a message to Amazon would be appropriate here. Sellers are not allowed to mark items as shipped until they have shipped.

Precisely the point that I made in my email to them - a point which they conveniently ignored in their reply to me.

aceflor · 10-30-2014, 10:06 AM

I just left a Vendor's Feedback with only one star describing the facts. Anyone having had the same experience should do so.

JoHunt · 10-30-2014, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

I've ordered the Belkin case. They're a company I know and trust.

Just FYI, the reviews for this case on Amazon.com are pretty bad with many complaining about build quality:

http://www.amazon.com/Belkin-Folio-K...677959&sr=1-10

TimW · 10-30-2014, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joehunt

Just FYI, the reviews for this case on Amazon.com are pretty bad with many complaining about build quality:

http://www.amazon.com/Belkin-Folio-K...677959&sr=1-10

17 of 27 reviews rating the cover at 1 or 2 stars doesn't sound very comforting. Rush job?

Josieb1 · 10-30-2014, 10:13 AM

I had the same thing with Forefront. In fact I even tried to cancel my order the day after I placed it as i was concerned over the cut outs but they told me it was too late as mine was being despatched immediately. In the end when the shipping period finally expired I raised an A-Z claim and accepted the Amazon Gift Card.

I know i'll never order anything from them again.

The lady I spoke to at amazon said she was going to report them to the section that deals with third party traders as their behavoir was appaling.

HarryT · 10-30-2014, 10:16 AM

I've just reported the issue to Amazon.

Thanks for the feedback on the Belkin cover. I'll cancel my order and order the official Amazon one instead.

Josieb1 · 10-30-2014, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

I've ordered the Belkin case. They're a company I know and trust.

I don't know if it bothers you Harry but the Belkin doesn't have the sleep wake facility.

HarryT · 10-30-2014, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Josieb1

I don't know if it bothers you Harry but the Belkin doesn't have the sleep wake facility.

Just cancelled it and ordered the Origami cover instead - people seem to be happy with those.

Josieb1 · 10-30-2014, 10:39 AM

I think if I do end up with a Voyage i'll get an origami case as well, but right now I've cancelled my order and will wait to see if the UK gets good screens generally. Plus I want to see one in person before I order. I'm very happy with my two Kobo's so I'm not in any hurry

10-30-2014, 10:13 AM	#11
Josieb1 Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,086 Karma: 18051062 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: UK Device: Kindle Scribe, Coloursoft, PW SE, Kindle 6, Kobo Libra 2	I had the same thing with Forefront. In fact I even tried to cancel my order the day after I placed it as i was concerned over the cut outs but they told me it was too late as mine was being despatched immediately. In the end when the shipping period finally expired I raised an A-Z claim and accepted the Amazon Gift Card. I know i'll never order anything from them again. The lady I spoke to at amazon said she was going to report them to the section that deals with third party traders as their behavoir was appaling. Last edited by Josieb1; 10-30-2014 at 10:39 AM.

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10-30-2014, 09:47 AM	#3
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Anyone can see for themselves that it does NOT say that on the product page! This really is a shady business practice, to my mind. By claiming to have dispatched the item they get paid.

10-30-2014, 09:53 AM	#4
TimW Wizard Posts: 1,022 Karma: 6824104 Join Date: May 2011 Location: Southeastern Kentucky Device: KK3G, KPW1, Sony PRST1, Sony PRS350, iPod Touch 5G	No, it's a very poor business practice to take someone's money under false pretenses. Usually, a preordered item shouldn't be charged on your card unless it's ready for shipment. I got a Tuff-Luv cover for my old K2 a few years back and I was very pleased with it. Tuff-Luv is based in Weybridge so they're local to you. Their covers would be well worth a look.

10-30-2014, 09:54 AM	#5
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	I've ordered the Belkin case. They're a company I know and trust.

10-30-2014, 09:55 AM	#6
pdurrant The Grand Mouse 高貴的老鼠 Posts: 73,955 Karma: 315160596 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Norfolk, England Device: Kindle Oasis	They are also either being very cunning, or they don't know the meaning of 'implicit'. I think a message to Amazon would be appropriate here. Sellers are not allowed to mark items as shipped until they have shipped.

10-30-2014, 10:06 AM	#8
aceflor Wizard Posts: 3,472 Karma: 48036360 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: where the sun lives, or so they say Device: Pocketbook Era, Pocketbook Inkpad 4, Kobo Libra 2, Kindle Scribe	I just left a Vendor's Feedback with only one star describing the facts. Anyone having had the same experience should do so.

10-30-2014, 10:16 AM	#12
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	I've just reported the issue to Amazon. Thanks for the feedback on the Belkin cover. I'll cancel my order and order the official Amazon one instead.

10-30-2014, 10:39 AM	#15
Josieb1 Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,086 Karma: 18051062 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: UK Device: Kindle Scribe, Coloursoft, PW SE, Kindle 6, Kobo Libra 2	I think if I do end up with a Voyage i'll get an origami case as well, but right now I've cancelled my order and will wait to see if the UK gets good screens generally. Plus I want to see one in person before I order. I'm very happy with my two Kobo's so I'm not in any hurry

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