Shopping online: Beware deals that are too good to be true

Social media pop up ads are often heavily discounted making them seem like a great deal, but what you pay for isn't always what you get. Pat Foran reports.

Two Ontario women are sharing their story after clothing purchases they made online turned out to be not what they expected.

Many of the ads that pop up on social media often sell garments at a heavily discounted price. While they may seem like they’re a great deal, the goods can be not as advertised.

Stephanie Lafleur, of Milton, said she was online when she noticed an ad for a coat. She clicked the link and saw it was 42 per cent off, and ended up purchasing the jacket for $117.

‘Nothing like (what) was advertised’

However, when the coat showed up, it wasn’t like the one in the photo, instead it was four sizes too small, she told CTV News.

“It was nothing like the jacket that was advertised. I did some measurements and they were off by 14 inches.”

The store she ordered it from is called Elle Toronto, which is why Lafleur thought it was a local purchase.

Instead, she learned the garment came from China and she’d have to ship it back there if she wanted a refund.

“To return it I would have to pay the shipping back to China which I imagine would be the same cost as the jacket” said Lafleur.

Vaughan resident Andrea Nash also made an online purchase after seeing an ad online for a summer party dress.

‘Terrible quality’

Nash said she paid $85 for the outfit and told CTV News when she received the dress, it was nothing like the one she saw in the advertisement.

“The dress that they sent me barely resembles the one in the images,” she said, adding it was “terrible quality and it’s not what I thought I was buying.”

When Nash asked for a refund, she said she was also told she would have to ship the dress back to China at her expense.

“They said you’ll have to send it back, you’re responsible for the shipping and you also have to send it to the warehouse in China,” she said.

According to retail analyst Bruce Winder, the best way to avoid disappointment when shopping online is to stick with brands you already know and trust.

“A red flag for me is a company you’ve never heard of or it doesn’t have infrastructure in Canada. The risk profile goes up significantly,” he said.

Company refunds coat

In Lafleur’s case, CTV News reached out to the clothing store, Elle Toronto, and in a statement sent to CTV News the company said:

“We appreciate you bringing this to our attention and apologize for any inconvenience this has caused. We’re here to help resolve the issue. The images you provided help us understand the situation better. We’ll review the details and follow up with you.”

Days later, Lafleur’s purchase was refunded. The company also allowed her to keep the coat, which she now uses as a bed for her cat.

“I’m so happy to get this money back,” she said.

As for Nash, the company offered her a 45 per cent partial refund, which she accepted.

However, Nash hopes that by sharing her story, it will prevent others from falling for a deal that’s “too good to be true.”

“I would rather prevent other people from falling for this. It shouldn’t be allowed,” Nash said.

With files from CTV News’ Farah Chandani