Anonymous M.

STAY AWAY FROM THIS SITE. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED. I unfortunately did not come across the reviews on the various independent websites on Light in the Box until sometime after making my order. I had been lulled into a false sense of security by the reviews on Light in the Box's own website. How naive!

Although the Light in the Box website displays delivery costs at less than £4 (super saver delivery - no cavaeats were specified), approx. £16 was added to my order for delivery. When I queried this, I was informed that all orders over £50 are automatically categorised as expedited shipping, the option for super saver delivery was not available for such orders and that the order could not be changed to the basic super saver delivery charge (of under £4).

I let this slide having rationalised that I was probably still saving money on the cost of the goods considering what I might have had to pay in the UK. Wrong!

Light in the Box, as it turned out, had also neglected to inform me that their delivery charges did not include any customs charges or that customs charges would apply to my order as additional. I have since received two text messages from DHL, demanding that I pay customs charges totalling about £30 in order for the goods to be delivered. The goods in fact only come approx. £88 before delivery charges. I have now paid about £46 in delivery and customs charges (more than 50% on top of the price of the goods) when the website had given the impression that I could pay leass than £4! There is absolutely no way I would have gone through with the purchase from Light in the Box if these charges were disclosed upfront. I would cancel and return these items to get my money back but I understand from other reviews that even this is a nightmare where Lightinthebox are involved. I am however giving serious thought to notifying the office of fair trading as well as my credit card company about this matter. I am hoping that the items at least arrive intact and are of satisfactory quality. But if i could go back in time, I would not have ordered from this site. I certainly can say now, NEVER AGAIN!

I made a separate order of similar items, as I ordered from LITB, from another website prior to the LITB order. The company, like Lightinthebox appears to be based in China. I was not notified of any customs charges and none have been charged to me by this other website. I was however notified upfront of the actual delivery cost for the item. I have had no unpleasant surprises with this other company. It is therefore difficult to justify Light in the Box's actions as common practice amongst companies of its kind.