Harper & Wells Boston looks and sounds like a legitimate high-end clothing store in Boston. Their website features a huge picture of the Longfellow Bridge in downtown Boston. They sell pretty pricey clothing with so-called regular prices of $349.99 for slip-ons, and a classic men’s collared button-down shirt for $249.99, for example.
Scroll down the site.
Having lived in Boston for over 50 years, MrConsumer has never heard of Harper & Wells, let alone ever shopped at such a high-end store. However, a reader of TINA.org recently tipped them off to what might be a huge ripoff.
First, there is no such store in Boston registered with the City Clerk’s office.
At the very bottom of their homepage in fine print is a business address of 73 Greenwood St,, Boston, MA 02121.
*MOUSE PRINT:
That is the address of a run-down triple decker in the Dorchester section of Boston — and not a fancy-schmancy clothing store.
The company says they offer hassle-free easy returns.
The truth is anything but because of two clauses in their return policy.
*MOUSE PRINT:
The customer is responsible for all return shipping costs. All returns must be sent to our central warehouse.
While those are typical requirements at some online sellers, they are particularly meaningful in light of something buried in the company’s terms and conditions:
*MOUSE PRINT:
All our products are shipped directly to the consumer from our supplier in China. Any charges such as customs duties, import duties are the responsibility of the consumer.
Apparently it can cost $30-$50 per item to return clothing to China.
Gotcha!
Needless to say, hopefully this company will collapse because of their hidden anti-consumer policies or by action of some state attorney general.
For additional insights into this company, see the well-researched investigation done by Truth in Advertising.
I got stung by this outfit, stupidly falling for the large print when I should’ve read the MOUSE PRINT. Reported them to the Better Business Bureau but there’s not much US consumer watchdogs can do to shysters in China except spread the word about their shenanigans. Thanks for posting this.
This is why I always read the small print hidden away at the bottom, no matter how tiny and how well hidden.
now it says returns must be sent to an address we’ll send you later.
I didn’t see a mention of China