OzDirect: Uncontactable and won't process refund

[NGE]

I ordered a video camera from Ozdirect on 17/03/09. It was listed as 'in stock' and the website seemed to indicate that it would ship 48 hours after funds cleared and take 24 hours by courier to reach me. I paid an additional $20 (percentage of total) to use my credit card and thus speed up funds clearing. They debited my credit card in 10 minutes flat. After a week of waiting I started to enquire where my order was. They were slow to reply and then said there were delays in the warehouse. Another week went, by...more emails...nothing changes...another week goes by...more emails...nothing changes...I start to get angry, and they finally (after 3 weeks waiting) offer the option of cancelling the order and getting a refund...It takes another week of emails to get a response. 10 days later no refund... now they tell me it can take 30 days to refund money! They have had $600+ of my money for over 5 weeks now and I have nothing to show for it. I lodge a complaint with NSW Office of Fair Trading...a week later they tell me they can get no response from Ozdirect, so there is nothing further they can do!! In 12 years of shopping online this is the worst experience I have ever had! Nothing else even comes close. For displaying absolute contempt for customers, Ozdirect are in a league of their own!

NGE Member: Odysseus

[Legless]

I doubt I'd deal with them anyway after checking their website. I can buy stuff at their or better prices from many local shops here in Brisbane. No waiting no postage costs no messing around.

[Willyboy]

Contact your bank. Having paid by credit card gives you the opportunity to get a refund if the supplier does not "deliver the goods". I've had to resort to that option on a couple of occasions - no arguments. The supplier must prove to their bank that they did what they contacted to do.

[listerstv]

Just Google for them and see that you'll have to join a long queue of people who have been ripped off by Ozdirect.

Why they are still in business is anybodies guess.

All you can do is what's been already suggested, contact your bank and see if you can get the payment reversed.

Unfortunately you'll probably have to kiss your money goodbye.

[kat0426]

i am so hearing you, i purchased 2 products and paid back in January. Waited and waited then emailed them using their useless ticket system and waited for a reply gave in a month later and emailed again. They got back finally in march saying they would check their supplier no reply after, then i got part of the order, the $20 item but not the $160 item and am still waiting for it. Have rung them countless times and left 4 unanswered messages, finally got hold of a complaints person to be told to get a refund i would have to post my bank details on their ticket site, i questioned this saying surely they could reverse it or send out a cheque but he said that they don't do cheques etc. So i am still waiting for a reply to that. Will also have to fill out the paperwork on the consumer protection I had sent to me so I can lodge an official complaint which by the looks is going to cause more grief.

[Vmax80]

I had a 500 dollar order with these guys that took 5 weeks to be delivered. A word of advice, as I was lucky and actually got my purchase, if you purchase online and the company states that most orders are delivered within 10 working days, cancel the credit card purchase with your bank after 20. You have allowed the company twice as much time as expected, and you are still within the 30 day period that banks require for a trouble free cancellation.

[dkbrown]

I'm waiting for an order worth $80 that was placed in early April. I have used their stupid ticketing service with no success (I used to get responses, but now I don't even get one and I am not being rude when I try to contact them either), and phoned them but never gotten an operator. When I try to leave a message the voicemail is full!

I'm considering putting in a complaint to Fair Trading just so they can get an idea of how BAD these guys are ...if they haven't already.

DO NOT BUY FROM OZDIRECT.

[frankgirl]

Ozdrect I now know is a rip off. I never considered doing a check online to see what others had encountered when dealing with them and I have only checked now after several weeks of waiting for the response and item I will evidently never get. We all live and learn, one more experience for me and $250 down. If only there had been a story on Today Tonight or similar for me to see. PLEASE everyone, do your homework, read the forums, talk to others, and do not have anything to do with Ozdirect.

[puggsy]

It seems there are just as many complaints about the Office of Fair Trading...they seem to be unable to DO anything regarding these bodgy companies...Where are their TEETH.
I've just had a similar problem with fridge repair. Our " consumer Protection" seems to have wiped their hands of the whole mess. No teeth!.

[CITIZEN1]

STAY AWAY FROM THESE THIEVES THEY WILL
RIP YOU GARAUNTEED . THEY ARE MAKING
GENUINE ONLINE COMPANIES LOOK BAD
BEWARE TAKE MY ADVICE PLEASE

[ssharma]

OMG, I really wish that I had researched Ozdirect Brand as well! But then who would think that they were a rip off, considering the amount of orders that I usually place, online these days.
I have been waiting for an OPC belt for my Brother Multifunction Centre since March 24th, 2009. Paid them $425 dollar and still no delivery. The phone is never answered, everytime you ring, whichever department you select.I have kept all logs and emails to date.
As the debt is in excess of $100, I will seek to see if I can put it as a default into their CRAA file as I have Veda Advantage membership for my company! I know the debt is not much, but for the principles sake,if the above option is not possible, and (as I have read) that its no use to go to Fair Trading Office, I will file a claim at my local court and then Ozdirect Brand can refund it through the courts, pay me interest at 10.5% since 24 March, 09 (as they had no intention to provide goods) and pay for the court costs as well. It will blacklist them as well, hopefully so their website can be taken down. I think that they deserve a letter complaining about them sent to ASIC and ATO, because they are under corporations ACT 2001, which will ensure that their website is taken down for sure.Care to join in!!!

[justashicken]

Hey ssharma good post ... you seem to be able to slot all the key words into the right place. Are you considering getting a ball rolling to remove the scurge of Ozdirect. Yes I am yet another victim of their service.

[wickydoc]

I don't know what credit card you used, but I know i ordered something online that didn't arrive and I contacted my credit card company, and they were great. They refunded my money on the spot, i don't know if they contacted the company or not. Try it and see how you go.

[gippsland]

If anyone is researching OzDirect before purchasing - be warned and do not use this company.
ACCC is investigating. OzDirect has moved out of their "office" in Surry Hills and is trying to sell the furniture.
If you doubt my advice check with Fair Trading NSW or ACCC!

[bazzle]

* Website says things are in stock when they are not.
* False Information listed on website
* Misleading information listed on website
* Company accepts money and does not deliver goods. Uncontactable via email, phone, voicemail, enquiry ticket, live support, or even registered letter
* Customers frequently need to take further action such as contacting the Department of fair trading, Australian Competition and Consumer Commision (ACCC) and in other cases even need to take ozdirect to court to get the money they are owed refunded.

Do not buy from ozdirect, you can easily prove what i say above is correct by doing further research. You've been warned pay the extra 5% and buy elsewhere.

----------------
My story.
Funds cleared 20/05, after no response about eta requested refund via enquiry ticket 27/05. Sent letter of demand 28/05 requesting a refund. The status was only changed to refund requested on the 16/06 after emailing every ozdirect address i could find, to add salt to the wound it included the following personal message "Please be assured that your refund will be processed in due course".

I complained to the office of fair trading who said the issue was directed to the ACCC.

Will update if i ever receive a refund.