Fashion fans fuming as major brand starts ‘shutting down’ accounts… weeks after introducing fees to return items
A MAJOR fashion brand is in hot water with shoppers AGAIN – just two weeks after customers threatened a boycott.
PrettyLittleThing has deactivated a number of customers’ online accounts because of the number of times they have returned orders.
However, many shoppers insist they “barely return anything” – with one saying she’s returned one order out of 40 over the last year.
The move comes after PLT bosses began charging shoppers £1.99 to return items from June 3.
In a number of emails seen by the Fabulous, loyal PLT customers have been told that their accounts had been reviewed and shut down.
This means they can no longer place any more orders from the Manchester-based fast fashion label.
Some of those affected have taken to social media to criticise the new policy, with many claiming they would return fewer items if the sizing of PLT clothes was more consistent.
A quick search of the term “PLT closed account” on TikTok shows a number of women who received the same email over the last 24 hours notifying them that they can no longer shop with the brand.
The email from PLT reads: “In accordance with our terms and conditions, following a review of your account activity and the unusual high returns activity, we have reached a decision to deactivate your account.
“This will mean you cannot place any further orders. We’re sorry if this causes you any inconvenience.
“If you still need to make a valid return, please do so through our returns portal.”
It’s not immediately clear what criteria the company uses when deciding to shut down accounts, and there is no clear mention of the policy in its T&Cs or Return Policy.
Shopper Charlotte Mitchell even received a text reiterating the email which notified her of the account closure.
The 19-year-old, from York, took to TikTok to slam the fast fashion firm, claiming she thought the email “was a mistake at first”.
The most disgruntled customers are those who have paid £9.99 for PLT’s Royalty scheme, which offers free next day delivery and free returns to members.
However, since a number of accounts have been closed by the brand, it has now increased the yearly subscription cost for its Royalty scheme to £12.99.
Mum-of-one Rachel Karen called the move “muggy”.
“Clearly you have hit a midlife crisis in your career,” she slammed on TikTok.
“Where the decision has been made to close accounts of customers who have paid £9.99 for a Royalty scheme.
“They have been robbed and made to feel like because they don’t spend enough and return tacky clothes, that they are not valued
“Please REFUND them!
“My nans curtains are better material than what you sell.”
Is supermarket fashion the new high street?
DEPUTY Fashion Editor Abby McHale weighs in:
The supermarkets have really upped their game when it comes to their fashion lines. These days, as you head in to do your weekly food shop you can also pick up a selection of purse-friendly, stylish pieces for all the family.
Tesco has just announced a 0.7 per cent increase in the quarter thanks to a ‘strong growth in clothing’ and M&S has earnt the title of the number one destination for womenswear on the high street.
Asda’s clothing line George has made £1.5 million for the supermarket in 2023, 80 per cent of Sainsbury’s clothes sold at full price rather than discounted and Nutmeg at Morrisons sales are also up 2 per cent in the past year.
So what is it about supermarket fashion that is becoming so successful?
Apart from the clothing actually being affordable, it’s good quality too – with many being part of schemes such as the Better Cotton Initiative.
A lot of the time they keep to classic pieces that they know will last the customer year after year.
Plus because they buy so much stock they can turn around pieces quickly and buy for cheaper because of the volumes.
PLT is part of the Boohoo Group and was founded by Mahmud Kamani in 2006 as an accessories-only brand that focused on selling trendy gear for cheap.
It was co-founded and headed up by Umar Kamani, one of Mahmud Kamani’s sons, who was the catalyst in the brand’s celebrity appeal .
Despite the cheap price point of its items, PLT has executed a numver of star-studded collaborations.
These include with the likes of supermodel Naomi Campbell and a number of sell-out collections with influencer Molly-May Hague.
PLT has been approached for comment.
