Saturday, July 23, 2011

Milanoo.com - Scam/Fraud or Not? Neither.

Their logo.
Summary: A famous Chinese Wholesale website deemed as a "scam/fraud" by many trustworthy websites continues to scam many. While many know of this website, there are some who do not. Well, like the lot of you, I had placed an order to them. While many got scammed, I did not.

[March, 2012 Update]
I've recently checked out Milanoo's website again and noticed that more legible reviews are being made on their products. Not to mention legitimate product updates; one being new products and sections being listed. Basically, Milanoo might possibly be a legitimate website now. I'm not sure as I don't have any money to spare on new products at this moment, but I will submit a new review when or if I do make another order.


ANYWAYS;

First thing's first: I am not an employee, nor am I getting paid by Milanoo.com to say all of this. Why can you take my word for it? Because first off, I started blogging weeks before finding out about Milanoo. Second, I took photos. Third, the fake accounts Milanoo made to defend themselves all had bad English. Mine is damn good, if not, it's better than theirs. If you won't believe me without knowing my exact order number, personal info, etc, then just leave. I'm not giving away anything that can help you locate my exact home.

TL;DR - Skip to last paragraph(s): Final Verdict.
1: Order Info.
What did I order?
I ordered four things.
  1. #12750071847 - White Vancl Shoes for the bargain price of $15.99. Vancl is a renown shoe company in Asia.
  2. #11090040868 - Hayate no Gotoku Pillow Case for the bargain price of $21.99 vs. the competing price of $40. Character: Nagisa Sanzenin.
  3. #15350087780 - Lucky Star Pillow Case for the bargain price of $19.99 vs. the competing price of $41 total. Character: Konata Izumi.
  4. #11090043660 - Touhou Project Pillow Case for the bargain price of $21.99 vs. the average competing prices of $30-$79.99. Character: Suika Ibuki.
Before you comment, let me say this: I don't care what you think. I'm an Otaku, and I love Suika Ibuki. If there was a less erotic one, I'd rather get it. But the one less erotic didn't look right in my opinion.

How long did it take?
  • 07/11/11 - Placed my order.
  • 07/21/11 - Everything finished processing, and I was informed it was shipped, to arrive by 08/01/11.
  • 07/23/11 - Arrived. (Though, Fedex sucks, so I had to go pick it up if I wanted it immediately, which I did.
So now what?
Well, I'm here to provide picture-proof of my orders.
How they packed my four items.
All four of them, neatly packaged in individual wrapping.
Opened the only one that is "safe" content.
Fit snugly into a hugging pillow.
Now, if this isn't proof enough, then forget it. I'm not here to convince anyone that milanoo guarantees anything. I'm here to simply share my experience with milanoo, since it may help the slightest bit.

"Milanoo should just be shut down!"
Milanoo is a Chinese Wholesale website, correct? Their products are most likely rip offs. I don't care. You shouldn't neither if you ordered something from an unknown wholesale website. But since they are what they are, then ordering something that requires too in-depth detail will most likely give either nothing, or low-quality items. It's a no brainer that you'll get ripped off somehow. If not, you're just lucky like I was.

Hypothetical numbers, but probably damn close to how this really works:
Ordering something that requires in-depth detail, or requires too much work (e.g. dresses, heels, cosplay) will have a 20% of arriving to your door step, and an unknown chance of decent to good quality.
Ordering something requiring only simple printing, or simple putting together (e.g. dakimakura, sneakers) will have 3-4 times better chance of arriving to your door step, and 80% or more chance of being good quality.*

*However, I'm basing my own experience as a reliable source since no one else has ordered and submitted any kind of review on what I bought myself.

Stories
There have been cases where people did or did not get their money back. Lots of people were persistent towards getting their refund. There was one chick's story I read where she was trying to connect for two hours, and spent a bunch of time getting her money back, which she only got half back.

I've heard many stories, but they all only speak of the [lolita] dresses, cosplay outfits, heels, etc. Those had nothing to do with what I ordered, so I was scared too. Most of the recent comments about milanoo are like "I just ordered something too! I'm scared now!" Yeah. I felt the same way a day after making the order. But what was different about me? I got my order, and it's of top quality [thus far]. 
Also, the pillow case I ordered. When I opened it, it felt amazing. No joke. It felt like silk. Maybe it is!
Considering the huge numbers of negative stories, it's hard for a person who may have not gotten ripped off say anything positive or they'll be marked as "milanoo accomplice" or something of the like.
    Final Verdict - With or Against Milanoo? Scam or Fraud?
    If I had to say, I'd have to be with milanoo. However, I am personally neither. The standing fact that they scammed hundreds, or even thousands of people yearly is terrible. 
    If I had to say, I'd also have to say milanoo is not a scam. Based on technicality, most of the orders placed are in fact shipped. A lot of US companies are the same. Due to the loads of orders, sometimes the system skips a few. However, I can't really defend milanoo since I haven't seen one legit good review about them for anything. Though, most reviews go towards the dresses.
    Unrelated story: My friend also ordered from a Chinese website that apparently scammed everyone else, but he got his stuff and it was totally legit on his end of the stick.

    Milanoo is not a scam compared to the many similar Chinese Wholesale websites that simply take the money and move on. However, I highly encourage you to think about it before placing an order. 
      I hope this helps. Remember: I make no promises, I am merely sharing my experience. Oh yeah, Fedex is fast, but they're not patient. Got to my apartment building, couldn't get in, so they left a note and left (instead of making a call to my cell on the package).

      40 comments:

      1. I only have a couple questions as I am considering ordering dakimakura merchandise from Milanoo as well. First of, did you get the inner pillow from them? I just wondered if they're inner pillows were good enough for what the price is. . . Second is, on the last pillowcase you bought, the watermarks on Milanoo's site are just to serve as censors, correct? I'd appreciate any answers you have whenever you can get to this, Thanks in advance!

        ReplyDelete
      2. Anon,
        I can't answer you on the inner pillow. I bought only pillow cases from them. I bought the inner pillow from Bed, Bath, and Beyond for about $10 (I believe it was more on Milanoo). You're correct about the watermarks. They're only censors. The actual thing is gorgeous!

        You're very welcome.
        But remember, I say this under my direct experience. I can't guarantee anything as a customer.

        ReplyDelete
      3. Alright, Thanks so much! I hope that I too can come out on the positive side of Milanoo! Thanks again for the information, I appreciate it!

        ReplyDelete
      4. Oh sorry, but one more question, as I found the 10 dollar pillow you talked about on Bed, Bath, and Beyond's website, but the measurements are in inches as the pillowcases are listed in centimeters. I'm sorry though, bit paranoid of whether the pillowcases would actually fit the pillow or not, because they are cheaper than Milanoo, and I plan to get two of them anyways. I'd assume the cases do fit assuming that it's what you use for them. Sorry, once again for all the questions, my first time actually buying these. Thanks in advance once again!

        ReplyDelete
      5. Don't worry about it at all. By posting a review, I was set on helping people out.

        Pillows generally have standard sizes, unless specified otherwise. So there'd be ones like "Standard" (Twin, I suppose), "Queen", "King" and then "Body Pillow". I'm assuming this off my knowledge, of course. The difference for pillows would be the "thread count". The more, the better. Body pillow is $10 because it has the same thread count as their queen. I believe it was 220 or so. Paying more for a dif. pillow with more threads is alright to do too.
        The pillowcase is made to be slightly longer than the standard body pillow, so either way, you'll expect it to be longer for fit. Unless you have the wrong pillow up, it should be fine. Try using a converter if you need to. Wish you luck!

        ReplyDelete
      6. Alright, thanks! I used a converter and it came up pretty close, if you wouldn't mind it's this (if the link works) http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?SKU=11667104&RN=1144& I just want a double check, if you don't mind double checking it for me. And that is true, Thanks again!

        ReplyDelete
      7. That should be it! Keep in mind that if you can find another pillow with more thread count, it'll be better! I personally think it's worth the extra bucks.
        You're always welcome, Anon! Good luck!

        ReplyDelete
      8. Thanks once again!

        ReplyDelete
      9. So do you believe ordering shoes(high heels) it wont be so bad?

        Thanks!

        ReplyDelete
      10. I saw a review about high heels. It was something like "When I received the order, it fit my expectations until I put it on. It broke the second I started walking with them on."

        So far, my only experience lies in printed items and sneakers. From what I've read, clothes and heels are the worst, since that's mainly what people buy. Up to you. Good luck!

        ReplyDelete
      11. Good review! I had ordered a dakimakura+case, even after reading some bad reviews (all the lolita stuff) and was still a bit sceptical.
        Now I can't wait for it to arrive in the mail!

        ReplyDelete
      12. Yep, I bought 3 from them and got them just fine too.

        I say buy!

        ReplyDelete
      13. I paid 100 for two pair of red bottom shoes, I only received one pair from milanoo. The pair I received was awesome, I paid with PayPal, the pair I didn't received, I filed a claim with PayPal. I'm still waiting for my refund. Milanoo lied and said two pair or shoes was sent. I will never order from them again. It's a risk when ordering from China. The item I received was great , but I lost money frm the item that I didn't received.

        ReplyDelete
      14. I ordered a dakimakura and a pillow case by them today. I will tell you how it turned out when I get or If I don't get at all. :o

        ReplyDelete
      15. I got both of them today. :)
        I'll post some pictures later. :D

        ReplyDelete
        Replies
        1. Can we say fast or what?
          I would love to see this! Congratulations on your successful order. Yet more evidence that Milanoo is beginning to be a little more legit, if at all?

          Delete
      16. milanoo.com is ran by criminals! I ordered an item from their website, and finally received it about 47 days later. The item was NOT as described on the website, it looked like it was sewn by a child, and completely unusable! They refused to take it back. I am currently in the process of disputing the charge with my credit card. This merchant is fraudulent!

        ReplyDelete
      17. I bought a costume from them, and regretted it. It had holes in the hems, choppy edges, and was the wrong color, not to mention it was a totally different costume from the one pictured!

        Even more awful, they stole the photo on their website from a cosplayer at a convention.
        Here's my photos for proof.

        http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m7u367vbOu1rt8loro2_1280.jpg

        http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m7u367vbOu1rt8loro10_r1_250.jpg

        buying from them is a gamble. I really don't recommend it because they're dishonest.

        ReplyDelete
      18. The problem with Milanoo is that they're fine for stuff like pillowcases and shoes. You can cheaply produce those with decent/good quality. They steal pictures for lolita and cosplay, first off, and they basically bring a picture of the desired outfit/shoe/etc to a seamstress/craftsman and get it for the cheapest price possible. They also are rumored to have stolen patterns/have illegal replicated dresses from brands such as Angelic Pretty and Baby, the Stars Shine Bright, which are lolita brands. I've never bought from there myself, since all I'd get is lolita or cosplay, but I don't think it's worth the risk for people like me. I'm glad that they do produce good pillowcases/stuff. I'd consider buying from them for stuff like that.

        Thanks for writing this! ^-^

        ReplyDelete
        Replies
        1. Now that's a good wording of their process. I figured as much about the clothes.

          But thanks for reading and responding! If you do order from them, I hope everything turns out fine! I've yet to see a bad review regarding the pillowcases, so it should be fine.

          Delete
        2. I actually ordered a Lolita dress last year as this years Halloween costume and was VERY satisfied, I prob never would have ordered if I had thought to look at some of these reviews, but my dress was EXACTLY what I had ordered, it looked just like the pic and had the free underskirt too. All for only $60. So I was getting ready to order another dress or two this year and w all these negative reviews, now I'm nervous

          Delete
        3. If it helps your anxiety, Milanoo was definitely less trustworthy in the past. So if you got lucky then, then maybe you'll get lucky again! Maybe order something small and see how it goes? Unless you're ordering for the purpose of the coming Halloween, then I suppose take your chances? Up to you. Nonetheless, I wish you luck!

          Delete
      19. I really want to buy Lolita clothes from them...however I'm really scared, should I?

        ReplyDelete
        Replies
        1. According to the comments and many other reviews, you should not order Lolita clothes from them. It appears the items that are easier to replicate are fine to purchase. As LolitaGirl said above your comment, pillow cases and sneakers are pretty legit when producing or manufacturing it.

          Delete
      20. Okay since these comments are pretty recent I might as well comment. I ordered a shirt from whatabeautifullife.com and there are people saying it's just another store run by Milano. Do you think that would be safe? Since the day after (now), I saw terrible reviews and I swear, I was so scared. Anyone had any experiences with that site??

        ReplyDelete
        Replies
        1. Ah, well, on your behalf, I did a little research, and found that whatabeautifullife is quite well-known.
          They have a Facebook page, where I've scrolled down the wall posts for a month's-worth. According to people elsewhere and on their page, they are run by Milanoo, and are in fact as untrustworthy as Milanoo is. So if possible, you should cancel your order. Make sure you pay attention to the charges they may make onto whatever card you've used, as well.

          Delete
      21. I just ordered a jumpsuit from Milanoo a couple of days ago for my upcoming high school reunion, and I swear I have seen this print: http://www.milanoo.com/Pink-Leopard-Print-Poplin-V-neck-Womens-Wide-Leg-Jumpsuit-p164634.html somewhere before and I really like it. I've been reading the reviews here about the clothing and how some of them are cheaply made, but I am getting a really good feeling about the jumpsuit I've purchased. I can't wait for it to get here.

        ReplyDelete
        Replies
        1. Awesome. Would you mind letting me (us) know how it goes when it arrives? Would be great!

          Delete
      22. Thanks very much for writing this. ^.^
        I was considering buying a cosplay from milanoo and becuase of this review I don't think I will. However, if I do ever find myself in need of smaller or simpler items that they carry I will give them a go for sure. ^.^

        ReplyDelete
      23. Oh no! Shoot. Ok I just ordered a Lolita dress a few days ago and am hoping to have it in a month. I'll update w/my experience. What other sites do I say away from? What sites are reputable for lower priced Lolita?? So sad!!

        ReplyDelete
        Replies
        1. It would be lovely if you could tell us your experience once it comes. Many people on here said they would, but have never gotten back to me.
          I don't know the site names off the top of my head, but being a regular online shopper, I kind of just know once I see a website. Sorry I can't really elaborate better.

          Delete
      24. So I ordered a floor length A-line dress from them two years ago. It was made-to-order. The fabric was good and with the exception of the hem, the dress was fine. And the hem only had a 1" difference, not noticeable and I just ironed it to "fix" it. Their reviews on resellersrating (which is a trusted site, just google it) is decent: http://www.resellerratings.com/store/view/milanoo/page/2
        So my conclusion is, it's a Chinese website, be cautious, but also remember, it's usually the people who feel they've been wronged who scream the loudest. Honestly, I think you have a pretty good chance of getting almost what you wanted. It's like playing Russian Roulette but with better odds.

        ReplyDelete
      25. How good is the fabric of the pillow cases? since i ordered 2 Shana pillow cases and a figure the other day, one is still waiting on shipment and the other one is comming in pretty soon, but anyways

        how good are pillow cases?

        ReplyDelete
        Replies
        1. "How good" is pretty ambiguous. To me, it was very nice. To my friend who has--I believe--2000-thread count sheets and covers, it wasn't all that.

          I'd say to any of us who buy our sheets and covers at Target or Marshall's, it's pretty nice. Especially for the price. You get a beautiful pillow cover that also feels very nice for like $20!

          Delete
      26. i see that they have gundams on their site and compared to usual prices (even for knock-offs) they are extremely cheap.

        anyone bought any gundams from them?

        ReplyDelete
        Replies
        1. I bought several gundams from them, they are in fact knock-offs but the quality is indistinguishable from the real thing. I haven't started building yet but the runners all look fine, parts are molded well, good colors, and reviews online say the plastic is good quality. Some of them even come with "extras"

          Delete
      27. Ordered and received two men's plaid shirts, size L. They arrived, look great, but although marked L, they are size Medium and do not fit. Checked Milanoo website for return instructions; not helpful, so will not bother and never order from them again.

        ReplyDelete
      28. I ordered two dresses from them one on 3/29/13 and expedited the orders paying $18 a piece needless to say nether one arrived I have been trying to contact them via chat room as well as the customer service email and the number that they have listed ( which is not in service China number) I can not believe I was scammed.

        ReplyDelete
        Replies
        1. I recommend you be a little more patient, as their shipping isn't going to be as quick for everyone. That is, assuming you get your things. Some reviews claim it took them a month to ship, and sometimes a couple months.

          Just, don't expect it to be perfect. After reading reviews prior to its arrival, I was fearful. Set your expectations low, and you're more likely to be content once they're met.

          Delete
      29. I ordered a lolita dress from milanoo. I had it tailor made. I also ordered a bow and a wig with a wig stand and a hair net. They arrived in less then a month. Nothing wrong with anything, and the dress fit perfect! I don't care if my dress is milanoo or not, the dress looks great.

        ReplyDelete