Is Modlily a Scam? Everything You Need to Know about Modlily (Australia, UK, Canada, and the US)
The thrill of finding rock-bottom deals has caused many shoppers to leave the malls and shop internationally online instead. The latest trends and newest styles are often discounted deeply by retailers selling from China and Asia.
If you love finding new styles at discount prices, you may have heard of Modlily, a popular clothing boutique offering thousands of products on their e-commerce site at cut-rate prices.
Advertised heavily on social media, Modlily is known for its affordable price tags and on-trend clothes, but how do you know that you can trust this retailer? Where is Modlily located? Is Modlily a legit website, or is it a scam?
Unfortunately, with all these international sites shipping from Asia, there are many complaints out there and it’s not always easy to know which online retailers you can trust and which you can’t.
In this AdvisoryHQ Modlily review, we’ll give you a complete overview of what you can expect from Modlily, including:
- Modlily clothing
- Modlily customer service
- Modlily shipping
- Modlily returns
More importantly, we’ll look at Modlily customer reviews and complaints from shoppers in Canada, the US, the UK, and Australia to determine whether Modlily is legit or a scam.
If you’ve seen their colorful ads pop up on social media but aren’t sure if you should click that button and start shopping with Modlily, read on.
Modlily Review | What is Modlily? Where is Modlily Located?
Modlily is a global online retailer that sells a wide variety of clothing to resellers and individual shoppers. Modlily clothing categories include Dresses, Tops, Swimwear, Jumpsuits, Plus Size, Jewelry, and more.
As an international retailer, Modlily ships to over 200 countries and regions across the globe, including the US, Canada, Australia, and the UK.
AdvisoryHQ Modlily Review – What is Modlily?
Where is Modlily Located?
When shopping online, knowing where an item is shipping from can help you gauge how long it will take to get to you. While not always the case, location can play a significant role in determining whether it’s worth it to shop with a specific retailer.
Not only can location impact the amount of time it takes to receive Modlily clothing, but it can also have an impact on the overall product quality as well. So, where is Modlily located?
Their website lists an address in Shanghai, China as their primary place of business, though they are careful to note that this is not the return address and return items should not be mailed there. (Shoppers receive a return address once their return request has been approved.)
According to their FAQ, Modlily ships from warehouses located in China and the US, with “multiple warehouses all over the world.” They state that the warehouse your items ship from depends upon which one stocks the products you’ve ordered.
Interestingly, there are two U.S. addresses for Modlily mentioned on the Modlily BBB review, one is in Hyattsville, MD, and the other (noted “Headquarters) is in City of Industry, CA. On Google Street View both appear to possibly be warehouses.
Note: This AdvisoryHQ review found that Modlily shares the same Shanghai address as Rosewe, one of many clothing manufacturers known for traits like unreachable customer service, complicated return and refund processes, stolen images, and low-quality products (according to a 2016 investigation by BuzzFeed News).
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Modlily Review | Overview of Modlily Customer Service & Returns
Before you start loading up your online cart with great fashion deals, you should know exactly what to expect if you need to make a return. In the sections below, you can find a detailed overview of Modlily customer service and returns.
Modlily Returns
According to the company’s return policy, if you are not 100% satisfied with your items, Modlily returns can be made within 30 days of receiving your package for either an exchange or refund. The process for Modlily returns includes:
- Logging into your online account
- Submitting a ticket to Modlily’s customer service with the reason for your return
From there, requests for Modlily returns will have to be reviewed and approved by a customer service representative. Once approved, you’ll be given an RMA number (Return Merchandise Authorization) and the address you should ship the items to.
While Modlily states that they offer a “full refund on all items that have been returned,” shoppers should keep in mind that the buyer is responsible for return shipping fees.
With shipments coming largely from China, the fees associated with Modlily returns can often be cost-prohibitive, a fact mentioned by many Modlily reviewers (see below sections on Modlily reviews from the BBB, SiteJabber, and TrustPilot).
You should note that there are several return requirements and exceptions. These include:
- Flash sale products and jewelry are non-returnable
- Returns must be received in new, unused, unworn, unwashed condition
- Returns should be sent no signature required otherwise they are “highly likely” not to receive it
- You should mail the item back through your local post office to avoid tax when it arrives to the destination country
Modlily Customer Service
Because Modlily’s location is in China, shoppers can expect drastic differences in the ability to reach a customer service representative. Modlily customer service is available during 9 PM-11:30 PM and 1 AM-6AM Eastern Standard Time.
Shoppers can connect with customer service through:
- Live chat
- Facebook message
- Website contact form
There is a notice on the Modlily site about phone customer service that states, “We do not offer any phone support at the moment. Please don’t call phone number or leave your phone number on third-party website.”
According to reviews from shoppers, Modlily customer service is either extremely difficult to reach or not helpful, with many Modlily reviews stating that the company’s customer service replies seem as though they are automated.
Other reviewers note that customer support just stops responding to emails after a while, and it’s very difficult to get an exchange or refund accomplished.
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Modlily Review | Modlily Reviews on BBB
The Better Business Bureau has awarded Modlily an overall rating of “F,” with a composite score of 1.18 stars out of 5. Although there are only 12 reviews of Modlily, only one Modlily reviewer gave their experience with Modlily clothing a positive rating.
All other reviewers on the BBB site gave Modlily a 1-star review.
Modlily reviews on BBB address a range of issues, including a frustrating process for returns and refunds, as well as the overall poor quality of Modlily clothing. One such Modlily reviewer notes:
I received the items I ordered and the quality is horrible. The clothes don’t fit either. I’ve been trying to get them to send me an address to return the items for an out-of-pocket shipping fee, but they just keep bargaining and asking for partial refunds in exchange for keeping the useless items. Horrible experience. I was not aware they were internationally based and was charged an extra $5 in international transaction fees. Dreadful experience and very costly in the end. All the “glowing” customer reviews are in broken English, so probably not real.
Another BBB Modlily reviewer noted problems requesting an exchange:
Modlily “says” they offer a fast and easy return policy. GOOD LUCK! Their website is rigged, anytime you try to, “submit a ticket” or click on “return or exchange” suddenly the, “website is busy.” I have tried this over and over again, and it always comes to a dead end. The top I got was way too large, all I wanted to do was exchange it. Impossible. Now I will never buy from them again.
Additionally, there are 34 official complaints that have been filed against the online retailer. The majority of Modlily complaints address issues with the product or service, such as:
- Being unable to cancel an order
- Modlily customer service is only available through creating a “ticket”
- Clothing sizing is significantly smaller than listed on size charts
- Inability to receive a refund for a defective product
- Modlily clothing being poor quality and not looking like the photo
Based on Modlily reviews on BBB, shoppers believe that they have fallen victim to a Modlily scam, due primarily to the complicated return and refund process.
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Modlily Review | Modlily Reviews on Sitejabber
There are more than 1,500 reviews of Modlily on Sitejabber, giving the retailer an overall rating of 3.5 stars out of 5. Approximately 32 percent of shoppers gave their experience with Modlily clothing a full 5-star rating.
Positive Modlily Reviews
Customers who leave positive reviews of Modlily on Sitejabber profess that the site is a great place to get stylish clothing at an affordable price.
One such reviewer states that she was “very impressed” with her purchases, saying that she loves the fit and believes that her Modlily clothing looks even better in person than in the photos.
Interestingly, a large percentage of positive Modlily customer reviews come from shoppers who purchased bathing suits. Although some note that shipping does take a little longer and that sizing is smaller than in traditional stores, Modlily reviewers maintain that the quality of clothing is worth the wait.
Negative Modlily Reviews
Approximately 56 percent of Modlily reviews on Sitejabber give a 1-star rating, with shoppers recounting a wide range of issues with the retailer’s shipping, returns, and refund policies, as well as the quality of the products.
One reviewer uploaded photos of what she ordered versus what she received, which looked nothing like the product ordered. She titled her review “Horrible” and noted:
Ordered a swimsuit what came looked nothing like the picture. Can’t get ahold of anyone to return item. The second picture is what they sent me.
Modlily Review on Sitejabber
Because Modlily customer service is difficult to get in touch with and there is no option for phone support, returns are equally as difficult to get approved. Even when a return is approved, it’s unlikely that the customer will get a full refund, as one Modlily reviewer states being offered only 80 percent of the purchase price.
Other critical Modlily customer reviews point out that the overall quality of Modlily clothing is simply not worth what they paid. One such reviewer warns to stay away from Modlily entirely, stating “You wait over a month to get your order and receive cheap quality unfinished clothes, sizes are misrepresented…a large is meant for a child.”
By and large, Modlily complaints point to significant discrepancies with what US-based consumers have come to expect in terms of responsiveness, product quality, and a buyer-facing approach.
Modlily Review | Modlily Reviews on Trustpilot
There are over 1,530 Modlily reviews on Trustpilot, giving the Modlily an overall rating of 2 stars out of 5 and a ranking of “Poor.” Approximately 31 percent of shoppers rated their experience with Modlily clothing as “Excellent,” while 50 percent gave a rating of “Bad.”
Positive Modlily Clothing Reviews
Modlily reviewers praise the site for offering well-made, affordable clothing, with many stating that they had no idea that the manufacturer was even based in China. For example, one Modlily reviewer says:
I’m very happy with my Modlily purchase! The fabric is high quality, the construction is flawless, and the price was great! The delivery time was a little slower than we spoiled Americans prefer, (thanks, Amazon!) but, since I expected it was going to take a while, I have no complaints.
As seen in previous positive Modlily reviews, a significant number of satisfied shoppers mention purchasing swimsuits, saying that their suit fit perfectly and was made with high-quality fabric. So, this may be a product area where the clothing is of better quality.
Another positive Modlily review noted they purchased two bathing suits and had to send one back because they didn’t care for it. They did not have any problem with their refund, stating that they were “refunded within a week” and they would recommend Modlily.
Overall, positive Modlily reviews highly recommend shopping on the site, saying that although Modlily clothing may take a long time to ship, the wait is well worth it, and many felt that the shipping policies were honestly communicated on the site.
Note: This AdvisoryHQ review found some incidents where the same person wrote multiple Modlily reviews. While this may not be an error on the retailer’s part, it is helpful to note, as these can unintentionally skew the ratio of positive to negative Modlily reviews.
Negative Modlily Clothing Reviews
One of the most common elements throughout critical Modlily reviews on Trustpilot is that the retailer is not customer focused. Frustrated shoppers are quick to point out that refunds and returns are not only difficult to obtain, but they also end up costing the buyer more money in the long run.
For example, one Modlily reviewer states that they were offered either a 50 percent refund or the option to pay for shipping back to China, a cost that was too high to justify the trouble.
Perhaps not surprisingly, a significant number of Modlily reviewers state having to open disputes with their bank, their credit card, or with PayPal in order to obtain a refund.
The poor quality of the Modlily clothing is also highlighted in many Trustpilot Modlily reviews, with mentions of unfinished items without hems, terrible fits, and descriptions of embroidery that is really just screen printing.
As one Modlily reviewer warns:
Don’t order from Modlily! Terrible quality material and bad workmanship. They also “play games” when you contact them to schedule a return. Insist on a FULL refund and threaten to contact your credit card company if they give you a hassle.
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Modlily Review | Modlily Complaints
While Modlily complaints can be found while looking through negative Modlily reviews, there are also a number of forums available for frustrated shoppers to voice their concerns and warn other Modlily shoppers.
One such website is Pissed Consumer, which has collected 1,720 Modlily complaints from shoppers across the globe. With an overall rating of 1.4 stars out of 5, the most common themes among these complaints are:
- Customer service is largely unreachable, which makes the return/refund process impossible
- Modlily clothing is very poor quality and often does not match the advertised picture
- Size chart is way off, causing shoppers to accidentally order clothing that is much smaller than intended
- Orders take months to arrive and are often sent with missing items of clothing
Pissed Consumer Modlily Complaints
Perhaps the most common element across all Modlily complaints is a warning to potential shoppers to avoid Modlily altogether. As one Modlily reviewer says:
I will NEVER order anything from Modlily again. I don’t recommend them at all. You can get better swimsuits at lower prices on several other websites that are legitimate and actually have a way for customers to reach them and get an answer to inquiries.
Another important consideration to take from Modlily complaints is the average amount of money lost by shopping through the site, either by receiving unwearable items or being unable to receive a full refund. Modlily complaints on Pissed Consumer report that the average loss for individual shoppers is $123, with over $86,000 in total losses.
Modlily Canada, Modlily Australia, & Modlily UK Reviews
Are shoppers in other countries getting any better service? Perhaps shipping is faster for customers of Modlily Australia because it’s so much closer to the China-based company?
We took a look over reviews for Modlily UK, Modlily Australia, and Modlily Canada, and here are some excerpts.
In a Modlily UK review on Top Reviews Site, the shopper had a positive experience, stating they only had to wait 10 days for their shipment and to ensure they got the right UK size, they chose a size larger than they usually wear.
Two Modlily Canada shoppers wrote negative reviews on Pissed Consumer complaining about two different issues. One had her shipment redirected to the U.S. and asked for a refund seven times, with no Modlily customer service response and no order.
The second Canadian reviewer of Modlily said none of the clothes they ordered fit, even though they ordered the clothing a size or two larger. They were frustrated at the lack of Modlily’s customer service and the inability to return the items because of it.
On ProductReview.com.au, it appears that several reviewers of Modlily Australia did not receive their items any sooner than unhappy reviewers in other countries.
They noted wait times longer than 4 to 5 weeks and lack of communication from Modlily and the inability to get in touch with anyone at the company to check on their shipment.
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Modlily Review | Is Modlily Legit? Is Modlily a Scam?
Based on positive Modlily reviews from satisfied shoppers, Modlily does appear to have a strong following of repeat customers.
However, repetitive issues with customer service, returns, shipping, and overall quality detailed by frustrated Modlily reviewers have caused many shoppers to ask the questions: Is Modlily a legit website? Is Modlily a scam?
Even more troubling is that many Modlily reviewers already assume that they have been a victim of a scam, primarily due to unresponsive customer service, difficulty obtaining a refund, and the overall poor quality of Modlily clothing.
See the sections below for a detailed discussion on whether Modlily is a legit site, or if this retailer is looking to take your money and run.
Is Modlily Legit?
One of the most important aspects of determining whether Modlily is a legit website comes from analyzing the security settings. Is Modlily legit and safe to enter your credit card information?
Modlily.com has an “https” prefix and a small green lock. As such, your credit card information data is transmitted with Secure Sockets Layer, providing an additional layer of security which has now become a global online standard.
Additionally, there is a Norton Secured icon and SecureTrust icon at the bottom of their site, indicating they’ve taken proper security precautions for accepting credit cards.
Based on hundreds of Modlily reviews from shoppers who have received their packages and successfully communicated with Modlily customer service, Modlily is more than a website. It is a business with an address, contact information, stock warehouse, and customer service department.
In terms of online security and basic function, yes, Modlily is a legit website. However, just because Modlily.com will let you place an order, that doesn’t mean that you should. There are plenty of reasons to doubt whether Modlily clothing is the best way to spend your money, as detailed in the section below.
Modlily Clothing Reviews
Is There a Modlily Scam?
With the majority of Modlily reviews detailing significant issues with customer service, shipping, returns, and the overall poor quality of Modlily clothing, many shoppers believe that they have fallen victim to a Modlily scam.
So, is Modlily a scam? Based on complaints and reviews across the web, Modlily certainly does not appear to care about the customer’s best interests.
Shipping is unreliable, refunds are difficult (if not impossible) to get, and for many shoppers, the quality of Modlily clothing is significantly lower than expected, while others receive items that look nothing like the website’s product photo.
Although concerning, the above characteristics are commonly seen in retailers based out of China. Despite criticism on stolen images, low-quality products, frustrating return processes, and dismal customer service, there has not yet been any legal action taken against Modlily as a scam.
Ultimately, Modlily complaints demonstrate that the retailer has a number of issues with quality control and customer service to address, which should make any online shopper think twice before filling up their cart.
AdvisoryHQ Verdict: Is Modlily Clothing Worth It?
Is Modlily clothing worth the chance? Although there are hundreds of satisfied shoppers who would answer “yes,” the vast majority would respond with a resounding “no.”
Unfortunately, as is the case with many overseas manufacturers, Modlily falls into the trap of flashy advertising for clothing that either never arrives or looks and feels cheap. And shoppers drawn in by the rock-bottom prices, end up being frustrated.
Additionally, based on customer reviews, Modlily customer service is practically nonexistent, a fact which is supported by the lack of response or attempt to resolve Modlily complaints online.
While there is no concrete evidence that Modlily is actively trying to scam shoppers, that doesn’t mean that you should trust them with your money. With poorly made clothing, substandard customer service, and inaccurate sizing, Modlily ultimately earns a 1-star rating as a retailer to avoid entirely.
Rather than trying to save a few dollars by taking a chance on Modlily clothing, shoppers in the US, Canada, the UK, and Australia would be much better off choosing retailers with a demonstrated commitment to responsive customer service, honoring return policies, and selling quality products.
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Image sources:
- https://www.modlily.com/
- https://www.sitejabber.com/reviews/modlily.com
- https://www.pissedconsumer.com/modlily/RT-F.html
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