Mercantila

Full review
Bottom line: Absolutely not, buyer beware, read reviews from other websites, some slick online companies like Mercantila use shill accounts and fancy webpages to build false confidence and every marketing trick they can.  This review is unfinished, because I am still waiting for the delivery of my product, a $350 exercise bike.  I didn't do enough research on this company before I made my purchase, and I regret it now.  This was my first purchase from Mercantila, they are the parent retailer or sponsor of nearly 250 other small online marketers.  They don't seem to actually make or do anything, just another middle man to act as go between with customers, an increasing common practice in online marketing and sales.   I searched around online and couldn't find any price deviation so they may exclusive rights to sell to the product I am still trying to receive.  I'm will put enough specific information in this review that they will know who I am, and I have no issue with corresponding with them directly if they wish to follow up.  I am placing this review on several such websites including the one that Mercantila (and about 260 other merchandizers pay to host reviews for them).  I placed my order through Mercantila directly, although several of their affiliate companies also display this item, in hopes that I might get better or faster service since I couldn't buy directly from the company that designed and has my product (which is actually made in China).  I ordered my bike on 19 May, it showed 'in stock' online.  During the order I received an anticipated delivery date of 27 May (I now believe this is a totally false date, to give the allusion that something has been done with the intent to reduce the chance you will do your homework after purchase and cancel the order immediately).  Mercantila charged my credit card, moments after I placed my order, most company's wait until your order is shipped, so I found this a little alarming.  Within a day or so I received several phone calls from a Mercantila marketer trying to get me to buy the extended warranty (another common gimmick).  They got my number by making it required during checkout, they got me again.  I called and left several messages asking them to please just ship my item, but they didn't stop calling until I actually got someone on the phone and spoke with them.  About a week after the anticipated delivery date, there was still no tracking info, so I filled out their online form, no response.  A couple weeks passed and I send in another request for any information.  It's been nearly a month now, and just today did I receive an email response, it said the warehouse (remember they drop ship, so this is odd), doesn't have a tracking number, but they are looking into it.  I can't reply back to that email, it bounces back, deliver fail, and no other email or phone number is provided.  This company now has my email, phone number, home address, billing address and credit card number and security ID from the back.  I'm starting to get a sick feeling, and will be watching my accounts like a hawk.  I went back to their site and navigated my way through to find where they leave a place for you to respond and told them my complaint and asked them that if my product wasn't delivered by 27 Jun to cancel my order and I will seek reimbursement through my credit card.  While doing this I read some of the fine print, and it appears that if for any reason I have to ship the product back, I have to pay 'full shipping' even if it is damaged upon receipt. If you look around enough on their site, you'll find that they also Do Business As: The Internet Superstore, DriveSPEED Designs, The Brown Box, Red Carpet Shopping.  If they make this right I will update this review.  One little test you can try, go to buzzillions owned by powerReviews (the company Mercantila pays to "deliver... product reviews") and see if you can find this review, if not, they deleted it, and if that's no worse that paying people to write false positive reviews to "drive the highest sales uplift", you can read about this at Reuters, May 21, 2008 article.  I'm only partially relieved knowing that I may have saved someone else from going through what I have, and the slim chance they will actually make this right.  I do have some hope because I have read one account of this kind of thing happening, so stay tuned, I promise an update.---------UPDATE  19 June 2009-----------------------As promised, here's my update.  I received my product only 2 days after making my public complaint.  Very shortly after my message to them, and my numerous reviews of their service I received two emails stating that there was an error and they were shipping as soon as possible.  Since making my first review I've spoken with several people I about this issue and they feel that it's unfortunate a company has to resort to these tactics, but it appears to be just con artist trying to make a buck.  Most people won't spend the hours I did looking into this practice and posting to so many review websites.  I'm not reviewing the product, only the company, which pretended to make good after my complaints, I will try to call them tomorrow, but after reading even more reviews, I'm almost certain this will be a waste of time, Mercantila and it's sub clones is a fraud, I'm shocked the law allows this type of criminal enterprise.  The box upon delivery was significantly damaged and I'm surprised the product (exercise bike) was still in as decent appearance.  There was a wire that appeared to be deliberately cut, but I hope to splice it back together without issue.  After putting together, it took over an hour to do it right, the bike was totally broke.  We now believe the company intentionally sent us a defective product that had been returned to them. I seriously doubt they have any of these actually in stock.  As a little test, I went back to their website to see what it would be like if another person tried to order the same product today as I did nearly a month ago.  It still claims "In stock! Leaves Warehouse in: 1-2 weeks.", which I contest as an outright lie.  Don't forget the fact that they will require you to give your phone number, charge you immediately, even before shipping, and will make you pay for any return if one becomes necessary.  I'm going to throw away the 10% discount code they gave me if I make another purchase, because I would be embarrassed to give it to a friend, knowing what I know now.  Mercantila appears to be an out right scam.  I question any positive reviews of this company knowing that they hire www.powerreviews.com to manage their reviews and I would not be surprised if they didn't encourage people to write false positive reports.   If you are reading this you are a much smarter shopper than they expect to contend with.  As we all increasingly depend on honest reviews to influence our decisions about online purchases, these reviews are important. The new bottom line is, this company is obviously only out to make a buck, regardless of who they have to scam or how questionable their practices get.  In good faith I will try to contact them, and cancel my order then after the 10 days I offered for them to make this right, seek legal counsel.  Few people are willing to go through the efforts necessary to reconcile with them. I've never had to complain like this about any other company.  I am a frequent online purchaser, I buy thousands of dollars worth of goods online each year, this company is a fraud.