Mercantila

Full review
Not sure what to say really about this online store, other than, DISAPPOINTMENT!
I am a regular shopper online for many things from airline tickets, hotels, vacations, books, electronics, and even stamps......so I am not a newbie to online shopping.
HOWEVER........i did something I would normally not do - Order from a website that I was not previously aware of, and without checking its rating somewhere else first! In this case, it was Mercantila.com!
Well, to make a long story short, I made the order for an item that I have to admit, did not exist anywhere else online in the first place, let alone the amazing price listed, and the additional perks offered with the purchase (i.e. free 1-2 shipping with FEDEX, $25 discount voucher, and generally speaking good telephone customer service to complete an order). So, I went ahead and made an order on the basis that I will get my unique item for cheap, free shipping, and fast. NONE CAME TRUE!! While my money was taken almost instantly after I ordered, after a month, NO item reached the supposed "warehouse", NO item was shipped - even though I had made their life easier based on their advice on their phone customer service, 2 weeks after I made the order, by changing my delivery address from Canada to somewhere in the US. And finally, when I wanted to cancel the damn order due to frustration, since they were items I ordered form them only because I needed them urgently in 2 weeks and that time had passed, I was told that a cancellation would be initiated, however, I might have my money refunded MINUS the shipping cost?!#@@# What shipping costs if the item hasn't even made it to the "warehouse" to be even shipped??!! Mind boggling how they don't even have that information themselves! So, while I was finally told that I will be getting a full refund (crossing my fingers!!) since I told them I am not paying for shipping for an item not shipped, I believe this is how Mercantila functions:
1. Attract you with low prices and free shipping on very unique/hard to find items.2. You make the order, your money is transacted for the order same day or next day.3. Nothing happens for at least 2 weeks.4. You freak out, inquire over and over again, getting the round-about answers.5. finally you give up, and choose to cancel the order and get feisty with them.6. They tell you they will do that in 7-10 business days, and you may very well lose your shipping/handling costs (even though your order was for free shipping.7. You will get your money back (full refund or minus at least 10% for the supposed shipping costs) after no less than a month from the date of your order/payment.8. As a result of this at least 1-month transaction, they have given you ABSOLUTELY NOTHING, taken your money, invested it for at least a month, and returned you the money, either in full or minus an imaginary shipping cost. So to me, THIS IS A TOTAL SCAM, COVERED UP AS A LEGITIMATE BUSINESS THAT TRADES ITEMS FOR MONEY! So, very hard to sue these people, since if you are patient for let's say 2-3 months, you will get your items...but in this day an age, is that period of time acceptable? Especially if they guarantee 1-2 day shipping?AVOID MERCANTILA AS MUCH AS YOU WOULD THE PLAGUE OR EVEN H1N1 IS MY ADVICE!