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Woman has ASOS account banned due to returns despite spending £10k

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A plus-sized tall woman has had her ASOS account BANNED in latest returns scandal - despite spending over £10k on the site.

Tskenya-Sarah Frazer, 31, has been a regular ASOS shopper since she was a teenager because of its range of plus-sized and tall offerings.

But on June 19 she checked her emails to find her account with the online retailer had been BLOCKED for life - due to breaching their "Fair Use Policy" because of the returns she has made."

ASOS cracked down last year on shoppers over-returning by charging £3.95 for returns if shoppers keep less than £40 of the order.

The decision was met with criticism from shoppers who argued as there aren't in-person shops to try on, greater returns should be expected.

And in ASOS's latest act it appears shoppers' return habits are again coming under fire.

Tskenya, who is a broadcaster and inclusion consultant said her first thought was 'where am I going to shop now?'.

Due to her size 18 and 5ft 9in frame, she said she had only made returns when she had bought multiple sizes due to being unsure which would fit.

This is something she says she always needs to do, because she falls outside the 'standard' sizing range and the tall and plus sections can be even more varied than the regular ranges.

She previously considered herself a "loyal customer" - even defending ASOS if people told her they didn't like it - and reckons she has spent over £10k on the site over the past decade."

But Tskenya now feels the brand is "punching down" on certain groups - such as people who don't fit regular sizing, as well as people who aren't able to visit in-person shops due to disabilities or location."

Tskenya, from Hackney, East London, said: "I've always been tall and plus-sized - I also have a larger foot size."

"It's always been hard to find clothes that fit me - and when I discovered ASOS as a teen it became my safe haven and my go-to because they had such a range of sizes."

"So when I woke up and got this cold email that my account had been permanently blocked, I couldn't believe it."

"I had such loyalty to ASOS - I never shopped anywhere else - and now I'm banned for life, it's egregious."

"This is more than clothes. This is an impact on people, and punching down on people of different heights, weights, abilities and classes."

"I feel so disillusioned - I don't know if I could shop with them again, even if they gave me my account back."

Tskenya is one of many young women who noticed their ASOS accounts were randomly closed last month - with many of them sharing their disbelief online.

Tskenya's email, received on June 19, read: "After reviewing your recent returns again, you remain part of a small group of customers whose shopping behaviour consistently breaches our Fair Use Policy."

"As a result, we've decided to close your account with immediate effect."

"For your information, this decision also applies to any other accounts you currently have or may attempt to open in the future."

The Fair Use Policy on ASOS's website states: "If we suspect fraudulent activity and/or notice any unusual or suspicious activity with your account, we may refuse to issue a refund and suspend and/or close your account and any associated accounts."

They list examples such as complaints relating to unreceived orders, missing items, ordering and returning large quantities, and unusual patterns of returns activity.

Tskenya recalled being shocked - as she said she hadn't considered her orders or returns to be out of the ordinary.

She said she does a big shop of around £2,000 four times a year, for each season - and returns around 50% of the order each time.

She would often order two or three sizes of a garment to ensure she got a size that fitted - and paid a yearly fee for ASOS Premier for unlimited free next-day delivery.

She said: "The retailers need to take some responsibility - if clothing sizes were standardised, we wouldn't need to order two sizes or lengths."

"I spoke to other people - some said they were disabled or chronically ill and couldn't return in person, or some lived remotely with no high streets."

"I think this is bigger than ASOS - it's an endemic issue with online retailers - punching down on people."

Tskenya feels let down by the brand - which she had been loyal to as she felt she shared their values.

She said: "They were a brand that spoke on diversity, and had these great campaigns and activations for LGBT+ folk and black history month."

"If I ever heard someone complain about ASOS, like their delivery or something, I would defend them, saying they're trying their best."

"I always said ASOS was a company I'd love to collab with - I'd heard they treat their employees well."

"And they're trying to be good with diversity and sustainability."

"I thought we shared the same values - but clearly we don't."

Tskenya said she has attempted to speak to ASOS on chat and by calling head office but has had no success.

Now she isn't confident she'd shop with them again even if her account was restored - but said the problem doesn't stop there.

She said: "It's easy for people to brush off 'oh here we go, Diversity Equality and Inclusion again', but it's bigger even than that."

"This will affect everyone's retailers if they aren't held to account and aren't transparent over things."

ASOS has been contacted for comment.

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