Has anybody ordered from Shabnam Zahid of Silk Affair?

Lifestyle Bazaar Talk
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Has anybody successfully ordered from Shabnam Zahid of Silk Affair? I ordered several dresses from her almost 2 weeks ago from Houston and paid in her full (more than $900) and have not received anything to date. The parcel she sent could even make it out of the post office because it has no mailing label or return label? I am wondering if this is an isolated incident or is there something else going on here. I paid her $25 dollars for shipping with US and asked her to mail my package with priority mail which takes 2 to 3 days but she had a family member mail it out with parcel post. most vendors ship for free when you are buying several dresses but I even paid her handsome amount within usa but I am very frustrated and have no package. I had asked her to mail the pkg before leaving and she specifically assured me she would do it before leaving for Canada. She showed all the dresses on skype…instead she left even after telling that she would mail them and her mom started telling she would mail. Everyday it was a different story..finally it was mailed but tracking says package is lost because there is no label on it.

PEOPLE PLEASE DO NOT BE SO TRUSTING EVEN IN THE MONTH OF RAMADAN…THERE LOTS OF HONEST PPL DOING BUSINESS HERE BUT THERE ARE ALSO A FEW WHO ARE DISHONEST EVEN IN THE BLESSED MONTH OF RAMADAN. again I hope this is isolated incident but I dont know and $925 is alot of money…we need to stop fraud and scams…problems and delays do happen as we are human…but we need to realize that in business we need to care about doing the right thing.

I am still praying that I receive them and it is a misunderstanding but I am very apprehensive. It will hard to trust anybody now without solid reviews or references. She showed me the stuff on skype and I didnt doubt her because being a muslim and in the month of ramadan I would think that she would honor her word especially since I deposited the money in her bank account. again I’m praying I receive the package. i still cannot believe that any person would do that to another muslim…once again praying that this is a big misunderstanding but 2 weeks to receive a shipment within US after payment was made is ridiculous.

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Re: Has anybody ordered from Shabnam Zahid of Silk Affair?

I was about to place an order but I thought a simple 3 tone tie-dye suit with kaam on the neckline wasn't worth the $175. So I dropped the idea.. apparantly she told me she was in Calgary when I emailed her about the jora!

Priority mail is 6-10 business days.. so even though its been 2 weeks maybe it hasnt been 10 business days.. wait a while and then maybe try and get intouch with her!

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Re: Has anybody ordered from Shabnam Zahid of Silk Affair?

good for you. priority mail is 2 to 3 days......it doesn;t take that long from houston......even first class mail is 4 days. She supposedly goes back and forth from houston to Calgary. The pics for the dresses are appealing....and she shows them but after that she doesn't deliver on her word. She is very smooth and very good at marketing....look you even get stuff from Pakistan delivered in 2 to 4 days. I have gotten lot of stuff......so within US mail is not that slow. She did have the stuff and showed it on skype but she said would mail, then her mom said she would mail it and then her sister supposedly mailed it......but I have no package. It went straight to dead letter/mail facility which means there was no address or return address? I never heard of that? If you send something for $900 you make sure the stuff has a proper mail label.....she did insure the package for over $12. Shipping was $15 and insurance was $12 even though I didn't ask her to insure package....just asked her to mail it using priority which is 2 to 3 days from one part of the country to the other.

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Re: Has anybody ordered from Shabnam Zahid of Silk Affair?

How would post office accept a parcel without a label ? How would they calculate the postage if the proper label with destination in not on it ?

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Re: Has anybody ordered from Shabnam Zahid of Silk Affair?

How did you find out the package went to dead mail facility without any label information?

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Re: Has anybody ordered from Shabnam Zahid of Silk Affair?

Good question .

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Re: Has anybody ordered from Shabnam Zahid of Silk Affair?

two things.

  1. why would you send full payment when you have not dealt with this person before? sounds a bit unwise.
  2. maybe the label fell off? got ripped off?
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Re: Has anybody ordered from Shabnam Zahid of Silk Affair?

I ordered from her a couple of years back.. The stuff was ok and arrived on time..

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Re: Has anybody ordered from Shabnam Zahid of Silk Affair?

I jus tdont understand one thing, why would you send such a large amount of $$ to someone you've never ordered from?

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Re: Has anybody ordered from Shabnam Zahid of Silk Affair?

@Mirch....she did pay for delivery confirmation....so you can track the label on online......yeah my point to is when I take a package to post office they make sure it is secured properly. It says it was supposed to be delivered by Aug. 22 but no package it went straight to dead letter facility for some reason.....my question is why? I asked my postmaster at the local office office and he said that they don't check if you print the label from home.....then they don't weigh the package......you can simply drop it off with others......so his explanation is that they may have done it online.......i don't know

the real mystery is that it never left texas.....

@deeba.....how was the quality of the stuff? The stuff I wanted was all in large size so it did need to shortened and tightened but she said she has somebody who can do it....but later she said it was more work .....but the thing is before she supposedly left houston for calgary I made sure she would mail it and she said alterations were done and she would mail them before her flight. when I called later her mom picked and said the alterations were done correctly and had to be redone

It was a big mistake to make full payment......but she showed me all the stuff on skype.....so I knew she had the dresses in her possesion.....but what vendor gives you anything without full payment....I told her several times I only wanted to buy 2 dresses to see her quality......and then when she came on skype she rapidly showed all the dresses and she marketed herself quite well.....the dresses were different from anything i saw on facebook......they were trendy....so despite my initial desire I did wind up buying more than my initial intention......she was leaving on the 11th from houston for Calgary......I told her repeatedly that I did not want anything from Canada bc it would international shipping. I definitely want kick myself in the head now but until i made payment she seemed geniune.....then her story changed and she didn't do what she promised and I have a label but it has the strangest tracking info......I realy don't know why the package was detained.......

I was a little bit less apprehensive because it is in the USA and not an international transaction. I have gotten alot of stuff from Pakistan and never been cheated on like this just minor issues. I did try to order dresses from India and got scammed but not for this amount. Before she was answering emails now she is not responding.

I didn't want to put this on this thread but felt that I had to share with other Guppans and maybe they could help me analyze the situation.

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Re: Has anybody ordered from Shabnam Zahid of Silk Affair?

@Sara516......she said she would offer wholesale prices on 6 to 7 dresses and once again showed them on skype. I know scams are rampant in pakistan and it is harder to check the person but I felt more comfortable because it was a US transaction....honestly being Ramazan didn't think that anybody would scoop that low to show the dresses and not deliver them. I have complete a few transaction with fellow guppans - I was paid in full but I shipped the items (they are somebody else's ammanat) immediately. I buy stuff from ebay all the time and it comes from places like China but it comes within a week. Initially she didn't seem like the type to scam but the more I deal with her......I get an uneasy feeling.....Her mother got involved and so did her sister......and it was her sister who ultimately mailed out the package......I don't want to deal with her mother or sister....I paid her the money. Look somebody bought 3 dresses from me almost worth $400 (I shipped the dresses out the next day....insured them at my expense) and then I followed up with her to make sure she got them. She received them 2 days later. I'm an honest person so yeah obviously I think that others are honest as well especially in this blessed month. She has ruined Ramadan for me. She chose to send the clothes with the cheapest, least realiable service available at post office. Business was our beloved prophet's occupation....nothing wrong with that but have decency to respect others money. She took the money and is not responding. There is a certain responsiblity when you do a transaction.

I love buying off the internet because it gives me access to the global market.......more goods are available to me at competitive prices.....however I am learning that hard way that there are people out who will cheat or scam you without any conscience. I asked her to ship out with Priority mail and I paid $25 (it was not free shipping).

Definitely, I think we need to come up with a protocol when we are buying off the internet....hottest commodity for us is Desi Clothing which we usually cannot purchase at reasonalbe prices in the USA.

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Re: Has anybody ordered from Shabnam Zahid of Silk Affair?

@Sara516 and others........no seller including myself will ship any items without full payment.....so yes the seller is always in better position and it is buyer beware.....there is an honor system here for sellers....but one has to have conscience and morals..... once again I don't know of one seller who will ship goods clothes and bill later.....this might be done when there is long term relationship......so I never even asked SHABNAM ZAHID IF could send a bunch of dresses to me and I would pay later.......I knew this was not an option.

PLEASE FELLOW GS MEMBERS ESPECIALLY ONES IN AMERICA AND CANADA OPEN PAYPAL ACCOUNTS........This does not protect you entirely but definitely offers buyer and seller some more protection. I know there is no Paypal in Pakistan but in America it is FREE.

HELP CURB OR PREVENT FRAUD. And remember if you are a designer homebased or otherwise LET YOUR WORK SPEAK FOR ITSELF. If your clothes of great quality and superior workmanship and good customer service the customer will be back over and over......this is the way to do business.

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Re: Has anybody ordered from Shabnam Zahid of Silk Affair?

Really sorry to hear of your dilemma:(

Have you contacted her?...if she is still in Canada,speak to the mother or sister and explain why you have not received your clothes.

Whereabouts in the States are you??..it sounds silly to send such expensive items by ordinary post,but it is possible the label fell off,and if she did not put a return label,then she is really stupid.Here,in the UK,when you send anything registered,the label is self printed by the Post Office and you have to put a return address on it.Looks like it was sent ordinary mail in a rushed job.
Still....it's her responsibility,so I would keep trying to contact her.

On FB,there is a page for bad online sellers.Tell her you will post her details on it...

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Re: Has anybody ordered from Shabnam Zahid of Silk Affair?

thanks for your concern charmed one........yes it was stupid to send it with parcel post.......but remember she insured the package and paid $12.10 for that. or one her relatives definitely did that. I don't understand why she would use a slower service but spend my money to insure it? Did she have any doubt that it would reach me? I never asked her to insure it......I specifically asked her to send via priority mail which is a trackable service. If you speak to her or see her advertisement (there is ad in ramazan special) she will boast about her 27 years of experience and how doesn't compromise on quality....when I spoke to her she gave them the whole speech about how she has alot of experience ---and she mails parcels all the time. when I get a parcel it is such a pain to open and to remove label because the tape is so strong......and in cases when I havent taped parcels properly my post office will add layers of tape.......it is not really that easy for labels to fall off......the clerks here don't just accpet packages that are poorly taped...then they put layers of tape on it....One explanation may that she printed labels online but the receipt she emailed for tracking was hand written with my name and zip code.

Please kindly could you give me the link of bad online sellers........I know to check on there from now one.

The clothes if you check out the pictures (once again there is an ad under ramzan special) are pretty stylish......she showed them on skype and they seemed pretty decent as well. I was very straightforward with her.....she was only in houston for a few days (as she says) and I specifically told her I wanted her to mail clothes from HOuston and not from Canada . I wanted her to do the mailing (since I deposited money in her account)....I did want to deal with her mother, sister, or niece.

I have tried to call her and her mother but now her mother refuses to speak....she said to speak to her daughter directly....initially the mom was very talkative and told me how great her daughter was and how great her work is.......

Please pray that this mess gets resolved and I get my clothes in satisfactory condition or I get my money back. thanks in advance.

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Re: Has anybody ordered from Shabnam Zahid of Silk Affair?

i feel so bad for you hidayah.. especially since im in houston... it saddens me that we have frauds here... :-(

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Re: Has anybody ordered from Shabnam Zahid of Silk Affair?

@sabz thanks for your support. Yes, it is sad that people will do these. Her mom has a homebased boutique in Houston and from what she said she was in HOuston for an Exhibition at Bar b tonite in Sugarland. She does exhibitions in different restaurants there.

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Re: Has anybody ordered from Shabnam Zahid of Silk Affair?

Hi
This is Shabnam Zahid …I dont know Hadiya,tee Q ,Zenat khan,farah Q or Sofia…she contacts me with these names.I just know Sofia whom I have talked to.I have sent her the recipet image and the tracking no and constantly trying to locate the parcel…I never tried to avoid her ..for once when she asked me to talk to her I told her that I am at the funeral otherwise I have been calling her and sending her the messages ..here is the conversation…
[TABLE=“class: uiGrid conversationContainer, width: 241”]

i need to speak to you immediately

http://profile.ak.fbcdn.net/static-ak/rsrc.php/v1/y9/r/IB7NOFmPw2a.gif
You need to call me immediately or give me a number where I can reach…it will be for your own benefit.

http://profile.ak.fbcdn.net/hprofile-ak-ash2/203343_100001121234909_1494113_q.jpg
Sorry Sofia I am at the funeral cant talk to u . can u message me so that I can reply. my friends mother died right now.

http://profile.ak.fbcdn.net/static-ak/rsrc.php/v1/y9/r/IB7NOFmPw2a.gif
sorry abt that…really am sorry but I do need to speak to you. It is important and for your benefit and others…whether you respond or not is your choice but I just want to inform you.

http://profile.ak.fbcdn.net/hprofile-ak-ash2/203343_100001121234909_1494113_q.jpg
Sorry Sofia will call u in the night. there are alot of peopel here.If it wasnt in my benefit even if I would have called u . I am here till the iftari…

Yesterday
http://profile.ak.fbcdn.net/static-ak/rsrc.php/v1/y9/r/IB7NOFmPw2a.gif
You have not received my calls. Necessary action has been taken to recover my money. You were given sufficient time and notice.

http://profile.ak.fbcdn.net/static-ak/rsrc.php/v1/y9/r/IB7NOFmPw2a.gif
I knew you would not call. have you tracked the package down? what is the real story?

http://profile.ak.fbcdn.net/hprofile-ak-ash2/203343_100001121234909_1494113_q.jpg
Hi zeenat. I have tried a lot to find the package…its in dalas just fund out at their recovery centre. my neice has gone every where. this was a fault of the post office people. …I;ll have to talk to the supevisor in dallas tomorrow. I am trying hard. it never happened…I have been sending my outfits almost daily but this time dont know what happened.

Today
http://profile.ak.fbcdn.net/static-ak/rsrc.php/v1/y9/r/IB7NOFmPw2a.gif5:18am
If they found the package then simply give them my address and ask them to send it overnight since it is the fault of the post office. They should certainly accomodate you if you speak to the supervisor.

http://profile.ak.fbcdn.net/hprofile-ak-ash2/203343_100001121234909_1494113_q.jpg
thats what I wanted.
want.
She has all my whereabouts in Houston and Calgary.If I would be at her place I would definitely suspect anybody but would not act immaturely. The moment I mailed the parcel she started suspecting me on my every action Its her way of thinking …she started calling me fraud and I should have fear in Allah etc…that was not my fault its post office’s fault.but still I am trying to locate the parcel…
Ill post all the conversations done between us two for the people who should judge themselves.
anybody can track the shipment…I am trying to talk to the supervisor to send the parcel overnight. these things can be happened but one should be patient and should not expose herself…Alhamdolillah I am doing my business for so many years and never encountered with such a person…she has been threatening that she will tell her husband and all.
If I were a fraud then I shouldnt have contacted her. noboduy can do anything if I have got the money in my hand. Allah knows better.I am not afraid of her by posting bad things about me.If my concious is clear then I am satisfied. I have done the best I could do. if its in our fate to be happened like this noboduy can change that.we will just have to wait and see then decide what to do…nobody can change her views and I cant say anything unless she get the shipment which is not in my hands but its my duty to locate the parcel until it gets in her hands…good luck Sofia

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Re: Has anybody ordered from Shabnam Zahid of Silk Affair?

shabnam zahid has requested that you receive the current Track & Confirm
information, as shown below.

Current Track & Confirm e-mail information provided by the U.S. Postal Service.

Label Number: 0311 0820 0000 6128 4974

Service Type: Parcel Post Delivery Confirmation

Shipment Activity Location Date & Time

Dead Mail / Sent to
Mail Recovery
Center
Acceptance HOUSTON TX 77083 08/15/11 12:01am

Processed through Sort DALLAS TX 75398 08/14/11 11:33am
Facility

I dont know what should I do... should I stop searching for the parcel and posting updates here.....

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Re: Has anybody ordered from Shabnam Zahid of Silk Affair?

This is what Uncle Google has suggested:

*For those of you trying to recover lost mail from the USPS Dead Letter Office, here is some information to help you.

There are two Dead Letter Office/Mail Recovery Center (MRC) locations for the US- Atlanta, Georgia and St. Paul, Minnesota.
It would seem that the obvious thing to do would be to call USPS to get the number of the center where your lost parcel was sent, right? Except that USPS doesn't like to give out these numbers. In fact, they will often say that there ISN'T a number for these locations. Guess they like all the money they make from the those auctions...

Atlanta Mail Recovery Center
5345 Fulton Industrial Boulevard SW
Atlanta, GA 30378
Phone: (404) 344-1625

St. Paul Mail Recovery Center
443 Fillmore Ave E.
St. Paul, MN 55107-9607
Phone: (651) 293-3735

Centers are supposed to open packages & check for any address information; if found, packages are to be forwarded to that address. If none is found, they are supposed to hold the package for 90 days before auctioning.

There are two MRCs in the United States: Atlanta, GA and St. Paul, MN. The** Atlanta MRC holds main originating from the following*: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, **Texas,* Vermont, Virgin Islands, Virginia, and West Virginia. The St. Paul MRC holds mail originating from the following: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, Samoa, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
*

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Re: Has anybody ordered from Shabnam Zahid of Silk Affair?

Please keep updating this thread , we will close this thread for further comments once the matter is resolved.