Quartier Ottawa is an online fashion boutique based in Ottawa, Canada that sells clothing and accessories for both men and women. Founded in 1999, the company has grown to become a recognizable brand in the city and offers a variety of stylish and practical clothing options.

However, as the company operates solely online some may question whether Quartier Ottawa is legitimate or potentially a scam. In this comprehensive review, I will explore the company further to determine if it can be trusted or if consumers should be wary.

Is Quartier Ottawa Scam or Legit?

There are several indicators that suggest Quartier Ottawa is likely a legitimate business and not a scam:

Detailed About Us Section

The company provides a detailed “About Us” page on their website that outlines when and where they were founded, their mission and values, as well as background on the brand and founding team. Legitimate businesses are typically transparent with this type of company information.

Trustbadges and Secure Checkout

Quartier Ottawa displays trustbadges from BBB, Trustpilot, and others indicating they maintain a good reputation with consumers. They also utilize secure SSL checkout protection when processing payments. These safety measures inspire confidence in legitimacy.

Physical Address Listed

The company lists a clear physical address in Ottawa, Canada on their site. While they operate online primarily, having a real business address is a sign they are an established company and not just an anonymous fly-by-night operation. Physical addresses reduce scam suspicions.

Positive Online Reviews

Researching online reveals customers generally have positive experiences shopping from Quartier Ottawa. While no business is perfect, the presence of many real reviews without scam complaints bodes well. Reviews provide social proof the company can be trusted.

Strong Return Policy

They offer a flexible 30-day return policy on all orders with free exchanges. A robust return window and policy reduces risk for customers, which legitimate businesses understand is important for building brand trust long-term.

Potential Red Flags About Quartier Ottawa

While the above signs point to Quartier Ottawa being on the up-and-up, there are a few potential red flags, but none that outright suggest scam behavior:

🚩 Limited Brand Information

Compared to larger retailers, details on company leadership and history could be more robust. However, many small businesses have room to improve storytelling – this alone does not indicate fraud.

🚩 No Physical Store

As an online-only store, there’s no option to visit a boutique in person. However, many reputable brands today operate exclusively online due to lower overhead. E-commerce is common and does not equal illegitimacy.

🚩 Some Fake Discount Prices

A small number of products seem to be regularly discounted from inflated original prices in a manipulative “sale” method. While deceptive, this gray-hat tactic alone does not constitute an outright scam either. Most reviews indicate fair pricing.

🚩 Sells on Instagram Too

In addition to their website, Quartier Ottawa also uses Instagram to promote sales, which some see as abrasive. However, Instagram is a legitimate sales platform and they are not operating deceitfully there from all accounts.

In summary, while not perfect, there are no outrightly unscrupulous behaviors exhibited by the company that would classify them as a clear scam. Overall signs point to Quartier Ottawa likely being on the up and up. However, consumers should still practice standard online safety measures when shopping there or anywhere.

Quartier Ottawa Customer Service Review

So in terms of actually interacting with and purchasing from Quartier Ottawa, what is the customer experience like? Let’s take a closer look:

Easy Registration / Checkout Process

Setting up an account and checking out is straightforward using standard registration forms and a simple checkout cart. No unusual or unnecessary obstacles during the transaction process.

Competitive Pricing

After accounting for currency conversion from CAD to USD, the clothing and accessory price points seem fair when compared to similar brands. Some frequent discount promotions further improve value.

Tracking and Timely Shipping

Order tracking numbers are provided promptly. Most reviewers report orders arriving within the estimated 5-10 business day delivery window for standard international orders. No prevailing complaints about lost packages.

Responsive Support Team

The company provides multiple convenient contact options like phone, email and live chat. Test inquiries received quick, friendly and helpful responses from customer support representatives.

Lenient Return & Exchange Policy

As stated on their site, items in new condition can be returned within 30 days for a full refund with no questions asked. Free exchanges are also allowed in this window. Returns seem to be smoothly processed per reviews.

Positive Social Proof

In addition to credible reviews on the Quartier Ottawa site itself, scanning Facebook, Instagram and image search reveals many real people proudly wearing and sharing photos of their Quartier Ottawa purchases. This form of social proof through earned/owned media is very encouraging.

In summary, from testing the shopping experience first-hand and examining reviews online, customers appear to be having consistently good interactions with Quartier Ottawa. No glaring red flags were uncovered related to shipping, returns, support responsiveness or other service indicators. The company delivers as expected.

How to Spot Potential Scam Stores

Although Quartier Ottawa checks out as legitimate, here are some warning signs that a store could potentially be fraudulent:

• No clear contact information or address listed
• Generic domain names not matching brand name
• Unable to find reviews outside their own site
• Faulty or insecure website without SSL encryption
• Pressure tactics to rush payment before researching
• Requesting payment by untraceable means like prepaid cards
• Refusal or inability to refund despite return policy
• Generic products at extremely low prices seem too good to be true
• Misspellings, grammatical errors on website content
• Newly registered domains can indicate fly-by-night operations

Always do some independent research on unfamiliar online stores and only order from reputable sellers you feel confident about. Be wary of deals that are “too good to be true”.

Is Quartier Ottawa Worth Shopping With?

To conclude this comprehensive review, in my assessment Quartier Ottawa shows every sign of being a legitimate online clothing retailer worth considering for purchases. Some key takeaways:

• They’ve been in business for over 20 years as a reputable Ottawa-based brand.
• Payment security, return policies, and responsiveness to customers show care for building trust.
• While not perfect, no outrightly deceitful or unethical practices were uncovered.
• Real reviews are overwhelmingly positive about quality, service and customer experiences.
• Competitive pricing when compared to peers, especially with sales factored in.
• Risk of issues seems low based on lack of scam or dissatisfaction complaints found.

Therefore, for consumers seeking stylish and ethically-produced men’s and women’s fashion, Quartier Ottawa appears to deliver as promised.

Standard online precautions like paying with credit cards are still wise, but overall signs point to this being a legitimate retailer deserving of consideration. Risk of being misled or scammed seems minor.

Shoppers can feel comfortable purchasing confidently from Quartier Ottawa based on this extensive review. But of course, consumers will need to make their own informed choice.

Please share any other experiences with Quartier Ottawa in the comments – feedback both positive and negative helps everyone make the best decisions.

Also Read: Wearicy Review: Scam or Legit?

Frequently Asked Questions about Quartier Ottawa

Do they ship internationally?

Yes, Quartier Ottawa ships worldwide. Shipping prices and estimated delivery times will vary depending on the delivery location.

What payment methods do they accept?

The company accepts most major credit/debit cards including Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. They also accept PayPal and afterpay as payment options.

How long will it take for my order to arrive?

Standard international shipping usually takes around 5-10 business days. Faster shipping options like express are also available for an additional cost. Track your order on your account dashboard for accurate delivery estimates.

Is there a sizing guide available?

Yes, a detailed sizing guide with measurements is provided on the site to help customers select the correct size. It’s always best to compare your own measurements against the size chart as sizing can vary between brands.

Do you offer returns or exchanges?

Quartier Ottawa has a flexible 30-day return policy where you can return unworn and unused items for a full refund. Exchanges are also free within this window.

How do I contact customer support?

You can reach out to their support team via phone, email, or online live chat during business hours listed on their site. Expect a response within 1 business day.