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Review summary

Created with AI, based on recent reviews

Most reviewers were somewhat happy with their experience overall. Many customers expressed dissatisfaction with the company's customer service, citing issues with unhelpful responses, long resolution times, and a lack of acknowledgment for their specific concerns. The refund process also generated significant negative feedback, with people reporting lengthy delays, unfulfilled promises, and difficulties in receiving their money back for returned or incorrect items. Some people were dissatisfied with their orders, mentioning problems such as receiving incorrect items, damaged products, or items that did not match the online descriptions. While a few customers praised specific staff members for their helpfulness and positive attitudes, others reported negative interactions with staff, including instances of perceived incompetence or unhelpful behavior. The product quality received ambiguous feedback, with some finding items to be good quality, while others experienced issues like clothing falling apart after a single wear or sizing inconsistencies.

What people talk about most

Product

Clients share ambiguous opinions on product quality and accuracy. Many reviewers report issues with items... See more

Customer service

Reviewers highlight negative aspects of customer service, with many expressing dissatisfaction and... See more

Order

Customers express significant dissatisfaction with their order experiences. Many report issues such as... See more

Refund

Customers consistently express dissatisfaction with the refund process. Many reviewers report significant... See more

Staff

Reviewers mention ambiguous feedback about staff. While some customers praise specific staff members for... See more

Reviews shaping this summary

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

*Edit: My first review below was 1* but ive upgraded it after finally speaking to a senior member of the online team who arranged a suitable resolution. This should not have taken the amount of emai... See more

Company replied

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

So I ordered a beautiful midi dress online. Had it delivered but when on opening, the dress had looking at it been taken off the rail and just thrown in a bag. No hanger, and bag was open when I when... See more

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

I Brought a jumper online purchased £53.00 I ordered a L which was smaller than yr average large I didn't even try it on just removed it frm package, So I returned bit was told £2.95 would... See more

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

The jeans i ordered fit and have a nice colour to them but be prepared to lose the skin off your fingers trying to unbutton them and do up the button on them up. Luckily they fit by the time i got the... See more


Company details

  1. Women's Clothing Store
  2. Men's Clothing Store

Written by the company

Find the latest women's clothing and men's fashion at River Island as well as the latest girls and boys clothes collection. Shop online at your favourite high street store


Contact info

2.8

Average

TrustScore 3 out of 5

5K reviews

5-star
4-star
3-star
2-star
1-star

Replied to 28% of negative reviews

Typically replies within 1 week

How this company uses Trustpilot

See how their reviews and ratings are sourced, scored, and moderated.

Companies on Trustpilot aren't allowed to offer incentives or pay to hide reviews. Reviews are the opinions of individual users and not of Trustpilot. Read more

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

No order, no communication

Ordered a jumper online and paid £6 for next day delivery because I knew I would be in all day. Had an email to say the order was dispatched and one from Royal Mail with the delivery slot, and then nothing… The website makes it very difficult to find a way to follow up, including a non-existent chat bot. As a first time customer this is probably a last time customer experience.

October 22, 2025
Unprompted review
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Rated 1 out of 5 stars

SCAMMERS TAKE MONEY AND GOT NOTHING REFUSED A REFUND

Item was delivered to wrong address when tho my address was right on shipping ...... I've been in touch with customer services and omg it's stocking 7 working days later .... no coat ... no refund .... and no effort to help me slove the issue just keep telling me they will get back to me unless

UPDATE
NO COAT AND REFUSING A REFUND SCAMMED OUT OF ALOT OF MONEY WILL NWVER DEAL WITH THIS COMPANY AGAIN

October 11, 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

0 customer service

Ordered a pair of earrings and a part of the earring had already snapped on arrival. Managed to piece it back together and when I went to take it off the cardboard backing the back of the earring completely fell apart. Spoke to customer services who asked for photos of the disintegrated earring back then told me I would need to return it and give it up to 2 weeks for them to decide if it was faulty. IF they deem it faulty it's another 10 days for a refund. Absolutely ridiculous, shocking customer service.

October 22, 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

A waste of time

I am absolutely furious with the appalling experience I’ve had with River Island’s online service. I’ve shopped in-store many times and always thought highly of the brand — but this first attempt to order online has completely destroyed that trust.
I placed an order for a pair of winter wellies, and literally one minute later, I realized I’d chosen the wrong size. I immediately tried to cancel the order, but your system wouldn’t allow it. When I reached out to customer service, I was told there was “nothing that could be done” — that I’d have to wait until the item arrived, only to return it again for a refund. That’s absurd. For a company of your size, it’s shocking that you can’t process a simple cancellation seconds after an order is made.
Still, I followed your instructions, returned the item as soon as it arrived, and was told I’d get my full refund — and that returns were free. What followed was weeks of back-and-forth with your team, endless waiting, and constant frustration. It took nearly a month to get my refund back, only to discover you’d deducted £3 for no reason.
Let me be clear: it’s not about the £3 — it’s about the complete lack of honesty, professionalism, and respect for your customers. You told me returns were free, yet you still took money off and made me chase you for weeks to get what was rightfully mine. This is unacceptable, and frankly, disgraceful customer service.
This whole experience has been a joke. My daughter is still waiting for her wellies, and I’m left disgusted with how poorly River Island has handled the situation. I feel let down, disrespected, and absolutely fed up.
I expect this issue to be resolved immediately — including the return of the missing £3 — and a proper apology for the unacceptable treatment I’ve received.

October 16, 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 2 out of 5 stars

Poor service never got my refund

Purchased skirt with part of my giftcard orderd online to delivery at shop .i tried it on in the ri shop didnt like so wentvto till and reterned.i asked cashier about how i would get refund and told her i paid with a gift voucher.she told me it would just go back on my voucher and i would get an email had no email .it wadnt until i sent my daughter with it to the shop to buy something for herself i told her 80pounds onit she came back and said it only had 53 on i checked account online it showrd skirt was returned so basically conned me as all i kept was a 20pound sale item so gift voucher was 100pounds .been robbed.would of much preffered a reciept also when my daughter purchased she was told reciept would be emailed and never was .denton branch river island never again will i be telling my son to buy me a river island gift card because of this reason.i did email river island to sort this out hasnt been sorted the girl i spoke to didnt seem to understand even tho i sent her screen shots of my online account which clearly stated this .come on river island at least train your staff as all i have come across is staff that are incompatant

September 4, 2025
Unprompted review
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Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Worst customer service experience ever

Worst customer service experience ever. I’ve tried to get a Hold on the company for almost a week, on 3 different platforms, but i have been ignored. Only got one answer to send my contacts and after that silence. Even though the contact form on the website claims answer whitin 48h. The live chat they claim to have also havent been active for all this time. I Wish i read all the reviews here first before i ordered from River Island, but i thought it was a legit and serious company so i didnt even think about that. Will never buy from them again and Will never recommend them to anyone.

October 10, 2025
Unprompted review
River island logo

Reply from River island

Hi Felicia,

I have sent you an email directly via the case that has been raised on to our Customer Service Team. Please keep a look out for this popping through.

Thanks
Team RI

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Appalling customer service when things go wrong

23rd August I took delivery of a parcel delivered by Royal Mail, opened held together with an elastic band. Only part of the order had arrived. I called immediately and was told an investigation with RM would take place. Photographic evidence of how RM left it was on their website so unsure why an investigation was needed. I have chased weekly since then, and I finally got an answer two weeks ago that the refund was on its way, chased again last week to be told it wasn’t approved. Lots of “how did we do” surveys being sent but no refund. I chased again on yesterday to be asked all of the questions that were asked prior to the investigation, even though I gave my case number. Continually asked for it to be escalated, only to be told that you have to email customer service, which is where I started nearly two months, no product and they still have my money.

August 23, 2025
Unprompted review
River island logo

Reply from River island

Hello,

Thank you for taking the time to leave your review. We're really sorry to hear about your experience and would like the opportunity to look into this further for you.

If you could please get in touch with us via email and include the phrase “Trustpilot Review” along with a few details about your experience, a member of our team will be happy to assist you directly.

We look forward to hearing from you and resolving this for you.

Thanks,
Team RI

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Order 103293540

Worst customer support and non delivery of items I have logged with resolver also

Order 103293540

Has not been received , the item is lost in transit and evri cannot advise where the parcel is , river island do not answer complaints/ emails or website chats in a timely manner, there social media team do not respond to complaints at all!! The over all customer experience to resolve this is non existent!! I should not be held liable when goods are not delivered or lost by the courier they use ! Worst customer service by a retailer up there with boohoo !!! The one response I received basically just said .. oh yeah the goods are delayed please wait ! No times scales no investigation nothing , and goods still not received - I want the items I paid for or a full refund

October 11, 2025
Unprompted review
River island logo

Reply from River island

Hi Helen,

I have sent you an email directly via the case that has been raised on to our Customer Service Team. Please keep a look out for this popping through.

Thanks
Team RI

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Atrocious customer service

My own person experience - the staff in store are lovely, however a totally different experience ordering online and dealing with customer service. Placed an order online in July and still hadn’t received a refund in October! Felt fobbed off by their customer service representatives who stated that a refund would be processed but this never materialised. At one point I was told that I had collected the item (which wasn’t true). I opened a case with Resolver and have reported to Trading Standards.

October 9, 2025
Unprompted review
River island logo

Reply from River island

Hello,

Thank you for taking the time to leave your review. We're really sorry to hear about your experience and would like the opportunity to look into this further for you.

If you could please get in touch with us via email and include the phrase “Trustpilot Review” along with a few details about your experience, a member of our team will be happy to assist you directly.

We look forward to hearing from you and resolving this for you.

Thanks,
Team RI

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Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Returning an item

If you order online and need to return the item, I would recommend you not to purchase from River Island. Item returned 13/09, they quote 10 days to refund. I have phoned twice and I am still awaiting a refund. They have acknowledged receipt of the item, yet I am being advised up to 72 hours to be reviewed and then 10 days refund. I have ashes this to be escalated as unacceptable and I am awaiting a callback. I’m not holding my breath. No customer service at all

September 13, 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Avoid

Avoid ! Bought a top from riverisland in Meadowhall and the day I wore it the buttons came off ! I don’t have a local store to return it to so emailed and went on chat and both said tough I have to return it to store ! They charge a fortune for cheap materials ! Will never buy from there again ! Also messaged on fb 10 times and still no reply ! Absolute terrible customer service ! Don’t waste your money here

October 8, 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

my order never arrived

I ordered a parcel for my birthday this order never came I’ve contacted the numerous of times.
First time they advised they requested refund and they’ll make sure I get a refund this went on and on, all calls are recorded and if you listened to what they said it’s appalling. I even offered them to resolve with a replacement or refund which they didn’t comply with I went back and fourth the customer service I received was appalling . Everytime over 72 hours and I would have to contact them via phone , live chats, I even did complaint emails, this is ridiculous and I still received no refund or replacement for an order I never HAD!!! They have no followed the correct way of dealing with this they haven’t taken any responsibility for my parcel not arriving and I’m extremely dissatisfied. I will proceed with writing reviews on platforms and proceeding with my legal rights and they are not abiding my the law .
This has gone on and on.

September 22, 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 2 out of 5 stars

I like River Island BUT

I like River Island, however I needed to return an item and my
Local RI closed down last year. I'm disgusted that having received a really nice jumper that I loved, I had to return as it had dirty marks all over it but I have to pay for the return. Also unwilling to order again as say the same thing occurs. No more River Island online shopping for me

October 5, 2025
Unprompted review
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Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Disgusting online Customer Service!

River Island stores are very good but there online customer service is the worst Ive ever experienced in any department of any sector!!! I had an online purchase cancelled but not refunded. It took nearly 4 months to get my refund. It took over 50 emails to about a dozen different customer service personnel. My wife had to take time off work to get a letter from her bank and they demanded we send them copies of our bank statements!! We were made to feel like criminals all for a £40 refund. They finally admitted their error and refunded the £40 without even an apology. Neither my wife nor I have ordered anything on line since although we still support the stores, especially our local store in Ballymena where the staff and manager did everything they could to get a resolution. Disgusting behaviour from River Island online customer service!!!!

March 30, 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

AVOID. Not issuing my refund, zero communication

My experience with RI is going from bad to worse. Not only did my order arrive late, but they are now also ignoring my return/refund despite repeatedly contacting them, supplying proof of postage and tracking info. Absolutely shocking fraudulent conduct. I am now attempting to recoup my money through PayPal, as a last resort. This company should not be trading - and I'm pretty sure they won't be for long if this is how they treat their customers. I will do all I can to report their fraudulent conduct to the relevant bodies, i.e. Trading Standards and other consumer rights organisations. They need to be held to account for scamming people out of their money, and acting like they're above the law.

October 2, 2025
Unprompted review
River island logo

Reply from River island

Hi Anke,

I have sent you an email directly via the case that has been raised on to our Customer Service Team. Please keep a look out for this popping through.

Thanks
Team RI

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Great customer service from the River…

Great customer service from the River Island Newport store! I went in to collect my order, which was due on Thursday, but one of the team members kindly went out of her way to check the parcels that had just arrived today and found my order for me. That’s what I call excellent customer service – going above and beyond to help. I’m truly grateful for her assistance!
Order number:103224273

September 30, 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Worst customer service I have ever…

Worst customer service I have ever experienced. I was promised a return shipping refund as I had to pay for this myself due to receiving the wrong size. They made the refund in the wrong currency, meaning that it was a fraction of what I paid and furthermore I had to pay for the initial shipping since they only refunded a partial amount.

It has now been more than 3 months. I have sent countless emails and they just claim that they already made the refunds.

September 30, 2025
Unprompted review
River island logo

Reply from River island

Hello,

Thank you for taking the time to leave your review. We're really sorry to hear about your experience and would like the opportunity to look into this further for you.

If you could please get in touch with us via email and include the phrase “Trustpilot Review” along with a few details about your experience, a member of our team will be happy to assist you directly.

We look forward to hearing from you and resolving this for you.

Thanks,
Team RI

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Rated 1 out of 5 stars

I bought a swimsuit to match a pair of…

I bought a swimsuit to match a pair of beach trousers for holidays in 2 weeks time. I picked the swimsuit up & there was a very noticeable dirty mark on the top. It wasn't possible to reorder as it was out of stock. There was no quality control as it was impossible to pack it & not notice the mark. It had obviously been worn by someone, returned & then sent to me 🤢I sent an email to customer service & they didn't bother to read my message correctly. This meant I had to call them in the UK which costs money as live chat is never available in Ireland. I was promised a discount voucher code which they never sent. So I had to follow up again. I was offered a discount voucher only valid on full price cloths which will expire in 3 weeks. There was no apology, or no mention of trying to do better. I've been a customer of river island for years. I expected so much more from them but they couldn't care less which is really disappointing. It blows my mind that they sent out a dirty swimsuit to me yet they are the ones who feel it's inconvenient to have to deal with me!

September 30, 2025
Unprompted review
River island logo

Reply from River island

Hi Vanessa

I have sent you an email directly via the case that has been raised on to our Customer Service Team. Please keep a look out for this popping through.

Thanks
Team RI

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Terrible service

I placed an order on 8th September, received the order 9th September. I didn’t like any of the items so I returned them via evri. I received emails from rebound every step of the way. River island received my parcel on the 15th September. I hadn’t a word with regards to the refund so I called customer service on 25th September and was asked to wait until the 28th September for a refund as the agent could see that river island had received the parcel. So I waited until Monday 29th September rung customer service and was told that I had to send proof of delivery and the tracking number which I have done. I’m now waiting on a call back from a manager as there apparently wasn’t one available and now I have to wait a further 48 hours with regards to the refund. This is totally unacceptable from river island and I am so disappointed with all the chasing for my refund. The previous agent had already advised that you had received the parcel. It appears you are just stalling on returning my money.

September 29, 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Riverisland does not care

I am a RI girl, my wardrobe is filled with everything Riverisland. But even a single Happy Birthday message, or a birthday gift or points for purchasing all these years. Nothing.

My birthday is in 2 days, I got gifts and pre birthday messages from all the brands I shop from. M&S made me a customised option based on my dietary.
Boots gave me a points card. Even babyboo gave me discounts on birthday purchase, Samsung just sent me a message this morning.

I wonder if Riverisland is allergic to caring about their customers. Zero birthday wishes... just Nothing.

September 27, 2025
Unprompted review

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