No toys on Christmas Day: Online toy retailer investigated by Commerce Commission

Mike Kenny's toy for Luca did not arrive. Photo / Dean Purcell

An Auckland-based online toy seller is being investigated by the Commerce Commission after failing to deliver orders - many of which were intended to be Christmas presents - to customers on both sides of the Tasman.

Playdex runs the websites nztoys.co.nz and babyhug.com.au, offering toys and baby products online. However, customers say the company took their money and failed to deliver.

In June last year, Brisbane's Courier Mail newspaper published an article warning consumers about Playdex Pty Ltd, an Australian company that folded in May 2013.

The New Zealand arm of the company, which lists the addresses of its owners as an apartment in Pitt St, Auckland, and in Tver, Russia, has continued to trade on both sides of the Tasman.

Auckland grandfather Mike Kenny placed an order for a Lego policeman clock through nztoys.co.nz on December 18 believing it would arrive in time to give to grandson Luca for Christmas.

When the clock did not arrive he checked his credit card, which had been charged $159.97 by Babyhug.

He contacted Babyhug and was told the order had left the company's warehouse on December 20 but the tracking number "showed no activity" after that.

He emailed the company again on February 5 and was told it would be delivered to his door by "late next week".

"We still haven't received it."

Companies office records show Playdex is jointly owned by Lev Ivanov, Irina Pchelintseva, both of Auckland, and Ilya Savenov, of Tver, Russia.

Alex Crill, who said he was effectively the company's general manager, said he was in the process of fixing the company's problems and all customers would either receive their goods or a refund in the next two weeks.

However, he said that plan would be in jeopardy if the Herald published a story warning customers about Playdex.

A spokeswoman confirmed the Commerce Commission had received a number of complaints about Playdex and was "currently looking into these".

Mr Crill said he was unaware of the investigation.

Playdex Ltd

• Operates nztoys.co.nz and babyhug.com.au, offering a wide range of toys and baby products

• Customers have complained to the Commerce Commission after not receiving goods and being unable to gain refunds

• Australia arm Playdex Pty went into administration last year but the New Zealand arm of the company continues to take orders on both sides of the Tasman.

• Owners based in New Zealand and Russia