Verification Process Not Disclosed Before Ordering
I’m extremely disappointed with Shiekh’s ordering and verification process. My biggest issue is that they have a verification process that customers are not clearly told about before placing an order.
I ordered boots using my own credit card and intentionally had them shipped to an address different from my billing address because that is where I currently need to receive my packages. After placing the order, Shiekh put it on hold and requested that I email them a copy of my government-issued ID or a utility bill showing my personal information.
I called because I am not comfortable emailing sensitive documents like that. The representative told me this policy was explained in their Frequently Asked Questions. I went through the FAQ, and while it generally says orders may be reviewed and additional documentation may be requested for fraud protection, I could not find anything clearly telling domestic customers that using a different shipping and billing address may result in being required to provide a government ID or utility bill before their order will be shipped.
That is something customers should be told before they enter their payment information and submit an order, not afterward.
I was offered the option of having the boots shipped to my billing address instead, but that address is approximately an hour away from me with traffic. That's exactly why I entered a different shipping address in the first place. If the website allows customers to enter separate billing and shipping addresses, there should be a clear warning during checkout if doing so can trigger this type of verification.
I completely understand fraud prevention. I am not refusing to verify that I made the purchase. I simply don't believe customers should unexpectedly be asked to email sensitive personal documents after paying, especially when this specific requirement was not clearly disclosed during checkout.
Had I known about this verification requirement beforehand, I could have decided whether I was comfortable with it before placing my order. Instead, my order is now being held unless I provide documents I was never told I might have to provide or agree to have my purchase sent somewhere I don't want it sent.
For an online retailer, this verification process needs to be much more transparent. Customers deserve to know these requirements before they purchase, not after.








