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Mystery Slopper
Sloppy, the Mystery Slopper mascot, a white bucket with a navy mask and red bandana, sits on a hallway doormat among junk mail and an envelope marked Final reminder.
Sloppy is our AI mascot.

For people shopping online in the UK

Spot the slop. Know what to do next.

Plain steps for when an online order goes wrong.

Something went wrong?See a real example

What happened?

Pick the one that fits. Each has a first thing to do today.

  1. The price grew at checkout

    First step: Screenshot the first price you saw and the final total, including every fee added along the way, before you pay.

    Read the full guide about The price grew at checkout

  2. The reviews look too good

    First step: Look beyond the stars. Read the most recent and the lowest reviews, and note whether they repeat the same wording.

    Read the full guide about The reviews look too good

  3. The countdown won't stop

    First step: Note the time the offer claims to end. Check the page again later and record whether the price or timer really changed.

    Read the full guide about The countdown won't stop

  4. My order never arrived

    First step: Keep the order confirmation, any delivery updates and every message with the seller in one place.

    Read the full guide about My order never arrived

  5. It's broken or not what I ordered

    First step: Take clear photos of the item and packaging now, and compare them with the description and pictures you were shown.

    Read the full guide about It's broken or not what I ordered

  6. I don't know who is selling

    First step: Look for the seller’s business name and a geographic address. If the page doesn't say, note that as a gap.

    Read the full guide about I don't know who is selling

  7. The shop won't answer

    First step: Keep a dated list of each message you sent, how you sent it and any reply. Put your request in writing.

    Read the full guide about The shop won't answer

This is general information, not legal advice, and we can't promise a refund. For advice about your own situation, speak to Citizens Advice or a qualified adviser.

Aqua Cruisers story

Spot the slop

Slop is an online claim, advert or selling tactic that deserves a closer look. Here is one we investigated, marked with signals to check.

Signals are things to check, not automatic proof that something is wrong.

Illustration, not the real ad.
Aqua Cruisers ad: 'Cruise the pool. Rule the lake. The world's first motorized float built for adults', 'Now shipping worldwide'
Screenshot of the seller's ad.
  • "World's first motorized float"? First by whose measure?
  • "Now shipping worldwide": from where, and how long?
  • No order confirmation after paying? That's a warning sign.
  • Paid by card? Ask your card provider about a chargeback.

Read the full story

The case file

Published ASA and FOS decisions, each linked to the full text. We show every outcome, including complaints that were not upheld. Outcomes are the authority's own findings, shown in words.

ASAUpheld by the ASA

Advertiser
Xun Meng International Ltd (as named by the ASA)
Decision date
4 November 2026
Outcome
Upheld by the ASA
Source
Read the ruling on asa.org.uk

Source: Advertising Standards Authority ruling, used under the ASA's public ruling terms. Mystery Slopper is not affiliated with the ASA.

Source: Financial Ombudsman Service decision, published on the ombudsman's website. Mystery Slopper is not affiliated with the Financial Ombudsman Service.

What to do next

Notice it, check it, act on it. It works for most shopping problems.

  1. Notice it.Look at the exact claim, price, timer, review or promise that bothered you.
  2. Check it.Keep the evidence and look for what is missing, unclear or changed. Save the advert, your order confirmation, receipts and every message, straight away.
  3. Act on it.Choose a sensible next step, such as asking the seller in writing or getting advice. A short written request, with a date for a reply, is often the quickest.

Questions worth asking

There are no right or wrong answers here and no safe or scam verdict. "I don't know" is a useful answer: it tells you which detail to look for next.

Who is really selling?

  • Does the page give a business name?
  • Is there a geographic address, not just an email address?
  • Is it a business or a private individual on a marketplace?

Do these reviews need a closer look?

  • Are many reviews posted close together with similar wording?
  • Does the page say how reviews are collected or checked?
  • Do the lowest reviews describe the same problem?

What should I check about this timer?

  • Does the countdown restart when you reload the page?
  • Is the ‘was’ price shown anywhere else, or only here?
  • Would you still buy it at this price without the timer?

Seen some slop? Help warn the next shopper

Public reporting isn't open yet. We're testing how reports are reviewed, with people who have been invited to our private alpha.

When it opens, reports will be private and reviewed by a person. We won't publish a report, or contact a company or regulator, just because someone sent it.

Already invited? Use the private link in your invitation.

Field guide

Habits that help in almost every shopping problem.

Check the small print. Find the conditions behind 'free', 'from' and 'was' prices before you pay.

Keep the evidence. Save the advert, your order confirmation, receipts and every message, straight away.

Contact the seller. A short written request, with a date for a reply, is often the quickest next step.

You asked

What is Mystery Slopper?

Mystery Slopper is a UK consumer learning service. It helps people check online shopping claims, keep the right evidence and choose a sensible next step.

What is slop?

Slop is an online claim, advert or selling tactic that deserves a closer look. It may be misleading, unsupported, unfair or simply unclear. Evidence decides what happens next.

Does Mystery Slopper rate or name businesses?

No. This alpha does not publish ratings, verdicts or investigations of named businesses. It explains what to look for and what to keep so you can decide what to do.

Is this legal advice?

No. Mystery Slopper gives general information for people shopping in the UK. For advice about your own situation, speak to Citizens Advice or a qualified adviser.

Who we are

Mystery Slopper is run by ASTERISK INVESTMENTS LTD, company number 17273502.
Office: 16 Flansham Lane, Bognor Regis, West Sussex, PO22 6AB. Registered office: 16 Old Pastures West Close, Bognor Regis, PO22 7RP.
Founder: Ian Hughes
Spotted a mistake? Read our corrections policy.