Hundreds of Kiwis were unable to receive gadgets and other items they've bought online last year after the lone shopping website operator died in November.

The registered sole shareholder and director of Tech Brands Pacific, Brian Isaksson, died on November 4, without anyone taking over the business.

Tech Brands sold high end items suchs iPhones and iPads, and online shoppers never knew there was a problem until last week, when online shoppers raised their complaints on online forums on pricespy and geekzone.co.nz.

Fairfax NZ News spoke to Adam Robertson, 24, one of the consumers who doubts he will see a refund for the $890 faulty tablet computer he bought on Tech Brands' website in October. He sent back the item around Christmas and he had not heard from it since.

Commerce Commission spokeswoman Allanah Kalafatelis said it had received over 20 complaints since December, and more were expected to come after the discovery of the online shop owner's death.

The commission has stepped in and disabled the shopping cart feature on Tech Brands a week ago.

Saying the commission had no other powers to help, Ms. Kalafatelis said buyers should try to reverse credit card payments with their banks, or contact Tech Brands to discuss having bank deposits refunded.