I have been scammed !

joanne_d_3

Hi all.

Before any one else reads this thread and calls me an IDIOT i already realise that lol . It's advice on banking issues im after.

So....i was looking on the internet to buy some GHD hair straighteners for my daughter . These are really expensive items and so when i stumbled across a website saying that they were having a "sale" and that the ghd's i wanted were reduced to £57 i thought BARGAIN!

I studied the website and saw that they were authentic ghd stockists etc so i saw nothing dodgy about it.

I entered my DEBIT card details and received order confirmation saying my order would be dispatched in 2 working days from CHINA......WELL STRAIGHT AWAY I KNEW I HAD JUST BEEN VERY VERY STUPID AND THAT I HAD JUST BEEN SCAMMED.

I have contacted the website telling them that i know the product they are sellin is fake and that i intend to take action against them.

I have been continuously checking my online banking and although my available balance has been reduced by the amount of £55 (the straighteners actually cost £57) the transaction is not actually showing up in my list of transactions made yesterday.

So , i understand that the money has been "reserved" for this company by my bank but has it actually GONE from my account ? Is there anyway i can stop them actually getting the money ?

Also , if they have "reserved" the money how long do i have before they actually take it ?

All help is appreciated

Thanks

td_007

Not sure why you think that because the good are dispatched from China, that they are fakes?

buglawton

You may find that they have a parallel Ebay shop which like loads of Ebay traders ships direct from China. When and if you receive the goods in say 2 weeks time, you can decide if the quality of the goods is acceptable - may be a grey area import of a knock off from the same factory that the real McCoy is made in.

It's too late for you, but the rules are
1. Online, always use Credit card, not Debit card if you can.
2. Find out if supplier accepts Paypal - much more secure for you.
3. If the website use a major payment gateway like Sagepay or Worldpay, this looks much better.
4. If the website appears to want to store your card details inside their own private system, and the co is totally unknown, then call your card co, explain why and ask for a replacement card.

joanne_d_3

td_007 wrote: »

Not sure why you think that because the good are dispatched from China, that they are fakes?

Hi .

It's not ONLY because they are being shipped from China that makes me wary. On the website it satates "we are official ghd stockists" .

However , ON the official ghd website they have a list of official stockists and you can also type in the address of the website from which you are considering making a purchase.

When i did this it flashed up that the website i had just purchased from is an UNKOWN website and NOT as they state "an official ghd stockist".

I have just contacted my card provider. They say that although the payment HAS been authorised the money has not actually been claimed by the company as yet . The lady i spoke to advised me that the company has only got 4 working days to actually TAKE the payment before the authoristaion drops off and the company will be unable to take the funds . Im hoping they do not take the payment . I have emailed them saying i know they are selling fakes.

joanne_d_3

buglawton wrote: »

You may find that they have a parallel Ebay shop which like loads of Ebay traders ships direct from China. When and if you receive the goods in say 2 weeks time, you can decide if the quality of the goods is acceptable - may be a grey area import of a knock off from the same factory that the real McCoy is made in.

It's too late for you, but the rules are
1. Online, always use Credit card, not Debit card if you can.
2. Find out if supplier accepts Paypal - much more secure for you.
3. If the website use a major payment gateway like Sagepay or Worldpay, this looks much better.
4. If the website appears to want to store your card details inside their own private system, and the co is totally unknown, then call your card co, explain why and ask for a replacement card.

Hi , you say the quality of the goods may be acceptable when they arrive.....the goods in question are hair straighteners which heat up to 200 degrees in a matter of seconds.

I wouldnt care if they were the best "copies" available i still wont be using them . I have read on the internet that they are dangerous and have been known to burst into flames whilst being used . Theres no way on earth im going to allow my daughter to use them , id much rather loose a million pounds than take this risk lol .

I have only myself to blame , i should have researched more before placing the order.

According to my bank whom i have just spoken to , charge back can be done with debit card now so if the goods dont arrive or DO arrive and are fake at least i will get my money back.

Mikeyorks

ghd probably won't admit it ..... but the straighteners are made in China. Used to be from a dedicated factory in Malaysia ...... but the newish management team are cutting costs and a few other things.
So, you're probably buying direct from an unauthorised factory 'outlet'.

The lady i spoke to advised me that the company has only got 4 working days to actually TAKE the payment before the authoristaion drops off and the company will be unable to take the funds

......... the first part of that is probably correct (authorisation drops off and money returned to available). The latter part is totally inaccurate. The merchant can still take the money - if there are sufficient funds - long after the authorisation drops.

Inactive

Mikeyorks wrote: »

ghd probably won't admit it ..... but the straighteners are made in China. Used to be from a dedicated factory in Malaysia ...... but the newish management team are cutting costs and a few other things.
So, you're probably buying direct from an unauthorised factory 'outlet'.

Probably correct, I heard a rumour that they actually cost under £3 to manufacture per set, so even at £57, GHD are still making a fortune. ( assuming they are genuine ).

pmduk

Would the distance selling regulations apply here?

joanne_d_3

Quote:

the first part of that is probably correct (authorisation drops off and money returned to available). The latter part is totally inaccurate. The merchant can still take the money - if there are sufficient funds - long after the authorisation drops.

Maybe i would be best to cancel my card then ?

Cant actually believe i have been so daft . Im usually pretty vigilant

Mikeyorks

joanne_d wrote: »

Maybe i would be best to cancel my card then ?

As you've completed the transaction - there would be no point in that.

Whilst the retailer you're buying from may not appear on the ghd approved list .......... that no longer appears to guarantee they are fakes.

joanne_d_3

ok , thanks....maybe i am just over reacting then.

All i can do now is wait.....i have actually emailed the company telling them i wish to cancel my order. The response i received from them simply stated "we appreciate your'e business and will email you a tracking code in two working days"

So...either my email cancellation gets through and they dont complete the transaction OR the transaction is completed and i get a set of ghd's which may or may not be fake OR i receive !!!!!! all lol

Thats what i get fro trying to save money !