How to check if online shop is real

213ad

Apologies if this is the wrong forum to ask, but I found a great deal for a washing machine I am after and went through the checkout process, but then they don't take any cards, only bank transfer.
The website is witur.net
The domain seems to be recently registered privately
The advertised postal address is a bit dodgy:
Witur Store
London, Shireoaks Colliery Business Centre, Worksop N90
and the bank account they want me to transfer the cash to is quoting business name "Witur Electronics" which I can't find

registered with te company house in England.
What do people think? Is it real or scam? Any other ideas on how could I check?
Thanks

PHSYT

I have the very same question

I did a credit check on them last night and found nothing. It could be thatthey are new this year but it is doubtful.

A camera lens they are selling seems too good to be true compared to otherprices on the net.

Though I could potentially save £90 on the lens, I am thinking it is morepossible I will lose all the money. Not worth the risk in my opinion. Pleaselet me know how you get on / what you find out

santer_2

Probably best to avoid it

You could post the make and model of the item you want so others can post the best price they have seen

PHSYT

update...
i looked at scam websistes (it is a website all one word but as a newbie im not allowed to post links)
and they give tips on how to spot a potential scam website.
they advise you to look at a website where you can look at domains and it gives you warning signs.

it would appear to me this looks like a scam. best avoid

antrobus

213ad wrote: »

....
and the bank account they want me to transfer the cash to is quoting business name "Witur Electronics" which I can't find

....

That in itself would scream 'scam' to me. Only fraudsters set up a website purporting to sell consumer goods and expect payment by bank transfer.

Remember this: if you pay by bank transfer you have no protection at all.

213ad

santer wrote: »

Probably best to avoid it

You could post the make and model of the item you want so others can post the best price they have seen

I am after this: Bosch WAE24367GB Avantixx Washing Machine
they have it for £290 with free delivery, the cheapest I found somewhere else was £309 + £9 delivery.

Do you think it's worth calling their bank (Lloyds) and ask if they are genuine?

Gleek

For £20 I wouldn't take the risk and find out. As someone else has said you have NO cover if you pay by BT and it's highly unlikely Lloyds would give you any information through all the Data Protection laws etc.

I also doubt that they would know anything other than 'this person has an account' with them as it doesn't sound like an official business account, especially if they can only take BT payments.

Perhaps contact local places? We got money knocked off a freezer and free delivery at the start of this year for asking the best cash deal they'd do - and they were already the cheapest!

zee_2

DO NOT TOUCH WITH BATGEPOLE
REGISTRY WHOIS FOR WITUR.NET

Domain Name: witur.net
Updated: 1 second ago - Refresh

Registrar: DIRECTI INTERNET SOLUTIONS PVT. LTD. D/B/A PUBLICDOMAINREGISTRY.COM
Whois Server: whois.PublicDomainRegistry.com
Referral URL: http://www.PublicDomainRegistry.com
Status: clientTransferProhibited

Expiration Date: 2013-03-22
Creation Date: 2012-03-22
Last Update Date: 2012-03-22

StumpyPumpy

The Domain registration may be hidden, but the IP (176.9.207.93) allocation isn't. In this case, they point to a Russian organisation being hosted in Germany (and selling to the UK!) I'd say avoid as it is almost certainly a scam - unless sites like this commonly have IP neighbours trading in soft !!!!!! and Russian chat rooms.

inetnum: 176.9.207.88 - 176.9.207.95
netname: INTERSERVERRU
descr: InterServer.ru
country: DE
admin-c: KM663-RIPE
tech-c: KM663-RIPE
status: ASSIGNED PA
mnt-by: HOS-GUN
source: RIPE # Filtered

person: Kirill Miheev
address: InterServer.ru
address: Mira 15
address: 600000 Vladimir
address: RUSSIAN FEDERATION
phone: +79209055002
nic-hdl: KM663-RIPE
mnt-by: HOS-GUN
source: RIPE # Filtered

If you are still unsure, the Terms and Conditions on this webpage are lifted from http://www.superfi.co.uk/ which is a legitimate company. You could email them and ask what they know about it.

HTH

SP

juliebunny

Even if this isnt a scam, it sounds dodgy. I mean, what other reputable companies do you know who won't take credit cards (and the protection they offer.) I beg you, please don't give them your hard earned money.:money:

In case my opinion isn't clear, and since having read the other posts, my opinion is SCAM.

santer_2

213ad wrote: »

I am after this: Bosch WAE24367GB Avantixx Washing Machine
they have it for £290 with free delivery, the cheapest I found somewhere else was £309 + £9 delivery.

Do you think it's worth calling their bank (Lloyds) and ask if they are genuine?

This has the same number but no mention of avantixx

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1870-Bosch-WAE24367GB-Washing-Machine-BRAND-NEW-/170831182438?pt=UK_Home_Garden_Kitchen_Washing_Machines_Dryers&hash=item27c654fa66

If you pay with paypal, it gives some protection, though the seller has a 98.5% positive rating

It says collection only, so you may need to arrange a courier, but you can ask the seller a question for that. Though if getting it with a courier costs near the £318 price you already have, you may as well go with that.

Even if you do not want to buy from ebay then as mentioned, it isn't worth " saving " £20.

I imagine all Lloyds could / would do is confirm the account is genuine / exists, though not whether it is a proper company.

If they can afford to go in to business selling white goods, surely they must be able to afford proper banking facilities, secure site and card payment options etc.