How can I verify if an online company is genuine?

Magenta

deleted this

Figment

Could the address on the sticker be that of a UK distributor/agent, with the brochure sent from Head Office?

Magenta

Figment wrote: »

Could the address on the sticker be that of a UK distributor/agent, with the brochure sent from Head Office?

Maybe, but the brochure shows something that is similar to what they do but not exactly the same!

edgex

whats their website address?
do they have an actual company/business name?

Figment

Domain name:
headstonebroker.co.uk

Registrant:
O Hara & Sons Memorials Ltd.

Registrant type:
Unknown

Registrant's address:
Rathcormac,
Drumcliffe,
Sligo
0000
Ireland

Registrar:
MYHOST t/a Myhost [Tag = MYHOST-IE]
URL: http://www.myhost.ie

Relevant dates:
Registered on: 25-Feb-2010
Expiry date: 25-Feb-2014
Last updated: 13-Mar-2012

Registration status:
Registered until expiry date.


UK address:

Headstone Broker Intl.,
Unit 1,
37 Queens Gate Gardens,
South Kensington,
London.
SW7 5RR

US Address

Headstone Broker Intl.,
Continental Marble & Granite,
1347 Lincoln Avenue,
Holbrook,
NY 11741


Phone: +15 167 307 534

phoneguy

Well, that's a website registered to:

O Hara & Sons Memorials Ltd

In Drumcliffe, Ireland. It was only registered a couple of years ago. The website itself is standard template type fodder. More concerning is it gives an address in the UK which, when you take a look around with Google Street View, is clearly residential.

Personally, I don't think I'd hand over a handful of cash to them myself. They may well be genuine, but I'd want to see proper UK premises and some audit trail to establish them as legitimate.

Take a look for yourself. Does this look like 'unit 1' ?

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=37+Queens+Gate+Gardens,kensington&hl=en&ll=51.495889,-0.181135&spn=0.000564,0.001206&sll=51.495948,-0.180691&layer=c&cbp=13,88.96,,0,-15.17&cbll=51.495889,-0.181135&gl=uk&hnear=37+Queen%27s+Gate+Gardens,+London+SW7+5RR,+United+Kingdom&t=h&z=20&iwloc=A&panoid=9V1fO3x9zImSX6ULHMkHqw

Magenta

Thank you very much 'Figment' and 'Phoneguy'.

That information certainly helps me, but I would still like to find our more -an audit trail as you suggest.:(

edgex

Ive just done a quick check, & they arnt a UK company
also, it dosnt state on their website which countries laws would govern the contract.

the london address they give is that of a flat, not a retail showroom or site

Magenta

phoneguy wrote: »

Well, that's a website registered to:

O Hara & Sons Memorials Ltd

In Drumcliffe, Ireland. It was only registered a couple of years ago. The website itself is standard template type fodder. More concerning is it gives an address in the UK which, when you take a look around with Google Street View, is clearly residential.

Personally, I don't think I'd hand over a handful of cash to them myself. They may well be genuine, but I'd want to see proper UK premises and some audit trail to establish them as legitimate.

Take a look for yourself. Does this look like 'unit 1' ?

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=37+Queens+Gate+Gardens,kensington&hl=en&ll=51.495889,-0.181135&spn=0.000564,0.001206&sll=51.495948,-0.180691&layer=c&cbp=13,88.96,,0,-15.17&cbll=51.495889,-0.181135&gl=uk&hnear=37+Queen%27s+Gate+Gardens,+London+SW7+5RR,+United+Kingdom&t=h&z=20&iwloc=A&panoid=9V1fO3x9zImSX6ULHMkHqw

Thanks phoneguy, just had a look at your link to the map, not looking very much like a business I must admit:(

edgex

If your looking for a headstone/memorial, why dont you contact one near to where its needed?

sonstream

the uk address could be an accountants address if they use it as a registered address and not a trading address try having a look on companies house to see if there is a business registered with those details. I have had a look on the website and can't see a registration number so it could be a non limited business hth