Cheap Dr Martens or so I thought BE CAREFUL

Guss

Came across this website https://www.docmartenboots.store/ and my jaw nearly dropped as I've been after a pair of these for ages and was waiting till the prices dropped.
I even got to the point of loading up my cart with 4 pairs and then I began to get suspicious when I looked at the Shipping & Returns and noticed there wasn't any information on how to return. But I should have smelt a rat sooner, what was I thinking that I could get a pair of these boots for a fraction of what they actually cost. The above website even came up in a search for 'Dr Martens' in the first page of Google results BUT as a paid ad. Absolutely disgusting Google are promoting a site selling what must be utter crap bearing no relation to the originals in quality which I'm sure has duped some people, and Google is financially gaining from it.

What I don't understand is how they can be allowed to get away with this!!

cymruchris

It's common for many branded items - fake website set up quickly - lots of bargain prices - very little in the contact section - paid to be at the top of google - and hey bang they've netted a few thousand unsuspecting customers in the space of a few days. 

It's the usual thing - if it sounds too good to be true - it usually is worth avoiding without very careful research.

Mnoee

Another person posted about this site recently, who unfortunately got caught out. I'm glad you noticed it was too good to be true.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6229869/scam-website/p1 

Edit: Just noticed its a slightly different url, but possibly the same people as its so similar - I shouldn't post before coffee! 

JamoLew

Guss said:

Came across this website https://www.docmartenboots.store/ and my jaw nearly dropped as I've been after a pair of these for ages and was waiting till the prices dropped.
I even got to the point of loading up my cart with 4 pairs and then I began to get suspicious when I looked at the Shipping & Returns and noticed there wasn't any information on how to return. But I should have smelt a rat sooner, what was I thinking that I could get a pair of these boots for a fraction of what they actually cost. The above website even came up in a search for 'Dr Martens' in the first page of Google results BUT as a paid ad. Absolutely disgusting Google are promoting a site selling what must be utter crap bearing no relation to the originals in quality which I'm sure has duped some people, and Google is financially gaining from it.

What I don't understand is how they can be allowed to get away with this!!

I agree -- Google needs to start taking a bit more ownership and responsibility for the content which it makes available

Pollycat

I posted several times on the other thread.

The website in the link above is - I'm pretty sure - the same as the one in that thread, with a slightly different address.

This term is the same on both websites - not great English:

3. No Hassle Refund Policy

Your satisfaction is what we are strived for. So we offer 15-day satisfaction guaranteed return policy. More details, please refer to Return Policy.

And this:

Easy 365-Day Returns

We are committed to your total satisfaction. If, for any reason, you are not associated tax, within 365 business days of receipt of the item(s). To receive either a credit toward an exchange or a credit on your charge account, please note that all returns and exchanges must be in new, unused or unworn condition with the original tags and stickers attached. Items deemed worn, used, dirty or missing tags will be returned to purchaser at their expense and no refund will be issued. Women'swimwear is eligible for return only if the sanitary liner is place. Underwear, Customized and personalized items are not returnable. Since lost return shipments are the responsibility of the customer, be sure to obtain a tracking number from the courier for the return shipment.

Do DM actually do swimwear?

And the prices are the same:

Pollycat said:

For example, Aimilita high boots are £22 reduced from £129 on the fake website, £125 reduced from £179 on the DM website.

The cheap prices would actually ring alarm bells for me.

You are lucky that sense overrode your desire for a DM bargain.

daveyjp

If it looks too good to be true look deeper into the web pages and find out who you are dealing with.

This is usually given in the contact us, privacy statement, site info links at the bottom of the page.

On that site in all of those links (https://www.docmartenboots.store/en/about_us.html) there is absolutely no mention of any company name, address details whatsoever.  It also reads as a 'cut and paste/template' webpage style.

Sure signs its a scam.

Pollycat

daveyjp said:

If it looks too good to be true look deeper into the web pages and find out who you are dealing with.

This is usually given in the contact us, privacy statement, site info links at the bottom of the page.

On that site in all of those links (https://www.docmartenboots.store/en/about_us.html) there is absolutely no mention of any company name, address details whatsoever.  It also reads as a 'cut and paste/template' webpage style.

Sure signs its a scam.

Even if it doesn't look too good to be true, you should do that if it's a company you've not bought from recently.

greyteam1959

All agreed that it is a scam site then ??
So what can be done to stop them ??

DiddyDavies

greyteam1959 said:

All agreed that it is a scam site then ??
So what can be done to stop them ??

The easiest and probably most effective way is to get people to understand that goods being sold for a fraction of their normal selling price is something that rarely if ever happens and before sending any money to a company that you've never dealt with before, carry out a bit of basic research into that company and try to find out:
a/ Who they are and where they are located,
b/ If they are complying with the e-trading legislation in the country in which they are registered,
c/ Do their T&C's make sense and are their any indications that they are simply a copy from another website.

And try to ensure that you pay with a credit or debit card so at least you may have the option of a chargeback or S75 claim.
Agreed, doing all of the above still won't stop all of the scammers, but it would certainly go a long way to helping.

Claddagh_Noir

A family member of mine was conned out of £40.00 approximately recently and received a pair of sunglasses instead, rather like the other post on about this scam, the item came from CHINA!! I have just just looked at the link you posted Guss and the reduced prices would have made me suspicious, I would also look for the terms and conditions and the contact us section.  I would also look for the padlock in the URL showing the site was secure.  Dr Martens are usually about £100.00+ even with a reduction in the price, I should know, I have about five pairs!!
I am glad you were not duped.  I would purchase from a reputable retailer.  It is scandalous that this is happening, I wonder who else this is happening to as we speak. 

soolin

greyteam1959 said:

All agreed that it is a scam site then ??
So what can be done to stop them ??

Educate people to learn how to research websites and online retailers before parting with money. It’s the same with all scams, if people are aware of them and know what to look for then the scammers would get no one buying, and they would go away. 

On Facebook right this minute  I could find half a dozen scammers trying to flog stuff or sell you dodgy goods, or in the case of companies  sign you up for a ‘free’ trial of something that actually ties you in to a monthly subscription.