Frauded by CheapOTC.com

[Fllay]

I purchased three tubes of Mederma from CheapOTC.com. The company never shipped the items. When I threatened to report them to BBB, the company gave partial refund. About 15 CAD was lost/stolen.

Stay away from them and tell anyone you know. I know it was stupid of me to be tricked, when it was so obvious that they're a bunch of frauds.
First, the web site looks cheap and unprofessional.
Second, they only accept PayPal as the method of payment, instead of accepting credit cards.
Third, they have neither actual contact address, nor phone number.

On the bright side, only 15 CAD was lost, could have been worse. Hopefully, I've learned my lesson (this time).

(I was up late and that's why I made such a terrible mistake. Remember, never make an impulsive purchase! esp. when you're tired. don't let the low prices fool you.)

Wanted to pay less but ended up paying more :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry:

Please spread the words or replying that you will, even you have no intention of doing so. At least, it will make me feel better. :cry:

[felix]

Follow through with reporting to BBB, and you will get your $15 back.

[Fllay]

I just filed a complaint about cheapotc.com to BBB. Hopefully, something will be done about/to them.

:cry:

[Fllay]

Does anyone know any places/sites, where I can post about e-retailers that should be avoided?

Now, I really want to expose them.

What a day, series of unfortunate events :cry:

It'd be really kind of others to share their experiences w/ frauds. That will make me feel better that I'm not the only one who was frauded, for like the ... time (cannot believe it happened again-this soon).

You see, their prices are cheaper than other places. They even mention that they can keep the prices low cos they have no long distance phone #. So I assumed that they have the local #, turned out they have neither. Again, let me warn you, never ever make a purchase when you're half asleep.

I was tricked b4 by site w/ no address and no phone #. But guess what, it happened again. Now I'll post a note right on my laptop. If it ever happens again, now I'll write it onto my laptop. :mad:

[Fllay]

Now I really want to get even, even though my school has already started. :mad:

Does anyone know if I can report them to somebody else, beside BBB? like to what state police? as I have neither their actual address, nor phone #.

Or somebody, tell me to let go and eventually karma will punish them. :cry:

But just imagine, if nothing is done about them, how many more people will be their victims? >:(

[felix]

Borrowed from Z's posts ...

Feel like you were right or maybe been a victim of false advertising?

1st - Remain calm, don't get angry / upset.

2nd - Take down as much information as possible. (names, location, time)

3rd - Report to the agencies listed below:


Better Business Bureaus - "Locate a Canadian BBB"
http://www.canadiancouncilbbb.ca/

Competition Bureau Canada
http://www.competitionbureau.gc.ca/

Canadian Consumer Information Gateway
http://consumerinformation.ca/

CTV - "OLSEN on Your Side"
http://www.bcctv.ca/olsen.jsp

[azn_zero3]

Bid and paid for Twisted Metal Black at Ebay (was like 1+ years ago, so I forgot the guy's name). The guy had 1000+ feedback with about 99% positive, and after 1 week I messaged him about when it will arrive, got no response. Messaged him atleast 4 more times, nothing. Then as I was about to negative feedback him I saw a whole list of negative feedbacks listed about the same time I paided for TMB, and after a few more days his account was banned. Lost $10 US, no biggie, but it happens. Good thing my biggest transaction (macross 1/48 VF-1S + strike pack) went smoothly, cost me $350 US! :-0

[sportsfan99]

Does anyone know any places/sites, where I can post about e-retailers that should be avoided?

Now, I really want to expose them.

What a day, series of unfortunate events :cry:

It'd be really kind of others to share their experiences w/ frauds. That will make me feel better that I'm not the only one who was frauded, for like the ... time (cannot believe it happened again-this soon).

You see, their prices are cheaper than other places. They even mention that they can keep the prices low cos they have no long distance phone #. So I assumed that they have the local #, turned out they have neither. Again, let me warn you, never ever make a purchase when you're half asleep.

I was tricked b4 by site w/ no address and no phone #. But guess what, it happened again. Now I'll post a note right on my laptop. If it ever happens again, now I'll write it onto my laptop. :mad:


You have to be really carefull when you expose stores/companays.You open your self up to beeing sued.Its one thing to tell the truth but there are people out there who don't and hadd things in etc.

[HughG]

i wouldnt have filed anything for 15 bucks.

but thats just me.

I lost around 500 here from duong scam days.

It was a big lose and noone did anything about it so i didnt bother too.

[runamuck]

what was their reason for keeping the $15?

what was their position on shipping the item, did they claim they did or did they just tell u to screw off?

[rai_dei]

WhoIs yielded these results

Registrant:
Yousef Kashani
366 E. Walnut St.
Long Beach, New York 11561
United States

Registered through: GoDaddy.com
Domain Name: CHEAPOTC.COM
Created on: 25-Apr-04
Expires on: 25-Apr-06
Last Updated on: 20-Apr-05

Administrative Contact:
Kashani, Yousef yosefkashani@hotmail.com
366 E. Walnut St.
Long Beach, New York 11561
United States
5168978215 Fax --
Technical Contact:
Kashani, Yousef yosefkashani@hotmail.com
366 E. Walnut St.
Long Beach, New York 11561
United States
5168978215 Fax --

Domain servers in listed order:
WSC1.JOMAX.NET
WSC2.JOMAX.NET

[Fllay]

Thanks felix, azn_zero3, sportsfan99, hughG, runamuck, and rai_dei.

To all:
I know it's only ~15CAD, but imagine how many more people can be tricked by him in the future? if I choose to do nothing about it.


Runamuck, No, the guy just e-mail me, saying that there's a problem w/ the order and he could no longer ship the items. He said he'd issue a refund. When I check my PayPal account, it turned out he didn't issue a refund in full, but just keep some for whatever reason.

[Fllay]

Thanks raidei, I'll give that info to BBB when they contact me back. Right now, I cannot add anymore info since I've already submitted the complaint.

To Torch, if you ever come to this thread, Felix info may be useful for you. Don't let them get away with this. I know this is kind of cheesy but we all can contribute to the better society.

[Fllay]

I e-mailed PayPal; they said they're investigating the matter. (I tried to call them, but had to wait on the phone for like forever so I gave up.) I don't think PayPal is going to do anything about it, since they get their share too.

From now on, I'll advice people to COMPLETELY AVOID sellers/sites that only accept.
1. WesternUnion/BidPay
2. CertaPay
3. PayPal
as the methods of payment.

Also, when you order products, make sure that the website is legit.
1. Try to avoid sellers with no 1-800/888 #s.
2. Avoid sellers w/ no company address.
3. Absolutely avoid sellers who only use e-mails as mean of communication.
4. Be careful with the fake live support that never goes online.
5. If the price is really low, and it's not from big name sellers like Bestbuy, et cetera, absolutely avoid them.
6. Pay w/ "direct" credit cards only, not w/ middleman like WesternUnion, CertaPay, or PayPal.
7. Don't make impulsive purchases, esp. when the low prices could be baits. Sometimes, paying less in the beginning costs a lot more in the end. Don't rush into purchasing!

Anyone want to add something to that?

I used to be a long time customer of PayPal. It's probably time to put an end to that.

[Fllay]

I know many people are probably already have had it w/ this thread, w/ too many of my own replies.

Before I stop posting to this thread and letting go of the incident, I'm just wondering if anybody has ever filed a complaint against PayPal for doing nothing - when they have the power to pull the money back?

Visit this website http://paypalsucks.com/ to find out more on why you shouldn't use PayPal. PayPal is almost as bad as WesternUnion. Basically as a buyer, you give up the protection credit cards offer you. Think about it $15 is not that much at all, to learn how unsafe PayPal(NOT) can be. Closing my PayPal account, and encourage others to do the same.

[GangStarr]

BBB has little or to no power in Canada, they wont help you

[Fllay]

Gangstar,

Guess who help me get the game BestBuy refused to ship me? Plus a free copy of Final Fantasy Dawn of Souls and a one time 10% off anything coupon for in store or online. ;)

(Please refer to one of my last year thread. BTW, I think back then I didn't list the free FFDOS and 10% off coupon as part of the settle, cos I didn't want to encourage other people to purchase from problematic reseller, expecting to get more than what they paid. It's totally not worth the time.)

[dani_toronto]

Also, when you order products, make sure that the website is legit.
1. Try to avoid sellers with no 1-800/888 #s.

Hello
sorry about your bad experience, but I'd like to comment on your tip quoted above.
I do have an online business, and don't have a toll free number for one simple reason: i STRONGLY prefer people to contact me by email.
Since it's a one-person operation, every time someone calls I'm either driving to pick up or deliver items, at the post office, or figthing with UPS on the other line. So I'm usually unable to provide information to the caller on the spot.
An email gives me the chance to read, check catalogs, make calculations, call suppliers, and craft a complete, meaningful and polite response.
My local phone number is listed in my site, but I don't want to encourage callers by offering a toll free line.
Besides, Bell canada quoted me WAY too much, when I enquired about it.
Cheers
Dani

[Fllay]

dani_Toronto,

At least you do offer a local # and probably an actual business address too right? The reason I suggest people that cos to me, I think if the business is large enough to offer 1-800 #, at least there are greater chances for them to still be there when you need help. W/ pre-paid phones, it's like people can open/close a new phone account instantly, so how reliable is that? The same goes for e-mail, esp the free e-mail accounts like hotmail, yahoo, et cetera; people can just obtain a new email address like whenever they want.

BTW, dani, I do understand your situation. However, as a student on a tight budget, I think it's better to be safe than sorry (and maybe this doesn't apply to just students on tight budget). After the incident, I don't feel like taken chances on...

Thanks everyone for the replys. :)

I've done my part, filing 2 complaints to BBB (one against cheapotc.com, another against PayPal). It's time for me to move on and focus on my study.

[borab]

Guys , as seen below, i bought some minoxidil from this son of a ..... . and of course the package was never delivered to me.

then i reported him to BBB and mailed all those stuff to cheapOTC and this Yoseph s hotmail adress. at the end of an annoying experience, i got all my money back.

Dont hesitate to report him to all possible authorities.

Hello ------,

CheapOTC.com has cancelled your order. Your credit card will be refunded in full.

Reason: Customer request to cancel
Comments from CheapOTC.com: "Please don't place any more order with us."

Order Details - Sep 3, 2007 20:23 GMT+04:00
Google Order #141115870106---

Shipping Status Qty Item Price
Canceled Items 1 Men's Rogaine Extra Strength FOAM 3-Month Supply $41 + $16 Shipping $57.00
Tax : $0.00
Total : $57.00
Oct 16 Refund : -$57.00
Total charged: $0.00

[ali123]

do they got an email, so I can spam at em?

[nsr250]

do they got an email, so I can spam at em?

Post #11 has his email.

[felix]

Just curious, didn't you guys pay by credit card? If so, just file a dispute for this transaction with the credit card company. Your credit card company will always decide in your favour unless the other party can prove otherwise. (No idea why I didn't suggest this before when this thread was created 2 years ago!!)

[condor11]

Just curious, didn't you guys pay by credit card? If so, just file a dispute for this transaction with the credit card company. Your credit card company will always decide in your favour unless the other party can prove otherwise. (No idea why I didn't suggest this before when this thread was created 2 years ago!!)

I was going to post the same thing LOL!

Why do you guys go to all the trouble like BBB, complain, "ah, its only $15"???
If you payed by PayPal and PayPal is only linked to your CC just file chargeback with CC. Then CC takes money from PayPal and PayPal immediately takes money from this scammer's account. THEN PayPal starts investigating.

So I really don't understand what all the fuss is about.

Same with scammers on Ebay. If you didn't get it - file with PayPal and if PayPal didn't respond or resolve - then chargeback with CC.

[wilscoop]

I ordered 64 razor blade cartridges from the same vendor in a different guise -- Onlygillette -- via Google Checkout. Received two out of 64. Charged 150 USD.

[wilscoop]

yes. it's definitely the same guy. only operating through Google Checkout.


Registrant:
Yousef Kashani
366 E. Walnut St.
Long Beach, New York 11561
United States

Registered through: GoDaddy.com, Inc. (http://www.godaddy.com)
Domain Name: ONLYGILLETTE.COM
Created on: 17-Jun-07
Expires on: 17-Jun-08
Last Updated on: 17-Jun-07

Administrative Contact:
Kashani, Yousef yosefkashani@hotmail.com
366 E. Walnut St.
Long Beach, New York 11561
United States
(516) 897-8215 Fax --

Technical Contact:
Kashani, Yousef yosefkashani@hotmail.com
366 E. Walnut St.
Long Beach, New York 11561
United States
(516) 897-8215 Fax --

Domain servers in listed order:
NS55.DOMAINCONTROL.COM
NS56.DOMAINCONTROL.COM

[dairymandip]

contact the attorney general of the state he's in

when paypal was holding my money for like 3 months even though the seller called and verified he received the item (a ps3) once i contacted the attorney general of california and a letter was sent the next day:)

[selpats]

First, the web site looks cheap and unprofessional.
Second, they only accept PayPal as the method of payment, instead of accepting credit cards.
Third, they have neither actual contact address, nor phone number.



I realize that we all learn from our mistakes but wouldn't these three things have caused some 'red flags' to go up when you were shopping there in the first place?

[wilscoop]

onlygillette looks slick, offers seven different payment methods and a phone number although no address. because of the domain name I inferred it has some kind of direct affiliation with Gillette.

thank you, dairymandip. I will contact the attorney general.

[wilscoop]

Google is refunding the money. I'm grateful to them but also much more wary about Internet shopping.