Disreputable businesses

General Discussion
1

Just wanted to put a new post out there to be aware of fraudulent companies specifically in the On-Line retail capacity.

“Hi my name is Paul and I got burned by a fraudulent On-line company”

I pride myself on doing a deep dive on companies before I ordered from them, but this one got away from me. Hobby Models LLC.

I know, I know, there was a post in FSM 4 years ago, but I’m new to the Forum medium and the post was buried due to age, however, these types of businesses should continuously be spoken about until they are gone.

There are hundreds of great on-line retailers out there such as Sprue Bothers, Squadron, BNA, Hannants, HDA, Eduard, Res-Kit to name a few, I just feel we need to keep this conversation going so others don’t get burned like I did and keeping the posts current might help with that…

3 Likes
2

I almost got duped by that one too, or one just like it. It wasn’t until I suddenly realized that they had … every obscure kit I wanted in stock, including stuff that nobody else had… at very good prices… that I began to suspect a dropship operation. When stepped back and did some googling I learned that it was one of the whack-a-mole “semi-scam”.

Near miss, that. I had an account created and everything.

1 Like
3

Sorry that happened to you, it’s so crazy that’s it’s so easy for these people to steal from others, just another day for them. Scammers suck.

4

Same here, hard to find out of business model and they had it!

If it’s to good to be true it is!

1 Like
5

Probably not a bad idea to have some kind of Wall of Shame for bad and fraudulent retailers that can be updated and maintained.

6

I dont know about that,someone can throw untrue accusations at a legitimate business with no real evidence.Ever notice how a lot of one star reviews against restaurants or hotels are the customers fault.How would you like to be put on a wall of shame with no chance for you to defend yourself.

There may even be legal issues for the site.Unless pics of every back and forth email or text,who do you believe?

A slippery slope

4 Likes
7

Let me be as succinct about it as I can: When discussing a company, talk about your experience and why you won’t be using them again. Coming in with a “My friend had this experience and you shouldn’t ever use COMPANY cuz they blow” post, that’s best avoided.

And no, a wall of shame is not something we’ll be erecting. Speak honestly about experiences, that should be praise or warning enough.

7 Likes
8

Hey Tim, I put my line in a quotation as if I was talking. I did get burnt by that company and wanted to making others aware.

I apologize if I offended.

9

Not at all. I was simply giving guidance before the thread went anywhere else.

1 Like
10

While you’re talking about businesses to avoid, here is a tip: Do not buy from Internet Hobbies, nor any of its subsidiary names or sites. For many years, complaints accumulated, with the Better Business Bureau, but more importantly, with our PA attorney general’s office. Eventually, the AG took action against him:

But his website is still active. I would avoid it altogether.

5 Likes
11

I’ll just add that his physical location is about 30, 35 miles north of me, to the southeast of Scranton. I have been curious to take a ride up, even just to see it from the outside-it’s a storefront in a little strip mall-but I’ve never done it. Just curiosity.

1 Like
12

Speak softly and carry a big stick. fWwWkS

1 Like
13

Yes,I remember that one,that warning extended across multiple forums

1 Like
14

Google street view the address, should show you the entire front of the building.

2 Likes
15

I have seen it online. That’s how I know that it’s a storefront in a strip mall.
Seeing it online made me curious to take a ride up.
Afterwards, I can head over to Scranton for hot dogs at the Coney Island Lunch Counter.

2 Likes
16

Yeah, the number of posts I have seen over the years here and elsewhere, from people who got burned always made me sad. If the poster had just done a search beforehand…

1 Like