Could use some help - not G related
Hello All,
I've found a product I would like to purchase on a UK based website
http://www.styleandperformance.co.uk/
However when I do try to make a MasterCard transaction I am running into a problem. I've contacted the owner of the site but he only gives me the option of a check made payable to him.
Guess what I would like to know is whether or not this site is legit. Anyone here who's ever purchased from them?
Thanks for your help
Why don't you call them and explajnvthe problem
Tried the number below ?
00 44 8448 845 485 from outside the UK
Usual Office Hours:
Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm.
Saturdays – 10am – 2pm
Closed Sundays and Bank Holiday's
Certainly did. I got a recorded message stating that the number I was trying to reach was currently unavailable. So I decided to Sherlock Holmes a little bit and searched for the number here:
This came up as the result:
0844 884 5485
Section: The Special Services Range
Use: TELSTRA EUROPE LIMITED
Warning: Numbers starting 0844 884 are probably not valid.
Oftel's last recorded change for this number range was May 2004.
The warning bit made me decide to check in with you guys. What does this warning mean if it doesn't mean what I thought it meant?
Sounds fishy - I'd stay away. A lot of these "stores" seem to be a 1-man operation and you have very little recourse to law if things go wrong or take too long, especially on custom-parts.
I looked up the DNS record for who owns the website domain and got the following. Why register it personally if you are a trader?
Domain name:
styleandperformance.co.uk
Registrant:
Lee Bartholomew
Registrant type:
UK Individual
Registrant's address:
The registrant is a non-trading individual who has opted to have their
address omitted from the WHOIS service.
If you go into companies house web check service, the registered address (a home address) differs from the website address (an industrial estate), but that is normal for a company. However accounts don't show as being filed for a couple of years, which might not be normal?
Enter the company number listed on the "contact us" page:
http://wck2.companieshouse.gov.uk
Another worrying detail?
"Status: Active - Proposal to Strike off "
Blimey - sleuths in motion.
Looks legit to me. Its probably a one man band and maybe its not the slickest site on the web, but most likely the site is supposed to run itself while the owner does a real job.
It has a Facebook site with 218 'friends'. Been around since 2006.
The WorldPay is probably the problem - no doubt provided by the ISP.
Its also a registered company - even if only just, so a cheque to the Company must be possible. Otherwise, stay clear of personal cheques.
Keep trying the Credit Card! What's the problem with that.
Thanks so far for your input. I am still emailing with this guy about his banking details (how else would I be able to transfer money) but so far he's been avoiding that.
I'll definately keep trying to go the MasterCard way but his quoted response to why that was impossible was as follows;
'Unfortunately we are unable to accept credit card payments for overseas purchases, this is to protect ourselves and also the customer from any situations that may arise. We would only accept cleared funds prior to sending the goods (particularly for large amounts) a bank transfer would be acceptable and you could of course fund this through your own bank with your credit card'
That first line puzzled me a bit because as far as I am aware using my MasterCard would protect me from any trouble/fraude as opposed to transferring money and not receiving any goods.
I'll see where this goes and report back.
OK, this sound smore to me like it is legit, but they are small and had non-UK funds cancelled after payment. Its difficult and time consuming to chase those remote banks and prove the transaction was serviced and good shipped etc. So it sounds reasonable, but unfortunate for you.
What you need is someone with a UK issued credit card who will buy it for you to have the transaction 'protected' and then you pay them (paypal, or cheque even).
I'd even do this for you if it was for a small amount, but it sounded like it was a bit more?
I suppose this might be a bit obvious.......but can't you get whatever you want from somewhere else?
I suppose this might be a bit obvious.......but can't you get whatever you want from somewhere else?
Not so obvious I would say as there are some positive and negative replies here. So far, 'dealing' with this guy did not feel that weird however it also doesn't feel one hundred procent A OK.
And no I can't get whatever it is that I want from somewhere else. The item is no longer produced and has become a rare collectors item.
Offer to pay through paypal? At least then you have some protection....
I think the point is that they have had customers cancelling/querying payment after shipment of the goods, and when the customer is in another country its too difficult to send a solicitors letter and sort it out.
I don't know, but in this respect Paypal is probably easier for them and not so easy for you to dispute payment as with a CC.
OK, this sound smore to me like it is legit, but they are small and had non-UK funds cancelled after payment. Its difficult and time consuming to chase those remote banks and prove the transaction was serviced and good shipped etc. So it sounds reasonable, but unfortunate for you.
What you need is someone with a UK issued credit card who will buy it for you to have the transaction 'protected' and then you pay them (paypal, or cheque even).
I'd even do this for you if it was for a small amount, but it sounded like it was a bit more?
jdring,
Your first few lines sound reasonable and I would understand if it is like this.
The person whom I´ve been in contact with has provided me with some banking details so I could organize things with my bank. However, I found a discrepancy with the provided IBAN code. Contacted the person again and asked him to double check his details .... haven´t heard from him since.
Thanks for you offer in case it involved a small amount.
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I've tried but I can't get through or nobody is answering.
Instant reply to my query's via email though, however no explicit answers to some 'critical' questions such as 'can I contact you by telephone?'
This may show all the symptoms of a scam site but if it is legit I would really like to go ahead and order what I have in mind. Hence my question here.
Thanks for your reply.