CAUTION: Fraudulent Large Sales Orders

I thought I’d share a recent inquiry I had for a large order of my custom made canes. I had an e-mail from a fellow posing as “K. B——” and the origin of the e-mail looked to be that of a store’s website. The inquiry was for 300 pcs. of a custom designed cane. After a couple of e-mails trying to determine what they were looking for, they asked me what the price would be and what method of payment was accepted.

Being that I do one-of-a-kind custom work, this really wasn’t something I wanted to get into, but it was also intruiging. I had typed up a draft of a reply but decided to inquire first, the Company Name, President/Owner, Address, Phone, E-mail, etc. . The inquirer never responded. I looked up the company website and found a phone number and contacted them. The person I spoke to was one of the managers who had been employed there for several years and confirmed that he did not know of such an employee and actually that this person had purchased a small item from them “more than several years ago”.

He informed me that they have had some inquires for very large orders, especially from overseas. When they tell them they ONLY take Cashier’s Checks for payment, the inquirer is never heard from again. Apparently, if you accept a credit card or other method of payment that can be disputed, the funds can be reclaimed in a dispute and you will be out of your merchandise AND payment. (A “He said, She said” type of situation.) So, a one way venue of payment is the only way to go on large orders.

A Red Flag on the e-mail was also obvious when the spelling, diction and/or punctiation, was very poor and childish. It was not done in a professional manner at all. It could be that the writer was either very young, illiterate and/or from a non English speaking/writing background. (Please keep in mind that I give people who speak English as a second language a lot of respect, as I myself do not know enough of a second language to qualify as bi-lingual.)

I have not heard from this inquirer since and it looks like my instincts paid off before I could have gotten stung by a bogus order, possibly stocking up on supplies prior to payment or stiffed for valuable merchandise sent and monies disputed on.

I have had one incidence of a client not recognizing the sale as legitimate and disputed this with the credit card company. After realizing it was legit, they had already stopped payment and I had to submit several forms and proofs of sale for funds to be released. This took over 9 months of correspondence for me to get my money. Meanwhile the credit card had it and gave no interest on the funds they had use of during that time.

I hope this helps alert any of you to stay safe with your orders and sales.

-- "They who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night." ~ Edgar Allan Poe