How do you know if an on line company is legit?

Question

OK, so I am finally sold on the idea of buying a research microscope for my personal use, as a hobby. I saw one on line that I like a lot (apparently there aren't microscope shops in any regular city!) Now, the problem is that I did research on line to find out if customers were satisfied with this company and its products. I also ran a search on the Better Business Bureau and I could find NO info whatsoever about the company's "seriousness". I am about to invest $ 1000 on this tool.

So, how do I know if the company is really what its owner says it is (unbiased)?

Would you feel comfortable spending that much money on line with a company you have never dealt with or heard about before?

Where could I find out if a company is legit?

Please help!

Answer 1

You could contact the Better Business Bureau, for information about the company.

www.bbb.org/

Answer 2

I would be careful about sending out that much money to someone you're not 100% sure about.

Other than the BBB, I wouldnt know.

Try googling the name of the company and see if anyone has any complaints about it.

Also, see if they have a phone number to call them and get a mailing address (not very reliable, but still could be helpful).

One last thing, go to www.checkdomain.com and type in their website in the box. It will show you who it's registered to and where (unless they've put it on private).

Answer 3

There are many clues that an on-line store is a total fake, however it is very difficult to 'prove' one is 'real'.

First off, con-merchants usually focus on high return short timescale efforts - they know they will get caught and closed down so want to suck in as many punters as possible .. typical cons involve computer kit, mobile phones and the like ... it is unlikely they will be selling specialist kit such as research microscopes ...

There will also be spelling and grammar mistakes (even if they 'cloned' a legitimate site they will have to change the payment instructions, so look there for obvious errors).

Crooks avoid providing any information that can be checked .. so a fake web site will have no contact names, no addresses (or perhaps the address of a legitimate company that is difficult to check), no phone numbers (except perhaps a premium rate / pay-as-you go mobile number), no 'real' email (any email address is likely to be a 'free' public one such as @yahoo, @hotmail etc).

Answer 4

I just placed an order with a sports company on a Yahoo site, at the bottom of the home page was a BBB logo and a closed lock, meaning the site was secure from hackers. If the Better Business Bureau can`t give you any info on the co. I would be very hesitant to deal with them with that much money involved. Why don`t you look online for a medical supply company and see if they have a catalog of their products. All labs including college biology courses have microscopes, they get them from somewhere. Inquire there or dig deeper online.

Answer 5

Please be careful with any on-line company. Do your research and check BBB you can never be to sure,

Answer 6

Send the $1000 and if you dont get your microscope you will know that they werent legit.

Problem solved

Answer 7

I dont have the answer you are asking, but have you checked eBay.com for this item?

Theres really no way to get scammed or ripped off on there. Thats the only place I will purchase items from.

Hope that helps, if it doesnt......sorry.

Answer 8

I don't know about the U.S but in Canada the R.C.M.P have a unit that deals  with internet scams and bogus companies. You can go to their website and make enquiries (or complaints). It isn't 100% foolproof but what is these days