BBB Warns Consumers of Online Retailers using Bogus Illinois Addresses and Disconnected Phones

 

[January 17, 2019] 

LINCOLN 

The Better Business Bureaus serving Central Illinois and Chicago & Northern Illinois are warning consumers about a variety of online retailers using addresses in Champaign-Urbana, IL, Naperville, IL, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Nashville, TN, and West Chester Township, OH. Consumers allege that these shops do not deliver purchased merchandise or deliver a product that is crafted from poor quality material that does not resemble what was advertised.

Both bureaus opened a joint investigation into the operation in November 2018. With help from the Better Business Bureau serving Southern Nevada and Better Business Bureau serving Middle Tennessee and Southern Kentucky, the investigation discovered at least 35 shops involved in this operation and another 16 that are inactive as of 12/31/2018. The BBBs linked the businesses via shared addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, and connections on social media platforms.

These online retailers advertise discounted merchandise, including hunting and tactical apparel, tapestries, watches, vehicle accessories, and athletic wear, among other products. In addition, the companies advertise that a portion of their sales go to charity. BBB of Central Illinois requested substantiation for such claims, but its inquiries went unanswered.
The shops offer a 30-day refund policy for regularly priced items but only advertise discounted merchandise. However, the businesses’ refund policies state that discounted merchandise is not eligible for a refund. Some consumers allege they received their merchandise after 30 days making the order ineligible for return.

As of 1/14/2019, BBB locations in Illinois, Tennessee, and Nevada have received 87 total complaints against these businesses. In addition to the 87 closed complaints, another 56 complaints are pending. Complaints originate from 32 states and three countries, including Canada, the United Kingdom, and United Arab Emirates.

The BBBs have received complaints for the following active websites:

Hunteroo (hunteroo.com),
Tactical Deer (tacticaldeer.com),
Berzerk Athletics (berzerkathletics.com), Tapestry King (tapestryking.com),
Urban Mob (urbanmob.net),
Epic Tapestry (epictapestry.com),
Buff Eagle (buffeagle.com),
Vehicle-King (vehicle-king.com),
Dixon Leather (dixon-leather.com).

The online shops are using 18 addresses across Illinois, Tennessee, Ohio, California, and Nevada. Many of these addresses are residential, according to Google Maps.

Beginning on November 6, 2018, the BBB serving Chicago and Northern Illinois attempted to contact the operator of Tapestry Galore (now inactive) and Vehicle King. As of 12/31/2018, all emails and phone calls have gone unanswered. BBB of Central Illinois, BBB serving Southern Nevada, and BBB serving Middle Tennessee and Southern Kentucky also contacted these companies requesting more information but have yet to receive a response. Many of the sites advertise phone numbers that are not in service.
 

“Online shopping can open the door for consumer fraud,” said Jessica Tharp, president and CEO of Better Business Bureau serving Central Illinois. “A tip-off to the rip-off is fake websites luring customers with deeply discounted prices. If you know the product costs $500 everywhere else, and the website you are looking at has the exact same product for $150, it may be too good to be true,” Tharp added.

*The BBB suggests consumers proceed with caution and be aware of the following websites believed to be associated:

Active websites
Godfreywatches.com
Overthebarrelstore.com
Canvasdragon.com
Fyshing.com
Muntainox.com
Slimstylez.com
Tapestryz.com
Enviroluxury.com
Lejonathletics.com
Sailtheseven.com
Survivaltac.com
Kyotovillage.com
Makenziemckenna.com
Footlool.com
Shop-newport.com
Polar-parka.com
Grizzly-tactical.com
Socksandtees.com
Beddingcrafts.com
Leovecci.com
Unicorncastle.net

Inactive websites
Outdooralpine.com
Jerseyboss.net
She-tech.net
Innerpiece.net
Droprave.com
Paintballsociety.com
Midasathletica.com
Trendycastaway.com
Graphicgalz.com
Cyclewhiz.com
Empressina.com
Troopertek.com
Tapestrygalore.com
Raverz.net
Valordrones.com
Zenithathletics.com

[Better Business Bureaus serving Central Illinois]