Doing a bit of Google shopping and came across a specialized diverge carbon bike with 105 at an unbelievable price. £1,993.76 reduced to £1,654.82 Save 17%. Wow, a bike sale in 2021 I thought.
Did a bit more googling to find out about the shop as I've never heard of them and in "about us" found a tbc10 discount code that gives you 10% discount.
Seeing if it works, I add it to the basket and it pops up with "advertise 30" for more discount. Both discounts stack.
The 0ld "if its too good to be true" message ringing in my ears. Has someone cloaned a Website? Every bike is discounted. Is this a massive fraud? Or just a terrible bit of programming?
Any ideas?
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If you have to ask…
I liked the sound of those discounts, but a quick google led me to this:
https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/11555732/filing-history
Looks like a defunct company being used by fraudsters. Boo!
If you have to ask…
I have no intention of buying it but I didn't want to report a genuine website and company just because they have bad IT skills.
Given they offer the expert in oak green which isn't even available in the UK, I smell a rat.
Discussed on another forum, Scammers. The picture they use is a google streetview image of a building firm, PGR Group.
And their premises are actually the premises of the PGR Group which still list that address as their head quarters and is confirmed by google street view. Steer clear.
Here's the actual building they claim to operate from; someone's been busy with photoshop!
https://earth.google.com/web/search/6+The+Old+Quarry,+Oundle,+Peterborough/ @52.48036021,-0.45898492,27.88059883a,0d,60y,206.95034336h,85t,0r/data=CpEBGmcSYQolMHg0ODc3OTNiNzFmNmFmYzQzOjB4NjY3MTFmYzIxOTE2NjIxORl-fWO-cj1KQCHltRK6S2LdvyomNiBUaGUgT2xkIFF1YXJyeSwgT3VuZGxlLCBQZXRlcmJvcm91Z2gYASABIiYKJAkyGOUnFKk6QBE1GOUnFKk6wBloB6W0j_02QCGeYtlfzKBVwCIaChZESXJqWERDV3lGd3ZqQ0VfMkhETFlREAI
Their fb page has no history before mid May this year; another bike they claim to have in stock also shows 17% discount.
This, I think, is one for trading standards; maybe more serious - fraudulent misrepresentation.
I think, is one for trading standards; maybe more serious – fraudulent misrepresentation.
Has it been reported already?
Don't know - but it should be.
Rory canning is listed as one of the directors of this 'company' in Peterborough.
There could be more than one person of that name in Peterborough but if you google 'Rory canning Peterborough' the only result contains no reference to bikes.
Yes, I'm bored...
Their 'About Us' is actually copy and pasted from Tredz:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/tredz-bikes
Check it out on LinkedIn.
Well that was mildly entertaining.
I noticed their web chat was open so asked "Hi do you sell city bikes?" (this is at 1.45am)
"William V." came on and said "Yes"
A few somewhat thick questions from me were ignored entirely until I asked if the shop was open and could I pop round now... he instantly came back that I was in Manchester! Then got really stroppy about my email ("Your email is example@example.com and you think that you may get any answers from us?") and IP blocked me 😀
Unfortunately that only worked if I refreshed the page which he unsuccessfully tried to get me to do (cos I is a bit thick and didn't know what he meant). Then he just left the chat. Boo. I guess 2am is closing time.
Accessing the site through a proxy worked for a few minutes (sadly no chat available for some reason) until that was blocked.
A different proxy worked for a few more minutes, however now all attempts to get there see me redirected to https://thebikecompany.co.uk, which seems entirely unrelated.
They've now changed their address to an actual bike shop address in Richmond. Very out of order.
And they've changed their VAT number to that of the same shop.
Here's the real website of that shop: https://www.bicyclerichmond.co.uk
That is a completely amazing fake site. I can imagine most people would be taken in. The main clue is that they are too cheap and if they had been a little less aggressive in pricing they would probably hook more people in :(. You would think there would be a lot of internet shouting about it as well but at the moment just a few discussions. The best seems to be on reddit so far
Did anyone try this bike company? Seems like a scam? : ukbike (reddit.com)
Yeah I had a look and its a pretty impressive fake site.
I think we should do a mass trolling of their online chat
How do we close it down?
They're advertising Canyons, and Ribbles, and Vitus' on that site... 😂😂😂
Yeah... If you have to ask! 😂
If anybody has got the time or energy, the domain is registered by namecheap.com
You can submit an abuse report to them
I have reported the site to Action Fraud. Hopefully it will be shut down before any poor sod looses any money to this lot.
,
Ive messaged canyon and Ribble to advise them that they are advertising their bikes.
Message from Canyon UK - "Many thanks for taking the time to make us aware......we shall monitor this as we believe this is a fraudulent website"
Well "William V" and "Steve Peat" (me!) just had a nice online chat
ME: Hi I'm interested in a Canyon Spectral:ON
Them: Hi Steve, what size
Me: Large
Them: Yes, Large size is in stock and ready to be delivered. You're welcome to submit your order anytime.
Me: Thanks, good to know
how do you have stock of these I though Canyon was direct only
Them: Yes we have them in stock
Me: What's the lead time
Them: We normally ship in 5 days
Me: So you have it in stock with yourselves, you aren't ordering from Canyon?
Them: Yes we have them in stock
Me: Great, sorry for all the questions, the price and availability just seem to good to be true.
Me: I'm just worried its a scam because some of the images on your website look like they were taken from Google Streetview and photoshopped.
...
...
Me: William are you still there?
😀 😀
Why oh Why have I only just found this thread!!
Yesterday I ordered and paid for a Nukeproof Reactor off that f#cking website aaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrrggggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
how did you pay jag? If you can get your £££ through your bank or CC great. PM me and I can give you the action fraud ref if you need it
I paid via a VISA Debit card... :o(
Ooft, sore one.
Are you sure you’re not covered by the bank?
PM'd you
Just checked the website out, it’s very convincing.
Every bike having almost the same discount percentage (17-22%) and 3-5 reviews (100% positive) on almost every popular bike.
Quite a few reviews call them TBC uk, that would make me a bit suspicious tbh, likewise every reviewer using perfect english, that doesn’t happen IRL.
But otherwise, I can see how people would be taken in by that.
I've just reported the website via Action Fraud and I'm trying to get hold of my bank (TSB).
Their online chat system is useless :o(
I'll have to call them!!
An update; I've spoken to TSB and they're saying that until the bike 'doesn't' arrive there is no fraud. IF the bike doesn't arrive then I can open a 'dispute' with the seller via TSB and there is every chance I will get a full refund.
However - I have just received an 'update' email from "Thebicyclecompanyuk.com" saying that my bike is in transit!
I'm confused yet hopeful, maybe it will arrive?
Well i hope it arrives mate, but if it doesn’t, at least you’re probably not gonna be out of pocket.
Best of luck JAG, but I think there is more chance of me actually being Steve Peat than a shiny new Nukeproof turning up at your door.
EDIT
Does your "in transit" bike have a tracking number?
I tried their online chat because I wanted to discuss popping down to the 'shop'. Apparently they're asleep right now which seems to be very lazy on their part.
I have got an order number but no tracking number.
I've followed the order number through to the website and it shows my order. With all the correct details; Nukeproof Reactor 275, colour, price, delivery address, discount applied, shipping costs etc...
It even lists a parcel weight as 18kg which would be about right. The bike should be 14.6kg and I know from recent experience that a bike box weighs about 3kg so it sort of adds up.
Maybe I'm deluding myself, hoping against all reason, but keep your fingers crossed and I'll let you know when anything changes!
It's amazing really as it smells like a scam but in every other way behaves like a very genuine site. If you didn't know that Canyon was direct only and you like a deal then it's very easy to be dragged in. I can't imagine they will stay up very long so I wonder if the deal is to just be able to keep the site up for a month while the bikes are 'in transit'
Do they sell Sick bikes?
Probably more than Sick! sold.
If a bike box does arrive I would strongly recommend videoing you opening it. There's so many alarm bells going off I'd not be 100% sure there's the bike you've ordered inside it. Hopefully it does all work out and you have scored a bargain but I fear that getting the delivery may well be the start of your problems!
Of course they will say that the bike is on its way to you.
It prolongs the time they have to move your money on, as well as continue using their fraudulent business model for a few more weeks.
It won't arrive when they say it will, so they say they will contact the Shippers. Then there will be a few days wait while it is investigated, then they say it has been lost, but don't worry, we'll claim on the insurance, and get another one out to you.
You'll then wait another 2 weeks for nothing to arrive.
Contact trading standards in both Peterborough and Richmond to report this 'company' and give them names of directors from Companies House website.
Call Companies House to report scam company.
Contact local press and radio stations in Peterborough and Richmond.
You really wouldn't smell a rat when you saw a Santa Cruz dh bike and this on the homepage?
Any updates?
Their website is certainly still alive and well
Looks like they have removed the Ribble and Canyon bikes from the site
CAVEAT EMPTOR Canyon Spectral All sizes in stock
Couple of Ribble bikes there too.
The have popped up on Trustpilot now with negative reviews
i asked what time the shop closed, got told 5pm. Asked if that was the Sheen Road store, thne to be told i need to make an appointment due to Covid. They advised i read their covid guidlines, which i couldnt find, so asked for a link. Link gives me info, but nothing about making an appointment.
it does state tho 'Both our Peterborough and Richmond stores have now reopened. Due to Welsh Government Guidance, for those over the age of 11, face coverings must now be worn within ours stores.'
My geography isnt great, but why would they apply Welsh government guidance for stores not in Wales?!?!
Update whilst typing this.... i have an appointment for tomorrow at 12pm......
Wonder if James (owner of Bicycle Richmond) is aware of this as the sheen rd address is his shop !!
I did email James last week to give him a heads up, he replied:
Many thanks - This has happened a couple of times before over the last 10 years, using the same URL.
It has been reported to the police and Companies House as ID theft and fraud.
Update whilst typing this…. i have an appointment for tomorrow at 12pm…
Take a friend! 😳
haha, dont worry, i have no intention of going, i just wanted to see what the outcome would be via the live chat.
Their online sales guy seems really keen to persuade 'Lachlan Morton' to buy online rather than to pop into their shop, even though it's only a 20 minute bike ride away!
Their online sales guy seems really keen to persuade ‘Lachlan Morton’ to buy online rather than to pop into their shop
They seemed quite keen to sell "Steve Peat" an e-bike too.
I wonder if they would try and sell Bradley Wiggins a mountain bike!
Jag, did your bike turn up?
Looks like they are still going......
SCAM!!! DON’T BUY from them. They stole all my money!!!I purchased a bike from them, they sent me an email confirmation with all the details to go and collect it in the store. I went to the shop(to the address they show in their website) and it’s another different bike store and they had no idea about my order plus they mentioned that many people went there asking for bikes from the bicycle company uk they even reported it to the police but the police didn’t really care. It’s a shame! Please everyone who can report this SCAM company do it so we can avoid this to happen to others like it happened to me.
Looked legit to me !! Sarcasm switch off !
Why oh why do people still fall for these scams 🙁
If it looks too good to be true ? It is !!!!!
lana- if only you joined earlier...
@jag did TSB help you get the money back or were they terrible?
They got my review pulled from Trustpilot, there are load of negative reviews on there already, all replied to saying they are fake reviews.
There are also a bunch of positive reviews, they must have been really busy on the 26th and 27th of July because that is when all them were posted.
Honestly its Scammy McScamface. I guess the website is actually hosted outside the UK so there is not much that can be done to pull it down. Maybe @stwhannah wants to investigate and see if anything more can be done to stop people being scammed?
@plus-one no need, I'm sure they feel bad enough without you ripping the piss.
I'm surprised that credit card companies still deal with them as they must be getting lots of claims
UPDATE
No bike - no surprise I guess :o(
TSB have said I have to wait 15 days after the promised delivery date before I can make a claim. In that 15 days I'm supposed to contact the supplier to organise delivery or a full refund. If I have no joy I can then claim my money back. The 15 days expires on 15/8/2021.
The only helpful thing that's happened is that my payment has been 'held during an investigation of fraud' by their Card processing agent; Vivawallet. I'm hoping that will make the claim back easier.
I've decided that I am an idiot and it was clearly a scam which I didn't see through.
Let's all be careful out there!
I’ve decided that I am an idiot and it was clearly a scam which I didn’t see through.
It wasn't so clear it was a scam apart from the price. They have worked hard on this one
seems to me that if you are a keen cyclist, eg: knowing Canyon, Ribble, etc are direct sales models then there are clues but not everyone is such a saddo obsessive as the average STW dweller and then it does look very convincing.
The only regular advice that everyone should know is to always use a credit card when you buy online. I know there's often a backlash against credit cards, but used wisely, in this case for the protection they bring, they are very useful. Even though banks may refund after investigation, with a CC it's a legal obligation.
It wasn’t so clear it was a scam apart from the price
And the homepage of the website.
And the homepage of the website.
Which part of the homepage? It looked good by most normal standards
Hannah brought this to my attention. I'm doing some digging. If anything we will get something up to warn others. If anyone who has made a purchase or spoken to them wants to drop me a message please feel free to do so!
Which part of the homepage? It looked good by most normal standards
For me it was the bit where you landed and was immediately presented with 'Largest Bicycle Manufacturer'. That seems unlikely, apart from anything else they reckon they're a shop not a factory. After that, all their news posts are dated the same day (4th March 2021), the discounts are all too good to be true, the videos consist entirely of stock imagery, and if you Google streetview their apparent address it looks very different to their supposed shop picture (among plenty of other things I'm sure).
I'm not saying they've not put some effort in because they have (all the links generally go somewhere, they've gone to the effort of writing out or at least stealing someone's privacy policy etc.), but it still doesn't pass the sniff test for me and it's a lot of money to send somewhere that looks even a little bit curious.
Coming out of a worldwide pandemic/brexit/supply chain issues.
Massive bike/parts shortages worldwide and folks waiting months on bikes etc!!
A company no-one has heard off pops up with lots of stock of pretty much any bike and at a discount !!!!
Aye it might be true !
For me it was the bit where you landed and was immediately presented with ‘Largest Bicycle Manufacturer’
Exactly - as I posted up there somewhere ^^
Coming out of a worldwide pandemic/brexit/supply chain issues.
Massive bike/parts shortages worldwide and folks waiting months on bikes etc!!
A company no-one has heard off pops up with lots of stock of pretty much any bike and at a discount !!!!
This is all very true as well of course, I was just trying to point out things that made me suspicious that could happen on any scam site rather than just a bike related one (when I first looked at it for example, they reckoned they were selling Canyon bikes which the bike nerd and STW dweller in me instantly flagged as 'nope').
When I first found this I clicked on a specialized diverge. It didn't take me to the front page. The only reason I was suspicious was the discount and then the 2nd and 3rd discount codes. That's when I did some digging and posted on here. I was pretty sure it was a scam but there was a little bit of me that thought maybe someone in IT had cocked up!
I once bought a bike from Evans cycles that was ridiculously cheap and they called me the next day to say they'd made a mistake and refunded my money. So it does happen.
Tbf the website is better than some major bike companies websites and easier to use!
I've had another email from them since posting the UPDATE.
This time telling me that because my payment has failed they will issue a full refund in the next fourteen days - which seems unlikely. However I have to wait at least that long before I can contact TSB about getting my money back so I guess we will see what happens.
I'm not going to hold my breath :o)
This time telling me that because my payment has failed they will issue a full refund in the next fourteen days
Why would they issue a refund if the payment failed? This is just delay tactics.
Has the money come out of your account?
Yes - the money is gone from my account but is being held by the card processing company; Vivawallet
Vivawallet tell me this happens if the website is reported for fraudulent practices.
I don't think the refund offer is real - just a delaying tactic as you say :o)
I hope everyone scammed gets their cash back.
I've not seen the website in question but from the scammers point of view it seems like a good time to set something up. I've been looking for a bike recently and the combination of the drought and the desire to get something I can commute on before I return to the office in September has led to a feeling of the pressure being ramped up.
I can easily imagine many people are hitting the "buy" button much more impulsively and quickly than they usually would if they see something "in stock" and feel there is a tiny window to grab it.
Lauren's done a story on the STW homepage now
