Craigslist seller - Central Depot?

[Claire&TheBoys]

There was an ad on our local Craigslist yesterday for Gorilla swing sets for $500-550. I replied and got an email telling me to go to some website for a company Central Depot. Having heard lots of Craigslist scam stories, I'm leery of it. Has anyone heard of this company? It says the deal is only for this week and gives a special code to use for reduced or free shipping.

Thanks for any help you can give me!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I did a "whois" search and found

Domain centraldepot.com:
BrandWorldWide
Rm 1801 Wing On Bld, 26 Des Voeux Rd, Central
Hong Kong, SAR 0000 HK

Administrative contact:
Technical contact:
Billing contact:

BrandWorldWide
brandworldwide@gmail.com
Rm 1801 Wing On Bld, 26 Des Voeux Rd, Central
Hong Kong, SAR 0000 HK
Phone: +86.13430695611
Fax:

Record dates:
Record created on: 2001-09-13 19:00:56 UTC
Record modified on: 2010-10-12 22:20:19 UTC
Record expires on: 2012-09-13 UTC

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

Thank you, CF! Would it matter if the domain is actually central-depot and not all one word, do you think?

 

[Scott S]

It's a scam. I almost fell for a similar one for a Sole Elliptical. With Craigslist unless you can pick it up locally and pay on the spot at pickup, stay far away from it.

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

Thanks, Scott. I was thinking this fell under the heading of "if it's too good to be true, it probably is." The swing sets were $2000-2500 on Amazon and $499-549 in the ad.

 

[dksgunter]

Claire,

I received the same email a day or two ago. I did some searching but could find nothing on these guys. There website was set up this year and I found news story that screams this same thing. I have attached the link to the story.

fortwayne.bbb.org/article/online-scammers-steal-cash-fail-to-deliver-playset-15403

I hope this helps. I am going to stay away.

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

Thanks, dksgunter! I'll check out that article. Like I said, I figured it was too good to be true.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

A check of central-depot.com shows a mail drop in the Bahamas. Just as safe as China.

 

[bsharos]

Well I actually fell for the scam. Sent my money in for 500.00, got a reply saying payment accepted and have been unable to get ahold of the company since. Now when I click on the website link, it takes me to e-bay. What a fol am I :-(

 

[burning mad]

I also was dupped by Central Depot. Is there any way to track and or report this fraudulant activity?

 

[vicki_c]

Wow that's unfortunate for both of you. I would start with the Better Business Bureau at a minimum, or local law enforcement.

Good thing you asked about it Claire!

 

[gigi1976]

I don't know anything about this company, but my in-laws bought one for our kids from willygoat.com and they apparently are really inexpensive compared to other places.

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

Sorry that some of you got duped. I'm so glad I asked, and so glad for my friends here on DISBOARDS!

We actually got one from Backyard Leisure. It was delivered by an 18-wheeler on Tuesday. My youngest cannot wait for us to put it together, but I think it's going to have to wait until after vacation!

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

I don't know anything about this company, but my in-laws bought one for our kids from willygoat.com and they apparently are really inexpensive compared to other places.

This is where we got our for our kids 8 years ago, they had the best prices we could find at the time and it held up pretty well, although I think this year is going to be the last year for it. It probably would've lasted longer, but we've taken it down and put it back up for 3 moves.