Online Laptop Offer- Too Good to be True?

In My Humble Opinion
1

I found a “discount” computer website last night, and they had a really excellent offer on a laptop:

http://pi-laptops.com/sonyVaioGRT170.html

Basically, $1173 for a Sony Vaio with a 2.8 GHz P 4, 60 GB Hard Drive, DVD Burner, and 16" screen, some unknown version of XP.

I was really excited at first, becasue it seemed legit due to all the specifics, but now I am having some serious second thoughts.

All of the contact info is a single e-mail address: laps3@hotpop.com

And when you go to begin the check out process, it automatically directs you to a page that does not support Visa/Mastercard/AmEx as suggested by the bottom of the website, but instead offers how to do this through Western Union.

Huh? It’s a Yahoo store, and it doesn’t take credit cards?

So, what do the 'Dopers think.

2

I don’t think it’s legit, personally.

  1. I’m not 100% certain, but I don’t think you can use those credit card logos until you’re set up with the credit card companies.

  2. I couldn’t find an address anywhere, or even an indication of what country they were based in.

  3. The business was just created on July 31 of this year (checked whois.com).

  4. They won’t accept something like Billpoint, Escrow or Paypal.

3

Stay away. Deadly Accurate is right. This machine is being sold at nearly 1/2 retail, and it’s a new line (or # in the GR line of machines).

Also - the Sony site does NOT list this machine as having a DVD burner.

4

A bit more information. It’s registered to someone in Forest Hills, NY. Email me and I’ll show you where I found all the information (I found a name, address and phone number).

5

Don’t respond! scroll down to “Western Union Scam”.

6

Three options, at least:

  1. An outright rip-off, and they just disappear with your money.
  2. A modified pyramid scam. They sell two laptops, they ship one. Keeps some customers happy, and then they go to option 1 when the backlog gets too big.
  3. Classic “not actually in stock” scam. They don’t actually have the one you want, but once they have your money, are willing to do a substitution and you are just happy to not lose it all.
7

Yep, another Western Union trick, very risky.

Why not just buy a new Dell Inspirion 1100 for $650 after rebates? Sure, its only 2.2 ghz but at least youll get the machine.

8

Deadly, thanks for the offer, I think I’ll take you up on it. Unfortunately, I couldn’t e-mail you through your profile.

Would you mind e-mailing me? It’s in my profile, or just send it to threemae@msn.com.

Thanks to everyone. Here is a set of e-mail to and from. I got the first reply in ten minutes, but have been waiting literally over an hour for a second. I think I’ll stay far away from this.

–Elliot

E-Mails:

From me:
I am extremely interested in the Sony priced as offered, but two questions:

Does it include Windows XP Pro or XP Home?

How can I contact you? Frankly, you’re website seems legit, but I am extremely nervous about having a phone number listed or a physical address available. I won’t conduct business without both.

So, please give me a call soon at 303.XXX.XXXX or e-mail me back with a phone number which I can call you at.

Thank you,
My Name

it includes Windows XP Pro
if you would like buy it include you’re shipping address and model of the laptop so we can prepare your package

I’m sorry, but you haven’t addressed the heart of my concerns.

You have a Yahoo store but doesn’t accept credit cards. You won’t give me a phone number. You won’t give me a real, physical address. You insist on CASH from Western Union.

I’m interested in the Sony GRT 170, and I’ll offer you my own address, but I need a phone number (it can be local, I’ll pay long distance) and a real, physical address.

Again, thanks,
My Name

9

Handy, where have you seen that offered?

I’ve been searching the Dell site for a week now.

Thanks