I got an order for 50 computers...

[hevnsnt]

Tell him for such a large order, you are going to need a 10% deposit, and that you only accept Western Union. If he sends it, run off with the cash.

 

[OdiN]

Originally posted by: Bumrush99

Originally posted by: TankGuys

Originally posted by: Auryg
I started up my own custom computer store online a while ago..No orders yet, until today.

I had gotten 2 phonecalls from Ohio before on the phone I listed (my cellphone..heh), but I never had a signal and I didn't know if I should call him back or not. Anyways, today during school he called again, and I found out he wanted 50 computers. He asked me if I could handle it, which I think I can (he said I'd have a 'few months'), and I have friends that can help...but I'm wondering how to avoid this if it's a scam, and other things...

How should he transfer me the money? Bank wire? I don't want him to be able to contest the charge..is there any other way?

Also, what computer parts stores online give out credit lines? I know newegg does. I have 25,000 dollars worth of credit, but that wont be enough.

Thanks.

I would put it at 97% probability that this is fraud.

Anyone buying 50 computers for something calls Dell. Aside from that big red flag, nobody trusts some business they cold call for 50 full systems.

I would steer clear if I were you. Think of it this way: How much profit would you be making? Let's say you're REALLY lucky and can pull in $100 per system. That's a nice $5,000 which sounds great... until you consider that if it IS fraud, you're out $50,000 plus. Is a possible payout of 5k worth going bankrupt and ruining your future? Most likely not 🙁

Speaking from experience in the IT industry, I'm willing to bet it's 99% probability it is fraud.. Most companies looking to purchase 50 computers will look towards CDW or Dell, they can get competitive pricing and support

I totally agree. The only reason that my company gets larger orders like this is because we are known in our community and the orders are not from online - they are from current clients or referrals from our clients or just word of mouth sales.

 

[techs]

I own a computer shop and get calls every few weeks for large orders of laptops and computers. They have always been a scam. Only take a money order. Period.
NO credit. No credit card. No company check. No personal check.
If the order is legit they will not have problem with that.
Odds are that its a ripoff. Better safe than sorry.
btw if you are like me you only make about 75.00 per computer so even 50 computer is not turning away a large amount of money.
btw if it is a teletype call it is a scam. I also require a telephone call from a listed phone number that shows up on my caller id. Otherwise no go.
Second btw you can always ask for a bank reference too.

 

[Ladies Man]

Originally posted by: TankGuys

Originally posted by: Auryg
I started up my own custom computer store online a while ago..No orders yet, until today.

I had gotten 2 phonecalls from Ohio before on the phone I listed (my cellphone..heh), but I never had a signal and I didn't know if I should call him back or not. Anyways, today during school he called again, and I found out he wanted 50 computers. He asked me if I could handle it, which I think I can (he said I'd have a 'few months'), and I have friends that can help...but I'm wondering how to avoid this if it's a scam, and other things...

How should he transfer me the money? Bank wire? I don't want him to be able to contest the charge..is there any other way?

Also, what computer parts stores online give out credit lines? I know newegg does. I have 25,000 dollars worth of credit, but that wont be enough.

Thanks.

I would put it at 97% probability that this is fraud.

Anyone buying 50 computers for something calls Dell. Aside from that big red flag, nobody trusts some business they cold call for 50 full systems.

I would steer clear if I were you. Think of it this way: How much profit would you be making? Let's say you're REALLY lucky and can pull in $100 per system. That's a nice $5,000 which sounds great... until you consider that if it IS fraud, you're out $50,000 plus. Is a possible payout of 5k worth going bankrupt and ruining your future? Most likely not 🙁

I was just about to write what he said. No company calls a fresh new company out of the blue for 50 computers. They either already have a supplier they do business with or would call dell, hp, etc for their order. Since this is your first order i could understand some of your excitement. I would be realistic on this though. Call the guy back, politefully decline his order, say you wouldn't mind business in the future, blah blah blah, and wait around for another, smaller, order.

 

[Viper GTS]

As others have said:

Fraud, fraud, fraud.

No offense but nobody in their right mind would buy from you when they can buy from any number of vendors with better prices, faster delivery, and 24 hour support.

I would advise you to seriously reconsider your store, there is simply no way to compete with the Dells of the IT world.

Viper GTS

 

[OdiN]

Originally posted by: Ladies Man

Originally posted by: TankGuys

Originally posted by: Auryg
I started up my own custom computer store online a while ago..No orders yet, until today.

I had gotten 2 phonecalls from Ohio before on the phone I listed (my cellphone..heh), but I never had a signal and I didn't know if I should call him back or not. Anyways, today during school he called again, and I found out he wanted 50 computers. He asked me if I could handle it, which I think I can (he said I'd have a 'few months'), and I have friends that can help...but I'm wondering how to avoid this if it's a scam, and other things...

How should he transfer me the money? Bank wire? I don't want him to be able to contest the charge..is there any other way?

Also, what computer parts stores online give out credit lines? I know newegg does. I have 25,000 dollars worth of credit, but that wont be enough.

Thanks.

I would put it at 97% probability that this is fraud.

Anyone buying 50 computers for something calls Dell. Aside from that big red flag, nobody trusts some business they cold call for 50 full systems.

I would steer clear if I were you. Think of it this way: How much profit would you be making? Let's say you're REALLY lucky and can pull in $100 per system. That's a nice $5,000 which sounds great... until you consider that if it IS fraud, you're out $50,000 plus. Is a possible payout of 5k worth going bankrupt and ruining your future? Most likely not 🙁

I was just about to write what he said. No company calls a fresh new company out of the blue for 50 computers. They either already have a supplier they do business with or would call dell, hp, etc for their order. Since this is your first order i could understand some of your excitement. I would be realistic on this though. Call the guy back, politefully decline his order, say you wouldn't mind business in the future, blah blah blah, and wait around for another, smaller, order.

Here's a test.....call him and decline and say you just don't have the time and are busy and it would take 3 months to get it done. If he takes this really easily and is all nice and still says he wants them and 3 months is just fine and etc, etc. then it's fraud. If it isn't fraud...he will not be that way...most of the time at least.

 

[ivol07]

Originally posted by: techs
I own a computer shop and get calls every few weeks for large orders of laptops and computers. They have always been a scam. Only take a money order. Period.
NO credit. No credit card. No company check. No personal check.
If the order is legit they will not have problem with that.
Odds are that its a ripoff. Better safe than sorry.
btw if you are like me you only make about 75.00 per computer so even 50 computer is not turning away a large amount of money.
btw if it is a teletype call it is a scam. I also require a telephone call from a listed phone number that shows up on my caller id. Otherwise no go.
Second btw you can always ask for a bank reference too.

I've seen fake/stolen money orders on deals like this as well. I would say do like Sphexi
says and get a deposit up front first. And whatever payment type he gives you call the issuing bank/cc company first to assure that it's legit. Even with Money orders you can call the issuing bank and make sure that it is not a stolen check.

 

[OdiN]

Originally posted by: Viper GTS
As others have said:

Fraud, fraud, fraud.

No offense but nobody in their right mind would buy from you when they can buy from any number of vendors with better prices, faster delivery, and 24 hour support.

I would advise you to seriously reconsider your store, there is simply no way to compete with the Dells of the IT world.

Viper GTS

I agree with this. Ditch the store - setup the site as more informational and advertise what services you offer such as repair, networking, whatever. Get the word out locally, get some business cards printed, etc. Once you have a name for yourself, you may do better on a website sales business for local customers to go to and purchase stuff from. But I would focus your efforts on a local consulting type thing.

 

[PokerGuy]

Hey, if that deal falls through, I have a fortune that I got from my late brother that I need to get out of the country. All I need is a bank account number, and you can share in untold riches..... 😉

 

[OdiN]

Originally posted by: PokerGuy
Hey, if that deal falls through, I have a fortune that I got from my late brother that I need to get out of the country. All I need is a bank account number, and you can share in untold riches..... 😉

My dad got a call once saying that he won a bunch of money and they needed a bank account number to transfer it to him.

He simply said - sure no problem - let me go down to the bank tomorrow and open up a new account and get you all the information and you can deposit it in there.

They hung up.

 

[Viper GTS]

Originally posted by: OdiN
I agree with this. Ditch the store - setup the site as more informational and advertise what services you offer such as repair, networking, whatever. Get the word out locally, get some business cards printed, etc. Once you have a name for yourself, you may do better on a website sales business for local customers to go to and purchase stuff from. But I would focus your efforts on a local consulting type thing.

Yup that's where the money is to be made for an individual.

Too much risk for way too little profit in a store, focus on the consulting.

Viper GTS

 

[Joemonkey]

wow, lots of insight in this thread, I had no idea

 

[HyTekJosh]

Seems as though you should write a business plan if you are serious about doing what you are doing. Make sure you have an accountant/lawyer help you decide on the right entity for you (s corp, llc, etc) and setup a process for accounting.

 

[Auryg]

Well, I am going to be very cautious about this. Like you guys said, there's a daaang good chance it's a scam.

I will get the payment first, and in a way that I for sure have the money. If he refuses, I'll simply not do business with him.

As for the website, I mainly intended it for people who locally buy computer from me..I wasn't really planning on anything this big.

 

[FoBoT]

Originally posted by: hevnsnt
Tell him for such a large order, you are going to need a 10% deposit, and that you only accept Western Union. If he sends it, run off with the cash.

reverse scam for the win

 

[DaWhim]

if it is too good to be true, usually it is.

 

[SagaLore]

How much per computer? You could order 50 whiteboxes from Dell, slap on a label, create an image tweaked with whatever software you offer with it and a wallpaper with your logo on it, and you're all set.