Think I've been had...

[Blue One]

Hi Guys

On Facebook over this weekend was a banner ad for a 'Flash Sale' of Trek bikes from this company https://flash.bicycleflash.com

I placed the order and haven't heard anything since apart from getting an email confirming my order, the phone number listed is a US one that doesn't seem to exist, and my emails have not been responded to. I have a feeling I've been duped on this one.

Does anyone else know of this company or have experience of them?

Thanks

[cs174]

If you paid by card, contact your card provider and do a chargeback.

[S100HP]

Yeah, you've been scammed.

https://www.scamadviser.com/check-website/flash.bi...

And

[LimaDelta]

The site looks pretty slick, but those prices! No way that can be legit surely? A full-suss Trek mid-fat ebike for £54? I'll take ten!

[S100HP]

I've just seen the prices. How've you fallen for that OP, it's obvious!

[anonymous-user]

yes scam and the bigger problem you will now have is you will be on their sucker list.

Edited by anonymous-user on Thursday 9th July 17:13

[13aines]

It's such a shame websites like this are so difficult to get shut down.

[Blue One]

Thanks Guys - I was dumbass for sure, but with Covid I could imagine a flash sale like this being real.

Thankfully I just ordered one bike LOL

Is it more sinister than just want I paid (about £60)? I will block my card and call the bank anyway...

[S100HP]

Certainly. They've got your card details!

[Hammer67]

I fell for something similar a couple of years ago. Refunded through card.

Because of that I have nothing to do with anything advertised on FB.

[Tony1963]

Blue One said:

Thanks Guys - I was dumbass for sure, but with Covid I could imagine a flash sale like this being real.

When some shops were selling a year’s worth of bikes each month, there was absolutely no need for any manufacturer, distributor or retailer to offer any discounts at all.


Oops.

[JQ]

No matter how desperate a retailer might become, I doubt anyone would sell a £5,000 bike for £69.

[Tony1963]

JQ said:

No matter how desperate a retailer might become, I doubt anyone would sell a £5,000 bike for £69.

Oh c’mon, I see Land Rover offering free Range Rovers for free on Facebook, just to say thank you for just giving them your name! (And loads of data, of course).

[JEA1K]

Tony1963 said:

Oh c’mon, I see Land Rover offering free Range Rovers for free on Facebook, just to say thank you for just giving them your name! (And loads of data, of course).

Don't forget those free camper vans that are last years models, so cannot be sold and must be give away

[BobbyA]

JEA1K said:

Don't forget those free camper vans that are last years models, so cannot be sold and must be give away

and the first winner was under 18 so they were doing it again LOL!

[SS2.]

Previously known as gobicyclego.com, hotroadbicycle.com and probably others besides.

[Monkeylegend]

Apart from the giveaway prices you only need to read the "About Us" bit to know it's iffy.

[Zetec-S]

JEA1K said:

Don't forget those free camper vans that are last years models, so cannot be sold and must be give away

I asked a friend who keeps sharing these things whether he genuinely believed a company was giving away over a million pounds of motorhomes. Their response - "probably not, but no harm in trying is there".

This is from the same person who got all arsey about the proposed NHS track and trace apps and saying that people should delete his contact details rather than risk them sharing that info with the government

[Drezza]

Nice website looks legit... until you see the prices.

£288 reduced to £62 for a Trek road bike???

Even at £288 I'd buy ten, I have no idea why scammers think this won't raise a red flag, at least make the prices somewhat realistic.

[deckster]

Drezza said:

Even at £288 I'd buy ten, I have no idea why scammers think this won't raise a red flag, at least make the prices somewhat realistic.

Because (in the nicest possible way to the OP) it ensures that they only catch the very dumbest and greediest of the dumb and greedy. There's no point in appealing to people who are going to be suspicious, so they just go for those for who are unable to apply critical thinking no matter how quite literally incredible the prices are.