How to tell if a online store is a scam?

[Slouch]

Greetings, 
Looking for a specific item that appears to be sold on this website. https://onlineamericanstore.com/
The logo and name is kinda cheesy, makes me suspicious. I ran it in https://www.scamadviser.com/. 

Doesn't tell me much. 50/50 

Anyway to be sure without buying an item? Let's make this informational. 

[mr mans]

I tend to Google the name and see what comes up. If still unsure, I check out with PayPal as they will have your back if there is an issue. Similarly, using a credit card should keep you covered against fraud 

[dizmo]

I always find common sense usually does pretty well.

[Guest]

That whole site is the least natural use of the English langue I've seen in a while.

For something called the American store... yeah... nice try ISIS.

[Spotty]

I extremely doubt that it is US based. Looks like everything written on the page has been pushed through Google Translate 8 times.
Also not a good sign that their twitter page has only 2 followers.

 

Best case scenario is it's a Chinese store selling crappy Chinese plastic crap with the US flag on it pretending to be US based because people buying American patriotic novelty items probably aren't going to want to buy from China.

What item is it they sell that you were hoping to buy? You'd probably be better off just buying from eBay. It'll most likely be cheaper and you will at least get eBay buyer protection.

[WereCatf]

15 minutes ago, Slouch said:

Anyway to be sure without buying an item? Let's make this informational

One thing I tend to look at is if they list any address for themselves, so let's see:

"Address: The American Store" -- oh, a supposedly big company and they're refusing to list any address? Yeah, no, it's a scam.

[TrigrH]

Quote

CONTACT US

If you have a question or issue, please email or call us and we will immediately address your inquiry. Please email us at contact@appsysco.com or call 1-720-805-1805.

Try the number maybe? see if you reach a real human?

[LogicalDrm]

Several things to look at.

• At what price they sell stuff compared to Amazon or other stores
• Do their emails, company names etc. match across whole site
• Contact options. If they don't give office location, there's something fishy. Also email without company branding.
• Social media. How old are the accounts, are names and addresses same as with the site etc.
• Whois with domain. Same questions as above.

That site has very bad design. They don't give street address. They don't list shipping options. There are 3 company names mentioned (American Online Store, Boom Store Co. Ltd. and "Light Up Your Bike"), two latter don't link to anything related. While IP registration matches, all details of owner are hidden. Question is, what do they have to hide?

[AbsoluteFool]

Just the about page here smell fake site a very long way..

Even if you look at the newsletter text you can see this site is made by someone who don't even know what they have typed. typical google translate.

[GetacFanboy]

Just called the number. I got a real human named Anthony within seconds!

Problem is, the guy says he has nothing to do with the store and doesn't know why his number is listed there. 

[NoMansLand]

I don't see what your problem is... they have great Customer Cervice. [/sarcasm]

 

It's more than likely a site that just flogs cheap merch

[The_Geek]

Case Closed... LOL...... Stay the hell away....