Free PDA - seems a little fishy though

[solarc7]

http://www.pdaoffer.com/

they'll give you a free PDA if you don't mind putting up with banner ads. You pay 20 bucks for shipping and stuff, seems not completely truthful, but it's worth a try. Post any information you receive.

[J-Dogg]

Damn, now if this pans out, it would be amazing. But I wonder if you have to connect to the internet a certain amount or they'll charge you or something??? I hate to say it, but I almost want to do this. They use CCNOW for the secure checkout, but they only have one little page on "the catch". Nothing about their company, and nothing about why they are doing this. I could put up $20 to see if this comes through, unless anyone knows something more than I do??

[TheLoneGunman]

Check out their registration info (just smacks of legimate enterprise!)

Registrant:
Free PDA Offer
Ave
Chicago, Il 00000
US

Domain Name: PDAOFFER.COM

Administrative Contact:
niang, a [email protected]
Ave
Chicago, Il 00000
US
5093515681

Technical Contact:
niang, a [email protected]
Ave
Chicago, Il 00000
US
5093515681

Billing Contact:
niang, a [email protected]
Ave
Chicago, Il 00000
US
5093515681


Record last updated on 01-May-2001.
Record expires on 08-Apr-2002.
Record Created on 08-Apr-2001.

Domain servers in listed order:
NS01.JATEK.COM 216.116.124.205
NS1.ISPC.ORG 207.106.7.7

[BrewMaster]

With a registration like that, it looks like someone is trying to scam the deal-conscious net users (aka, deal sharks like us). I wouldn't mess with this $20 scam.

I have a legit deal though. If you send me $20 "shipping and handling," I'll send you a nice personalized email as a thank you. This deal is legit. For an extra $5, I'll send you snail mail every week so the mailman will think you have people constantly sending you mail.

[zero2dash]

Originally posted by TheLoneGunman
Chicago, Il 00000

Erm, *yeah* I think it's a safe bet to call this a scam. There's a lack of a zip code in any of that information, and also the phone number is the same and it's a pretty generic looking phone number (i.e. it's probably made up and is fake). I don't like the looks of this one; I know I'll be passing on this one. It'd be cool getting a free PDA, but having ads on not only your PC but also the PDA itself is pretty shitty. Not to forget that you're also having to pay $20 for something you will probably never get. *yikes*

[Loki]

If you take a look at the Visor Eedge by Handspring it looks like the guy just downloaded that webpage hanspring built and posted it again to make it look like a real deal.

http://www.handspring.com/products/visoredge/index.jhtml;$sessionid$HGPGUAAAAAMHFQFIAEGCFFOAVAARWIV0

[sbp]

Wonder if Alex Nguyen has a dimwitted brother in Chicago. :thumbdown

Stay far away from this steal folks!

[DoPeY5007]

If any1 try's plese post results....

[Ravenclaw]

I just emailed the company, we'll see what they say.

[jamespf]

I'll look at my Credit Card's protection plan. If it covers the $20 if the item isn't shipped, I think I'll try it.

[TheLoneGunman]

Originally posted by jamespf
I'll look at my Credit Card's protection plan. If it covers the $20 if the item isn't shipped, I think I'll try it.

I think the insurance would reject the claim.

Outright stupidity is not claimable. You have to have a little bit of sense before they will accept it.

If not, send me $2000 and I will won't send you anything.

[lisu24]

using a private payment from my AMEX blue...let's see what happens. AMEX is great about fraud protection. :)

[wingl]

I did it too. I also called CCNOW to check and it's awaiting shipment. If PDAOFFER.COM fails to ship, CCNOW will refund 100%. Crossing my fingers and anything else that bends!

[jamespf]

sounds like its worth the risk if CC now will back it up. Is there a statment anywhere as to the time frame for it to be shipped? US law(accourding to webcertificate.com) says that if it's not shipped within the specified time frame, we are to recieve a refund...

[Markel]

Originally posted by TheLoneGunman

Chicago, Il 00000
US
5093515681

If that number at the bottom is supposed to be a phone number, it's nowhere near Chicago. 509 AC is Washington State, but there isn't even a 351 exchange in it. Makes this look REALLY legitimate!

[MixmasterC]

How about someone contact Handspring customer service and see what they say about it... an order of 50,000 (or 500,000?) Edge Visors is probably something they would know about...

Just my 2 cents.

[NiceMann]

I use to be a client of CCnow when I did major selling on ebay. They do protect the sellers and offer a 30 day money back guarantee. I did contact them and they said they believe he is a honest seller just that we need to read http://www.pdaoffer.com/catch.htm very carefully. I myself am going to try it, but I trust CCnow so I know I can get my money back.

Best of luck to you all. If you would like to contact the seller of the PDA try emailing [email protected]

~NiceMann

One thing about the registration info too the contact telephone number comes back to washington....no where near the "chicago address" LOL and they even ended their catch.htm with the pharse "Good Luck" so I don't expect to see it, but I know I can get my money back.

[Edited by NiceMann on 05-02-2001 at 11:47 AM]

[jamespf]

well, I'd say this is a scam of some sort. no registration info, no real details on the terms of the purchase. The only legit thing I can find is that CCNow is running the transactions.

So I'm hopeing this is a pyramid scheme and maybe they will send out a few at first to get the word out that they are legit. Then when the get say, 50,000 orders($1 million) they crap out and move to norway or something. Maybe I'll be one of the few at the begaining to get one.

Second, I'm confident that if CCnow doesn't honor their refund if not shipped, american express will have my back.


I emailed handspring. Here's the reply.



------------------------------------------
Dear jamespf,

Thank you for your inquiry. The Free Visor Edge promotion is strictly
http://www.pdaoffer.com. Handspring has no part in this promotion. For any
further questions concerning this promotion please contact
[email protected] We do apologize for any inconveniences that
this may have caused. If you have any further questions or comments
please feel free to contact us back via email, or call our CustomerCare
Team at 888-565-9393.
=======================================
Helpful Visor tip
=======================================

Need a graffiti cheat sheet? Did you know there's one built
right into your Visor? Whenever you need it, just run your stylus from
the bottom of the Graffiti area to the top of the screen, and the cheat
sheet will appear. You'll never be caught without one again.

Want more helpful tips like this? Subscribe to the Handspring
E-Newsletter. Every issue gives you:
- More great tips to help you get even more from your Visor handheld
- Must-have software recommendations
- New Springboard module announcements
- Much, much more!

Check out http://www.handspring.com/newsletter to learn more!

Regards,
Stephanie
Handspring CustomerCare


Original Message Follows:
------------------------
FROM: jamespf
INQUIRY_TYPE: Other Inquiry
COMMENTS: I would like you to verify that http://www.pdaoffer.com/ has a
legitamit offer. They claim they have 500,000 Edge Visors to offer.
The deal gose something like this. Pay $20 for shipping, and they give
you a Edge Visor. The catch is that they put advertisments on the pda
to recover the costs of the product.

Could you please look into this to see if this company is useing your
products to scam the public? With a volume of 500,000 units, this
sholdn't be too hard to confirm.

Thanks,
jamespf

---------------------------------------------------

[jamespf]

I know that if they do ship me one, the first thing I'll do is report my CC stolen, so that they cant make any more charges to my account!

[NiceMann]

Originally posted by jamespf
I know that if they do ship me one, the first thing I'll do is report my CC stolen, so that they cant make any more charges to my account!

They are using CCNow (very good company)...they never see your credit card information so they can't charge you anything else. That is the only good thing about this deal.

~NiceMann

[sbp]

If a deal seems fishy to you {and this one certainly smells bad} than avoid that deal.

[walberty]

Well i put in an order for three...being the trusting soul that I am.
So don't you folks come crying to me for a PDA when I get mine. :-)

Thank god for online protection on my credit card. :-)

I'll keep you updated.

Wade

[J-Dogg]

I was just about to place an order when the order page changed. It is now an unsecure, cheesy looking page. Perhaps CCNOW caught wind of this and pulled out before this thing got anymore out of hand. Damn, at least with CCNOW I felt like I wouldn't get screwed. Why did they change the order page????

[DoPeY5007]

the whole site is gone....

[J-Dogg]

What are they concocting now?

Our server is temporarily unavailable.
Please check back with us in a few hours.
Thanks for your support.

[Markel]

...your credit card information is safe in Chicago, or Washington, or Beijing.

[TheLoneGunman]

You have to love a site that claims the unit is worth $538 and then on the next page shows the details where it says SRP (Suggested Retail Price) - $399

The technology they described was completely bogus and even if it did exist, all the free ISPs that went under should prove how funny it was.

I am sorry, but EVERYONE who went into this deal knew what was up so if your credit card doesn't give you your money back, you really deserve it. (It is like the guy who crosses against the light and then is angry when he gets hit by a car -- an everyday occurance in SF)

[NiceMann]

Hello, this is Al Reeves with CCNow Customer Service.
I received your inquiry, and I thank you for your interest. This
vendor is currently under investigation, and all orders are on
hold pending the outcome.

Regards,

- Al Reeves
CCNow Customer Service

[jmalm]

This has scam written all over it. The fact that some of you would even partake in this scam just amazes me. Sure no "loss" but now you have to apply for a new credit card/number. You also give them ALL your information which could lead to identity theft. Their order form:

http://www.pdaoffer.com/orderform.htm

Doesn't even use a secure server. So you're purchase is also insecure which the company could claim "hackers" stole or something along that line. Personally i'd NEVER enter information like that on a non-secure server. Let's look at the signs which prove that this "company" is a scam.

1. Where they purchased their domain.

Tucow's affiliated which dotster, among other cheap domain name companies. MOST companyes use networksolutions.com for their reliability.

2. Fraud information the whois database.
Registrant:
Free PDA Offer
Ave
Chicago, Il 00000
US

What do they have to hide? ALL companies fill out full information in domain lookups.

3. The little things you notice around their site.

I just visited their site, and the index.html reads:
Our server is temporarily unavailable.

Please check back with us in a few hours.

Thanks for your support.

Well, if you know any of the pages on hand such as:

http://www.pdaoffer.com/catch.htm
or
http://www.pdaoffer.com/orderform.htm

They still work perfectly for me anyways. Why would they lie?

4. Infringement on handspring.com's copyright notice.

I was reviewing over handspring's copyright notice on their website after I noticed identical graphics on pdaoffer.com's site. Why would a company blatently break copyright infringement? Check it out for yourself:

http://www.handspring.com/copyright.jhtml

5. Selling of the Metallic Red Visor Edge.

If you view the details of the Visor edge and noice to the top right it has a graphic which says "Metallic Red - Only at Handspring.com"

http://www.handspring.com/products/visoredge/index.jhtml;$sessionid$HGPGUAAAAAMHFQFIAEGCFFOAVAARWIV0

I'm sure handspring did this for marketing reasons, so how would this guy get licensing for more so "distributing" the red PDA?

6. Conclusion.

Wow this thing is getting pretty hefty, but I'm only doing this for YOUR benefit. Don't even waste your time, even if ccnow.com claims to have "insurance" and what have you. Still the hassle of it all is not worth it.

I highly advise that you do not waste anymore time on this "company" anymore.

[WhiskeyPapa]

My guess is that this is some kid who thought he had a great "scam" and was going to make a few hundred bucks. He had no clue how big it would get, he didn't know CCNow would investigate and he didn't know there are some excellent "detectives" among the freebie crowd. And now he's hiding in his room (which is in his parent's basement.)

[NiceMann]

We are not total idiots....we didn't purchase using that form. We used a secure form from CCNow throught THEIR website and the scam person was never able to see our credit card information nor will they get the money now. CCNow will not charge our credit cards. Now for those of you that are still thinking about it....think again. Now using that form they are able to get all your credit information.

~NiceMann

[jmalm]

Hah, the non-secure server is one of the MANY problems that make this whole thing a true scam. That was the order form that was linked on their website, so they must of tried using that for quite some time.

[chadlnc]

I just went and entered bogus information into the order form. They have it hooked up with http://www.skipjack.com/sjweb/ now. Maybe they are trying to get around having to use CCNow. I think I will pass on this "deal".

[chadlnc]

I got the Demo credit card info from Skipjacks website and used it to make a "purchase" at the site and it worked. Might as well eat up their bandwidth. Here is the info from the order confirmation page:

If you DO NOT receive an E-mail within 15 minutes - please contact:
Pda Offer
at Phone: 7739082306
or Email at: [email protected]
or Fax at: 5093515681

Gotta love how the phone and the fax don't even have the same area code.

[Edited by chadlnc on 05-02-2001 at 07:33 PM]

[NiceMann]

Hey at least they finally got a Chicago telephone number :P

~NiceMann

[Markel]

Originally posted by NiceMann
Hey at least they finally got a Chicago telephone number :P

~NiceMann
At least they got an area code right. But looks like the exchange is still bogus.

[NiceMann]

Originally posted by Markel

Originally posted by NiceMann
Hey at least they finally got a Chicago telephone number :P

~NiceMann
At least they got an area code right. But looks like the exchange is still bogus.

LOL I know its was a joke :P

~NiceMann

[NiceMann]

Oh and BTW the fax number is from efax.com

~NiceMann

[solarc7]

Quick note, I got a reply from them and they said my order didn't go through. They say I need to place another order, probably meaning they want me to use their order form so they get my credit card number.

[calng]

I, too got that same email saying to submit a new order using their new order form. I can just say one thing. NO! Exactly what nicemann said, this looks to be an exact *scam*. Before, when using CCNOW, that was fine, but now, it is a non-secure order form. I for one will not place an order again.

[walberty]

I got the e-mail too, but I am only getting their homepage that says they are currently down. Where are you finding the order form at?

[calng]

I get that too. "Our server is temporarily down". This link was from previous posts:

http://www.pdaoffer.com/orderform.htm

[SmokinToilet]

hee hee... Why are you guys going there?

this is the link:
http://www.pdaoffer.com/colors.htm

at the bottom click buy now

and bam! you have the secure ccnow link for the pda visor...

=) make a copy of everthing! so you can dispute this scam... Well, I don't know now, the site owner did some changes which convinced me to test out my AMEX card for once ... hee hee... ya, I actually have a use for this blue chip card and reader.

[dimwit]

On that demo card number on the skipjack site:

"Authorization failed, card reported stolen."

[TheLoneGunman]

THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A SCAM. IF YOU PARTICIPATE AND THEN BEG FOR YOUR MONEY BACK YOU ARE RAISING THE RATES OF ALL CARDHOLDERS!! YOU ARE ALSO MAKING IT MORE DIFFICULT FOR PEOPLE IN THE FUTURE TO CLAIM LEGITIMATE REFUNDS.

THIS IS STUPIDITY AT ITS WORST

[jamespf]

well, I hardly had to beg. And since CCnow is independent of our Credit Card Companies, I doubt that this will have any effect on our rates.

--------------------------------------
CCNow has received a request to cancel order number xx-xxxx, which
was previously sent to you. Since the order has not yet been shipped,
we have cancelled the order as requested. The customer's credit card
was not charged.

Please do not ship order number xx-xxxx.

Regards,

- CCNow Client Services

(cc: Customer)

[calng]

Originally posted by SmokinToilet
hee hee... Why are you guys going there?

this is the link:
http://www.pdaoffer.com/colors.htm

at the bottom click buy now

and bam! you have the secure ccnow link for the pda visor...

=) make a copy of everthing! so you can dispute this scam... Well, I don't know now, the site owner did some changes which convinced me to test out my AMEX card for once ... hee hee... ya, I actually have a use for this blue chip card and reader.

Link doesnt come up.

[DoubleDwn]

Site is gone :)

[J-Dogg]

That's frickin' hilarious! Whoever see's the first news article about this scam, be sure to post it here :) Never underestimate the power of the deal forums!!

Coming Soon !!!
This domain was recently acquired at HOSTandSAVE.com



[Edited by J-Dogg on 05-03-2001 at 12:41 PM]

[todd5813]

I called the number above and it's a nextel cell phone. Oh, yeah I really trust this deal.

[playa]

Good thing I used my Amex Blue card. One time use number. Even if they try to use it, I can cancel the purchase, and it will only work once. BTW go this e-mail today:

Notice how the return path is different then the from address.

Subj: Cancellation: Order 80- 9604
Date: 5/3/2001 4:05:56 PM Eastern Daylight Time
From: [email protected] (CCNow Processing)
Reply-to: [email protected] (CCNow Processing)
To: [email protected]

------------------------------------------------------------------------

CCNow has received a request from the shipper to cancel order number
80-9604, which was placed at the website http://www.pdaoffer.com
but which the supplier was unable to fulfill.

We have cancelled the order as requested, and your credit card
has not been charged. We would like to apologize for any
inconvenience this may have caused you.

Regards,

- CCNow Customer Service

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------






----------------------- Headers --------------------------------
Return-Path: <[email protected]>

[twiggyop]

The first # is a valid extension. It resolves to Tier C Local Phone Co. SPOKANE Washington. I didn't check the chicago one, but I suspect it is valid too.

It is not all that uncommon to register a domain name with one of the cheaper companies, networksolutions has no added reliability since all domain requests go through them anyway, regardless of who registered the domain. I never register domains through networksolutions(and I've got a couple dozen, some business). It is a pain to get the DNS changed, and there is no customer support.

Having a cell phone for a company number is not necessarily unbelievable either. It isn't too great for a retail store, but things like contractors who have their own business can often use a cell phone.

Having a server down is not necessarily a sign of a scam. Some sites consider uptime to be a holy grail. Others as large as Walmart take down the entire site for days for 'remodeling'. I agree with walmart. You don't try to remodel a B&M store while customers are walking around in it, why not do the same for a website?

Fax numbers from efax.com aren't necessarily bad either. Where do you think efax finds their customers? Most of them are small businesses.

Neither handspring's email nor ccnow's email had any evidence that this is a scam, regardless of how you might read them.

Now, on the other hand - if it is insecure, there is NO WAY I'm going to put my cc# up there. I wouldn't buy from amazon if it was insecure. So, don't beat on the CCNOW peoples.

[rooeey0413]

wow either you all like to play detective or you just have soo much time on your hands... its kinda simple. its a scam, dont go for it. thats that... just let ppl know. thanks...

[syo202]

My friend got ripped off by a similar scam before! be careful. Email me for details.

[Weasel]

You know it's a SCAM, you yourself say it's a SCAM but anyway you go ahead and think that your CC will protect you.
Then you place an order and COMPLAIN it did not go through?

Tsk tsk tsk

[jmalm]

I agree with LoneGunman on this as well. You guys are abosolute idiots for jeopardizing your credit card balance, among other things.

[NiceMann]

Originally posted by jmalm
I agree with LoneGunman on this as well. You guys are abosolute idiots for jeopardizing your credit card balance, among other things.

Well we DIDN'T jeopardize our credit cards. We signed up through CCNow a VERY dependable credit card processor. The scamer never saw our information. Also CCNow offers a 30 day guarntee. I use to be a client of theirs when I did major selling on ebay.

~NiceMann

[BostonDan]

I am interested in registering for CCnow, can you please give me some advice on this? Are there other choices, is it really worth having?

Thanks,
Dan




Originally posted by NiceMann
I use to be a client of CCnow when I did major selling on ebay. They do protect the sellers and offer a 30 day money back guarantee. I did contact them and they said they believe he is a honest seller just that we need to read http://www.pdaoffer.com/catch.htm very carefully. I myself am going to try it, but I trust CCnow so I know I can get my money back.

Best of luck to you all. If you would like to contact the seller of the PDA try emailing [email protected]

~NiceMann

One thing about the registration info too the contact telephone number comes back to washington....no where near the "chicago address" LOL and they even ended their catch.htm with the pharse "Good Luck" so I don't expect to see it, but I know I can get my money back.

[Edited by NiceMann on 05-02-2001 at 11:47 AM]

[calng]

Personally, I'd rather stick with paypal. CCnow charges around 9-9.5% per transaction which can get pretty high on large items. I used to use CCNow, it was pretty great until paypal came along with no rates. Even with the rates, I enjoy using paypal more, however I do not use paypal that much anymore ever since I obtained a credit merchant.


Originally posted by BostonDan
I am interested in registering for CCnow, can you please give me some advice on this? Are there other choices, is it really worth having?

Thanks,
Dan




Originally posted by NiceMann
I use to be a client of CCnow when I did major selling on ebay. They do protect the sellers and offer a 30 day money back guarantee. I did contact them and they said they believe he is a honest seller just that we need to read http://www.pdaoffer.com/catch.htm very carefully. I myself am going to try it, but I trust CCnow so I know I can get my money back.

Best of luck to you all. If you would like to contact the seller of the PDA try emailing [email protected]

~NiceMann

One thing about the registration info too the contact telephone number comes back to washington....no where near the "chicago address" LOL and they even ended their catch.htm with the pharse "Good Luck" so I don't expect to see it, but I know I can get my money back.

[Edited by NiceMann on 05-02-2001 at 11:47 AM]

[Mungo]

I just called that (509)351-5681 # & it is a non-working E-Fax #. This is probably definitly a scam! Be carefull!!!