3D.Doug Offline Upload & Sell: Off
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While this does not just apply to alternative gear areas, there is a probably greater chance someone could find it looking for something like Leica for example.
I came across a web site that had prices that were honestly to good to be true. Well, they sure seemed that way to me. the web site is www.guttotop.com I appreciate a good deal as much as the next guy, but when I see prices that are almost alarmingly cheap, my radar goes off. That happened here.
I checked the domain name, the address, even did a google view of the address, a residence. I am still not 100% convinced the address or name listed at the domain registar match who is actually at the gmail address they list in their domain registration. How could you know?
I inquired about possibly buying using escrow, was told they only accept paypal. Lastly, I emailed and asked about meeting them to buy in person, and paying cash, I never got a response to that email.
Where it really gets interesting, during my search, I found a second web site, that at the time, was stylized almost exactly like the first web site, and the product list was almost identical. That site is www.hobbstorm.com
I noted the high similarities and figured I'd ask the contat at guttotop directly about this, I said why are your products and web sites so close? They said there was no affiliation. I thought, well, sure. Later, maybe 1 day later, the web site at hobbstorm.com was down with a message: "Temporarily closed for updates".
I have jpg screen shots of that, and the old web site front looking like guttotop.com before they changed it so they no longer match, as "closely".
Coincidence I ask?
You be the judge. But I'd recommend extreme caution. If anyone is truly interested, I could post screen shots of the before and after of Hobbstorm, as it used to look. :-)
I believe what I believe, you can believe what you want to. I asked for references, and was given a generic like like, we have satisfied customers all over the world. Ok, well who are they I asked!!! No response.
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