27 June 2014
Elite Shopping/Fashion Traders
Caveat Emptor is a 2000-year old phrase that is as relevant today as it was in ancient Rome.
It translates to "buyer beware" - an important thing to remember when buying something. The seller has his own best interests at heart, so a purchaser must look after his own interests and thoroughly check everything before signing up and buying. It applies to everything from houses to items at the $2 shop.
I have come across one of the worst and most-blatant rip-offs in history, and buyer should not just beware of this crowd, but should stay away from them entirely.
The organisation operates under multiple trading names, including Fashion Traders and Elite Shopping. The company which runs the scam is Elite Shopping Limited, owned by Sie Ping LEE and Gregory Ross TAPPER. Other companies in the group are clearly involved in similar or the same rip-off, with names like Deals4U 2012 Ltd.
Why is Fashion Traders/Elite Shopping so bad?
They are promoting sales of consumer electronics like TVs, computers and iPhones.
The bad news is that they run a scheme where a consumer will pay a weekly payment for 12 weeks before the product is delivered, then the balance payable over the course of the next 40 weeks.
Doesn't sound too bad until you see the prices. I was quoted today a price for a 32-inch TV. I asked that in particular as The Good Guys are selling top-of-the-line Sony 32" TVs for $499. (Warehouse has generic brands for $299)
To buy the same item through Elite Shopping is $39 per week for 52 weeks, a total cost of $2028, four times the retail price, and you can bet that with bulk buying wholesale they are not paying $500 a pop.
This is an outrage, but unfortunately legal.
Tell your friends, neighbours and family: if they are contacted by Elite Shopping/Fashion Traders, they should avoid them like the plague.
The worst thing about the scam is that the entire purchase price is paid before delivery, then the poor sucker who signed up has to keep paying for another 40 weeks.
File under A for Avoid.
Copyright © Alan Charman