GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Online shoppers, beware: The Better Business Bureau Serving Western Michigan says a shoe seller on social media offering high-end brands for lower prices isn’t delivering.
The BBB says its taken several complaints in Michigan about the company, that goes by the name of Restock Shoes or Exclusive Footwear Boutique. The customers say the company takes their money, but the shoes never arrive.
When the BBB says the company’s Instagram pages were filled with photos of a storefront and shelves of sneakers, advertising sale prices and shoe contests. However, the watchdog group says the Muskegon store address listed on the company’s Instagram account took its investigators to a gap between an Ulta and Kohl's store. The BBB says the shoe company’s metro-Detroit addresses belonged to an animal hospital, empty lot and Detroit-themed clothing boutique.
The BBB says it’s tried contacting the company, but no calls have been returned. Mail sent to the company has also come back as “undeliverable."
To protect yourself from bogus businesses, the BBB suggests the following steps:
Research the company on the BBB website before you shop.
If a deal seems too good to be true, be cautious. Check other companies to see if they have similar deals.
Use a credit card instead of debit, prepaid or gift cards. It’s easier to dispute unapproved charges on a credit card. Avoid companies that require payment by wire transfer or alternative methods, which are a hallmark of fraud.