Almost Scammed for Water Filters Purchased

KingJuf on 28/07/2023 - 11:33
Last edited 28/07/2023 - 11:34

Hey guys,

So I purchased a set of water filters from this seeming legitimate website without doing sufficient background checks. Afterwards I realised I did not receive any order confirmation but was charged on my debit card twice from two different water company names the same amount over two days.

Did some research afterwards and found the company has a large amount of complaints/reviews from customers not receiving the item and also being charged twice. Also found a notice from NSW Fairtrading to avoid dealing with this company. Found they actually advertise on google with a different company name that redirects you to their actual website name, I should have picked this up as a red flag but didn't even consider it at the time.

I decided to do a chargeback as I was unable to contact them via live chat and all their phone numbers showing on bank transactions were disconnected.

Bank reimbursed me for one followed by the second, then I received tracking numbers around similar times to the second chargeback and a week later the item came. I assumed they realised I was not going to let it be and decided to deliver it after the first charge back.

Though item appeared to be as described physically it has not worked correctly, filtered water looked and seen carbon in water for several weeks before this went away.

Now the company have magically started contacting me via email requesting me to pay them for the water filter via bank transfer and threatening small claims/ NCAT.

Weirdly enough their transactions now show in my history as from the same company.

Does the merchant have a way back with small claims? I dont feel they are entitled to their money back after attempting to scam me and product issues.

Thanks!

Poll Options

  • 4
    Yes
  • 18
    No
  • 19
    Pay them back anyway
Home & Garden Water Filter

Comments

  • CodeXD on 28/07/2023 - 11:37
    +4

    Also found a notice from NSW Fairtrading to avoid dealing with this company

    Name and shame!

    Especially if NSW Fair Trading already has a warning out for them

  • Drakesy on 28/07/2023 - 11:46
    +11

    Sounds like you're dealing with a dropshipper
    But yes, you've effectively used their product without paying, you're on the hook now.
    If you left it in the box and returned it to sender then that would've been fine.

    I'd look at paying for it tbh. Or at least return it as faulty.

    • parsimonious one on 30/07/2023 - 08:30
      +1

      Exactly

      Why, after doing 2x chargebacks would OP open and use the product

  • askbargain on 28/07/2023 - 11:47
    +3

    They should have responded to the chargeback, just ignore them. It costs them more to file small claims than the products, just a scare.

  • Tee Rex Arms on 28/07/2023 - 11:56
    +12

    So you received the product and money back and you’re calling them the scammer?

    • KingJuf on 28/07/2023 - 11:58

      Yes, If I didnt action the charge back I would have been charged double what I actually paid. They have also done this to other customers as well.

      • Tee Rex Arms on 28/07/2023 - 12:00
        +1

        So are you out of pocket at all, or have you gained the purchase price of one item?

  • MS Paint on 28/07/2023 - 11:58
    +1

    Let me guess - Facebook ad?

    • KingJuf on 28/07/2023 - 12:01

      No was from a google search, they were the only ones who had in stock the particular filter I was after that I found.

  • djsweet on 28/07/2023 - 11:59
    +4

    So basically you paid for something, charged-back, and then received the item. Item turns out to be faulty (maybe?)
    I think you either pay or return the product as faulty (if it is actually faulty, and at their cost of course).

  • garetz on 28/07/2023 - 12:08

    Water filters can be fake, you probably got cheap knock offs, i would take this as a lesson and move on.

    Do not use them if its filters for drinking water.

    • KingJuf on 28/07/2023 - 12:43

      Yeh im starting to think they might be really cheap knock offs or something as it just had stickers on the filter cartridge that look like they had just been put on unprofessionally.

      Might see if they are willing to pay return shipping I will return them.

      • garetz on 28/07/2023 - 12:49
        +3

        There is no point in engaging with scammers.

      • cookie2 on 29/07/2023 - 07:39

        I'm a little concerned and surprised that you used the filter, given everything prior to. I mean you consume whatever is in the filter and if it's dodgy you're risking your own health.

  • carlJack on 28/07/2023 - 12:08
    +1

    I am confused. Who is the real 'scammer' here?

  • holdenmg on 28/07/2023 - 12:12
    +3

    Watergate.

  • jv on 28/07/2023 - 12:13
    +4

    WOW

    https://www.productreview.com.au/listings/tru-water-filters

    No communication from Tru Water Filters whatsoever after nearly 3 moths.

    Sounds unhygienic.

  • jv on 28/07/2023 - 12:13

    Does the merchant have a way back with small claims?

    No

  • Ghost47 on 28/07/2023 - 12:42
    +1

    Any time you shop at a new retailer you should always Google to make sure they’re legit. Sad that the case but it’s important.

    • KingJuf on 28/07/2023 - 12:45

      Yeh my mistake on that part, normally I do but I was at bunnings at the time and couldn't find the product I needed for my setup.

  • Iwantthebestprice on 28/07/2023 - 12:53
    +1

    I wouldn’t give them anything! And if they drag me along to NCAT I would show the website link from the comment above and explain exactly why you initiated the chargeback. No judge is going to side with a dodgy AF company who has a public warning about them.
    Pay them nothing, maybe next time they will learn to do business correctly.

    • jv on 28/07/2023 - 13:17
      +4

      Pay them nothing

      But return the product.

      • Iwantthebestprice on 28/07/2023 - 13:23

        Love the new gold hat!
        But should he really return the product? This company has scammed over hundreds of people, this one time they get scammed and everyone is feeling sorry for them.
        Did you read the PSA the NSW agency released?

        • jv on 28/07/2023 - 14:17
          +2

          But should he really return the product?

          Yes, if they haven't paid for it… It's the law…

          This company has scammed over hundreds of people

          This would be irrelevant in a court.

          • Iwantthebestprice on 28/07/2023 - 14:21
            +1

            @jv: They are taking him to small claims court, not criminal court - so his not going to be charged with theft.
            The bank sided with him, he was entitled to his money back, he has the money and the product.

            Company should enact better processes next time if they want to keep their crappy drop shipped products from being shipped after the bank has sided with the customer.

            • jv on 28/07/2023 - 14:22
              +1

              @Iwantthebestprice:

              so his not going to be charged with theft.

              didn't say they would…

              but if they received the item, and chose not to pay or return, they will lose the case and maybe even have to pay the other party's costs…

              he has the money and the product

              yep, that is the illegal bit…

              • Iwantthebestprice on 28/07/2023 - 14:27

                @jv: Your points are technically right, but morally I don’t think OP should pay.

                If he does or not, is up to him. But I would definitely not pay and block contact.

                If this XCAT court is treated the same way residential bonds are managed by XCAT I don’t think OP has anything to worry about.

                • jv on 28/07/2023 - 14:33
                  +3

                  @Iwantthebestprice:

                  Your points are technically right, but morally I don’t think OP should pay.

                  A court will only look at it legally, not morally…

                  If you keep the item and don't pay, it would be considered theft or fraud by the court.

  • trapper on 28/07/2023 - 13:18
    +2

    How much did the filters cost?

    Even though the company sounds a bit scummy you did in fact receive the item that you ordered so you should pay for it.

    It's fraud to chargeback an item and then not return or pay for it.

  • TimmyTims on 28/07/2023 - 13:32

    I have no idea why people here are calling you the scammer.
    They mishandled the original purchase (charging you twice)
    You submitted a charger back which was approved for both charges (I think, can't tell if it was just for 1 charge or both)
    Chargeback was completed.
    This is the end of the agreement you and the seller had.
    If the seller then decides (once the chargebacks are finalised), to send you an unsolicited product (now unsolicited because the agreement is over). Then that's their problem.
    The best thing to have done would be to not open the package and attempt once more to contact them saying the parcel is out front of the delivery address. Pick it up at their leisure

    Considering they ignored all your original attempts to contact them. No reasonable person would blame you for not trying to contact them again.
    I'd call their bluff and ignore them like they ignored you

    • KingJuf on 28/07/2023 - 13:48

      Yes I am also suprised, I was genuinely wanting to buy the product until they -
      1. Charged me twice for the same product
      2. Ghosted me when contacted initially
      3. Found out they do this to everyone, one of the reviews a customer shows basically a mirror image of my case being charged twice for same amount.

      • jv on 28/07/2023 - 14:34
        +2

        Just return it, retain proof that you returned it, and you are off the hook.

  • artxty on 28/07/2023 - 13:51

    Maybe not as expensive as ebay or amazon?

  • infinite on 28/07/2023 - 13:54
    +1

    Just ignore any communication from the company, block them and move on.

    • jv on 28/07/2023 - 14:19

      and if they choose to take it to court, you will definitely lose.

      • Iwantthebestprice on 28/07/2023 - 14:24
        +1

        I very much doubt the cost of the filter would out way the cost of taking this matter to small claims court. What is it like $80 to $100 for a mention? Then even if they do win, they need to enforce retrieving the money.
        We don’t live in a country when the judge says OP owes you $80 now debit their bank account.
        They would need to sell the debt to a debt collector for 10% of the value.
        OP has nothing to lose here and should ignore them.

      • TrustNoBody on 29/07/2023 - 20:07

        i would take the risk

  • Protractor on 28/07/2023 - 13:59
    +1

    Sounds to me if your filter cartridges are so rare, you'd be better off (long run) changing the system to a better one with more common filters.
    Then you won't have to deal with cockroaches going fwd.

  • Chandler on 28/07/2023 - 14:04

    Though item appeared to be as described physically it has not worked correctly, filtered water looked and seen carbon in water for several weeks before this went away

    Most ceramic filters say to put through two volumes of water prior to actual use, to flush settled/loose filter material.

  • tsunamisurfer on 28/07/2023 - 16:51
    +1

    Wait a sec.

    OP got the chargeback, then received products then started using them despite the refund, and now wondering if he should pay for said products received.

    Should he be calling others Scammers?

  • Grunntt on 29/07/2023 - 08:43

    From your Fair Trading link OP -

    “Anyone who has dealt with SPG Consultants Pty Ltd, the website “truwater.com.au” or the business names Tru Water AU, Tru Water (Aust) or Tru Water, and is not satisfied with their interaction, is urged to lodge a complaint with NSW Fair Trading via the Fair Trading website or call 13 32 20,” Ms Griswold said.

  • 973728 on 29/07/2023 - 20:13

    Wow, I ordered from them in 2021 and nearly have again but had no idea. Experience was simple and now I’m worried that I trusted their products!

  • LFO on 29/07/2023 - 20:37

    Return the item stating it does not perform as described.

  • muststop on 03/11/2023 - 12:28

    I ordered a filter from this site in early September. Nothing. I've sent support requests through their website. No reply. The phone number is disconnected.

    Ah well, time to call 28 degrees and hope.

    • KingJuf on 08/11/2023 - 11:17

      Yeh chances are you will hear back after the charge back goes through.

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