I’ve been seeing ads for all kinds of tools on social media these days, and a lot of them are scams and rip-offs. Here’s a new one to be on the lookout for.
They start off by saying that this is it, the prices are chips are too expensive due to tariffs, they’re shutting down, and this is your last chance to buy a soldering station that is compatible with different cordless power tool batteries.
I’ve been seeing a lot of “feel sorry for me, buy my stuff” types of content recently, and this seems like an extension of that.
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Most people will be too busy thinking “oh, that’s unfortunate, hmm, this tool looks handy” to even consider that the company isn’t real and never existed.
The price of chips is forcing the company to close, but they’ve knocked $100 off the price and are offering an additional 10% discount?
They say that their products are designed in the US, and that they’re a trusted genuine US brand. Sure.
That’s interesting – their website was first created just two days ago.
The domain name doesn’t match the name they call themselves. Let’s look that one up too.
The tool brand that says the price of microchips is forcing them to close and stop producing their soldering station didn’t exist a month ago.
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My browser wouldn’t connect to the website – it gave a “caution, we think they want to steal your info” type of warning.
Look at that, there’s an identical-looking product on AliExpress for $10.
I found one on Amazon for $30. I wouldn’t buy that one either, but it looks like the same exact thing but at a fraction of the price.
Don’t fall for these scams and rip-offs.
Saulac
Beside not buying anything not locate on FB, is there a relatively safe payment type, like PayPal? I have been looking at some Tough Built Stack Tech not available yet in US (drawer roller, big drawer, 4 drawers) at really good price, shipping included. I know the deals are likely too good to be true…but the same seller has been on FB for months with hundred of followers…Not sure if it is OK to post here…but the seller is Tool Supply USA. Do all those electronic payments do not offer any protection at all?
Stuart
I really don’t know. I keep having to delete scam sellers’ posts from ToolGuyd’s Facebook page. Private buying groups tend to be scams. Just because you see a follower count, that doesn’t mean anything – I’ve heard of other media channels buying followers, and I’m sure scammers can do the same.
Contact ToughBuilt and ask. They have different options, and should be able to tell you which international sellers are legit.
TomD
Your best bet when buying scams is to not buy them.
But if you have to, direct credit card usage of a credit card you can easily cancel is best. If you chargeback to PayPal you might lose your whole PayPal account; so you have to use PayPal’s chargeback method, and they may or may not side with you.
Jerry
Yea, that is definately a rip off, if not outright scam.
For less than half what they are asking for that, you can get a Ryobi cordless soldering station, and at least know you will be able to get support for it.
Dennis
If you need a portable soldering station I would recommend getting yourself a Pinecil. The used to be $35-40, but their manufacturers site Pine64 has them for $26. Best past is they work off of multiple power supplies
USB type C: PD and QC 3.0 12V-20V 3A
Barrel Jack: DC5525, 12V-24V DC 3A
You can find a way to plug them into whatever battery platform you have (most tool brands have an inverter product for their batteries, or there are also all the battery backup solutions that are for phones or laptops), or bring a USB C adapter with you. Plus it’s a good soldering iron with a lot of options and accessories you can change. Good product, portable form factor, versatile and adaptable.
S
Another important aspect, look at the website URL. Do you recognize it?
Does the branding on the page match up to the address?
Is the item listing hundreds of random characters long?
If the answer is ‘no’ at any point, back away.
And if in doubt, Google the product they’re selling and price check it. there are very few products that exist at only one retailer.
I was about 3 seconds from giving my credit card info for a Facebook ad I followed for a “laser rust remover”. The listing was $250. At the last second, I decided to Google the product. It does in fact exist, but is $20,000. The consumables are $500/ea.