New fake Makita tool stores are targeting Black Friday shoppers with deals that are too good to be true.
I was double-checking Makita combo kit pricing and came across multiple advertisements that all featured impossibly low prices. We have covered tool scams before, but this is the first time I have seen Makita cordless power tools used as the bait.
Here is what two of the listings looked like:
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Reminder: Many scam and fake store product pages feature low inventory counts and high “eyeball counters” to manipulate you into a state of urgency. Some stores – but not this one – also have countdown timers to further push you to action.
Other listings are a little plainer, but the prices are still suspect. This is not real – you are NOT getting a full 15pc cordless power tool combo kit for less than $75. In reality, this kit sells for more than 20X that amount.
Yes, there are some really good Makita cordless power tool deals for Black Friday and the holiday shopping season this year. Here is a look at all of the real Makita Black Friday 2021 tool deals we’ve learned about so far.
The old adage is true – if it seems too good to be true… beware.
Here is a list of legitimate Makita tool dealers:
Acme Tools
Amazon
CPO
Home Depot
Tool Nut
I’m sure many of you have your own favorites as well. But let’s say you come across an online retailer you have never seen before, or maybe you are new to online shopping. How do you know if it’s a scam?
The first thing to do is to look up the website’s registration domain. You can do that via the ICANN Lookup Tool at https://lookup.icann.org/ , or other such WHOIS lookup services.
The store in the first image above, which is advertising the “Black Friday 2021 Early Deal,” was first created on 11/11/2021. The second was created on 11/4/2021. Another fake storefront that I checked was created on 11/3/2021.
Do you think it’s safe to trust online storefronts that only just launched?
Sometimes older domain names can be used, and a website’s registration might have been created several years ago. In that case, there are additional red flags to look for.
Does the store have any social media links? If the social media links work – most times they do not – do they link to real accounts that actually match the store’s name?
Does the store have seemingly random categories? If an online store is advertising Makita cordless power tool kits but their two main product categories are watersports equipment and fashion dresses, something’s fishy.
If you suspect an online store to be fake or a scam, do NOT give them your financial information.
I have not yet seen storefronts that spoof Makita’s branded pages, but I’m sure they’re out there. Makita does NOT sell tools directly. If you come across a store that mimics the real Makita website, double check the domain name.
To report websites that you believe to be fake or scams, you can report them to Makita via their contact form. Makita USA provides additional advice and instructions for anyone that might have fallen for fraudulent listings:
If you have made a purchase or become aware of any similar fraud or scam, please contact Daniel Rhodes, General Counsel at 800.462.5482, x4215 and report the fraud to your credit card company and/or the Federal Trade Commission (FTC): https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/#/
If you’re interested in other examples, we have previously reported about other instances of tool scams.
Please stay vigilant. With Black Friday nearly upon us, I’m sure there will be many more scammers seeking to dupe you and your loved ones.
MFC
This goes for EVERYTHING online. I was helping a client find 4 specialty lights that cost $250 each on most lighting websites and she told me she found them for only $89 on a website that utilized Zoro in its name. Of course Zoro.com is a reputable site for many things and these scam sites try to pattern themselves off of reputable sites to get you to click.
I did a quick Google search on it and found nothing except a middle eastern name tied to a Facebook account of the store. Big red flags. I’m sure it saved her a few hundred dollars and a big headache.
Sniff around on Google and you can ascertain pretty quickly the legitimacy of these stores.
MM
It’s not just online. It applies equally to the hacks trying to sell you fancy speakers out of the back of a white van in a parking lot, or the people who go door-to-door hawking “premium steaks” that supposedly originate from a well-known brand, etc.
If it’s too good to be true it nearly always is.
There’s no such thing as a free lunch.
Munklepunk
I had two different people in two different states hit me up in the same week. I told the second guy that it was a scam and he just kept going with the sale.
Franco Calcagni
They are not only scammers, but idiots! Who in their right mind can believe 15 pcs of Makita for $75. No matter how cheap a no-name brand you can find out of China or India, none of those could come close to offering 15 pcs of whatever for $75.
I saw the 15pcs set going for $1700-$1800 USD. Maybe some hard searching I could find something close to $1500 for BF or CM. If they really want to scam people, make it something that could be possible. Some crazy liquidation or BF Bonanza and price it at $1200.
MHW
This one for Craftsman tools seems sketchy..
[redacted]
Stuart
Yep, that’s a scam store, and it throws up all of the same red flags.
Pete
E-mail said I had won Makita power drill from Ace hardware . Just pay shipping & handling. I did so with my debit card. Week later my bank paid out $39.48 to Convenience Technology (TEL# 8883043348 UT) So I called them. They told me I had purchased a possible chance to win some day . I said Oh no! They said they will cancel my subscription & bill me no more plus I get 20% refund. Joy. Just others beware ! Yes I reported this to ftc.gov
Stuart
If in your shoes, I would request a new debit card number ASAP.