SpiderBrace.com (legit?)

[Jury123]

I am planning to buy from this site. Anyone here know if they are legit?

[Steve R Jones]

Can I order a Spiderbrace over the phone?
No. We only sell through our website using PayPal.

***Please make your check or money order out to El Quatro Productions and mail along with your order form to:

El Quatro Productions
2503 Wilson Street
Austin, TX 78704

The 2503 Wilson Street address is a residential house.

[nomaxim]

The WhoIs info matches what Steve already posted from the website,

Registrant:
El Quatro Productions
2503 Wilson Street
Austin, Texas 78704
United States

Domain Name: SPIDERBRACE.COM
Created on: 19-Feb-03
Expires on: 19-Feb-10
Last Updated on: 26-Oct-07

mgonzalez8 @austin.rr.com (edited, remove space)
512-447-4816

A reverse phone number look-up via Whitepages.com gives two returns,

El Quatro Productions
work
street address not available
Austin, TX
(512) 447-4816

-and-

Marcos E Gonzalez
home
2503 Wilson St
Austin, TX 78704-5436
(512) 447-4816

I am also unable to locate a BBB file, not always a bad thing, but the site has been up for 5 years. I would also add that the e-mail addy is a personal road runner account.

A Google search for "El Quatro Productions", minus quotes, gives some results. Of note is http://www.elquatro.com/.

[Jury123]

Thanks for the info, guys. But I am still undecided to purchase from there.

It may be a residential place, but it could be a personal business thing and not a big company. What do you think? Should I buy?

[frostbitetwice]

Jury, send them an email with three questions and see how fast they respond and how are the questions answered...

If they can not do that write then do not buy from them...

I use this method to screen out potential bad vendors..

[Jury123]

That sounds like a good idea, Frost. I'll try that. I just have to think of the questions....be back with an update.

EDIT: So far I've only thought of one question: "How come you don't accept orders over the phone?" ... Other than that, I can't think of anything else that's not on their FAQ.

***Please make your check or money order out to El Quatro Productions and mail along with your order form to:

Make sure you do the Paypal with a credit card (which the site indicates they accept.) If they don't accept credit cards, you'd be safer to avoid them.

You should never purchase anything online unless you use your credit card - it's the only possible way you can get your money back if anything goes wrong.

[Jury123]

Thanks, Lara. Is it ok if I use PayPal eCheck, you think? It takes money directly from my checking account because I don't currently own a CC. I guess I will ask them. Also, I've E-Mailed them and this is what they had to say:

Hello, Re: your question why we don't take phone orders: we just found that using PayPal to handle all our accounting to be the cleanest easiest manner to conduct all our business transactions. We've never had a problem working PayPal and they have a terrific reputation as a safe and secure way to do online business, so our customers trust them. Any technical questions, we try and answer promptly via email.

Best,
Marcos

Spiderbrace Shoulder Support
www.spiderbrace.com
512-447-4816

I asked yesterday and received the E-Mail the next day(today). They seem very nice about it. You guys think it's still a go?

[saturnotaku]

If you don't have a credit card, get one, even if you would only use it to shop online. Try to get one that's backed by a major financial institution, ie Citibank or Chase, or get an American Express card. When I was in college (so no credit to speak of), I was able to get a no-annual-fee American Express rewards card. You can tie it to your PayPal account that way. If something goes wrong, the credit card company will have your back. I've had excellent service from Citibank myself. PayPal is less than spectacular when it comes to dispute resolution if you do a direct account withdraw or e-check, and if the money is taken from your checking account, neither PayPal nor your bank will probably be of much help.

Originally Posted by Jury123

Is it ok if I use PayPal eCheck, you think? It takes money directly from my checking account because I don't currently own a CC.

Big NO on that - it's the same as giving them cash and if/when the deal goes bad, you will be stuck with no goods and your money gone and unrecoverable.

Everyone is nice and will tell you what you want to hear when they're trying to scam you. saturnotaku gives you good advice above.