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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To ask if you know Croydon well...

5 replies

MrsTrustice · 11/07/2021 00:12

Whether there is a tech store called Techzones on London Road, Croydon? My laptop broke. I make about an extra £200 a month doing a bit of freelance online work on this laptop so I needed it fixed.

I used Bark (you put in your query and it brings to professionals to contact) and it brought up this place. Quite naively, I assumed Bark would vet to make sure they are legit businesses. Arranged pick-up, laptop was taken by a courier about 2 weeks ago. After I didn’t hear anything for a week I looked more into the store and was shocked to find out it was in Croydon! I live in the North West (of England, not London). The address it’s apparently at in Croydon has an article about it being abandoned but that’s a couple of years old. So I don’t know whether the store is actually there now. Google maps shows absolutely nothing, but there’s the off-chance they have only just moved there (unlikely I know).

I finally heard from them today and they want £200. I said I can’t afford that and was told “Well what can you afford to get this sorted?”. I’m 99% sure it’s a scam from this as the website is also a mess.

www.techzones.co.uk/contact-us/

I’m kicking myself for not doing my due diligence but as I said, I assumed Bark would vet the businesses.

I’m just wondering if anybody who knows the area can confirm this store doesn’t exist? I’m definitely not sending them any money but just want 100% confirmation before I sack off my laptop, cut my losses and get a new one.

OP posts:
dumphies · 11/07/2021 02:12

I live on London Rd - that address is opposite my flat and I can confirm the shop doesn't exist, 186 is a front door for a property

MrsTrustice · 11/07/2021 02:26

@dumphies.

Thank you!

I knew deep down I’d been mugged off. Kicking myself tbh. Oh well, the laptop was broken already so it’s not a loss unless I send them money. Lesson learnt to do more due diligence and I’ll get a new one.

To anybody who happens to see this, avoid Bark!

OP posts:
dumphies · 11/07/2021 02:30

The only thing I can think is that they're using the address is some kind of PO Box - I've just searched the Glasgow address and the postcode is for an address in Ireland...the website address for the Glasgow location brings up a furniture website! Weird situation all round, sorry you've been stung OP, glad you clocked before you were out of pocket!

WalkingOnTheCracks · 11/07/2021 02:32

Not confidence inspiring…

To ask if you know Croydon well...
MrsTrustice · 11/07/2021 02:56

@dumphies.

I just Googled TechZones Glasgow after seeing your post and saw the furniture store! How odd, and an odd name for a furniture store as well. It must be the same scammer running several different things who hasn’t managed to update the site or change the name of the fake site to something more furniture based.

OP posts:
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