What's The Deal With This?

"functionoverfashion" (functionoverfashion) 11/05/2020 at 21:46 • Filed to: None

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But seriously, what do you think is happening with this website?

https://wolfblack.net/

It kind of looks like a regular ecommerce site, but then, it gets sketchy. First, I’ve never heard of it, but that’s not bad on its own. If you google the name, well, it’s not a great look - a few places point out some weird things like the website owner’s name is hidden. Ok but whatever.

But the “About” page is worrisome. The CEO/Founder only gives a first name. The others I can’t find anything about on LinkedIn, which isn’t everything, but... hmm. Oh, one of them I could find on there but of course, his info is “Russia.” Of course.

The first sentence on the About page is also not confidence-inspiring:

For more than 2 years, “Wolf Black” has been a well-known and trusted catalog brand. In 2017, Wolf Bkack established the mail-order business with an innovative single-sheet catalog offering 163 items.

Uhh, ok.

BUT WAIT, you say. Why do I even care at all, why not just close the tab and never look back?

Because they have a LEGO set my son REALLY wants for Christmas, and it’s sold out everywhere right now, other than for double retail on ebay. Or do they really have it?

My argument is, who cares if I give them a credit card number and order it. The way I see it, there are three likely outcomes, maybe in this order:

1. I place the order but it never comes, though my card is charged. I dispute the charge and wash my hands of the whole thing.

2. I place the order and it actually arrives. Yeah, I don’t think this is #1.

3. I place the order and suddenly I see a variety of fraudulent charges on my card. I cancel the card and dispute the charges. But why would they set up a whole ecommerce site just to steal my card info?

Is it possible they’d make a run at stealing my identity instead? Or, they’d say “the order is on its way” and give me a run-around but never really deliver the product? I still think I’d win via the credit card company on that one.

What say you, Oppo?

Oh, I googled the “main office” and it looks like a condo, lol.

Wolf Black
8365 Norwood Ln,
Maple Grove,MN,55369,US

The other address given is in a different state and also looks like a house. So, there’s that. But why?

I guess it looks sketchy enough to steer clear, but I’m still curious what the goal is here.

ranwhenparked > functionoverfashion 11/05/2020 at 22:09

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That could be more of a townhouse - a condo would be a total red flag, but a townhouse might have a basement or something where they could run a business out of. My great- grandfather used to run a pretty successful distillery in his basement back in the ‘20s, and that was a rowhouse.

flatisflat > functionoverfashion 11/05/2020 at 22:10

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My guess is that they fall somewhere between being a drop shipper and simply a middleman (not much difference? Yeah.)  And happen to back that up with nonexistent company history...

I can’t immediately imagine that they’ve got stock that other outlets don’t, and simply haven’t proclaimed as such on their website for your particular item.

As for if you should risk it or not......I don’t know.  Untraceable identity theft or a LEGO set?  Meh...

VincentMalamute-Kim > functionoverfashion 11/05/2020 at 22:12

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Website looks slick and I probably would’ve ordered without a thought.

“single sheet catalog” in 2017 and 3 million catalogs mailed in 2018? Who has paper catalogs anymore? There’s also several grammar and spelling mistakes. Few more suspicious factors here:

https://www.cyberbunkers.com/2020/02/wolfblacknet-reviews-is-wolfblacknet.html

I’ll be curious to see what people think their goal is. I have no idea.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > functionoverfashion 11/05/2020 at 22:12

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I bought a sold-out discontinued LEGO set on Amazon from a flipper in Arkansas to have shipped to my nieces last year for Christmas. Hang tight, if it’s a hot set, there will be (legit) flips. Paid out the nose, but fuck it. Wasn’t going to buy one of those weird sets where half of the pieces are “replacements” or replicas to s ave some money, though I very much wanted to not spend money.

Trust your instincts!

Just Jeepin' > functionoverfashion 11/05/2020 at 22:15

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No way I’d touch that, sorry. Double retail is well worth avoiding something that sketchy.

Anyway, good luck, I mainly came here to post a barely-related photo I took this evening.

functionoverfashion > ranwhenparked 11/05/2020 at 22:16

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I’m more sketched out by the combination of all the things... but don’t really know. 

functionoverfashion > VincentMalamute-Kim 11/05/2020 at 22:17

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Yeah, the other items are so random. I saw that same page you linked to... and thought the same about their language. I just don’t know what’s up with it. 

ranwhenparked > functionoverfashion 11/05/2020 at 22:20

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I’m being tongue in cheek, running a legit, big-seeming ecommerce operation out of a small townhouse is questionable, at best.

Jb boin > functionoverfashion 11/05/2020 at 22:22

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Seems legit...

Not a single review on Google and it’s sketchy AF, no need to look any further !

66P1800inpieces > functionoverfashion 11/05/2020 at 22:29

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One time use credit card number for the win!  Capital one has Eno which you have to install as a Chrome extension, log in, and then it will generate one time use numbers.  Then I un install the app.   Other cards can also generate one time use codes.  If it is a scam the cc company should cover it. 

functionoverfashion > ranwhenparked 11/05/2020 at 22:33

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haha well, I mean, I thought so but either way it’s an interesting package

functionoverfashion > 66P1800inpieces 11/05/2020 at 22:38

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Wow that’s interesting. I mean, I have a card I hardly use, but I guess I’m not sure it’s worth the hassle, if I have to spend any time emailing back and forth over an order they say is coming but it’s not... that could drag out and just be annoying. 

functionoverfashion > Jb boin 11/05/2020 at 22:43

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Yeah... nice wordpress site bro.

Also I looked at a couple products with reviews. The reviews were all written by the same person alex....something and “Alex” just happens to be the only name given for “CEO/Founder” too. Wow, really? I mean, if the site was really new and he was testing things out... maybe... but uhhh, no.

update - it’s the flatsome woocommerce theme haha

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > functionoverfashion 11/05/2020 at 22:51

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All I can see is this

Do not want

GLiddy > functionoverfashion 11/05/2020 at 22:53

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I’m running into these genuine looking fake sites more and more. I wouldn’t even bother with an order.

functionoverfashion > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 11/05/2020 at 22:59

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Ugh, that’s just icing on the architectural shit cake. I can’t stand buildings like that, all lined up next to each other no less. But then, I live in a rural area where land is relatively cheap. 

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > functionoverfashion 11/05/2020 at 22:59

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Fake site. There’s been a strong crop of them recently on top google results. If you don’t mind my asking, what lego set?

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > functionoverfashion 11/05/2020 at 23:01

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I like cities and towns and I like rural areas but endless sprawl bores me to death.

*says the guy living in Atlanta*

PyroHoltz f@h Oppo 261120 > functionoverfashion 11/05/2020 at 23:02

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That’s a pass for me. What lego set does he want?

bison78 > 66P1800inpieces 11/05/2020 at 23:52

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That was what I was going to suggest also. Most credit cards have a system to create a single use credit card number.

mhr555 > functionoverfashion 11/06/2020 at 06:40

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Lots of places drop ship items to customers ...what’s the problem?

[/sarcasm]

functionoverfashion > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 11/06/2020 at 07:37

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10267 Gingerbread house:

functionoverfashion > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 11/06/2020 at 07:40

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The strip malls of Anywhere, USA are pretty soul-crushing, wherever they appear. 

functionoverfashion > PyroHoltz f@h Oppo 261120 11/06/2020 at 07:40

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functionoverfashion > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 11/06/2020 at 07:44

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I’m torn between this concept of paying over retail for a desirable Christmas present item, and the fact that the price isn’t a big deal either way, in the grand scheme of things to us. I’m against it in principle, but fine with the reality of it. 

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > functionoverfashion 11/06/2020 at 11:04

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Yeah, the holiday ones are always difficult to get past October and even September. If I see it in stock anywhere, I’ll let you know

functionoverfashion > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 11/06/2020 at 20:39

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Cheers, thanks. I’m stepper 459 at gmail if this ship catches fire. 

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > functionoverfashion 11/07/2020 at 07:07

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So... it’s been a busy 24 hours. LOL

Check DriveTribe!!

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > functionoverfashion 11/09/2020 at 03:27

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Hey man, have you gotten on the DriveTribe page the last few days?

500+ members already! Will be interesting is we end up there or elsewhere in the end. 

functionoverfashion > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 11/09/2020 at 09:27

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I will have to check that out. I basically didn’t internet over this weekend, it was too nice out. I hate to see yet another doomsday at Oppo but it seems like one of these might be real.

I got involved at DT early on, but haven’t been much since. See you on the other side, as they say.