TL;DR:
A and P Electronics LLC, based in Virginia, USA, was established in 2015 and operates as a trading company, distributor, and business service provider. They offer a range of products, from trading cards to refrigerators. The company accepts various payment methods and currencies. Despite their vision of providing high-quality products and excellent services, a personal experience with them raised concerns about their legitimacy and business practices.
In the age of online shopping, it’s essential to be cautious about where we spend our money. While many online platforms offer legitimate services, there are still those that prey on unsuspecting customers. One such company that I had an unfortunate experience with is A and P Electronics LLC.
Initial Interactions
I began my journey with A and P Electronics LLC by chatting with a representative named Robert Murphy. It seemed standard procedure when he asked to take our conversation to WhatsApp. However, upon transitioning, I found myself speaking with another individual, allegedly named “Scott Miller.” We had two phone conversations, and throughout, I couldn’t shake off the feeling that something was amiss.
Reassurances and Red Flags
Scott was quick to highlight the company’s credentials. He emphasized that they were a gold supplier, a status that suppliers pay $4700 annually for. He also mentioned their facility had undergone 3rd party verification. These were meant to be assurances of their legitimacy.
However, my attempts to verify their existence outside of Alibaba yielded no results. There was no trace of them on LinkedIn, no standalone website, and no profiles for the names they provided. I even requested a simple video of their warehouse with the word “pineapple” to ensure its authenticity. They declined.
Scott’s Professionalism: A Double-Edged Sword
Scott’s demeanor was unlike any scammer I had encountered. He was calm, never pushy, and responded with a nonchalance you’d expect from a legitimate business. When I expressed doubts, he simply stated that if I didn’t want to order, it was my loss. This reverse psychology, combined with the reassurances he provided, led me to proceed with the transaction.
The Transaction and Realization
Despite my bank flagging the transaction due to a high Visa Advanced Authorization score (indicating potential fraud), I went ahead. After transferring the money, Scott provided a tracking order website: nationwidexpressinc.com. A cursory glance at this site was enough to confirm my fears. It was riddled with placeholder text and dummy pages.
The Aftermath
Days later, Scott messaged me with an attached bill of lading and a request for an additional clearance fee for the delivery of 500 units of Texas Instruments TI-84 Plus CE Color Graphing Calculator. This was another red flag. When I refused and asked for a refund, he sent a PDF stating that A and P Electronics had 90 days to process the refund.
Conclusion
My experience with A and P Electronics LLC was a lesson in online vigilance. Their Alibaba page might seem legitimate, offering a range of products from trading cards to kitchen equipment. However, appearances can be deceiving. I urge everyone to exercise caution, do thorough research, and trust their instincts when dealing with online suppliers.
Here’s some of their basic information so you can have some assurance we’re discussing the right A and P Electronics LLC that you may or may not be considering:
A and P Electronics LLC: Company Overview
Location: Virginia, United States
Year Established: 2015
Business Type:
- Trading Company
- Distributor/Wholesaler
- Business Service (Transportation, finance, travel, Ads, etc.)
Main Products:
- Trading Cards
- Scopes & Accessories
- Graphic Calculators
- Sewing Machines
- Refrigerators & Freezers
Accepted Payment Methods:
- T/T (Bank Transfer)
- MoneyGram
- PayPal
- Western Union
Accepted Payment Currencies:
- USD
- EUR
- JPY
- CAD
- AUD
- HKD
- GBP
- CNY
- CHF
Company Vision: To be pioneers in fulfilling every customer’s needs for high-quality, low-price products; excellent services; convenience; and entertainment in a one-stop shop. The company also supports after-sales services such as product warranties and home delivery.
Verification Type: A&V Check
Company Size: Above 1000 People
Facility Size: Above 2000 square
meters
Customer Base: 1 customer mentioned
Exhibitions Attended: 1 exhibition mentioned
Product Examples:
- 100% Genuine Aquaphoring Baby Healing Ointment
- Cascade Complete dishwasher pods
- Disposable Luvs- Diapers Size 2
- Pul-Ups Boys’ Potty Training Pants diapers
- Cascade ActionPacs Dishwasher Pods/Tablets
Company Introduction: A and P Electronics LLC aims to be a one-stop-shop for customers, offering a range of products from baby care items to kitchen equipment. Founded in 2015, the company has grown to accommodate over 1000 people and boasts a facility size of over 2000 square meters. They emphasize their commitment to high-quality products, excellent services, and customer convenience.