Supplier verification

[@Marc84]

Hello all. I am a business based in South Africa. I trade electronic goods, laptops etc. I came across a business registered in the UK called Large Trading Porta ltd. I have been comunicating with them regarding buying laptops wholesale from them and they have been somewhat helpful but i would like to verify if they are real or scamming. The business registered address is a residential one and they are asking me to pay for my goods via Western Union due to the low amount of my order value. does anyone have experience with this company sand is paying through Western Union a thing or does this feel scammy? The amount is not much in Pounds (890 pounds) but converted to South African currency (Rands) it is quite a substantial amount to waste. I looked them up on Gov.UK and the business is dormant apparently. I tried justanswer.co.uk and did not get any conclusive info apart from them being dormant and having a residential address listed. All their social media pages have minimal posts and very little reviews exist for them on Google. Anybody on here with any info will be greatly appreciated or at the least if possible point me in the direction of where to verify. Thank you.

 

[Ozzy]

Hi @marco84, a UK based company being paid by Western Union is quite unusual. I'd expect a UK supplier asking to be paid by SWIFT/International bank transfer - or by card payment.
There is no reliable way to verify a UK company (at the moment - new laws due to come in later this year may change that), so one thing you could do is a company credit check. A friend of mine runs CoCredo you could try.

Failing that, do you know anyone in the UK who could go visit and meet with them supplier on your behalf? This is probably the most reliable thing you could do.

 

[Mike Foulds]

You can check companies using their name or registered company number. If you search "UK government Find and Update Companies", the website allows you to check for free. They aren't showing there, so aren't registered as a company, BUT, if they're a very small company, they may not be registered.

Personally, I'd be very hesitant to purchase remotely from them, as there's no way to know if reliable, so your money would definitely be at risk

 

[DontAsk]

The business is not dormant, the actual company name is LT10P Ltd https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/11060159 Registered office is definitely residential - check on Google street view.

RED FLAG! The VAT number they give on their profile page https://lt10plimited.com/company-profile/ is not valid.

Another red flag, they do not show their company registration number on their website, that I can find.

Third red flag, requesting payment by Western Union.

[Edit] Fourth red flag, they are breaking the law by claiming to be "Large Trading Portal Ltd". It should be just "Large Trading Portal" with a note somewhere like "LT10P trading as Large Trading Portal".

Looks like the goods might come from Turkey as that's listed as one of their addresses.

Avoid.

It would be interesting to put all these points to them, and see their reaction.

 

[IanSuth]

i can't find them on my credit checking system - do they have a company number on their emails etc (may be very small and in the bottom of the footers) they should do

 

[DontAsk]

You can check companies using their name or registered company number. If you search "UK government Find and Update Companies", the website allows you to check for free. They aren't showing there, so aren't registered as a company, BUT, if they're a very small company, they may not be registered.

A Ltd company cannot be "not registered" no matter how large or small.

 

[IanSuth]

If you are after buying PC/Laptops wholesale there are a bunch of companies who provide data wiping services for ex lease machines, you should be able to buy decent machines in bulk from them. People like Charterhouse Muller

 

[@Marc84]

Wow thank you guys. All such good info and things to think about. I'm so grateful for all the assistance as Im sure you guys are all very busy. You've saved me thousands of Rands and weeks of potential time waste. I am not going to deal with them despite how good the prices sound. I will look into the suggestion of Charterhouse Muller. Any other suggestions of where I can buy refurbished/used laptops will be apreciated. Thanks to all and have a great day.

 

[Maple Sourcing]

Begin from a small order, try it first.

 

[DontAsk]

Begin from a small order, try it first.

Why? When the company is so obviously dodgy?

 

[Newchodge]

You can check companies using their name or registered company number. If you search "UK government Find and Update Companies", the website allows you to check for free. They aren't showing there, so aren't registered as a company, BUT, if they're a very small company, they may not be registered.

Personally, I'd be very hesitant to purchase remotely from them, as there's no way to know if reliable, so your money would definitely be at risk

By definition a company must be registered. An unregistered 'company' is a sole trader business.