Is Blackstone Discount Legit or Scam? Buyers BEWARE !!!

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  • Post published:February 10, 2024
  • Post category:Reviews

Blackstone Discount has recently emerged online as a website offering impressive discounts on popular Blackstone grills and other products. However, with steep price reductions up to 90% off, it begs the question – is Blackstone Discount legit or an elaborate scam?

In this extensive review blog post, we will analyze all available information on Blackstone Discount to determine if it is a trustworthy retailer or a fraudulent scheme out to dupe customers.

Through diligent research and a careful examination of all warning signs, we aim to provide a definitive verdict on Blackstone Discount’s authenticity.

Overview of Blackstone Discount

Blackstone Discount presents itself as an authorized online outlet store for Blackstone grills and associated products. The website claims to offer clearance deals and massive discounts on items like griddles, grills, and accessories from the popular Blackstone brand.

Some of the products listed on Blackstone Discount include:

  • Blackstone 28′′ Outdoor Flat Top Gas Grill Griddle Station
  • Blackstone 36″ Outdoor Flat Top Gas Grill Griddle Station
  • Blackstone 22″ Table Top Griddle
  • Blackstone 4-Burner 36″ Griddle Cooking Station with Hard Cover
  • Blackstone Adventure Ready 22″ Griddle

The website asserts these sought-after products are available at incredibly low prices, up to 90% off retail value. For instance, the Adventure Ready 22” Griddle supposedly retails at $199.99 but is discounted to just $21.95 on Blackstone Discount.

Such astronomical price reductions undeniably attract bargain hunters looking to score cheap deals. However, as the old adage goes, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is. This warrants a deeper assessment of Blackstone Discount and its business operations.

Is Blackstone Discount Legit or Scam?

Our investigation aims to ascertain if Blackstone Discount is a reliable website authorized to sell Blackstone products or an underhanded scam exploiting the brand’s reputation. We will examine several key factors that influence trustworthiness and authenticity.

Background and Company Information

A website’s transparency regarding its ownership, location, and contact details often indicates legitimacy. Unfortunately, Blackstone Discount provides virtually zero background information. There are no details on who owns or operates the site.

The website lists a company address in Dublin, Ireland. However, upon closer inspection, this appears to be a stock photo of a building uploaded to the site. The address cannot be validated as housing Blackstone Discount’s actual physical premises.

The site also does not share phone, email, or other means of getting in touch with the business or customer service team. There is an email address provided in the Contact Us section – [email protected]. However, users have reported undelivered emails and lack of response from this address.

Overall, the lack of a verifiable company background and contact information is highly suspect and aligned with most scam websites. There is no way to ascertain who is behind Blackstone Discount or where they are located.

Domain History

Examining a website’s domain registration details and history provides insights into its credibility. According to online domain search tools, the domain “blackstonediscount.com” was registered very recently on August 23, 2022.

The domain is registered to a registrant named Pavel Krylov and the organization listed as Fadel-Beatty Limited. There is no further information available on the registrant or organization.

What is concerning is that the domain’s registration timing aligns closely with the Labor Day holiday, indicating an intent to capitalize on sale shopping hype. Most scam websites have very new domains, often registered just weeks or days before launching a fake sale. The recent registration of Blackstone Discount’s domain is a major red flag.

Additionally, a cursory online search reveals no historical snapshots or archives of the website, underscoring its recency and ephemeral nature. Overall, the domain history signals Blackstone Discount is likely a fly-by-night scam website seeking to make quick money.

Pricing and Discount Tactics

As the saying goes, if the offer seems too good to be true, it probably is. The discounts and prices advertised on Blackstone Discount raise several concerns.

The website promotes discounts of up to 90% off on high-demand Blackstone products which typically retail for $100-$500 at legitimate outlets like Home Depot or Walmart. However, on Blackstone Discount, the prices are slashed to as low as $20-$50 per item.

These prices are abnormally low and indicate Blackstone Discount is not an authorized reseller approved to offer such drastic reductions. If the website is not approved for dealer pricing by Blackstone, it likely cannot offer authentic Blackstone items at 90% off retail value.

Additionally, scam websites often inflate the list price to exaggerate the discount percentage. For instance, they may list an item’s price as $500, offer a “90% discount”, and sell it for $50. In reality, the actual retail price is closer to $100, meaning the true discount is only 50%.

By showcasing these exaggerated discounts and unbelievable prices, Blackstone Discount aims to create a false sense of urgency and value to lure customers into a purchase. In most cases, customers end up overpaying for counterfeit products. The dubious pricing tactic hints at an illegitimate scheme.

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Payment Methods

The payment methods accepted by an online retailer also provide clues about credibility.

Blackstone Discount states that it accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, PayPal, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. However, upon closer look, only PayPal is provided as a payment option during checkout.

The reason scam websites prefer PayPal is it makes it harder for buyers to claim refunds or challenge fraudulent transactions. By only offering PayPal, Blackstone Discount seems aimed at avoiding credit card chargebacks and mitigating the risk of refunds.

Additionally, scam stores rarely have the merchant relationships required to accept credit cards from top providers like Visa and Mastercard. The mismatch between advertised and actual payment methods raises suspicions about Blackstone Discount.

Copycat Website Elements

Authentic businesses develop original content and design elements for their website to build their brand image. However, Blackstone Discount displays no such effort or originality.

The entire website is a mishmash of copied product images, logos, and text. All grill images have been stolen from Blackstone’s official website and Amazon listings without authorization.

Parts of the website copy, including descriptions for items like grills and griddles, have been plagiarized word-for-word from other sites. There is no unique content establishing Blackstone Discount as a legitimate enterprise.

The act of duplicating content indicates the owners have put little time, creativity, or resources into the website. They have simply copied and pasted information from other sources to create a basic scam storefront. This lack of sincerity exposes their true motives.

Lack of Reviews

User-generated reviews for products and online stores lend credibility and trust. However, Blackstone Discount has zero reviews on its website or anywhere else online.

All legitimate retailers selling popular products eventually garner customer reviews on their website, Amazon, TrustPilot, social media, or independent review sites. However, there is a complete absence of customer feedback for both Blackstone Discount and the products it sells.

The lack of reviews means potential customers cannot validate Blackstone Discount’s claims of good prices, high-quality products, or satisfactory buying experience. This missing insight does not help build trust or demonstrate transparency.

While the website displays a few positive-looking reviews, they appear fabricated. The generic names, vague wording, and overly enthusiastic tone indicate they are fake reviews concocted to dupe customers.

False Scarcity Claims

Scarcity triggers a sense of urgency in shoppers and rushes them into a purchase. Blackstone Discount leverages this tactic by creating a false impression of limited-time offers and low stock.

On every product page, an alert states ‘Only X items left!’ to pressure customers into adding items to their cart quickly before they sell out. Countdown timers suggest the deal will expire soon.

However, these appear to be manipulative gimmicks with no truth behind them. In reality, scam websites want to keep their fake ‘deals’ running as long as possible to swindle more customers. The site keeps restocking and the deals never actually expire.

By flashing these fabricated low-stock warnings, Blackstone Discount preys on people’s fear of missing out to compel sales. Legitimate retailers do not engage in such devious psychological manipulation.

No Secure Connection

All legitimate e-commerce websites use HTTPS and SSL encryption to secure customers’ payment and personal data during transactions.

However, Blackstone Discount website does not use HTTPS or have an SSL certificate installed. Instead, it uses an insecure HTTP connection.

This means any information customers enter on the site, including credit card details, can be easily intercepted and stolen through hacking. No real business would willingly expose its customers to such cybercrime risks. The lack of an encrypted connection is an enormous red flag.

No Social Media Presence

Nearly every modern business, big or small, uses social media to boost brand awareness and engage with customers. However, Blackstone Discount is invisible on major platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

There are no company profiles or accounts promoting the website’s deals and interacting with shoppers. For a site supposedly offering hot deals on coveted products, its lack of social media marketing and customer outreach seems highly dubious.

In comparison, Blackstone’s official social media pages have hundreds of thousands of engaged followers. The absence of commensurate social media activity indicates Blackstone Discount is not an authorized seller.

Problems with Shipping and Returns

The shipping and returns policy outlined by Blackstone Discount also raises suspicions.

Firstly, the site claims orders take 7-21 days to be delivered after payment. This is an unusually long and vague delivery window not offered by legitimate retailers.

Secondly, the policy states buyers only have 14 days after receiving their order to return it for a refund. Standard return periods are 30 days or more. The short window makes it harder for customers to detect and respond to issues.

Moreover, Blackstone Discount states that customers must pay return shipping fees themselves. Forced return costs deter buyers from sending back products and seeking refunds, even if the item is damaged, defective, or counterfeit.

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The overall policy seems crafted to limit financial risks and liabilities for Blackstone Discount, not provide satisfactory customer service.

Warning Signs Reported by Blackstone Discount Customers

While the website itself displays numerous red flags, reports from actual customers solidify concerns about potential fraud. Here are some of the problems faced by people who placed orders on Blackstone Discount:

  • Non-delivery of purchased items after payment
  • Receiving obviously low-quality fake or knockoff products
  • Wrong items being shipped that do not match order specifications
  • Steep restocking fees deducted from refunds
  • Credit cards getting repeatedly overcharged
  • Failure to issue refunds for returned products
  • Lack of response from customer service to product issues
  • Inability to cancel pending orders or unauthorized payments

These grievances align with typical scam website experiences. Multiple customers have also posted warnings about Blackstone Discount on review sites to prevent others from being duped. There is a clear pattern of fraudulent behavior and dissatisfied buyers.

No Connections to the Legitimate Blackstone Brand

Blackstone is a reputable company that manufactures quality outdoor cooking equipment and accessories. Their official website is BlackstoneProducts.com.

The business has no affiliation with the website BlackstoneDiscount.com. In fact, the legitimate brand has issued public disclaimers distancing itself from the website:

“Blackstone Discount is not operated, licensed, or affiliated with Blackstone Products in any way. We do not authorize Blackstone Discount to sell our products or use our trademarks. Please purchase Blackstone grills and accessories only through authorized retailers.”

This confirms that BlackstoneDiscount.com is misusing the brand name illegally to peddle counterfeit products. The real Blackstone brand has no partnerships or connections with this deceitful website.

Final Verdict: Blackstone Discount is a Scam

In summary, an extensive evaluation of all available information leads to an unambiguous conclusion – Blackstone Discount is a scam website that customers should avoid entirely.

The website exhibits multiple hallmark red flags that indicate fraud and malicious intent:

  • No company background, location, or contact details
  • Recently registered domain name
  • Dubious pricing tactics and exaggerated discounts
  • Limited payment options
  • Copied website content and images
  • Zero customer reviews
  • Misleading scarcity claims
  • Insecure HTTP connection
  • Non-existent social media presence
  • Problematic shipping and returns policy

Most crucially, Blackstone Discount has absolutely no affiliation or authorization from the genuine Blackstone brand. Multiple customers have exposed receiving terrible service, knockoffs, billing scams, and refusal of refunds after purchasing from the website.

There is overwhelming evidence that BlackstoneDiscount.com is an untrustworthy scam operation set up to swindle unknowing customers. We strongly advise avoiding this fraudulent website to protect your money and information.

Instead, purchase Blackstone products only through the brand’s official website and authorized dealers like Home Depot, Walmart, Ace Hardware and Amazon. If you have any suspicions about a website, conduct thorough research before making purchases.

Frequently Asked Questions about Blackstone Discount

Is Blackstone Discount the official website of Blackstone?

No, Blackstone Discount is not the official website for the Blackstone brand. The legitimate website for the company is BlackstoneProducts.com.

Blackstone Discount is only impersonating the brand name illegally to scam customers. Blackstone’s makers have publicly disavowed and distanced themselves from the website BlackstoneDiscount.com.

What risks are there in ordering from Blackstone Discount?

There are many risks, including:

  • Not receiving your order at all after payment
  • Receiving fake, knockoff or used products
  • Getting different items than you ordered
  • Having your credit card details stolen
  • Being overcharged for items
  • Facing obstacles getting refunds for returns
  • Having your personal information compromised

Overall, the website cannot be trusted to deliver authentic products or satisfactory service. There is a high likelihood of getting scammed.

Does Blackstone Discount offer big discounts on Blackstone grills?

No, the big discounts advertised by Blackstone Discount up to 90% off are fictitious. Since it is not an authorized dealer, the website cannot offer authentic Blackstone products at such heavily reduced prices.

The exaggerated discounts are a ruse to make customers believe they are scoring an amazing bargain. In reality, most end up overpaying for counterfeit or low-quality grills if any order is fulfilled at all.

Where should I buy Blackstone products safely online?

To ensure you buy genuine Blackstone products online, only purchase through the brand’s official website or authorized major retailers like:

Stick to these reputable sellers to avoid scams. Beware of unknown websites offering unbelievable discounts on Blackstone. If the deal looks too good to be true, it most likely is.

What precautions should I take before buying from an unfamiliar website?

Take these precautions when buying from new websites:

  • Research the website – Check for complaints, scam alerts, reviews.
  • Verify contact information – Call customer service numbers, emails given.
  • Examine return policies – Avoid sites with strict return time limits or restocking fees.
  • Check the URL – Fraud sites often have misspellings or extra words added.
  • Search the company name online – Cross-reference with review sites and brand websites.
  • Assess prices objectively – Compare with prices on the brand website and stores like Amazon.
  • Stick to credit cards – Avoid direct bank transfers, wire transfers, and gift cards.
  • Use secure guest checkout – Avoid registering accounts and revealing too much personal information.
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Following these tips will minimize your risk of getting defrauded by scam websites like Blackstone Discount and help identify trustworthy sellers. Proceed with caution and wisdom before entering any online transaction.

How to Get Your Money Back if Scammed by Blackstone Discount

If you made the mistake of placing an order on Blackstone Discount and got scammed, here are some ways to try and recover your money:

File a Chargeback Request

If you paid using a debit or credit card, contact your bank or card issuer immediately. Report the transaction as fraudulent. Request them to reverse the charges and issue a chargeback. Provide any evidence of the scam like screenshots and order details.

Dispute through PayPal

For PayPal payments, log into your PayPal account and file a dispute within 180 days of purchase. Explain you did not receive the item ordered or received a counterfeit product. Provide supporting documents.

Report Fraud to Authorities

File a scam report with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). Include details like the website, products ordered, amount paid, and information received from Blackstone Discount. This creates an official paper trail.

Contact Your State Attorney General

Reach out to the consumer protection division of your state attorney general’s office. Report the website as a scam operating in their jurisdiction. The AG office can potentially investigate the website if sufficient complaints are received.

Leave Online Reviews

Post detailed reviews about the scam on consumer review platforms like Trustpilot and Pissed Consumer. Share your experience to help warn others not to fall for the website’s tricks. The more evidence available online, the lower the chances of the scam succeeding.

Spread Awareness on Social Media

Use Facebook, Twitter and other platforms to spread awareness in your community about the fraudulent website. The more publicity the scam gets as a duplicitous operation, the harder it will be for the scammers to continue duping people.

How to Spot an Online Shopping Scam

Blackstone Discount exemplifies a shady website scamming customers under the guise of a legitimate retailer. Here are some tips to identify and avoid such online shopping scams:

Examine website credibility:

  • Research the domain history – Newly registered and short-lived domains are risky
  • Cross-check company address – Use Google Maps to verify it’s a real commercial location
  • Review contact information – Call customer service numbers and emails provided
  • Search for the business profile – Check if it exists as a legally registered company

Evaluate prices objectively:

  • Compare prices against the manufacturer and reputable retailers
  • Calculate the discount percentage accurately
  • Beware of “too good to be true” low prices

Check for genuine reviews:

  • Verify review sources and authenticity
  • Be wary of only 5 star reviews
  • Look for reviews discussing product specifics

Assess return and refund policies:

  • Avoid sites with no clear returns policy
  • Beware of short return windows (less than 30 days)
  • Read the fine print for hidden conditions and restocking fees

Examine payment methods:

  • Legitimate retailers offer multiple payment options like credit cards, PayPal etc.
  • Be cautious of retailers only accepting wire transfers, crypto etc.
  • Avoid paying the full amount upfront before receiving goods

Check security and privacy protocols:

  • Only enter payment details on encrypted HTTPS sites
  • Do not create accounts and share personal information unnecessarily
  • Read the privacy policy to see how the retailer handles data

Research social media presence:

  • Check if the brand has active social media profiles
  • Assess engagement levels – low followers/interaction is a red flag

Trust your instincts:

  • If you get a bad gut feeling about the website, do not ignore it
  • Don’t fall for pressure tactics like limited-time offers or low stock warnings
  • If something seems fake or off, it likely is

Stay vigilant and exercise due diligence before shopping on unfamiliar e-commerce websites to avoid scams. Be an informed customer and make purchases only through reputable sellers with a proven track record.

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