Unsolicited PM to review a product.

[OFC Ranger]

Brand new account. Received a PM about doing a review on a product.

For you more inclined folks what red flags are you seeing based on the domain look up?

https://who.is/whois/tozalazz.com

In my totally uneducated view the first thing I see is the registration (based out of Arizona) is by:

Organization
Domains By Proxy, LLC

This is offered by GoDaddy for those wishing to hide their origination from public view. Seems kind of odd for a company to do, then again I am pretty sure this company produces Chinese off-road products which are sold on Amazon.

Of course the age old rule applies, send nothing, receive only - but wanted your opinion.

The product in question is present on Amazon, costs a few hundred dollars, but if the PM is legit, this seems like a new advertisement tactic by these overseas companies to spread word on a product.

Just trying to decipher if there is something going on here I am not seeing.

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[RedlandRanger]

Brand new account. Received a PM about doing a review on a product.

For you more inclined folks what red flags are you seeing based on the domain look up?

https://who.is/whois/tozalazz.com

In my totally uneducated view the first thing I see is the registration (based out of Arizona) is by:

Organization
Domains By Proxy, LLC

This is offered by GoDaddy for those wishing to hide their origination from public view. Seems kind of odd for a company to do, then again I am pretty sure this company produces Chinese off-road products which are sold on Amazon.

Of course the age old rule applies, send nothing, receive only - but wanted your opinion.

The product in question is present on Amazon, costs a few hundred dollars, but if the PM is legit, this seems like a new advertisement tactic by these overseas companies to spread word on a product.

Just trying to decipher if there is something going on here I am not seeing.

The "hiding" of the domain registration is pretty standard now. If you don't, you get tons of spam. I wouldn't consider that a red flag.

The fact that it is a new account with no participation here would be a huge red flag for me.

 

[Radioman]

I would never click on or respond to an unsolicited email. You have nothing to gain and a lot to lose.

 

[OFC Ranger]

The "hiding" of the domain registration is pretty standard now. If you don't, you get tons of spam. I wouldn't consider that a red flag.

The fact that it is a new account with no participation here would be a huge red flag for me.

Yes.

However this may be a new prevailing sales tactic (it makes sense to an extent). I believe companies are going to popular automotive forums, looking at the members list, and picking out people at the top of the total post count list.

I've sent an e-mail to probe their intentions. Lets see what happens.

If its anything other than "we send and ship product at no charge to you" then they can pound sand.

I don't mind reviewing something made from overseas if it is legit.

 

[OFC Ranger]

I would never click on or respond to an unsolicited email. You have nothing to gain and a lot to lose.

Not an e-mail, a private message on this forum.

I've received legitimate unsolicited PMs to review products before, just not in this exact scenario.

There is no link they request me to click on, just to contact them if interested.

 

[Radioman]

Not an e-mail, a private message on this forum.

I've received legitimate unsolicited PMs to review products before, just not in this exact scenario.

There is no link they request me to click on, just to contact them if interested.

I misunderstood your previous message. Sorry.

I still wouldn't do it....

 

[that408guy]

I have purchased items from far more shady looking websites. I use to work for Verisign an SSL company. Websites less than 1 year old were always marked as cautious/red flag. Its a good sign that they have an amazon store as well as video reviews on youtube. With that being said, it does look a little suspicious since their website is a few months old and social media following is pretty non existent. You have to start somewhere though. I would only use paypal for purchases from questionable sites but if they want to mail you something to review then that sounds like a win. I would just include in your review of said product that the company is new and to use purchasing protection.

 

[SigOris]

I would never click on or respond to an unsolicited email. You have nothing to gain and a lot to lose.

That was drilled into us during our annual OPSEC training

 

[OFC Ranger]

Well so far everything is passing the sniff test.

They are shipping, what I believe to be a portable air compressor marketed for off-roaders, out to me in the next few days.

Maybe I am on my way to becoming a professional reviewer for overseas companies? HA! @D Fresh

If it does what it is suppose to I can't complain. (I could even see building it its own little tray/compartment in my bed.

• 11.65CFM, 330L/Min at 0 PSI, 7 CFM at 30 psi
• Dual Cylinders
• Drive motor power: 540 watts each, 1080 watts in total
• Up to 150PSI working pressure
• Duty cycle: 15 min on, 3~5 min off
• US standard male plug quick air fitting quick connector
• 12v, 90amps peak, ~50amp running
• 65 dB noise level from 1ft distance
• 8ft power cord with battery clamps
• 25ft air hose and quick connector

 

[Eoj]

That looks like the main body from every Chinese made compressor on Amazon with slightly different plastic.

 

[OFC Ranger]

That looks like the main body from every Chinese made compressor on Amazon with slightly different plastic.

Probably. Guess we'll see what it can do.

 

[D Fresh]

Well so far everything is passing the sniff test.

They are shipping, what I believe to be a portable air compressor marketed for off-roaders, out to me in the next few days.

Maybe I am on my way to becoming a professional reviewer for overseas companies? HA! @D Fresh

If it does what it is suppose to I can't complain. (I could even see building it its own little tray/compartment in my bed.

It's Wes in disguise! Just be carefull if you get an invite to have beers with them. I'm sure you have the moral fortitude to resist but you don't want to become another Ad-man!

 

[Fordup]

I have a youtube channel and get atleast 10 offers a day from Chinese companies that want to send me items to try. They are basically all legit and that's how the Chinese companies get free advertising. Sometimes I even get things in the mail that I have no idea who they came from. The best part is they have zero control over your videos so they can be totally honest good or bad. I will tell you that I am finding the quality of many Chinese companies lately has been equivalent to similar US products. Guess we taught them good by sending most of our manufacturing offshore. Social media is a big influencer of many purchases these days be it forums, youtube, Instagram, tic toc, or similar sites. Remember it has to be stated up front if given to you at no cost and also the value claimed as income if anything is posted online about the item. Otherwise the fcc can impose huge fines.

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