5 Common La Cornue Range Stove Scams on Houzz Marketplace to Avoid in 2026

Navigating the Houzz Marketplace Safely: Avoiding La Cornue Range Stove Scams

La Cornue range stoves are highly sought-after luxury appliances, making them a target for scammers on platforms like Houzz Marketplace. Awareness is your first line of defense. This guide details common fraudulent schemes to help you protect yourself.

1. Non-Existent Stock Bait

Scammers list attractive, high-demand La Cornue range stoves at seemingly unbeatable prices to lure in buyers. Once a buyer expresses interest, the seller claims the item is 'just sold' or 'out of stock' and then attempts to steer the buyer towards a different, often lower-quality or non-existent product, or requests an upfront payment for a fictitious replacement. These listings are designed to generate leads for other fraudulent activities.

2. Off-Platform Payment Discount

Sellers may offer a significant discount if payment is made outside of the Houzz Marketplace's secure system (e.g., via wire transfer, Zelle, or cryptocurrency). They'll claim this bypasses fees and saves you money. However, once the payment is sent, the seller often disappears, leaving you without the stove and your money. Houzz's payment system offers buyer protection that is voided when transactions occur off-platform.

3. Brand Impersonation Furniture (Appliance Variant)

Scammers may pose as legitimate sellers or even impersonate La Cornue directly, using stolen photos and descriptions of actual range stoves. They might create fake listings with enticing details to gain trust. When it comes time for delivery or inspection, they may present a vastly different, inferior product or simply fail to deliver anything at all.

4. Shipping Damage Liability Trap

This scam involves a seller who, after you've paid, claims the stove was damaged during shipping. They may pressure you to accept the damaged item without proper inspection or documentation, then refuse to offer a refund or replacement, stating it's a shipping carrier issue. Alternatively, they might claim the damage is minor and offer a small, insufficient refund, while the stove is actually unusable. Always document the condition of the appliance upon arrival with clear photos and videos, especially for large, high-value items like La Cornue stoves.

5. Phishing 'Quote Request' Link

You might receive a message, ostensibly from a seller or interested buyer, requesting a 'shipping quote' or 'detailed specifications' via a link. Clicking this link can lead to a fake website designed to steal your login credentials for Houzz or other accounts, or it could initiate the download of malware onto your device. Always verify the sender's identity and be wary of unsolicited links, especially those asking for personal or financial information.

• ✓ Always conduct transactions within the Houzz Marketplace platform.
• ✓ Never agree to pay or receive payment outside of the platform.
• ✓ Scrutinize seller profiles, ratings, and transaction history.
• ✓ Be skeptical of prices that seem too good to be true.
• ✓ If a seller pressures you to act quickly or bypass security measures, it's a major red flag.
• ✓ Use secure payment methods provided by the platform.
• ✓ Inspect the item thoroughly upon delivery, documenting any issues with photos and video.
• ✓ Be cautious of links sent via email or message; verify their authenticity before clicking.