7 Warning Signs of a Commercial Grade Stand Mixer Scam on Wayfair

1. Fake Warehouse Clearance Ads: Be highly suspicious of ads promising massive discounts on commercial-grade stand mixers, often labeled as 'warehouse clearance' or 'liquidation sales.' These ads frequently lead to fraudulent websites designed to steal your payment information or deliver counterfeit products. Legitimate Wayfair clearance events are typically well-advertised through official channels.

2. Stolen Designer Product Photos: Scammers often use high-quality images of genuine commercial stand mixers, sometimes even stolen from designer portfolios or manufacturer websites, to create convincing fake listings. If a product photo looks too perfect or is inconsistent with the seller's other listings, it could be a red flag.

3. Third-Party 'Open Box' Bait-and-Switch: While 'open box' deals can offer savings, be wary of third-party sellers on Wayfair offering these at unusually low prices. Scammers may use 'open box' as bait, intending to switch the product for a lower-quality, damaged, or even non-existent item upon purchase. Always scrutinize the seller's reputation and return policy for open-box items.

4. Missing Hardware Ransom: This scam involves receiving a commercial stand mixer that is intentionally missing crucial hardware or accessories. The seller then demands an additional payment to 'release' the missing parts, or they claim it's a restocking fee for a return that was never authorized. This is a blatant attempt to extort more money from you.

5. Oversized Item Shipping Scam: Commercial stand mixers are large and heavy. Scammers might advertise an attractively low shipping fee for these items, only to later claim unexpected 'oversized item' surcharges or 'delivery insurance' fees. Always verify shipping costs upfront and be skeptical of prices that seem too good to be true, especially for large appliances.

6. Address Change Redirection: Be cautious if a seller requests to change the shipping address after you've placed an order, especially if they claim there was an error. This could be an attempt to reroute the package to an address they control, making it difficult to track and potentially leading to a 'delivered but not received' claim against you.

7. Damaged Item Return Fee or Fake Delivery Insurance: Scammers might try to charge exorbitant 'restocking fees' for returns of damaged items, or they may pressure you to pay for 'delivery insurance' that doesn't exist. These are tactics to extract more money or make legitimate returns impossible.