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Post by joconutz3 on Dec 21, 2017 20:42:45 GMT
Has anyone else’s bank flagged SBG as fraud? It apparently bills to Hong Kong so my bank flagged it.
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Post by Adrian Jordan on Dec 21, 2017 21:16:45 GMT
That's really odd. Let me try to contact the site owner so he can speak on it, as he'd know best. Thank you for bringing the situation to light.
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Post by Adrian Jordan on Dec 21, 2017 21:18:55 GMT
Also, was it the SBG Store that was flagged, or something bought from a forum member?
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admin
Site Admin
Posts: 2,088
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Post by admin on Dec 22, 2017 0:55:51 GMT
I do hear that this happens from time to time, mostly with bank of America and it started getting more frequent early this year. To say it is very frustrating is an understatement.. SBG is indeed a Hong Kong based business and international in scope. I am personally Australian, but have lived in Asia (primarily Osaka, Japan since 2011) and changed from an Australian company to Hong Kong in 2013 (you can see our International HQ details clearly on the contact page). We use a network of warehouses based in North America for shipping (USA and Canada) and also I think the issue stems from our credit card processor, WorldPay (who are based in the UK) - they are very secure, but they also refuse a lot of payments that are legitimate, so it definitely makes life harder than it needs to be. Next year I will be trying to find some better payment solutions - but yes, I can assure you that despite your banks 'warnings' that we are a legitimate business that has been servicing the sword community since 2006 and I bend over backwards to service our customers, never take an antagonistic stand, spend many hours a day ensuring all questions are thoroughly and courtesouly answered - and so when the bank decides that we are fraudulent because we are based in Hong Kong, I really don't know why they decide this.. We also offer PayPal as a payment option, and so if you have any doubts you can use this as PayPal will assist with chargebacks, etc if you deem it necessary (like I said, ask around - we take care of our customers - customers to the store keep this community running, open and free from hidden agendas).
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Post by RufusScorpius on Dec 24, 2017 20:09:12 GMT
I bought a sword a few months ago from SBG using PayPal and had no issues whatsoever. The payment went through without problem and I recieved the sword as advertised within the week. I would imagine that had I used my bank would they would have had questions about such a purchase and most likely flag the transaction until they contacted me for verification- but I appreciate that extra security.
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Post by Gunnar Wolfgard on Dec 26, 2017 18:16:50 GMT
YEAH, makes you wonder why Paul lets companies like this advertise on this forum. Now lets wait and see how many more times jocontz3 posts here.
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Post by zabazagobo on Dec 26, 2017 19:47:57 GMT
I can vouch for the legitimacy of the SBG store and that Paul is a great guy to do business with. I purchased a Hanwei Bushido and an antiqued 'bastard' sword (though it really is more of a two-hander) off the SBG store and both arrived with no issues whatsoever. Like Paul said, you can always use Paypal if you're even the slightest bit skeptical (although there really isn't a reason to be)
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Post by pellius on Dec 26, 2017 20:36:34 GMT
I have previously tried to buy from SBG.
Recently, I really really wanted an item SBG was selling. My financial institution (a credit union) flatly refused to let the transaction go thru. PayPal route was blocked, too. (Weird, because eBay to China vendors went thru with no issue at all.)
I'm not implying anything negative toward SBG whatsoever. Just sharing my experience.
I wish there was an option to make a domestic (US) payment.
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Post by RufusScorpius on Dec 27, 2017 4:06:33 GMT
I have previously tried to buy from SBG. Recently, I really really wanted an item SBG was selling. My financial institution (a credit union) flatly refused to let the transaction go thru. PayPal route was blocked, too. (Weird, because eBay to China vendors went thru with no issue at all.) I'm not implying anything negative toward SBG whatsoever. Just sharing my experience. I wish there was an option to make a domestic (US) payment. Interesting. I am also in the US and I experienced zero problems using PayPal to purchase from SBG. They payment went through within a matter of seconds and didn't have a single blip on any fraud alerts. But who knows really, perhaps your network provider or computer securities were more to blame than PayPal, but I really don't know the details of how such things work. In any event, I had a great experience buying from SBG and will certainly keep them in mind for my next sword purchase.
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Post by johnwalter on Dec 27, 2017 16:02:53 GMT
Lol They're on to you SBG. I've never heard of this,but Ive never bought from SBG store so I wouldn't know.
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Post by RufusScorpius on Dec 28, 2017 23:09:15 GMT
I will say this about buying from SBG- I too was hesitant to trust this store so I emailed Paul directly to ask a few questions that would indicate to me the legitimacy of the store. Of course he is a third party retailer and ships from other people's warehouses, so I did have some reservations. However, his answers showed me that number one- he is in fact a real person and number two- he has a legitimate business. His prices were reasonable, maybe about $10 or $20 higher than other places, BUT he offers LIFETIME warranty on the swords. So that clinched it for me- an extra $10 for lifetime when others only offered 30 to 90 days.
I paid my money, and about 5 or 6 days later I got my sword. I haven't had the opportunity yet (and hope I never do) to try out his lifetime warranty- so far the blade is holding up nicely. I doubt a vendor of any type would offer lifetime warranty on anything they weren't sure was going to hold up over the long term. And from what I understand, there have only be single digit numbers of warranty returns so far.
Full disclosure- I don't know Paul Southen or anybody in his family, I don't work for SBG or any sword manufacturer, retailer, parts supplier, nor am I associated in any way with any aspect of this web site or any sword forge or retail distribution warehouse. I'm just an average Joe hobbyist sharing my experience with buying from SBG store.
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Post by Faldarin on Dec 28, 2017 23:24:31 GMT
I've bought several blades from the SBG store - all using PayPal - all without payment issues. Generally I'm a fan of businesses using PayPal for that reason, there just seems to be less drama.
I only had one real QC issue, and it was handled to my satisfaction during a VERY busy time of the year, so I've got no complaints.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Dec 28, 2017 23:37:02 GMT
Different financial institutions have different protections in place. The transaction probably got flagged due to an usual or unexpected by their algorithm / system purchase.
No big deal. Just a good idea to be mindful either immediately before or during a trip since you don't want your accounts helpfully locked.
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Post by dchisenh on Dec 29, 2017 1:16:55 GMT
I bought a Hanwei Rhinelander from the SBG store when they were running a crazy sale on them last year. I'm here in the US and I had no problem at all with the transaction, went thought immediately and without a hitch.
A few days after I placed my order, I had an emergency pop up and reached out to Paul to see if I could cancel my order even though the sword had likely shipped. I received an email from Paul himself within 15 minutes!!! He confirmed it had shipped, but offered to refund my money, no questions asked, as soon as I returned it. Luckily I was able to borrow some extra cash from a friend, using the sword as collateral, and I was able to get the sword back from him on my next payday. To this day that Rhinelander is one of my favorites and is on my "never sell" list! You couldn't ask for better customer service from Paul or a better product!
As far as I'm concerned, the SBG store offers some excellent deals, unique products, top-notch customer service and really stands behind the products they sell. If your bank gives you any grief, just use PayPal; SBG is worth it!
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