Bitcoin Forum

Bitcoin => Hardware => Topic started by: DyslexicZombei on October 10, 2013, 01:37:10 AM



Title: Phoenix Technologies - Another ASIC pre-order scam?
Post by: DyslexicZombei on October 10, 2013, 01:37:10 AM
http://bitcoinminingcenter.com/

Nice looking site. Great prices: 250GH/s for $749 in mid-November? However, I'm seeing red flags:

- No SSL certification.

- No info on people behind the alleged project.

- Who are these guys? If they've been working on this for 3 years, like they claim, then they should be proud to tell us who they are & how they've helped the BTC community and ASIC development.  Give us your LinkedIn Profile links or the Asian equivalent.

- Only payment method is irreversible BTC payment (which is common for these deals but at least we know who exactly are the people behind the company for HF, CT, BM, etc. etc.)

- No Miner Protection Plan or other protection for late delivery


Caveat emptor. They could be legit but it looks like yet another attempt to fool people out of their Bitcoin.

I'd love for the developers to come on here & prove me wrong, just like Giorgio did with Bitmine. Until then: I wouldn't send them a satoshi.


Title: Re: Phoenix Technologies - Another ASIC pre-order scam?
Post by: atmclikk on October 10, 2013, 08:14:40 AM
i got a 'turn your javascript on' message on the site.  careful guys...

now regarding the site, i think the question on everyone's mind is -

where can we learn more about this Nanoflow(TM) Technology ????    ;D


Title: Re: Phoenix Technologies - Another ASIC pre-order scam?
Post by: funnow on October 11, 2013, 07:20:06 AM
where can we learn more about this Nanoflow(TM) Technology ?
You can ask them  ;D they are the only one knows about this technology.
It's a 100% scam


Title: Re: Phoenix Technologies - Another ASIC pre-order scam?
Post by: Puppet on October 11, 2013, 07:28:40 AM
Clearly a scam. But still funny to pick holes in their story. From their FAQ:

Quote
Do I need a computer to mine with your products?
If you are mining with a single unit, then no computer is required as the unit will operate without any additional hardware. If you wish to use the collective hashing power of more than 1 unit, they must be connected to a external computer via usb. Mining software supports Windows, Mac OSX and Linux.

Try to get your head around that. one miner works as standalone, but two units dont  ? LOL.
Also kind of curious how it would mine standalone without ethernet.


Title: Re: Phoenix Technologies - Another ASIC pre-order scam?
Post by: dan99 on October 11, 2013, 03:24:16 PM
http://bitcoinminingcenter.com/

Nice looking site. Great prices: 250GH/s for $749 in mid-November? However, I'm seeing red flags:

- No SSL certification.

- No info on people behind the alleged project.

- Who are these guys? If they've been working on this for 3 years, like they claim, then they should be proud to tell us who they are & how they've helped the BTC community and ASIC development.  Give us your LinkedIn Profile links or the Asian equivalent.

- Only payment method is irreversible BTC payment (which is common for these deals but at least we know who exactly are the people behind the company for HF, CT, BM, etc. etc.)

- No Miner Protection Plan or other protection for late delivery


Caveat emptor. They could be legit but it looks like yet another attempt to fool people out of their Bitcoin.

I'd love for the developers to come on here & prove me wrong, just like Giorgio did with Bitmine. Until then: I wouldn't send them a satoshi.

May be you can asked them to escrow through you


Title: Re: Phoenix Technologies - Another ASIC pre-order scam?
Post by: easynote on October 11, 2013, 03:59:37 PM
I think is a scam too


Title: Re: Phoenix Technologies - Another ASIC pre-order scam?
Post by: DyslexicZombei on October 11, 2013, 07:42:59 PM
http://bitcoinminingcenter.com/

Nice looking site. Great prices: 250GH/s for $749 in mid-November? However, I'm seeing red flags:

- No SSL certification.

- No info on people behind the alleged project.

- Who are these guys? If they've been working on this for 3 years, like they claim, then they should be proud to tell us who they are & how they've helped the BTC community and ASIC development.  Give us your LinkedIn Profile links or the Asian equivalent.

- Only payment method is irreversible BTC payment (which is common for these deals but at least we know who exactly are the people behind the company for HF, CT, BM, etc. etc.)

- No Miner Protection Plan or other protection for late delivery


Caveat emptor. They could be legit but it looks like yet another attempt to fool people out of their Bitcoin.

I'd love for the developers to come on here & prove me wrong, just like Giorgio did with Bitmine. Until then: I wouldn't send them a satoshi.

May be you can asked them to escrow through you

If someone was brave enough to go forward, Escrow with *someone* or *someplace* would be the only way I could recommend this to anyone sans full disclosure from the mfg. and no available chargeback method.

Even then, not every escrow service has full insurance. For example: at BTCrow a transaction is only insured up to $500...but nothing is to stop you from making multiple transactions; it just gets unwieldy (a $50K buy would require 100 transactions set up) if you absolutely need to be insured for the full amount. These are the limits of the escrow protection that any potential buyer of ASIC pre-order hardware should strongly consider.

[Disclaimer: I'm an approved BTCrow Escrow Affiliate]


Title: Re: Phoenix Technologies - Another ASIC pre-order scam?
Post by: sikman on October 11, 2013, 10:04:52 PM
I'm calling this out as a scam as well. No useful info or pictures, no names or phone numbers.


I checked the shop directory of the building the are supposed to be in and guess what? There not listed

http://www.taiyauplaza.com/en/shop_directory/shop_all.html



Title: Re: Phoenix Technologies - Another ASIC pre-order scam?
Post by: DyslexicZombei on October 11, 2013, 11:11:15 PM
Nice detective work!

I love how we as a community can work together to help determine the validity of these new offerings & scams mixed in with one another.


Title: Re: Phoenix Technologies - Another ASIC pre-order scam?
Post by: superduh on October 11, 2013, 11:15:58 PM
was on reddit- reported as scam - someone actually paid them


Title: Re: Phoenix Technologies - Another ASIC pre-order scam?
Post by: Johnny Bitcoinseed on October 11, 2013, 11:25:33 PM
Look at their refund policy, and I quote directly from their website:

"All sales are refundable only if we fail to deliver. That means if we do not ship any machine at all."

There it is.  You'll get a machine of some sort.  That is the only guarantee.

And, you guessed it, they only accept bitcoin as payment.


Title: Re: Phoenix Technologies - Another ASIC pre-order scam?
Post by: dawie on October 21, 2013, 07:03:44 PM
Super dodgy scam.  Well picked up guys!


Title: Re: Phoenix Technologies - Another ASIC pre-order scam?
Post by: joeventura on October 21, 2013, 07:16:13 PM
The shipping prices even on the small units are incredible!!

Scam or just plain stupid


Title: Re: Phoenix Technologies - Another ASIC pre-order scam?
Post by: DyslexicZombei on October 21, 2013, 11:34:02 PM
The shipping prices even on the small units are incredible!!

Scam or just plain stupid

I vote: Stupid scam.  :D


Title: Re: Phoenix Technologies - Another ASIC pre-order scam?
Post by: DPoS on October 31, 2013, 01:22:21 AM
seems legit

http://bitcoinminingcenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/chip.png


Title: Re: Phoenix Technologies - Another ASIC pre-order scam?
Post by: Rawrkanos on November 27, 2013, 06:58:36 AM
This site has now been banned from Coinbase. Folks, it is important to know that if you see a likely-scam using coinbase as the payment processor the way to deal with it is to submit a support request detailing the reasons why it appears to be a scam. That's how I got this place and xtrememiners removed.


Title: Re: Phoenix Technologies - Another ASIC pre-order scam?
Post by: delta11965 on November 27, 2013, 06:56:58 PM
This site has now been banned from Coinbase. Folks, it is important to know that if you see a likely-scam using coinbase as the payment processor the way to deal with it is to submit a support request detailing the reasons why it appears to be a scam. That's how I got this place and xtrememiners removed.


Well They aren't banned off coinbase and they even have just posted a link supporting coinbases Black friday deal.


Title: Re: Phoenix Technologies - Another ASIC pre-order scam?
Post by: descarte on November 28, 2013, 12:38:45 AM
This site has now been banned from Coinbase. Folks, it is important to know that if you see a likely-scam using coinbase as the payment processor the way to deal with it is to submit a support request detailing the reasons why it appears to be a scam. That's how I got this place and xtrememiners removed.

you need to have concrete evidence as in someone actually got scammed...etc. everything posted here is based on speculation. If coinbase bans companies based on pure speculation, then i could have used this technique against my competitors. I could write up some stories and ban cointerra, bfl...etc.

This is detrimental to any new companies that actually wants to get into the business. Having said that, real scammers ought to be punished severely.


Title: Re: Phoenix Technologies - Another ASIC pre-order scam?
Post by: sushi on November 28, 2013, 02:44:12 AM
Guys, Relax!

I was in Hong Kong last week.  Cab Ride wasn't cheap  >:(  At least for now, all we can say is, "This Company EXIST!"  Right now, I don't have any juicy stuffs like BitMain's AntMiner but once I get more details, I might be able to say, "Get Ready TO BUY"

Until Then, this is our review opinion at this time...

"This Company EXIST!  DO YOUR DILIGENCE BEFORE PLACING THE ORDER!"



They do have English Speaking Reception Lady there, too.


Title: Re: Phoenix Technologies - Another ASIC pre-order scam?
Post by: minternj on November 28, 2013, 02:50:18 AM
Even if they aren't a scam, they are about get get sued by the actual phoenix technologies.

http://www.phoenix.com/


Title: Re: Phoenix Technologies - Another ASIC pre-order scam?
Post by: descarte on November 28, 2013, 02:54:38 AM
Guys, Relax!

I was in Hong Kong last week.  Cab Ride wasn't cheap  >:(  At least for now, all we can say is, "This Company EXIST!"  Right now, I don't have any juicy stuffs like BitMain's AntMiner but once I get more details, I might be able to say, "Get Ready TO BUY"

Until Then, this is our review opinion at this time...

"This Company EXIST!  DO YOUR DILIGENCE BEFORE PLACING THE ORDER!"

They do have English Speaking Reception Lady there, too.

This doesn't prove they are not scammers. They company could exists today, grab all the bticoins and disappear tomorrow. It happened before.


Title: Re: Phoenix Technologies - Another ASIC pre-order scam?
Post by: sushi on November 28, 2013, 03:00:32 AM
Yes, that's why our review only inform you that the company does exist, but the buyer needs to do his/her own diligence before committing to the pre-orders.

Depends on where you are located in the world, Pre-Order could be seen as a method of investment.  We as the buyer knew at the time we place the order, the company didn't have the item and for a while in the near future as the product is under development.  ASIC world, there are so many things that could go wrong. Some would recover from those shock and some go belly up.  It's a risk you take, when you sign up for the pre-orders. (Never invest money you can't afford to lose!)

Yes, we came across another company that they actually existed, but one of them we have to say, "Contact Local Law Enforcement before placing any orders to research any fraud reports or validated loss."

But Remember, they could be sued but in a bit different rules than US or EU area...  Hong Kong's own governing government but still influenced by China.

Guys, Relax!

I was in Hong Kong last week.  Cab Ride wasn't cheap  >:(  At least for now, all we can say is, "This Company EXIST!"  Right now, I don't have any juicy stuffs like BitMain's AntMiner but once I get more details, I might be able to say, "Get Ready TO BUY"

Until Then, this is our review opinion at this time...

"This Company EXIST!  DO YOUR DILIGENCE BEFORE PLACING THE ORDER!"

They do have English Speaking Reception Lady there, too.

This doesn't prove they are not scammers. They company could exists today, grab all the bticoins and disappear tomorrow. It happened before.


Title: Re: Phoenix Technologies - Another ASIC pre-order scam?
Post by: Phinnaeus Gage on November 28, 2013, 03:04:24 AM
Yes, that's why our review only inform you that the company does exist, but the buyer needs to do his/her own diligence before committing to the pre-orders.

Yes, we came across another company that they actually existed, but one of them we have to say, "Contact Local Law Enforcement before placing any orders to research any fraud reports or validated loss."

But Remember, they could be sued but in a bit different rules than US or EU area...  Hong Kong's own governing government but still influenced by China.

Guys, Relax!

I was in Hong Kong last week.  Cab Ride wasn't cheap  >:(  At least for now, all we can say is, "This Company EXIST!"  Right now, I don't have any juicy stuffs like BitMain's AntMiner but once I get more details, I might be able to say, "Get Ready TO BUY"

Until Then, this is our review opinion at this time...

"This Company EXIST!  DO YOUR DILIGENCE BEFORE PLACING THE ORDER!"

They do have English Speaking Reception Lady there, too.

This doesn't prove they are not scammers. They company could exists today, grab all the bticoins and disappear tomorrow. It happened before.

Who is our and we?

Quote
Shipping first batch mid-november 2013


Title: Re: Phoenix Technologies - Another ASIC pre-order scam?
Post by: sushi on November 28, 2013, 03:13:42 AM
Who is our and we? = Dedicated World Travelers who are VERY Interested in Bitcoin and would like to protect/warn many others from experiencing what happened to many in 2012 and 2013 Pre-Order deals.

We couldn't validate the following statement on their website...  

Quote
Shipping first batch mid-november 2013
[/quote]


Title: Re: Phoenix Technologies - Another ASIC pre-order scam?
Post by: edgar on November 28, 2013, 05:48:43 AM
bullshit, fake & endorsed by a charlatan...




https://i.imgur.com/WOoc9EL.jpg


Title: Re: Phoenix Technologies - Another ASIC pre-order scam?
Post by: delta11965 on November 28, 2013, 08:01:13 PM
Even if they aren't a scam, they are about get get sued by the actual phoenix technologies.

http://www.phoenix.com/

Its the same company Phoenix technologies has been doing a sic reasrch for years thats how they ended up making miners. The hong kong facility is just for production, I've called both the US and china offices and the had my father in law Have his investment firm look into it and he called me back the same day and said They are one in the same. Im not trying to sell anyone on this just let you know what i've done to look into it. I've spoke on the phone a half dozen times and have over 30 email in the last 2 months dealing with their sales rep Xaio and the only thing that made me nervous was the extended ship date. Then he told me to wait and see after they come out if I'm having any second thoughts. They will only let you purchase 2-3 products or cloud mining per person and they won't sell to any reseller or do they want their miner on ebay selling for 10 times what its worth, the whole point of what they are doing is to provide a low price with high hash for the regular consumer while benefitting their asic research. As soon as them today or tomorrow I'm paying them for 2 X4 units so I will let everyone know what happens good or bad. Btw they will not give an exact day but i will tell you not that long.


Title: Re: Phoenix Technologies - Another ASIC pre-order scam?
Post by: minternj on November 28, 2013, 09:35:16 PM
Even if they aren't a scam, they are about get get sued by the actual phoenix technologies.

http://www.phoenix.com/

Its the same company Phoenix technologies has been doing a sic reasrch for years thats how they ended up making miners. The hong kong facility is just for production, I've called both the US and china offices and the had my father in law Have his investment firm look into it and he called me back the same day and said They are one in the same. Im not trying to sell anyone on this just let you know what i've done to look into it. I've spoke on the phone a half dozen times and have over 30 email in the last 2 months dealing with their sales rep Xaio and the only thing that made me nervous was the extended ship date. Then he told me to wait and see after they come out if I'm having any second thoughts. They will only let you purchase 2-3 products or cloud mining per person and they won't sell to any reseller or do they want their miner on ebay selling for 10 times what its worth, the whole point of what they are doing is to provide a low price with high hash for the regular consumer while benefitting their asic research. As soon as them today or tomorrow I'm paying them for 2 X4 units so I will let everyone know what happens good or bad. Btw they will not give an exact day but i will tell you not that long.

I call scam . Done with this thread.


Title: Re: Phoenix Technologies - Another ASIC pre-order scam?
Post by: descarte on December 02, 2013, 07:12:02 PM
ok, I just checked their website and it seemed down for more than 3 days already. bitcoinminingcenter.com no longer has an IP address, meaning no more website and email support.

I really hope that we don't have another scammer in this field.


Title: Re: Phoenix Technologies - Another ASIC pre-order scam?
Post by: Quora on August 02, 2014, 06:44:07 PM
Can anyone donate to the victims?

If yes, please PM me.

Thanks


Title: Re: Phoenix Technologies - Another ASIC pre-order scam?
Post by: RoadStress on August 02, 2014, 08:07:30 PM
Can anyone donate to the victims?

If yes, please PM me.

Thanks

Because?


Title: Re: Phoenix Technologies - Another ASIC pre-order scam?
Post by: Quora on August 02, 2014, 09:21:51 PM
Because I'm one of them and have finally decided to ask for help. When did people start hating on victims?


Title: Re: Phoenix Technologies - Another ASIC pre-order scam?
Post by: RoadStress on August 02, 2014, 09:36:22 PM
Because I'm one of them and have finally decided to ask for help. When did people start hating on victims?

It's not hating, but since when did this forum start supporting people that got burned by scams?


Title: Re: Phoenix Technologies - Another ASIC pre-order scam?
Post by: Quora on August 02, 2014, 10:43:05 PM
It's everywhere all the time, even here in some threads, especially after MtGox happened. But I see why there are also more and more scammers everywhere. It's because still too many people don't have ANY humane compassion towards other human beings, especially those who experienced in fact very professionally conceived theft in this case. It was a very intricate scam. So those scammed individuals who don't receive any help become the new scammers and bullies. But nevermind, I just wanted to see the reactions. If you comment in that way obviously without intentions to help in any way whatsoever, it is in fact hateful. You could have just ignored my post.


Title: Re: Phoenix Technologies - Another ASIC pre-order scam?
Post by: RoadStress on August 02, 2014, 10:47:51 PM
It's everywhere all the time, even here in some threads, especially after MtGox happened. But I see why there are also more and more scammers everywhere. It's because still too many people don't have ANY humane compassion towards other human beings, especially those who experienced in fact very professionally conceived theft in this case. It was a very intricate scam. So those scammed individuals who don't receive any help become the new scammers and bullies. But nevermind, I just wanted to see the reactions. If you comment in that way obviously without intentions to help in any way whatsoever, it is in fact hateful. You could have just ignored my post.

The scams happen because people don't do proper research before sending money, not because there is no compassion towards scammed people.


Title: Re: Phoenix Technologies - Another ASIC pre-order scam?
Post by: jimmothy on August 02, 2014, 10:52:34 PM
We've all been scammed once or twice.

You just look cheap asking us to pay for your failure to do due diligence and playing the victim card.

PS: if anyones giving money to "victims" ill gladly accept your money for doing nothing.


Title: Re: Phoenix Technologies - Another ASIC pre-order scam?
Post by: Quora on August 02, 2014, 11:21:04 PM
It's way more complex than that.

When it comes to Phoenix Technologies I researched them in detail, for a few months, many other people and companies checked their background, discussed everything with them, I exchanged cca 50 emails with them asking questions and not only everything seemed great but they were also very professional. Different than MtGox e.g. That's why everyone says it was an unbelievably intricate scam with real victims, yes real victims in this case, not only gullible people new to this whole ecosystem. They also managed to trick Coinbase who were really sorry about it in the end. I'm too busy now to say anything more about all this.

Thanks for your insights.