Booze ruse? PLCB warns against using online liquor store claiming to be in Pittsburgh

PITTSBURGH — The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) has a new warning if you plan to buy alcohol online. The PLCB is sounding the alarm on a very questionable liquor website called OneStopBourbons.com and its storefront that claims to be based in Pittsburgh.

“It looks legit. I’ll say that,” said Lisa Paige of Pittsburgh.

Lyle Wood of Pittsburgh agreed.

“If it sounds too good, it generally is,” Wood said.

The state liquor control board is warning people to stop using the site.

“It’s unfortunate,” said Mike Domach of Bloomfield. “I always be skeptical.”

Channel 11 called the listed number but couldn’t get through. The call kept showing as “user busy.”

Channel 11′s Antoinette DelBel then drove to 5956 Centre Ave. in Shadyside, the address listed on the site, but a Fine Wine & Good Spirits store is at that location, not a One Stop Bourbons storefront.

The PLCB, which runs Fine Wine & Good Spirits stores, said they are not associated with them.

“They’re essentially impersonating someone else,” said Caitlin Driscoll, the public relations director for BBB of Western PA.

The Better Business Bureau gave the business an F rating after 20 complaints all said customers never got their order. Some people were out more than $300.

In one complaint, a person wrote, “No answers to email. Phone is busy all the time. This site is a scam.”

Another person said in all caps, “Please do not purchase anything from this fake business.”

Driscoll said to pay attention to the fine details of a website.

Some information in the “About us” section on OneStopBourbons.com raised concerns about the legitimacy. Additionally, some of the links didn’t even work.

“If you try to click on the website’s Instagram icon, it’s actually a broken link,” Driscoll said. “Does the information listed make any sense?”

With more people shopping online, especially during the holidays, Driscoll urges people to do their research.

“If a phone number is listed, try to call it,” she said. “If an email address is provided, send an email. Look for a physical location for the company and do a search on Google Maps.”

Those who were deceived by the business might be able to get their money back for the order if they used a credit card. According to the BBB, you can file a dispute and request a refund through your credit card company.

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