Better Business Bureau of Southern Arizona is alerting consumers to Blade Empire- an online knife and sword retailer with ties to Tucson- that has racked up 64 consumer complaints since 2010.

In the complaints- 51 of which the company has not answered- consumers allege they never received merchandise they ordered from Blade Empire, or they received incorrect or incomplete orders. In addition, consumers have reported that Blade Empire customer service became extremely hostile towards them when they inquired about their orders.

When contacted by BBB about their unanswered complaints a Blade Empire representative said that there was confusion as to how to properly answer the complaints, and blamed most of the complaints they had received on “impatient people.” The representative also claimed that the company is actually based in Ukraine.

Multiple consumers who contacted BBB said that Blade Empire began using profanities, and threatened them when they emailed the company to inquire about their orders. In email exchanges obtained by BBB, Blade Empire used numerous epithets to belittle and threaten the consumers, and refused to provide the consumers with the requested status update on their orders.

To date the company has not taken steps to rectify the pattern of complaints they have received, while racking up more complaints than any other Southern Arizona business so far in 2013.

The company has used several Tucson addresses to receive mail over the years- most recently 3849 E. Broadway Blvd, but is incorporated in Nevada, and employs customer service representatives in Ukraine. The owner of the company legally changed his name from Michael Lopez to Thayvian Zayon before incorporating Blade Empire in Nevada, but still appears to be using the Lopez alias in recent videos uploaded to Youtube.

BBB Tips for shopping online:

• Beware of too-good-to-be-true deals. Offers on websites and in unsolicited emails may offer free or very low prices on hard-to-find items. There may be hidden costs or your purchase may sign you up for a monthly charge. Look for and read the fine print.
• Verify the online retailer’s track record. Visit www.bbb.org to verify that the company you’re considering ordering with has a good track record when it comes to not only shipping their orders in a timely manner, but also in resolving any customer complaints.
• Pay with a credit card. Under federal law, you can dispute the charges if you don’t receive an item. Shoppers also have dispute rights if there are any unauthorized charges on the card, and many card issuers have zero-liability policies if someone steals and uses your card number. Check your credit card statement regularly for unauthorized charges. Never wire money.
• Keep documentation of your order. Save a copy of the confirmation page of an order or emails confirming the order until you receive the item and are satisfied.
• Obtain a tracking number for shipments. If you need the product before the holidays, find out when the seller intends to ship it and if possible, how it will be shipped. The tracking number can help you find a lost order.
• Know your rights. Federal law requires that orders made by phone, mail or online be shipped by the date promised or within 30 days if no delivery time was stated. If goods aren’t shipped on time, shoppers can cancel and demand a refund. Consumers also may reject merchandise if it is defective or was misrepresented.

For more information about Blade Empire or other online retailers, consumers can visit www.tucson.bbb.org or call (520)888-5353.

With baseball season now in full swing, be sure your tickets are the real deal. Buying on the secondary market can be useful for non-season ticket holders, occasional fans, or those making a last-minute decision to head to the ball park. But how do you know if the tickets are real?

BBB asked the National Association of Ticket Brokers (NATB), a group whose members offer a 200% guarantee on tickets that don’t arrive in time for a game, concert or show. NATB says buying from one of their authorized ticket brokers is the safest way to purchase resale tickets for Major League Baseball.

BBB of Southern Arizona and NATB offer the following tips for safe ticket purchasing:

1. Check out the seller/broker. Look them up on bbb.org and check to see if they are a member of the NATB.
2. Know the difference between a ticket broker (legitimate and accredited reseller) and a ticket scalper (unregulated and unlicensed ticket seller).
3. Check the ticket broker’s refund policy. Only buy from a ticket reseller that provides clear details about the terms of the transaction.
4. Always use a credit card so you have some recourse; never use cash.
5. Always ask for section, row and seat number to avoid obstructed view seats or seats that do not exist.

Also, feel free to ask questions to make certain you get all the answers you need to feel comfortable with your ticket purchase.

Talent and modeling agencies that specialize in children are continuing to attract the interest of parents. Some of this attention is likely fueled by reality TV programs that highlight kids. Better Business Bureau of Southern Arizona warns parents that some of these agencies take advantage of parents’ pride and use emotions, rather than practical expectations, to gain clients and obtain payments for their services.

BBB cautions parents and others to remain objective when evaluating opportunities and to be very careful when signing contracts. It recommends all agreements be in writing.

“Child modeling can be something parents are easily get drawn into,” said Kim States, BBB President. “They see this as an opportunity for their child, one that could make money and even fame, so too often they get overcome with excitement. This can cloud their judgment and they may fail to look at the reality of the situation or read a contract with a clear head.”

For individuals who are approached by talent or modeling agencies BBB recommends:

• Do Your Research – Arizona requires a talent agency or modeling school to be licensed and bonded; confirm the company meets those requirements. Always check the company out with the Better Business Bureau of Southern Arizona by visiting www.tucson.bbb.org
• Beware of Big Promises and High Pressure Sales Pitches – In the modeling world, income is never guaranteed and jobs can be sporadic. Consider it a red flag if the sales pitch promises many jobs and big earnings or uses high pressure tactics to get you to sign up. If the offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
• Read the Fine Print and Get Everything in Writing – Take time and read the agreement or contract carefully, paying close attention to details regarding refunds and options if dissatisfied. Make sure that all verbal promises are in the agreement.
• Complain if You’ve Been Ripped Off – If you feel you’ve been misled by a modeling or talent agency, file a complaint with your BBB at www.bbb.org

For more advice on finding businesses and services you can trust, visit www.bbb.org