Most individuals learn early on that if a deal is too good to be true, it’s probably a scam. The rise of online deal websites throws a wrench in that concept. It’s now possible to buy goods at unbelievable price reductions, making it difficult to determine whether the deeply discounted item you’re looking at is for real.

It’s natural to be wary of newly discovered bargain websites. People who are short on cash or on a tight budget are more inclined to turn to deal and coupon websites to get more for their money and unfortunately, may expose themselves to fraud. Scammers are aware of bargain hunting efforts and use clever methods to prey on unsuspecting consumers by stealing credit cards or personal information for identity theft.

How do you know if the new laptop advertised for half price is legit? This guide will provide a detailed look at the deal website Blinq, one of the most popular sources for bargains, to help you decide if it is a trustworthy place for your next online shopping experience.

What Is BLINQ?

Blinq is an e-commerce store that provides customers with “feel-good savings” on a large number of products. Its parent company is Optoro, a U.S. business that specializes in processing online returns for major retail stores.

Optoro noticed that the retail stores it handled returns for were struggling with what to do with the growing amount of overstock and returned items, and eventually discarded them. Optoro decided to capitalize on the issue by reselling the products for rock-bottom prices.

Purchasing an item from BLINQ not only saves you considerable money but helps the environment, too. That’s where the feel-good factor of shopping with BLINQ comes in — many of the products, which in most cases are in good working condition, won’t end up in landfills.

Some of the product categories you could buy on BLINQ include:

• Clothing and accessories for men, women, children, and babies;
• Beauty products, personal care items, and cosmetics;
• Home and garden products including furniture and accessories;
• Auto parts;
• Fitness and outdoor equipment including exercise equipment, camping gear, and sporting goods;
• Electronics such as computers, laptops, phones, televisions, and gaming equipment;
• Toys, books, music, and video games.

Products come and go quickly. To find the best prices for thousands of items, shoppers check in with the deal website regularly. Click on the BLINQ Hot List and you’ll find a curated list of best sellers. A quick look at the Hot List showed a stainless steel Apple Watch that’s regularly $649 for $227.59 — 65% off the regular price.

Is BLINQ Legit?

Reviewing BLINQ’s disclosures and third-party reviews shows that BLINQ is legitimate. If you’re unsatisfied with a product, the company has a 30-day return window for a refund. The return process appears to be fairly straightforward:

• Contact customer service by email about the product within 30 days of purchase;
• Request a return merchandise authorization (RMA);
• You’ll receive an email with a free return label you can print out to send the item back;
• Once the item is received, a full refund will be processed within one to two days.

BLINQ is accredited with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and has earned an A-plus. The grade is not given to the company by customer reviews — it’s earned through an independent evaluation by the BBB and based on how responsive BLINQ is when resolving customer complaints.

If you have an issue with a product you’ve purchased through BLINQ and haven’t been able to get an answer from the company, filing a BBB complaint will likely get BLINQ to respond to the problem with an explanation or solution — their A-plus rating is at stake if they don’t.

Customer opinions about BLINQ from independent review sites are mostly positive, but there are a few recurring customer complaints worth knowing about if you do choose to purchase items from the deal website:

• Search results for specific products may return unrelated items, creating a distracting experience and making it hard to find certain products and stay on budget;
• The product photos aren’t always pictures of the item being sold but a general photo of the product from the manufacturer;
• Returning or receiving a refund for defective products can sometimes be difficult;
• Some product warranties (for electronics and computers) are not honored by the manufacturer;
• Items delivered are sometimes inferior, refurbished, or older models and not “new” as advertised when ordered. Make sure the model and specs delivered match what was advertised — several customers call out BLINQ for using bait-and-switch tactics.

Pros and Cons of BLINQ

Weigh the following to decide if shopping with BLINQ works for you.

Benefits

• Low prices and a Best Price Guarantee;
• A variety of payment methods available including all credit cards, PayPal, and Amazon Pay;
• Delivery is typically fast;
• Huge catalog of discounted products in nearly every category available.

Drawbacks

• Watch for products delivered being inferior to what you ordered;
• If there’s a problem, BLINQ customer service is only available by email;
• Delivery to U.S. addresses only;
• The product catalog is large and disorganized, making it sometimes difficult to find specific products.

Is BLINQ Right for You?

BLINQ is a good option when you’re on a budget and in search of significant savings. As with any kind of shopping online, it’s best to do your research before you click to buy. You have 30 days to return an item for a refund — make sure you’re happy with what you receive and it matches what you ordered or reach out to BLINQ customer service within the return timeframe to send it back for a refund.

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