Better Business Bureau (BBB) advises consumers to use caution when doing business with DariusCooks, LLC, a Georgia-based company that is an online retailer of cookbooks, apparel, and accessories, and the business’ owner Darius Williams. Over 70 consumers reported to BBB that the company failed to deliver products ordered by their customers, did not provide requested refunds, did not communicate reasons for shipping delays and provided poor customer service.

DariusCooks, LLC has an “F” rating, the lowest on BBB’s rating scale, due to recent unanswered complaints.

Sherrica B., a Minot, North Dakota woman, told BBB that she placed an order with DariusCooks, LLC for two physical cookbooks. On April 6, 2021, she received a notification that a shipping label had been created. According to the customer, a month went by with no word from the business.

“I emailed the business to ask the whereabouts of my order, and I received no response,” she told BBB. “I called the post office, and they said they hadn’t received the items.”

Sherrica shared with BBB a timeline of her attempted correspondence with DariusCooks, LLC regarding her order. “On May 19, 2021, I sent a follow-up email to which I received no response. On June 1, 2021, I sent another email which again received no response. On June 8, 2021, I sent a message to his Facebook business page and didn’t receive a response there either.”

“I commented on a post about someone having the same issue I was having, and he blocked me on Facebook,” Sherrica told BBB. “I would like my funds back, and I would like my cookbooks.”

A resident of Honolulu, Hawaii, Amber W., placed an order for two cookbooks from DariusCooks, LLC in March of 2021. She told BBB that a few weeks later, a label was created, but USPS never received the package containing the two cookbooks.

“I reached out by email to DariusCooks, and I got a response apologizing and said he would mail out personally himself,” she told BBB. “It’s been another 2.5 months, and I haven’t received anything. I have sent another seven emails that haven’t been responded to.”

Consumers have also reported to BBB issues with “Dining With DariusCooks,” which are events promoted on the ShopDariusCooks.com website as a “Premier 7-course Dining Experience.”

In May of 2021, Sonya T. of Montgomery, Alabama, contacted BBB about her experience when purchasing tickets for one of these events. “I purchased a ticket in October 2019 for Dining With Darius,” she said. “The event was scheduled for May 2020 in Huntsville, but due to Covid-19, it was rescheduled to December 2020. When December came, the event was canceled again.”

Sonya told BBB that it was at this point that she began emailing the business for a refund. “I emailed in January and February and got no response. Finally, in April, I received an email saying he had another dining event in 2021 and I would have the first choice, but he needed the order number from the original purchase in October 2019. I no longer had the emails from October 2019 that contained the order number. I was told I couldn’t get a ticket to an upcoming event, nor could I get a refund without the order number.

“He emailed me and said, ‘hey I know I owe u but I can’t give u anything without the order number.’” Sonya told BBB. “He acknowledged owing me but refused to refund me with some nonsense about an order number.”

“The bank will only do a reversal if the purchase is within two months of purchase, so I’m out $175.”

A Lawrenceville, Georgia, woman advised BBB that she purchased tickets for a “Dining with Darius” event on April 17, 2021, but immediately needed to receive a refund for her tickets. When she couldn’t find the confirmation for her order, she was told she could not be refunded.

“I have sent him my credit card statement showing the transaction,” she told BBB. “He says he cannot use that. I have searched on his site, and there is no way for me to locate my previous transactions.”“He says he cannot refund me because he cannot locate the transaction, but I have shown it to him, and I had to enter my name to purchase the tickets.”

According to information on the Georgia Secretary of State’s website (https://ecorp.sos.ga.gov/BusinessSearch), DariusCooks, LLC’s registered agent is United States Corporation Agents, Inc. The business was registered with the Georgia Secretary of State but was served a Notice of Administrative Dissolution/Revocation on June 17, 2019. Per the Georgia Secretary of State, the business registration was dissolved in August 2019. While the business is no longer actively registered with the Georgia Secretary of State, it appears to be in operation. The business’s website is functional, and Mr. Williams is active on social media promoting DariusCook’s products and “Dining with DariusCooks” events.

Attempts to reach DariusCooks, LLC and its owner Darius Williams for comment failed. The business did not respond to BBB’s correspondence seeking the company’s voluntary cooperation in responding to the unanswered complaints and eliminating the patterns of complaint.

BBB offers these tips for safe online shopping:

  • Shop with a credit card. In case of a fraudulent transaction, a credit card provides additional protections; it’s easier to dispute charges you didn’t approve or get your money back if there is a problem. Debit cards, prepaid cards, or gift cards don’t have the same protections as a credit card.
  • Keep documentation of your order. Save a copy of the confirmation page or email confirmation until you receive the item and are satisfied. Know and understand the return policy and keep this documented with your purchase records. According to the FTC, when you shop online, sellers are supposed to ship your order within the time stated in their ads or within 30 days if the ads don’t give a time. If a seller can’t ship within the promised time, they have to provide you with a revised shipping date, with the chance to either cancel your order for a full refund or accept the new shipping date.
  • Know the advertiser. Some of the best deals are only available online, but be careful. It’s easy for a fake site to mimic a famous retailer’s website, so make sure you shop with a legitimate site. If the site is missing contact information, that is a red flag. Check out retailers at BBB.org before you shop.
  • Check a site’s security settings. If the site is secure, its URL (web address) should start with “https://” and include a lock icon on the purchase or shopping cart page.
  • Be a savvy shopper. When shopping online, be sure to take your time and read the fine print before submitting your order. Look for the return policy; although many online orders can be returned for a full refund, others have restocking fees. Some items cannot be returned; know before you buy.
  • Protect personal information. Read a site’s privacy policy and understand what personal information is being requested and how it will be used. If a site doesn’t have a privacy policy, that’s a big red flag that it may be a scam.
  • Think before you click. Be especially cautious about email solicitations and online ads on social media sites. Many sketchy retailers advertise great deals or trendy clothing that doesn’t match the promotional hype.
  • Beware of too-good-to-be-true deals. Offers on websites and 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.
  • Beware of phishing. Phishing emails can look like a message from a well-known brand, but clicking on unfamiliar links can place you at risk for malware and/or identity theft. One popular scam claims to be from a package-delivery company with links to “tracking information” on an order you don’t remember making. Don’t click!
  • Keep a clean machine. Install a firewall, anti-virus, and anti-spyware software for network security. Check for and install the latest updates and run virus scans regularly on your computer, tablet, and smartphone.