Thought I'd start a list of hardware retailers that are actually SAFE to buy from, as well as a list of BAD sites i know to be scams...Scammers come up a lot on these forums, but usually scammer warnings are kind of scattered, and it's hard to find the info you're looking for.
It's a real shame too, because there are some honest trustworthy hardware companies that would see a lot more success if they were easier to find.
LEGIT LIST - SAFE AND TRUSTWORTHY
Bitmain and Baikal -
(obviously) direct from manufacture is always the best way to go, but make sure you are ACTUALLY dealing with the manufacturer. Scammers have contacted people with fake Skype addresses pretending to be Baikal.
Eastshore.xyz - I thought I might actually get Shanghaid from a company IN Shanghai, but my experience (and many other posters) has been great so far. Still waiting on my L3+s (set to ship in August), but I ordered a PSU from them, just to test them out. It arrived quickly (considering the origin), nicely packed, great customer service. They're also pretty reasonably priced.
BITCOINTALK GROUP BUYS - I'm new to the forum group buys, so please forgive my ignorance. Some respected members will arrange group buys of new hardware to get a favorable price, access to rare miners or both. I only know of 2 trusted members,
Bittawm - Legit
kilo17 - Legit
PLEASE add any and all members you've dealt with and personally trust. BE ADVISED - Scammers be lurking. People will pretend to be trusted members, creating similar screen names, ~bittawm instead of bittawm as an example, then private message people with the wrong bitcoin address. I saw somebody lose 9k in btc that way.
Always look to see a member's status as an indicator of their trustworthyness. If their status is Hero or Legend, that's a great sign... if they're a newbie...LIKE ME
then proceed with caution, or retreat with haste...
QUIT LIST - SCAM - NOT SAFE - WILL STEAL YOUR MONEY
AS-Shops.su - They are not at their listed address. I called another company in that building, and they had never heard of them before.
Metrobitcoinminer.com - I was looking for a Blessinghash Scrypt miner (which I now know is skunkware), and stumbled upon this site. Decided to test them out, ordered the cheapest thing they sell, never received anything.
UNKNOWN - below sites seem legit, but I lack any personal experience. any input would be greatly appreciated
51ASIC.RU - this site has pretty good social media presence (facebook, youtube videos), but I haven't ordered from them yet. It's hard to find anybody who has... and if you do, they usually speak Russian, which diesn't really help. has ANYBODY here ordered from them?
BITBAZA -same deal, russian company, seem legit, but I don't know... they supposedly just sold out of a bunch of ibelink pre-orders. If anybody here paid them, please let us know if they arrive.
holybitcoin.com - I think i read some favorable posts on another thread. site seems legit, but they just sell out of everything.