Santoku Knifes.UK presents themselves as an authentic Japanese knife retailer, but in reality, they engage in dropshipping and source their products from AliExpress. They employ a deceptive marketing strategy, featuring famous chefs, including those from MasterChef, to create an illusion of authenticity and trust. However, the knives they offer are nothing more than cheap Chinese replicas. When I discovered this, I immediately contacted Santoku Knifes.UK on August 4, demanding the cancellation of my order. They responded promptly, assuring me that my concern would be escalated to upper management. On August 5, they claimed they would request a refund on my behalf, giving me a glimmer of hope. Unfortunately, that hope was short-lived. Despite my bank's real-time refund notification feature, I received no notification regarding the refund from Santoku. This raised suspicions, which were confirmed on August 7 when I received an unauthorized charge attempt. Thankfully, I had disabled international transactions to protect myself, preventing the fraudulent charge. Out of frustration and disappointment, I left a one-star review on August 7, expressing my experience. Astonishingly, just 18 minutes later, Santoku Knifes.UK contacted me, completely sidestepping the issue of the unauthorized charge. Instead, they focused solely on requesting the removal of my review, displaying a lack of accountability and professionalism. In an attempt to find a fair resolution that would benefit both parties and minimize further inconvenience, I proposed specific terms to Santoku Knifes.UK. These terms included a clear explanation for the unexplained charge, a satisfactory clarification regarding the lack of communication, and a gesture of goodwill in the form of their abalone knife set sent to me at no cost. Unfortunately, they outright denied my proposal. Despite providing them with undeniable proof of the charge they attempted to make, Santoku Knifes.UK refused to admit their fraudulent actions. It became clear that engaging further with a company that knowingly attempted to defraud me would be a waste of time. While I eventually received a refund on August 10, the distress caused by Santoku Knifes.UK's deceptive practices, lack of transparency, and unprofessional conduct cannot be ignored. I strongly caution all of you in the chefknife community against doing business with this store. There are reputable retailers out there who genuinely offer authentic Japanese knives and value customer satisfaction over deceitful tactics. Please learn from my experience and be cautious when considering any purchases from Santoku Knifes.UK. Stay vigilant and protect yourselves from falling prey to their deceptive practices.