W0BKR
03-04-2008, 12:53 PM
I was approached by this individual with multiple alias's regarding the purchase of a radio back in Jan 2008. Unknownst to me, or I forgotten, this individual was written up some time back and banned on QTH.COM.
To make a long story short, this individual stated that I should consider my equipment sold (to him) and that money order was going out the next day. I am a very patient individual and waited. A day or so later, an e-mail received stating payment had been sent was received. Again, I waited a week or so to see if the money order was actually sent just to give this character the benefit of the doubt. Nothing. In fact, no responses to any e-mails inquiring about same. Nothing. That clinched it for me. Scam.
Here are a couple of the e-mails:
I will get a MO out today or tomorrow so please consider it sold.
Hi
Just making sure you got my email confirming the MO went out today?
Well, you guessed it. Nothing received (or sent) in the mail. No communication as to any delay, problems, etc. Nothing. In fact, I sent numerous e-mails asking about whether he actually mailed the money order or not, just to play it safe. I figured with the multiple identities I was being presented, big RED FLAG. Something didn't smell right. I have yet to deal with anyone that uses e-mails with alternate names, no phone number, no full name up front, etc. Just too many inconsistencies with this individual. Is this person who he even says he is? Why the constant name/alias changing?
Sure enough. E-mails ceased; no responses to inquiries about payment, etc.
I found out subsequently this character was banned off QTH.COM for similar experiences in the past. Evidently, he resurfaced thinking all was forgotten. I noticed a similar pattern with some others that have recently resurfaced on QTH and QRZ.Com. Good thing some individuals are alert or have good memories!
It is interesting that this individual is posting bogus remarks without substantiation, but did not have the time available to respond to countless e-mails regarding "was payment sent", "never received payment", etc. One would think if purchased something you would be looking for it to be shipped shortly and respond to an e-mail regarding a potentially lost money order. I know I would be sincerely concerned if my money may have been lost in the mail. But then again, you would have had to have mailed it to start with. Hi.
I usually give someone the benefit of the doubt and assume the best in an individual. However, lying about sending funds and then never responding to inquiries about same, is one major red flag. If a person is truly on the up and up, you don't have to hound them about whether or not they sent you funds, you don't have to question whether they are telling you thr truth when they state "sent them money" for something when you haven't received. That is a scam I have seen repeated so many times and have seen individuals scammed out of fine gear, left holding an empty bag.
NEVER, NEVER send anything unless you have your funds in hand, no matter how "nice or polite" someone may appear. You have the right to wait until receipt of funds and verification it is authentic. If not, you are takinga major RISK.
Anyway, beware of any proposals to purchase your gear from Alex, Carl White, HiFiMan, LoveHiFi, Zenadia Colon, etc. All are suspect. Proceed at your own risk.
We all have to we wary of individuals that do not present themselves up front and honestly. I wasn't about to send gear to someone without the funds in hand first.. That is a common thread in scams I have read on here and elsewhere. Because someone stated "Money order went out today", don't believe it until you have it in hand, cashed and verified as authentic. I have bought and sold gear for years and never operated under the presumption that "something in the mail, is actually in the mail" until I receive it.
We have to be careful and alert of such predators.
PS: Typo in title. Should read Love Hi Fi (not Hi Hi)...
To make a long story short, this individual stated that I should consider my equipment sold (to him) and that money order was going out the next day. I am a very patient individual and waited. A day or so later, an e-mail received stating payment had been sent was received. Again, I waited a week or so to see if the money order was actually sent just to give this character the benefit of the doubt. Nothing. In fact, no responses to any e-mails inquiring about same. Nothing. That clinched it for me. Scam.
Here are a couple of the e-mails:
I will get a MO out today or tomorrow so please consider it sold.
Hi
Just making sure you got my email confirming the MO went out today?
Well, you guessed it. Nothing received (or sent) in the mail. No communication as to any delay, problems, etc. Nothing. In fact, I sent numerous e-mails asking about whether he actually mailed the money order or not, just to play it safe. I figured with the multiple identities I was being presented, big RED FLAG. Something didn't smell right. I have yet to deal with anyone that uses e-mails with alternate names, no phone number, no full name up front, etc. Just too many inconsistencies with this individual. Is this person who he even says he is? Why the constant name/alias changing?
Sure enough. E-mails ceased; no responses to inquiries about payment, etc.
I found out subsequently this character was banned off QTH.COM for similar experiences in the past. Evidently, he resurfaced thinking all was forgotten. I noticed a similar pattern with some others that have recently resurfaced on QTH and QRZ.Com. Good thing some individuals are alert or have good memories!
It is interesting that this individual is posting bogus remarks without substantiation, but did not have the time available to respond to countless e-mails regarding "was payment sent", "never received payment", etc. One would think if purchased something you would be looking for it to be shipped shortly and respond to an e-mail regarding a potentially lost money order. I know I would be sincerely concerned if my money may have been lost in the mail. But then again, you would have had to have mailed it to start with. Hi.
I usually give someone the benefit of the doubt and assume the best in an individual. However, lying about sending funds and then never responding to inquiries about same, is one major red flag. If a person is truly on the up and up, you don't have to hound them about whether or not they sent you funds, you don't have to question whether they are telling you thr truth when they state "sent them money" for something when you haven't received. That is a scam I have seen repeated so many times and have seen individuals scammed out of fine gear, left holding an empty bag.
NEVER, NEVER send anything unless you have your funds in hand, no matter how "nice or polite" someone may appear. You have the right to wait until receipt of funds and verification it is authentic. If not, you are takinga major RISK.
Anyway, beware of any proposals to purchase your gear from Alex, Carl White, HiFiMan, LoveHiFi, Zenadia Colon, etc. All are suspect. Proceed at your own risk.
We all have to we wary of individuals that do not present themselves up front and honestly. I wasn't about to send gear to someone without the funds in hand first.. That is a common thread in scams I have read on here and elsewhere. Because someone stated "Money order went out today", don't believe it until you have it in hand, cashed and verified as authentic. I have bought and sold gear for years and never operated under the presumption that "something in the mail, is actually in the mail" until I receive it.
We have to be careful and alert of such predators.
PS: Typo in title. Should read Love Hi Fi (not Hi Hi)...