2. misc-audio
  3. 152009-110964

Beware: New (at least to me) scam being run on Audiogon members

First, let me say that Audiogon's swift response to my having notified them of the scam was exceptional. They immediately took down the scammer's account. The problem is that it could easily be repeated by this individual or anyone else at any time.

Yesterday, at the suggestion of a friend, I posted a WANTED post on USAudioMart for a very hard to find but relativity inexpensive item that I have unsuccessfully sought on Audiogon for almost a year. Within hours of posting there the scammer set up a new account on Audiogon and contacted me (I have the same user name on both sites) to offer me that very item. This person was knowledgeable enough to offer me the separate power supply by model number as well as the item I was seeking, which is scary in itself. The communication was very well spoken so there was nothing suspicious on its face. The time stamp on their communication incidentally indicated they were in the UK time zone, a fact Audiogon verified to me.

When I contacted Audiogon they were very pleased to be informed of this as they then discovered that the new "member" scammer had contacted 7 other Audiogon members with similar proposals. I want to point out that Audiogon responded to me in minutes of my reaching out to them through the normal website contact system. In this day and age of endless phone center number pressing to end up nowhere and automated email responses with "we'll get back to you within 72 hours" I found this to be very gratifying and commendable on Audiogon's part. 

I never see anyone comment on something else that I feel is worth mention that is separate but interesting to note in light of how this went down, so I will do so here. I have no idea how or why Greenville, SC was chosen or ended up being Audiogon's business location but, as someone who has spent a good deal of time there, I can honestly say that I know of no better location (I'm sure there are others as well) to find exceptional potential employees to hire. No regional bias. I live in AZ.

Thanks for listening.

Tony


skywachr
boxer12
8,656 posts
 
skywachr, Thank you for bringing this to our attention
+1 elizabeth 
cowan217's avatar
cowan217
112 posts
 
Don't see a sam here at all- no money changed hands, no product was sold, no transaction occurred yet the guy was reported as a scammer and shut down? I look on Audiomart and Superphonica all the time in addtion to Audiogon and often see items cross posted, similar items etc. and can easily imagine responding to someone looking for a specific item I have for sale.
testpilot
972 posts
 
Don't see a scam here at all- no money changed hands, no product was sold, no transaction occurred yet the guy was reported as a scammer and shut down?
 Multiple shots fired, no one hit, no harm done, no need to report it, just move along......
BTW, the OP did not cross post on Agon.
mmorrison55
32 posts
 
In all likelihood this was a scam, but it’s also possible the OP lost his chance to acquire what he has longed sought after. Also, to the other posters who asked “how do you know?” that was a valid question as well, and not the third degree. I read the OP and it was not clear to me what was being perpetrated. It’s easy enough to ask for photos or other means to verify the person has what is being sold, and if he’s unable to provide evidence of the item,  then the red flags should go up for sure. 
lou_setriodes's avatar
lou_setriodes
688 posts
 
I too, am not seeing the foul play here; however, it does pay to be vigilant none the less.

When I sell items on the USAM site, I specify that only USAM members only can contact me and notice at least 25% of people contacting me have newly registered that day, which is not an inspiring feeling, but it’s not a capital offense or scam either.  I simply ask for more references until I feel comfortable.

After a few exchanges where we discuss audio gear, etc, I feel much more comfortable dealing with this new member.  If ever in doubt, I’ll get a phone number and I’ll have a conversation with the prospective buyer or seller.

Ive purchased many audio items from Craigslist’s in far away cities and after speaking with those people; I’m super comfortable with the transaction and things have gone very smoothly.

Perhaps if we go back to picking up the phone and having conversations with prospective buyers and sellers, the experience will be more enjoyable and these paranoid posts of I think I got I was getting scammed here but not really because I didn’t lose any money could be eliminated.

Caveat Emptor, buyer beware, do your homework before you buy & sell, speak on the phone, do more in person transactions if possible & don’t judge others by a new account, and if it doesn’t feel right, don’t do it are the best solutions. 
More to discover