2. misc-audio
  3. 192736-198341

Beware, scammers everywhere

Man, it just doesn’t stop.   I list an amp here, and immediately get a response.   Some back and forth on price, then it gets fishy.  “My partner and I will overnight the payment, we just need name and address.  Refuses PayPal, will only send from his/her bank.  All this over text, which should have been the first clue.  
I suspect the next thing would have been “we accidentally sent the money twice, can you send it back to us?” or something similar.  Been down that road before.   

None of this was due to the Audiogon platform, scammers find a way to get pretty much anywhere and everywhere.  If it seems fishy, run away.   
 

128x128winerocks
mickeyb
584 posts
 

Dayglow, this is with out of country buyers. I also pay through Zelle and pp friends and family with sellers that have great feedback. Never been scammed. They’ve all been complete gentleman. I’ve done at least 20k this way. Buyers only hold the ace card if you’re desperate to sell which I never am. 

jetter
3,040 posts
 

@cohicks4

Turns out AGON and I had a discussion about it and this is a known scam.  Once you get the money in your bank and the item is picked up by their service it’s retracted from your account...and it’s now a theft scam

Interesting, I'm curious how the buyer can gain access and retract money from your account?

carlsbad2's avatar
carlsbad2
1,713 posts
 

Funny in this thread:  sellers will take nothing but zelle,  pp friends and family, cash and buyers say they will never pay with zelle, pp friends and family, cash....both think they are right.

My take:  as both a buyer and a seller,  I have never made a significant audio sale or purhase that wasn't done with a cash equivalent.  No fees.  I sent over $10K cash equivalent for a DAC once to a guy I met on ebay.  this was after we did a lot of interacting and I was sure he was legit.

Jerry

inagroove
130 posts
 

Another TIP...

When considering a private-party purchase, I ask the seller to provide the items SERIAL NUMBER, when applicable.  

Scammers hate this question because it allows potential buyers to verify the item is REAL, and usually, what retailer the item was originally shipped to for sale.

I always call the manufacturer and/or the retailer to confirm the item's identity.  As a bonus, the manufacturer usually tells me which, if any, upgrades are appropriate.

Just this week, a I was looking at a potential upgrade.  The seller refused to forward the preamp's serial number.  He also insisted that payment be via direct deposit.  Bothe are Red Flags for me...

I hope this this is useful...

dayglow
1,940 posts
 

Buyers should only purchase when they have some type of financial protection. Trusting an unknown person does not elevate your human status. FWIW used audio gear is a dime a dozen that's why it sells for 1/3 retail.

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