Old 01-28-2009, 02:21 PM
  #1  
Scorpion1110
Senior Member
RACING JUNKIE
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Standing right behind you
Posts: 1,151
Default The Economy has no Conscience - Scams and Scammers

Folks, be vigilent. As the economy gets worse and everyone is tightening their belts I am getting amazed at what I see.

People that I have known and dealt with for quite a while not fulfilling deals. Making empty promises. Screwing buddies and friends over a few bucks. Have had it happen to me twice in the last three months-formerly good friends.

People with good reputations not sending promised items and not responding to emails or phone calls.

Example: Just bought a bead roller from a very reputable parts guy on another site- took 4 weeks to get the item after he begged for a rush payment and he left out the set of Ogee dies he promised. I had to push him hard to cough up the merchandise. He didnt send the dies.

I guess what I am trying to say is when the good guys start behaving questionably, what do you think the scammers are going to do? I bet every one of you has an email inbox filled with Nigerian Lottery Notifications.

So what can you do? Heres a few things to try:

1) When you buy a car or part off the Internet, print the whole add same day you make the deal- it will put the date in the lower corner and you will have pictures and wording.
2) Send your payment registered mail or better yet certified-that will give you a signature of receipt.
3) Take the time to write a letter or note outlining the deal, your name, their name, the price and the check or money order number, sign and photocopy.
4) Take a copy of your check or money order.
5) Insist that the seller offer insurance, get the price and pay for it-It saves you a ton of grief when your item gets "lost".
6) Get a written confirmation of what is included in the deal- get it in writing that you are getting everything pictured. It might help when you take him to court.
7) Lastly before you jump the gun because you are all excited about the item, look for user feedback to see if the selller actually shares DNA with pond scum.

And lastly, Ask Beast477 if the seller is on his list!

As for my bead roller issue? Well he lost out on the 364 naihead he was jonesing on- The one going in his wife's hot rod. I expect she will nag him all the way to his spot in Hell.

Just some thoughts.

Scorp
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