BE CAREFUL with WTB posts

[bloke]

I'd like to take this moment to remind everyone that no matter how many times we can ban that same scammers, Do NOT buy anything from ANYONE, that happens to join the forum and PM you the same day saying they have exactly what you want in your WTB posts.

They steal photos from ebay and other sites and mail them to you, and claim to have what you need. Be very careful, always ask for extra photos, and NEVER remove your buyer protection from Paypal by sending money as "friends and family"

Just... Don't.

if someone happens to PM you and you are suspicions, forward the PM to me

Mark

[bort2.0]

Side note: it's always something like "hey, Johny just got one of these in. Contact him at..."

That dude has everything!

[bisontuba]

Wise words indeed....

[bloke]

Also, don’t be afraid to flag posts that might be suspicious from people that show up and start listing random items for sale.

[Boomer]

I participate in a firearms forum, and this is the biggest scam we have.

You can list the most obscure item imaginable, and within minutes you get an email from someone whose friend 'Harry" has that very part.

[SteveP]

You can list the most obscure item imaginable, and within minutes you get an email from someone whose friend 'Harry" has that very part.

Happens all the time on Craigslist too. Be careful!

[York-aholic]

But does he have a left handed muffler bearing?

[Mary Ann]

What I have done that was effective was to request to get on Zoom while they show me the item of interest. I recently bought a tuba from someone here (not a new member but someone who has been on here for a long time, but STILL -- I wanted to make sure of what it was since I'm not going to pay shipping just for a playtest.) We got on Zoom, he played it for me and showed me what I needed to know to my satisfaction, everything went smoothly, and I have my Eb tuba.

Another tuba that I DIDN'T buy was one offered on Facebook, but when it came time to show it to me on Zoom, it was always "tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow" and "just send me $400 bucks and your shipping address." There was even a "friend" who came in and said yeah he's a good guy, I'm familiar with the tuba, and it's a good one... but no Zoom. Um -- nope. I really like the Zoom idea; if they have it, they can show it to you in real time, and if they are a real tuba player, they can play it for you in real time. And if it is your Zoom, you can record it and have it as evidence should the need arise, and most will not be so brazen as to get on Zoom, play it for you, take your money, and then not send it. Even if it's not your Zoom you can still at least somewhat record it with your phone looking at the computer screen. And if they won't / can't, they are scamming you.

[iiipopes]

More than all the above, everyone must remember that a WTB post is an invitation to negotiate, not a done deal. You are not obligated until you positively commit. As above, if you post, and you get a response, do all your due diligence first before committing to buy. Then in this internet age, use a payment vehicle that will back you up if the transaction goes awry.

[the elephant]

That dude has everything!