where do I post about trades gone bad?

tdawgg · #1 03-30-2012, 12:08 PM

I traded with a user (actually a "guest" account) named "xxxxxxxx". I sent him a 04 Peavey Cirrus, in excellent condition, in a Peavey HSC, for what he stated was a Warmouth 5 string J Bass. He approached me on here via the "for sale" forum, by PM. He sent me a photo of his bass, which on the surface, looked like a good deal for both of us. He stated that his bass was worth $900, and asked if I would consider the trade + $300. I offered the trade and $150, and he accepted. I have done deals on here before( a couple, but not trades) and had a good experience. I did not ask for more photos, or check his "trader rating", so shame on me.

What I recieved after shipping my bass to him (at a $110 freight expense) was the bass in the photo he sent (no picture of the headstock, just the body and partial neck), in two pieces (he unbolted the neck and sent it in a separete "tube", and told me AFTER mine had been shipped), and when it arrived, the headstock on the neck was a...well, for lack of a better term, abortion (excuse me if I am not being PC with that adjective). The headstock had obviously been a "fender style" 5 string 4+1 type ( I think, it was butchered so badly it is really hard to tell), with "new" holes drilled into it for different size tuners and the top of the headstock cut off where one of the original mounting holes had been (he explained in his original description that it had "carvin tuners", which it did..he neglected to tell me the headstock had been butchered to install them). The nut was obviously some kind of home-made brass monstrosity, and the body cavity had 4 knobs, one of which had a bent shaft, and was wired to nothing.One of the Carvin tuners was broken, and they had all been unscrewed, and were "flopping around" on the butchered headstock, and no mounting screws were in either package. He also said he would include a gig bag, which he did not. Very obviously, I got f**cked..

So, I immediately opened a dispute with PP, in hopes that I at least get my $ back. I attempted to contact this "guest", but got the message that "This user does not accept private messages". Unfortunately, and shame on me again, I have no phone number, just a email address (for PP payment) and the address to where the bass was shipped.
I also immediately posted a "warning" post in the classified "basses for sale section", which after three pages of response, was removed...this is what I am having a hard time understanding. All I was trying to do was warn people that there is a guy on here ripping people off. Indeed, another user posted that he was in the process of a trade with this guy, and I am hoping he was able to get his bass back before he had the same experience that I had.

I didn't get any kind of PM from the TB staff has to why my post was moved or removed, and I guess I should go back and look at the terms of agreement. I have been a contributing member, and , again, I was simply trying to warn anyone who may be a potential victim of this guy. I lost a nice bass, got a POS in return that I will now have to spend $ on to make it into any kind of a playable insturment. I know I am not the first guy to get "scammed" and I am sure I won't be the last, but please,Mr. Moderator, give us some kind of a forum to let people know who is doing this type of BS on your forum
Thanks for reading, and please don't make the same kind of mistake that I did..

gigslut · #2 03-30-2012, 06:22 PM

Somebody was just telling me what a safe and hassle free, and rewarding place this was to shop.

It seems you let your guard down, perhaps lulled into a false sense of security because after all, this is the brotherhood of bass players' site.. Had you been trading on any other forum, would you have been so trusting? Or would you have insisted on more and better pictures?

I wouldn't buy any bass without seeing a headstock photo. You are probably kicking yourself for that.

If it's any consolation, you may have recourse through paypal, but only for the difference you paid. You do have a ship to address, right? Can you track him down that way?

carl h. · #3 03-30-2012, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gigslut

Somebody was just telling me what a safe and hassle free place this was to shop.

Trading with long term membership, not new or guest members.

tdawgg · #4 03-30-2012, 06:46 PM

I have had a couple good experiences here, and I guess I had felt pretty secure. All I am saying is be careful and do your due diligence.

sleepy_monkey · #5 03-30-2012, 11:47 PM

When trading:
A) always get a phone number and talk to them on the phone
B) whoever has the lowest feedback needs to ship first IMO unless they have very established feedback
C) ask for pics of everything

Sorry this happened. Threads are taken down all the time and while I understand I also think there should be a 'call out forum' for instances like this.

Sucks!!!!

bongomania · #6 03-31-2012, 12:14 AM

The question of why your other thread was closed is something that only the mods can answer, and (by their rules) only via PM with them, not in an open thread.

I know you've already said "shame on yourself" a few times... but really--a trade with a guest account with no feedback? Most foolish thing I've heard all week. Sorry man, that's the truth.

This forum is an excellent, and FAR safer than average place to do trades and other deals. But common sense and basic precautions are still required!

tdawgg · #7 04-01-2012, 02:33 PM

So, "Tralalala" (his real name is Evan Smith, and I hope I don't get bumped from here for disclosing that) refunded the $150 I paid him via PP, but I am still stuck with a bass that I need to buy a neck for..oh well, at least I got something back...and, advice well heeded about not trading with someone with a "guest" account...I never even thought to look.

Johnny Alien · #8 04-01-2012, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tdawgg

So, "Tralalala" (his real name is Evan Smith, and I hope I don't get bumped from here for disclosing that) refunded the $150 I paid him via PP, but I am still stuck with a bass that I need to buy a neck for..oh well, at least I got something back...and, advice well heeded about not trading with someone with a "guest" account...I never even thought to look.

Since he refunded your money he must admit that he was wrong in some capacity right? What was his reason for not trading back? That is what an honest member should do.

tdawgg · #9 04-01-2012, 07:26 PM

I don't know what his reason is...appearantly he has a bit of a consience, but not enough to give me my Cirrus back and take his POS back from me.