The rarest TB-ers... Swindle... scammer ?

Crockettnj · #1 03-07-2010, 06:06 AM

I've done a bunch of transactions on TB, more so that any other sight, and I have found it's members to be extremely trustworthy as a whole.

I'm curious, has anyone on this forum ever been scammed, screwed, stiffed, or otherwise not paid for a classified sale?

( aside from the BigMikeW debacle)

It works on the honor system in the end... what did you do?

FL Knifemaker · #2 03-07-2010, 06:59 AM

Never a problem that wasn't easily worked out.

coreyfyfe · #3 03-07-2010, 07:01 AM

Never. I was really hesitant to do any type of trade transaction for exactly this reason, but at one point I ended up trading a bass for another bass plus cash (in the form of a check in the case no less). Worked out well for all involved.

Do as much due diligence as you can and make sure you feel comfortable with the deal. That's pretty much all you can do/ask for. I try to stick with paypal for anything and everything that can be done that way.

mike_v_s · #4 03-07-2010, 07:26 AM

None, yet, but I've done more on ebay and several on Bassgear without a hitch, either. I think all three have their potential for scamming and I suspect TB is probably the place you're least likely to get jammed right now, but it has had it's share of problems. Most (if not all) of those threads in the past have gotten shut down. I still remember a few names (I used to keep a list), but have since lost them.

Off the subject (sorta), but have you guys noticed that there seem to be a few people whose only real reason for being here is selling gear? I don't know why, but that sorta sits wrong with me. It's liek the cousin that shows up at your family reunion only to sell his AWESOME NEAR MINT insurance.

Mike

FL Knifemaker · #5 03-07-2010, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike_v_s

Off the subject (sorta), but have you guys noticed that there seem to be a few people whose only real reason for being here is selling gear? I don't know why, but that sorta sits wrong with me. It's liek the cousin that shows up at your family reunion only to sell his AWESOME NEAR MINT insurance.

Mike

Yes, always selling rarely buying. Does it bother me? Not really. They pay their membership and operate within the rules and maintain a good feedback rating.

**john turner** · #6 03-07-2010, 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike_v_s

Off the subject (sorta), but have you guys noticed that there seem to be a few people whose only real reason for being here is selling gear? I don't know why, but that sorta sits wrong with me. It's liek the cousin that shows up at your family reunion only to sell his AWESOME NEAR MINT insurance.

Mike

well, not all of these folks are here only to sell gear - a lot of them lurk all over the place, just don't feel like posting.

i can understand some folks not wanting to buy from or sell to folks without any kind of posting history, though - i don't think i would want to either.

varunkapahi · #7 03-07-2010, 07:47 AM

never had any bad experiences at all really though i wouldnt too deal with people who dont have much posting history at all

FL Knifemaker · #8 03-07-2010, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by john turner

well, not all of these folks are here only to sell gear - a lot of them lurk all over the place, just don't feel like posting.

i can understand some folks not wanting to buy from or sell to folks without any kind of posting history, though - i don't think i would want to either.

I always wonder where they get their endless supply of gear

Also, in this slow economy they must be getting it at a real bargain to make all the effort worthwhile.

burk48237 · #9 03-07-2010, 07:56 AM

I've bought and sold here many times and with the exception of Chef and one other guy almost everyone I've done business with has disappeared after. But I've never had a problem with a transaction. I actually bought a Geddy Lee from Tim Cole on Ebay (buy it now), I knew it was Tim because of the pictures with the Cow hide SVT cab. I've had a couple of transactions go bad on Ebay as a buyer (not delivered in anything approaching a timely fashion), but my TB transactions have been totally trouble free.

ehque · #10 03-07-2010, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FL Knifemaker

I always wonder where they get their endless supply of gear

Also, in this slow economy they must be getting it at a real bargain to make all the effort worthwhile.

Some people here like tombowlus, john turner, and CTbirdsong could probably operate a bass shop and not need to resupply for 5 years.

Haven't had any experience about buying and selling on TB, but it looks like an upstanding group to me.

I am glad the donations policy was changed, the whole BMW thing left quite a sour taste.

your idol · #11 03-07-2010, 08:12 AM

My TB transactions have been great! i have also bought stuff off ebay from tbers unknowingly until the transaction was complete. its a rad place but i do like if not a little bit of buy/sell history at least some posting history.

santucci218 · #12 03-07-2010, 08:22 AM

haha, yeah man. I sold my ipod on here just to realize afterwards that it was a co-worker that I had sold it to!

No, i never had a problem. It's like we all respect each other and know how life is, ya know? Like, guy knows i only get paid at the end of the month, but he knows i really want it, so he sets it aside for me and takes it off sale. I love it!

FL Knifemaker · #13 03-07-2010, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ehque

I am glad the donations policy was changed, the whole BMW thing left quite a sour taste.

Huh??

**john turner** · #14 03-07-2010, 08:31 AM

also, not to rain on the love parade, but there have been a few really bad situations - one in particular, where a guy from italy sold an instrument to someone pretty well known on talkbass and sent it to him after having only been paid less than half of the cost. he never got any more payment, and the guy subsequently tried to call the seller a liar to everyone involved, including me, and subsequently paul, when we tried to get involved to resolve the issue ammicably. the dude had actually ended up selling the instrument a couple weeks after he got it, and didn't even tell the original seller in italy. dude ended up ripping him off for 1000 bucks. needless to say he's not a member here anymore, and his business affiliation that he had that had lent him unearned credibility is also now at an end.

the secret is, do not send until paid in full. even according to the UCC if someone is not a commercial/business entity, if they give someone an item after receiving money for it, it is considered legally sold - handshakes or emails promising to continue paying don't hold water.

FL Knifemaker · #15 03-07-2010, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by john turner

also, not to rain on the love parade, but there have been a few really bad situations - one in particular, where a guy from italy sold an instrument to someone pretty well known on talkbass and sent it to him after having only been paid less than half of the cost. he never got any more payment, and the guy subsequently tried to call the seller a liar to everyone involved, including me, and subsequently paul, when we tried to get involved to resolve the issue ammicably. the dude had actually ended up selling the instrument a couple weeks after he got it, and didn't even tell the original seller in italy. dude ended up ripping him off for 1000 bucks. needless to say he's not a member here anymore, and his business affiliation that he had that had lent him unearned credibility is also now at an end.

the secret is, do not send until paid in full. even according to the UCC if someone is not a commercial/business entity, if they give someone an item after receiving money for it, it is considered legally sold - handshakes or emails promising to continue paying don't hold water.

Why would someone send HALF payment??

Also, if payment was sent in any other manor besides paypal, there wouldn't be much recourse in an international transaction. I ship internationall several times per month. The only way I ship internationally is via Fedex insurred at full value using the CUSTOMERS Fedex account, payment via paypal. If the customer (buyer) has no Fedex account, they're out of luck.

BluesMan845 · #16 03-07-2010, 08:38 AM

Initially, I was apprehensive about selling or buying but stick to Paypal and make sure the seller/buyer has a paypal account and uses their verified shipping address. At least you have a level of protection built in from Paypal.

I think there is a really good system in place here and it's set up so that anyone that does try any funny business would be outed right away so it's in the best interest of the forum users to stay honest.

Disraeli Gears · #17 03-07-2010, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FL Knifemaker

Why would someone send HALF payment??

Also, if payment was sent in any other manor besides paypal, there wouldn't be much recourse in an international transaction. I ship internationall several times per month. The only way I ship internationally is via Fedex insurred at full value using the CUSTOMERS Fedex account, payment via paypal. If the customer (buyer) has no Fedex account, they're out of luck.

I assume (could be wrong--I knew nothing of the whole ordeal until just now) that it was one of those "pay half now and half when I get the bass" things.

**line6man** · #18 03-07-2010, 08:45 AM

The way I look at it, a TB member has to pay at least $20 to become a supporting member if he is posting in the classifieds.

With that being said, I doubt that the average scammer wants to spend money in order to have a chance and ripping someone off...

bassteban · #19 03-07-2010, 08:54 AM

I was taken for $15 once for some straplocks that never arrived; the TBer *dissapeared* afterward- I'm guessing he hit a few at the same time, racked up nearly a hundred in ripoffs and ran. Yay. Not worth pursuing, & I can't recall the dude. A couple of years ago.
One guy sent me an amp in very substandard packing, as well as totally dragging his feet in shipping & being very UN-communicative. I gave him a positive feedback but also went into my gripes a bit(in a completely mature manner, I think); he never left me any feedback, good or bad. Oh well.
I am considering a deal right now w/a new member; he actually joined to respond to my Warwick FS ad, so I'm a bit cautious- although I'm the seller so I'm not sure how he could scam me.

bongomania · #20 03-07-2010, 08:58 AM

There have been a half-dozen publicly-discussed ripoffs on TB that I can recall over the last five years. In one case it turned out the "scammer" was not really a crook, but a young kid who got in over his head with some teenage problems, and panicked and "vanished". He later made it up to people here, or at least tried to.

So far the vast majority of my transactions here have gone honestly and honorably. There were two times when an item that was described as "mint" or "excellent" condition turned out to have some damage (from use, not shipping); I was new here though, and the sellers were (are) established TB regulars, so I didn't say anything--I was nervous about retaliation.

Now I'm one of the established regulars, so I'll speak up if something isn't quite right; but I can imagine there were/are probably more cases like me where people felt intimidated to complain, early on.