reverb.com scam?

[Khrist92]

This is the one that seems a little phishy

More than a little. They don't even say what it is they're referring to - I've gotten this same exact message on multiple items (all basses though - never pedals or amps).

 

[Kevin Hailey]

Hello,

I am in contact with a seller on reverb.com. I contacted him following an ad that seemed to have been there for 10 months. He answered me via reverb's messaging service and suggested to continue on his personal email because, according to him, the reverb costs are too expensive and he decided not to go through them anymore. This seller has been on reverb for 2 years and has 168 reviews on reverb and all positive ...

He seems to know the gear, I offer him 20% less, he's ok a priori and ok for a PayPal transaction. The deal would be outside of reverb.com

What are the risks?
An opinion ?
Thanks

Look up Reverbs “community rules”
Clear violation of their policy.

 

[FenderP]

I get what you're saying though reading the OP's post the ad had been up 10 months , doesn't look like the Reverb connection is VFM.

Value for money has no relevance here. From OP:

I am in contact with a seller on reverb.com. I contacted him following an ad that seemed to have been there for 10 months. He answered me via reverb's messaging service and suggested to continue on his personal email because, according to him, the reverb costs are too expensive and he decided not to go through them anymore.

If you end your listing on Reverb without it being sold via their system, here's what you see

They were messaging via Reverb's system. Reverb would still be due their ounce of flesh. Now, if they had only messaged outside of Reverb and it happened to also be on Reverb, different story not unlike when I've sold things here or elsewhere that also were listed on Reverb. Can Reverb prove it's not true it was sold elsewhere to a non-interested Reverb party? No, but that's scammy on the seller and buyer.

Remove your ad or play by the rules.

 

[Dave montreal]

Thanks for your comments
First as buyer, I would prefer doing the deal through reverb.com than in direct with the seller.
This is the third weird seller since I am looking for this bass...
What I find strange it is if I offer 20% less than the price he was asking, it should be more than reverb fees...

 

[g-dude]

If you want to remove the uncertainty, just send me the money. I can honestly promise you will receive nothing in return - not even a thank you note.

Or you can do business with this guy where you really don't know what's going on. Maybe you get something. Maybe you don't.

Your choice.

 

[ProbablyTooLoud]

Avoid

 

[Dave montreal]

???

meaning he is ok

 

[db59]

Most times if you put phone numbers or emails in Reverb messaging it will get "flagged"........ happened to me early on with Reverb.

 

[BobDeRosa]

He's misusing Reverb. I wouldn't do business with him.

 

[vvvmmm]

.
What I find strange it is if I offer 20% less than the price he was asking, it should be more than reverb fees...

 

[Wilmingtonian]

WOW. Everyone is so quick to call foul.

Seller has it listed on Reverb, could be the usual stupid price tag or maybe a bargain. OP makes their 20% less offer and it's accepted. If the bass was at a bargain price then the seller is now down 20% for the offer and down Reverb and any other fees; can't say I blame them for looking to step away from the platform.

Calling foul because it's foul.

 

[two fingers]

So doing the deal "around" Reverb is "sketchy". That said, if you do, please use regular PayPal and NOT F&F. At least you'll have some sort of protection there.

 

[GregT]

Simple. It is a dishonest thing to do for both the seller and the buyer.

 

[Knavery]

If you get screwed over, you'll have deserved it. The guy is using Reverb to advertise what he's selling, but doesn't want to pay them their fair share? If you're OK with that, just don't be surprised if it comes back to bite you in the ass.

 

[JazznFunk]

Nope. A user knowingly encouraging you to finish a deal outside of the very platform they're using to sell it to 'avoid fees' is a classic scam tactic, and it's just dishonest even if it's not a scam. If you're willing to do that to save 20%, then be ready to lose 100%.

 

[JazznFunk]

So doing the deal "around" Reverb is "sketchy". That said, if you do, please use regular PayPal and NOT F&F. At least you'll have some sort of protection there.

Even using PP isn't guaranteed protection if something gets mis-delivered or lost. There are a few horror stories of scams floating around where items were 'shipped' and the seller has 'delivery confirmation', but all that was shipped was an empty box to a location close to the buyer and 'delivered'. If the seller produces basic proof of 'shipment' and 'delivery', and yet you never receive the item, PP may not refund you in the event of a scam like that because, as far as they are concerned, the seller has proof of the shipment and 'delivery' and it's a done deal.

 

[Rolling Thunder]

Nope!

 

[skycruiser]

Probably not only sidestepping fees but also trying to evade taxes. Lots of that going on these days.

 

[ThunderV]

i would do it as long as he didn't ask you to send the money as "friends and family".......that would give you no protection as the consumer.

 

[kodiakblair]

Calling foul because it's foul.

Do you mean Etsy's business practises ?

If so I quite agree.