Is this safe?

vman71 · « **on:** 8 Feb 2008, 02:35 pm »

A guy wants to buy my amp and I've said that I only will accept a bank or postal money order. I've also said that I will not release the amp until payment clears.

The part that is bothering me is that this person wants to be able to pick it up via his "courier."

Something doesn't sit well with me.

What do you guys think?

BrianM · « **Reply #1 on:** 8 Feb 2008, 02:42 pm »

Is the courier named Vinnie?

Les Lammers · « **Reply #2 on:** 8 Feb 2008, 02:43 pm »

It will save you the hassle of shipping and possible damage. Just meet the courier at a public place.

woodsyi · « **Reply #3 on:** 8 Feb 2008, 02:47 pm »

I would get the courier to stop at the bank on the way to cash the cashier's check and bring cash. Until I have either cash or money in my bank, I wouldn't release the amp because I wouldn't trust those MOs and CCs.

MaxCast · « **Reply #4 on:** 8 Feb 2008, 03:07 pm »

Quote from: woodsyi on 8 Feb 2008, 02:47 pm

I would get the courier to stop at the bank on the way to cash the cashier's check and bring cash.

Excellent idea.

vman71 · « **Reply #5 on:** 8 Feb 2008, 05:49 pm »

Thanks guys.

I sent the potential purchaser a follow-up email. I'll see what answer he comes back with.

I just don't trust when they don't have a (good/positive) history on Audio Circle or Audiogon. I'm just going to be very cautious, don't want to be burned by a scammer.

I do agree with meeting in a public place for security reasons. I'll bring my friend with me, who's a police officer.

DaveC113 · « **Reply #6 on:** 8 Feb 2008, 06:35 pm »

Cash only for these type of deals... did the guy offer to send you a check/mo for more than it's worth, and you give the extra to the courier? Thats a common scam, they get your item plus a bunch of cash...

Dave

nathanm · « **Reply #7 on:** 8 Feb 2008, 06:42 pm »

Just remember if anything goes down, get next to one of their guys. If there's a sniper, he'll be afraid to shoot his own guy.

vman71 · « **Reply #8 on:** 8 Feb 2008, 10:33 pm »

No offer for any extra money, just what I asked for. The things that bothers me is the whole "my courier will come pick it up" line.

If this does go down, I'll have it take place in front of my credit union, so I can have them immediately check the authenticity of the cash.

As I'm ex-Air Force special operations and my buddy is ex-Army special operations (and now law enforcement), we'll be ready.

JimJ · « **Reply #9 on:** 8 Feb 2008, 11:04 pm »

I've went through intermediaries before, when shipping to someone overseas and they have a contact here in the States that can receive it, test it, and handle the international shipping.

But I've never gotten that line before

JimJ · « **Reply #10 on:** 8 Feb 2008, 11:05 pm »

Quote from: BrianM on 8 Feb 2008, 02:42 pm

Is the courier named Vinnie?

Hey, if he brings cannoli, I'm set.

mjosef · « **Reply #11 on:** 9 Feb 2008, 01:02 am »

Even cash can be fake...be sure to have one of those bills checker. aa

Rasta · « **Reply #12 on:** 9 Feb 2008, 03:37 am »

If it smells bad walk away. Listen to your smarter self.

For every new scam, there's always a first victim. If it is a fair offer, there will be another.

kck · « **Reply #13 on:** 11 Feb 2008, 07:26 pm »

Don't do it. See the comment before mine. The facts below are not like yours but can give you an idea of what strange stuff is out there.

I once sold expensive speakers on Agon to a local who had some, but not a lot of fb on Agon. As they were large I much preferred local. He kept me going with stories about not having all the money, but he sends me 1/4 of the money each week. For real. When the money's all there I tell him to come get the goods.

Then he says he's busy and his friend will come instead. I say no dice... you email, you agree, you pay, so you need to pick up. Gives me a song-and-dance about not trusting him. Says he's hiding it from his wife and the friend is going to "gift" him the speakers in front of her. I say tough, no friend; if you can lie to your wife you can lie to me.

Eventually he comes and gets them and I have him sign for them, which I would not ordinarily do but given his shenanigans to date, I felt justified. Maybe there would have been a problem with the friend, maybe not; I wasn't going to find out. Sold the speakers but am not doing that again, too stressful.

vman71 · « **Reply #14 on:** 12 Feb 2008, 08:06 pm »

I've sent the potential buyer my stipulations for purchase with no deviations:

1. His courier is to meet me in a public shopping area, where I will get either cash or bank money order payment in full.
2. I will then take it to my credit union to have them verify and deposit the funds.
3. If they clear with no problems, I will then go back to the courier to give them the product.

This way, I don't give out my personal address and the deal is done in a public place. I also recieve payment in full, with the funds cleared, and then the courier gets the product.

I'm in no way pressed to sell, so I don't care if they don't agree to my terms. I know that I'm good with over 50 perfect & positive transactions on A'gon and positive transactions here on AC.

DaveC113 · « **Reply #15 on:** 12 Feb 2008, 08:13 pm »

Just say NO to the bank money order. They are very easy to fake, and your bank is not necessarily responsible for verifying it on the spot. They may actually refuse to give you a guarantee, and they can take the money back out of your account later. Cash is much harder to counterfeit, and your bank should be able to verify its authenticity on the spot.

Dave

jazzcourier · « **Reply #16 on:** 12 Feb 2008, 09:31 pm »

As one who has made a variety of unusual purchases and sales over the years i have found this interesting.For in person sales accept only cash.Go get one of those pens that will test whether a bill is good or not.Public place with a buddy along is a good idea.Have your buddy hang out a few feet away and you work out a code if you feel uncomfortable,you put your hand in your back pocket if you need help.Always arrive early to scope out the scene and see if HE has a "buddy".90% of the time your premonitions are wrong to be paranoid.That 10% will get you though.Insist on cash.As they say money talks,BS walks.Good Luck,this is a hobby and is supposed to be fun!

Tweaker · « **Reply #17 on:** 12 Feb 2008, 09:35 pm »

I'd find someone else to sell to.

nathanm · « **Reply #18 on:** 12 Feb 2008, 11:40 pm »

I sold some speakers to someone here once, he was a perfectly nice guy and it went smoothly and everything, but we made the exchange in a hotel parking lot. It seemed like we were doing something shady, even though it wasn't.

Okay that's not entirely true, he did offer me some black market Shakti Stones once he was convinced I wasn't an undercover cop. But I just said no and ran home and told my mommy. No way I'm gonna get hooked on that junk! Were also both driving white vans which made it extra creepy. But they weren't white van speakers I promise!

vman71 · « **Reply #19 on:** 22 Feb 2008, 01:36 pm »

I just wanted to give you guys a quick update:

In short, the deal never went down. After I gave very specific details about how the deal was going to be done with no deviations, the person never emailed back.

I'm always suspicious when people say they're going to use a "courier."

Another scammer stopped! Man do I hate them and wish we could do more in stopping them.