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possible amazon scam on Athlon scope

Shawnba67

So i was cruisin amaozn looking for the new 8x34 helos scope at the best deal, I find 2 options one looks like a normal seller the other is a brand new seller with a used one for $400 but it says to contact him before purchase. So i do since maybe its just do to his being new. I recieve this email in response to my Inquiry on the used like new scope. My BS detectors are on high alert!! What do you guys think did i just save my self $400 or loose out on a great deal??

Thanks for inquire - ATHLON HELOS BTR 8-34X56 FFP APMR FFP IR MIL
Reticle is Brand New, original box, sealed, never used, not scratches or
any problems, comes in the manufacturer packaging with 2 Year full
warranty and all manufacturer supplied accessories, US model. The total
price is $400.00, including all shipping and insurance fees to United
States / Canada. (1-3 business days).
The offer lasts in 7 days. Take advantage while the offer lasts.
If you want to buy, send me your phone number, full name, shipping
address and I will contact Amazon asap to process your order. Dispatch
is by normal UPS Services, which takes 1-3 days depending on where in
the US you are.

Return policy is full money back or replace the product, you can return
it for any reason at all within 30 days.


For more information don't hesitate to contact us!

Kindest regards!
 
If it's a used scope, how is it in a sealed box? I wouldn't touch it without a direct one-on-one conversation with the seller.
 
Just order directly from an Athlon dealer. There is a guy named Hogan on here who will get you a nice scope. I got two Athlon Argos BTRs from a dealer for $330 each, shipped. I wouldn't deal with that guy. The broken English is enough to scare me off.
 
Don't do it!!! Its a scam. I darnear fell for one of these some time back when i was looking for a scope. The bargain was too good to pass up. I sent the user an inquiry about the item and he emailed back with a very similar message to yours. I contacted Amazon as to how he was going to process the payment if he wasn't a vendor that didnt have a way to pay thru Amazon services. Amazon told me not to go thru with the purchase as if it was a scam they would not be able to cover any losses incurred. Because i was curious, i sent a message back to the vendor asking how to pay. His reply was to pay by amazon gift card, but, i had to forward all the pertinent info about the gift card to him via email. In turn I forwarded his email to Amazon and did not have further contact. Amazon sent me an email about a month later letting me know that it was indeed a scam. All verified Amazon sellers will have an account set up thru Amazon for purchasing. If they dont, just say NO and continue your search elsewhere. If and when in doubt, contact Amazon.

Shawn. Being a lurker for quite some time absorbing the vast knowledge base within this forum, its my hope that this being my first post, will save you that $$ to put it towards a successful and rewarding purchase.
 
OldnGrey said:
Don't do it!!! Its a scam. I darnear fell for one of these some time back when i was looking for a scope. The bargain was too good to pass up. I sent the user an inquiry about the item and he emailed back with a very similar message to yours. I contacted Amazon as to how he was going to process the payment if he wasn't a vendor that didnt have a way to pay thru Amazon services. Amazon told me not to go thru with the purchase as if it was a scam they would not be able to cover any losses incurred. Because i was curious, i sent a message back to the vendor asking how to pay. His reply was to pay by amazon gift card, but, i had to forward all the pertinent info about the gift card to him via email. In turn I forwarded his email to Amazon and did not have further contact. Amazon sent me an email about a month later letting me know that it was indeed a scam. All verified Amazon sellers will have an account set up thru Amazon for purchasing. If they dont, just say NO and continue your search elsewhere. If and when in doubt, contact Amazon.

Shawn. Being a lurker for quite some time absorbing the vast knowledge base within this forum, its my hope that this being my first post, will save you that $$ to put it towards a successful and rewarding purchase.
Click to expand...

Well you didn't waste your first post. Thank you
 
"says to contact him before purchase"

Yes, this is a scam. They want you to contact them first because they will make arraignments outside of amazon to take (steal!) your money.

Optics seem to be a very popular target for these arsehole scammers. In addition to shooting I also dabble in a little astrophotography. These scammers are always listing nice ED doublet and triplet refactors for half their normal price.
 
If you buy through Amazon are you provided any protection? If this guy was on ebay you just buy with ebay and pay with paypal and you're fully protected. --Jerry

PS Sometimes new items are sold as "used" to get around manufacturer's minimum retail price requirements.
 
carlsbad said:
If you buy through Amazon are you provided any protection? If this guy was on ebay you just buy with ebay and pay with paypal and you're fully protected. --Jerry

PS Sometimes new items are sold as "used" to get around manufacturer's minimum retail price requirements.
Click to expand...


If you buy through amazon, yes you are protected but notice they ask you to contact them directly before buying through amazon. This is so they can convince you into paying through some other means, outside of amazon. If you pay them through something like western union, then there is nothing amazon or anyone else can do.

Bottom line, if you see a price that's too good to be true.. and the seller is asking you to contact them directly before placing the order.. it's a scam.
 
I had the same experience on Amazon trying to buy Vortex Diamondback Binos. First he said new then it was used then I found out from another buyer he was advertising model & selling model!! Scams everywhere.

BW
 
If it doesn't say "fulfilled by Amazon" or another large reputable company you're just asking for trouble. I stick with "fulfilled by Amazon" 95% of the time and even avoid other well known companies even if it is a little more expensive buying directly from Amazon.

Shame on Amazon for not weeding out these bums.
 
sparky123321 said:
If it doesn't say "fulfilled by Amazon" or another large reputable company you're just asking for trouble. I stick with "fulfilled by Amazon" 95% of the time and even avoid other well known companies even if it is a little more expensive buying directly from Amazon.

Shame on Amazon for not weeding out these bums.
Click to expand...
 
This one smells like three day old fish.

However, if someone feels like risking $400 to save 20%, go right ahead. Sooner or later, there will be a scam and then all of your careful shopping goes down the drain.

I would deal only with reputable dealers or sellers (if you are compulsed to go the e-bay route). You might pay a bit more, but you will be able to hedge your bet on what you are purchasing.
 
I had the exact same type of interaction on Amazon with a X-Stand tree stand. More than half off. After I contacted them the listing was pulled. If it's not paid for through that Amazon site you have no protection. Messaged the seller and asked if he would relist back on Amazon and I would male the purchase. Never heard from the seller again.
 
Athlon Optics has strict rules for dealer pricing. The Helos line has suggested retail of $683.99 or $719.99 depending on if you go 6-24x 50mm or 8-34x 56mm. Dealer minimum pricing is enforced. There is some dealer pricing lattitude below the suggested retail. You may also find free shipping, no fee for credit card use, and other accomodations like repeat buyer discounts and trade-up allowance during 1st 30 days. I will also make a contribution to this forum in buyer's name.

The Amazon venue is a circus. Good sellers on there, but if a deal is too good to be true.... well, you know. I like to use Paypal as they have come through for me on several occasions. Even Ebay is more regulated and has buyer protections.

Should be able to check www.athlonoptics.com for a dealer near you. There is always Optics Planet and MidwayUSA; but they have their drawbacks, yet they are Athlon stocking dealers; while I am not. My sales are done factory direct unless I'm selling a demonstrator. I do not advertise Athlon product in the classified section. If you ever want to talk scopes or features maybe I can be of service?

Athlon Argos, Helos, Midas, Ares, Cronus are all packed wtih high-end features and quality built with Lifetime Transferable Warranties. Athlon and its dealer network want to save you money, but anytime you see a posted price for heavily discounted merchandise it should raise an alarm.
 
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