Buying from people you know... No guarantee...

[Emmett Dibble]

This top section is posted by Forum Boss

Forum Boss Posts THIS: 1. Need the name of the guy who failed to deliver.

2. The complaining buyer paid via PayPal Friends and Family.

F&F is FORBIDDEN TO USE HERE!!

THAT IS STATED ON TOP OF EVERY PAGE of CLASSIFIEDS.

IF YOU REQUIRE F&F payment your account will be banned.

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Original Text from Emmett Dribble starts here:
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So I've had a saga playing out and it looks like it's finally at an end.

I placed a WTB in a forum (not here) for a fairly specific accessory (Silhouette gun stock).

A guy I have shot several state matches with and have bought stuff from before answered my add fairly quickly on the private messages. Had exactly what I was looking for. Texted me several pictures (his number is in my phone under his name, and I recognize the stock from the last time I saw him, has a very specific sticker on it).

His price was reasonable, I PP f&f him the money plus $20 to help with shipping, he thanked me for the extra money and I didn't think anything else about it for a few weeks ( I know it is crazy but I am a busy person and stuff shows up when it shows up).

I text him, he says he hasn't had a chance to send it but will that week.

5 months later.... sent, lost, found, sent with a different carrier, lost, returned, dragging feet.... repeat....

Last week was sending it, after a few days I asked, sent me a screen shot of the tracking history (with out a number visible conveniently) and now, 5 months later, he's quit responding to texts.

This whole time, I'd give him a week or so then text him and he'd text back with an excuse so I let it play out to see where it was going to go.

I've been scammed before, they always block you after they get the money... never carry on for 5 months...

Anywho... this is just a warning unfortunately. I've known the guy and bought from him before, he's a silver member here. Just because you know someone it's still caveat emptor...

If Forum Boss wants the screen shots of the texts and says it's OK to post with a name I will. Other then that it's just a cautionary tale.

Also for those who poo poo it, the outcome would have been the same with a personal check or USPS money order, there is nothing to keep someone from cashing them then not delivering. Have no idea why people think a USPS money order is some sort of secure funding source.

 

[JRanum]

Did you leave some feedback on the deal so the rest of us have a heads up? I had a very similar situation on a Corvette Forum buying some wheels from a guy in Houston. He did send the wheels eventually but the whole deal took 8 months! ‘I’ll weigh the wheels first thing monday for a shipping quote’ then a phone call every month or two to tell me he hadnt got to it yet.
I am sorry you got burned.

 

[Rset]

So I've had a saga playing out and it looks like it's finally at an end.

I placed a WTB in a forum (not here) for a fairly specific accessory (Silhouette gun stock).

A guy I have shot several state matches with and have bought stuff from before answered my add fairly quickly on the private messages. Had exactly what I was looking for. Texted me several pictures (his number is in my phone under his name, and I recognize the stock from the last time I saw him, has a very specific sticker on it).

His price was reasonable, I PP f&f him the money plus $20 to help with shipping, he thanked me for the extra money and I didn't think anything else about it for a few weeks ( I know it is crazy but I am a busy person and stuff shows up when it shows up).

I text him, he says he hasn't had a chance to send it but will that week.

5 months later.... sent, lost, found, sent with a different carrier, lost, returned, dragging feet.... repeat....

Last week was sending it, after a few days I asked, sent me a screen shot of the tracking history (with out a number visible conveniently) and now, 5 months later, he's quit responding to texts.

This whole time, I'd give him a week or so then text him and he'd text back with an excuse so I let it play out to see where it was going to go.

I've been scammed before, they always block you after they get the money... never carry on for 5 months...

Anywho... this is just a warning unfortunately. I've known the guy and bought from him before, he's a silver member here. Just because you know someone it's still caveat emptor...

If Forum Boss wants the screen shots of the texts and says it's OK to post with a name I will. Other then that it's just a cautionary tale.

Also for those who poo poo it, the outcome would have been the same with a personal check or USPS money order, there is nothing to keep someone from cashing them then not delivering. Have no idea why people think a USPS money order is some sort of secure funding source.

A USPS Money order protects the seller, not the buyer.
I check actually has some teeth in many states and can usually be traced back to the buyer. It may not be worth pursuing the fraud, but it can always be registered as such.

 

[DHuffman]

So I've had a saga playing out and it looks like it's finally at an end.

I placed a WTB in a forum (not here) for a fairly specific accessory (Silhouette gun stock).

A guy I have shot several state matches with and have bought stuff from before answered my add fairly quickly on the private messages. Had exactly what I was looking for. Texted me several pictures (his number is in my phone under his name, and I recognize the stock from the last time I saw him, has a very specific sticker on it).

His price was reasonable, I PP f&f him the money plus $20 to help with shipping, he thanked me for the extra money and I didn't think anything else about it for a few weeks ( I know it is crazy but I am a busy person and stuff shows up when it shows up).

I text him, he says he hasn't had a chance to send it but will that week.

5 months later.... sent, lost, found, sent with a different carrier, lost, returned, dragging feet.... repeat....

Last week was sending it, after a few days I asked, sent me a screen shot of the tracking history (with out a number visible conveniently) and now, 5 months later, he's quit responding to texts.

This whole time, I'd give him a week or so then text him and he'd text back with an excuse so I let it play out to see where it was going to go.

I've been scammed before, they always block you after they get the money... never carry on for 5 months...

Anywho... this is just a warning unfortunately. I've known the guy and bought from him before, he's a silver member here. Just because you know someone it's still caveat emptor...

If Forum Boss wants the screen shots of the texts and says it's OK to post with a name I will. Other then that it's just a cautionary tale.

Also for those who poo poo it, the outcome would have been the same with a personal check or USPS money order, there is nothing to keep someone from cashing them then not delivering. Have no idea why people think a USPS money order is some sort of secure funding source.

Man that sucks, I'd out him and let the pieces fall where they may.

I agree as well on the USPS money order, it offers nothing but ass ache to the buyer. I've backed out of two purchases lately because the seller didn't say he needed the money order up front in the ad.

If you're retired or live and work in town that's one thing but I don't have the time to go back to town after the PO opens and jump through the hoops.

 

[JRanum]

Jeez I just saw youre from Houston. Thats nothing more than a coincidence, my story had no hidden meaning.

 

[DGP4]

Hopefully, the forum boss will post his name in BIG BOLD LETTERING!

 

[JRanum]

As a warning to anyone sending a USPS money order… they cannot be cancelled like a personal check if you discover you are being scammed and If a seller asks for a picture of the money order thats a red flag that ITS A SCAM. Once they have the serial number they can get the money without the actual physical money order.

 

[Emmett Dibble]

Called him out on a FB group and received a refund in 15 minutes… another guy contacted me who is having the same problem…

People are weird. If you look on my profile here, I buy/sell a lot here and other forums. Scammers are “usually” easy to spot when buying and selling the deal isn’t done till the other guy is satisfied. (Had a guy buy a barrel a while back, he couldn’t get it to shoot, I gladly refunded his money)

This country would be in a much better place if people would do unto others as they would have done to them.

 

[Downeast]

I am a member of another firearm forum where a persons word is held to a very high standard. Make a solid deal with a member and then screw around or back out and chances are good that you will be banned for life.

 

[284winner]

So I've had a saga playing out and it looks like it's finally at an end.

I placed a WTB in a forum (not here) for a fairly specific accessory (Silhouette gun stock).

A guy I have shot several state matches with and have bought stuff from before answered my add fairly quickly on the private messages. Had exactly what I was looking for. Texted me several pictures (his number is in my phone under his name, and I recognize the stock from the last time I saw him, has a very specific sticker on it).

His price was reasonable, I PP f&f him the money plus $20 to help with shipping, he thanked me for the extra money and I didn't think anything else about it for a few weeks ( I know it is crazy but I am a busy person and stuff shows up when it shows up).

I text him, he says he hasn't had a chance to send it but will that week.

5 months later.... sent, lost, found, sent with a different carrier, lost, returned, dragging feet.... repeat....

Last week was sending it, after a few days I asked, sent me a screen shot of the tracking history (with out a number visible conveniently) and now, 5 months later, he's quit responding to texts.

This whole time, I'd give him a week or so then text him and he'd text back with an excuse so I let it play out to see where it was going to go.

I've been scammed before, they always block you after they get the money... never carry on for 5 months...

Anywho... this is just a warning unfortunately. I've known the guy and bought from him before, he's a silver member here. Just because you know someone it's still caveat emptor...

If Forum Boss wants the screen shots of the texts and says it's OK to post with a name I will. Other then that it's just a cautionary tale.

Also for those who poo poo it, the outcome would have been the same with a personal check or USPS money order, there is nothing to keep someone from cashing them then not delivering. Have no idea why people think a USPS money order is some sort of secure funding source.

Goods and services option would have kept your money insured. Lesson learned. I've been there. Mine was a $90 brain fart. Could have been worse.

 

[chop house]

Once they have the serial number they can get the money without the actual physical money order.

Hmmm that's scary. I need to research that...

edited:

so far, i have not found verification of this. at least not on usps site (which states in person with instrument signed in presence of postal employee and photo id), nor on a handful of 'self help' places.

 

[pdog06]

Sorry this happened to you. A shame you can’t even trust some paid members of the site.

Silver member or not, if this is the game he wants to play with our members then he needs to be outed so someone else doesn’t make the same mistake. Whether that’s publicly on the forum or just by classified feedback.

A usps MO gives some protection to the seller cause the buyer has to pay actual funds to get it. Whereas they could write you a personal check for an account they don’t even have any longer in hopes you ship before it bounces. Bottom line is there’s really no failsafe way for payment except face to face cash, so it’s all a roll of the dice. And as you found out that still applies whether we know the person or not, which is a damn shame.

Hope you get it straightened out.

 

[nwmnbowhunter]

I would have refunded the money after a week or two while still trying to sort out the shipping fiasco.

Having said that....

Shipping has been an absolute nightmare.

Last month it took over two weeks for a check to reach the state next door to me.

 

[NorCalMikie]

Used to be a HANDSHAKE or your WORD was golden. Not anymore. Guess if you SCREW someone over a few $$$, that's all you're worth??? Not much to brag about.

And if you want to use F&F from PP for payment and they're NOT your F&F, who you trying to screw???
You get exactly what you deserve. (KARMA)

 

[Emmett Dibble]

Used to be a HANDSHAKE or your WORD was golden. Not anymore. Guess if you SCREW someone over a few $$$, that's all you're worth??? Not much to brag about.

And if you want to use F&F from PP for payment and they're NOT your F&F, who you trying to screw???
You get exactly what you deserve. (KARMA)

On the loose definition of Friend, someone I would lend $100 to and never expect it back, yes he was, actually maybe still is. Complete stranger he is not. This post is meant as a learning experience and you are absolutely correct. I should have just sent G&S and added 4% to cover cost, which I do regularly with people I do not know.

 

[Benchrest Braxton]

friends are often the ones that screw you over the hardest, don't ask me how i know

 

[L.Sherm]

Yiur

I would have refunded the money after a week or two while still trying to sort out the shipping fiasco.

Having said that....

Shipping has been an absolute nightmare.

Last month it took over two weeks for a check to reach the state next door to me.

Your Talking weeks, O.P is talking months its B.S no matter the excuse, if there's a will theres a way.

 

[Knotwild]

If he lived within a reasonable distance, I'd drop in on him, just for the satisfaction.

 

[Emmett Dibble]

Yiur
Your Talking weeks, O.P is talking months its B.S no matter the excuse, if there's a will theres a way.

To be fair, I let it drag on for months after it was obvious he's a flake. He didn't ghost me till a week ago so it was mildly entertaining to see what his latest excuse was. Once he ghosted I decided I'd out him and was actually quite astonished he refunded my money in 15 minutes after making up every excuse possible for 5 months...

 

[Emmett Dibble]

And let me reiterate, Forum Boss has chastised me. I technically didn't break PP rules and did not break the forum rules. Not looking for any redress here, just a cautionary tail that even if you know someone and have a reasonable opinion of them, they can still be a flake financially.

Dude bought groceries and cooked burgers for lunch at a state highpower match for tips one year... how bad could he be? LOL.