Letter to all members from Sfangoch

[DrKerry]

• Report reply

SfanGoch

Started conversation: 12 hours ago

I want to post this; but, I can't because of a "404 Error" problem. I asked Xingu if he could post the following for me. He declined because he doesn't want to piss off the folks. Pissed off is always better than pissed on, which is what the guys in question did to everyone dealing with them. Please take the time to read this. If you feel it contains any useful info, please copy and paste it into a comment. If you feel that some members might feel offended by my bluntness....oh well. They need to grow a pair and  act like adults.

 

Open letter to the members:

Some of the guys here really need to get their B.S. detectors re-calibrated. Being from NYC,  I'm bombarded by these kinds of pre-written and polished sob story statements from panhandlers and deadbeats on the subways and streets daily. Anytime someone recites a tale of woe and misery that makes "Grapes of Wrath" or "Oliver Twist" read like light comedy, should be ignored or called out from the onset. They are simply attempting to elicit sympathy and trying to sucker you into feeling sorry for them before hitting you up for something. What these douchebags are doing is the cyber equivalent of shaking a dirty cardboard coffee cup in front of your face for some change and you empty your pockets because you feel guilty. Geez, I've gone through some horrendous s**t over the last ten years; but, I never would consider divulging any of it just so people feel sorry and give me free stuff.  I might come across as an insensitive goon who is overly suspicious of people's intentions.  That's because I am and it has kept me from getting scammed for the last 50+ years. The last time I was ripped off was when I was twelve and gave a guy we knew from the neighborhood 12 bucks for a mat a firecrackers which he never delivered. My friends and I found the guy a few weeks later and kicked his as s.

What I do is request that the other guy provide his complete mailing info. A P.O. box won't cut the mustard. Then, I check, using various people tracking sites, to see if everything matches. If I don't have an established relationship with the person on the other end of the deal,  you bet your ass I'm running a check on you. If there's a phone number available, I'll make a courtesy call which is a subtle way of letting the questionable individual know not to pull a fast one. Might sound heavy handed; but, it keeps them honest knowing they can't hide. I learned that from an admin at World War Two Zone, who was  corrections officer in Michigan.   Also, if the other party is offering something unbelievably amazing for what amounts to lesser quality items, I'll tell them to ship it first and provide a bona fide USPS tracking number. Once I receive it and the package can be actually tracked through the system, I'll send my package and provide a tracking number. If it's an obvious scam, he will make an excuse as to why he can't/won't provide tracking info or that I should send my stuff first.  As a matter of fact, any and all packages sent in a trade or straight sale  should  be sent with the tracking option. This method keeps everybody honest. PayPal is the only method to be used to conduct any type of payments. The buyer has actual recourse to recoup his money if there is any problem with the seller delivering the goods. Sending money orders and not having a tracking number to verify that the item(s) were actually sent leaves you open to being scammed and your chances of getting any satisfaction are less than zero. Stop getting suckered by guys with stories of unbelievable tales of despair looking for stuff. Instead of asking for what amounts to junk in the larger scheme of things, they should be concentrating on getting their lives together for themselves and their families.

 

 

[Snake45]

I'm not the party involved, but a PO Box IS my "complete mailing info." There are no mailboxes on my street, never have been. I have to go to the PO every day to get my mail. 

[Renegade]

Well said. All valid points.

[Dave Van]

3 minutes ago, Snake45 said:

I'm not the party involved, but a PO Box IS my "complete mailing info." There are no mailboxes on my street, never have been. I have to go to the PO every day to get my mail. 

Where I live it's a PO box or no mail service. Don't be so self righteous until you know how it is for all of us.

[Ace-Garageguy]

...and...people who get scammed are either lacking in doing their own due-diligence as the OP describes, OR...

...people who get scammed are often looking to get something-for-nothing themselves, and their own greed or unscrupulous natures work against them. 

Con-artists know this about human-nature, and are the most efficient users of psychology going.

[Lovefordgalaxie]

Looks like the guy didn't send you the bulldozer kit. 

It's OK, I would be pissed too. 

He sent you just a P.O. Bx, you sent him your kit, and he never gave you a phone number, nor answers your private messages. That's classical.

People love to trash e-Bay, or in my case, Mercado Livre, but it's still very safe. At least for the buyer, as the only two times I had problems, I got my cash back, and with my points, I can always get free shipping for a model kit.

Report the bad trader to the moderators, add him to the bad traders thread, and move on. Have a beer, and start building something. 

 

[Dave Van]

Yes.....the guy that bought a lot of my decals then photo copies them and sells on ebay had me ship them to his home street address........and he is one of the all time biggest scammers........stealing from every decal maker on the market.....

[Modeltruckbuilder]

I know it sucks Kerry but you need to face the fact that you got screwed. I don't find any of the points that Joe made to be offensive. I respect his "calling it like he sees it" approach.

[OldNYJim]

2 hours ago, DrKerry said:

Being from NYC,  I'm bombarded by these kinds of pre-written and polished sob story statements from panhandlers and deadbeats on the subways and streets daily. Anytime someone recites a tale of woe and misery that makes "Grapes of Wrath" or "Oliver Twist" read like light comedy, should be ignored or called out from the onset. They are simply attempting to elicit sympathy and trying to sucker you into feeling sorry for them before hitting you up for something. What these douchebags are doing is the cyber equivalent of shaking a dirty cardboard coffee cup in front of your face for some change and you empty your pockets because you feel guilty.

When I lived in the Upper East Side, most of the 'beggars' were wearing more expensive clothes than I was ??‍♂

[Erik Smith]

Pretty good take on life and dealing with people. I immediately get put off when somebody I don't know divulges way too much information, especially personal things. Should be red flag as it's not normal behavior.

Sad fact is that there are good people and not-so-good people.

1 hour ago, Ace-Garageguy said:

...and...people who get scammed are either lacking in doing their own due-diligence as the OP describes, OR...

...people who get scammed are often looking to get something-for-nothing themselves, and their own greed or unscrupulous natures work against them. 

Con-artists know this about human-nature, and are the most efficient users of psychology going.

True, Bill. There wouldn't be con artists without somebody to con - and good ones (con people) know human behavior. Too bad they don't commit to a real cause...

[SfanGoch]

4 hours ago, Dave Van said:

Where I live it's a PO box or no mail service. Don't be so self righteous until you know how it is for all of us.

Just received my $20 Azpen tablet delivered by USPS. To my door.   Now, I can get some posting done!

Self righteous? Nope, just using street smarts daddio. P.O. boxes are typically used by individuals perpetrating scams. If you want to be precise, you weren't scammed by the guy since he paid for the decals. What he did afterward sucked; but, that is beyond your control.

 

[gtx6970]

2 hours ago, Dave Van said:

Yes.....the guy that bought a lot of my decals then photo copies them and sells on ebay had me ship them to his home street address........and he is one of the all time biggest scammers........stealing from every decal maker on the market.....

No names need mentioned. But I know EXACTLY who you refer to . and I refuse to buy from him even though on some he is the only game in town for some . I'll do without first.

[DrKerry]

I totally admit I got screwed been saying it all along!!! It just pisses me off as I don’t have a ton of funds to put into my hobby as it is and like to trade to get stuff I normally cannot buy!!! I don’t have deep pockets, he’ll half the time I have no pocckets, so when I get screwed I take it personally because now I’m out of two kit that would be close to $55.00 and shipping of around $15.00!!!! That’s 70 bucks that could of gone for something instead of giving it to someone that ain’t got any dignity or respect for anyone! If theives would put as much effort into doIng good instead of done by bad think how much better this world would be!!!!!   

2 hours ago, Modeltruckbuilder said:

I know it sucks Kerry but you need to face the fact that you got screwed. I don't find any of the points that Joe made to be offensive. I respect his "calling it like he sees it" approach.

 

[Daddyfink]

[rel14]

Well said, Doc.     I've only been had twice,,, and i'm still looking for them, every dog has his day...

[Modeltruckbuilder]

18 minutes ago, DrKerry said:

I totally admit I got screwed been saying it all along!!! It just pisses me off as I don’t have a ton of funds to put into my hobby as it is and like to trade to get stuff I normally cannot buy!!! I don’t have deep pockets, he’ll half the time I have no pocckets, so when I get screwed I take it personally because now I’m out of two kit that would be close to $55.00 and shipping of around $15.00!!!! That’s 70 bucks that could of gone for something instead of giving it to someone that ain’t got any dignity or respect for anyone! If theives would put as much effort into doIng good instead of done by bad think how much better this world would be!!!!!   

 

I think Casey put it very well in the other thread. Calling this guy out isn't going to get you anywhere.

[Howard Cohen]

A few years ago, on a custom car site, one of the guys cried the blues about his sick daughter and the fact that he would have to sell his entire model collection just to buy medicine. They felt so bad they did a fundraiser for him. They raised a lot of money, several thousand dollars I think. A few weeks after getting the money, he was caught buying a very expensive kit on Ebay, caught because he was buying it from one of the  guys that gave him money! A friend of mine, who knows him, told me he doesn't have a daughter. He has not been back to the site since. Hmmm... His nickname was 'doctor something'  

[DrKerry]

4 minutes ago, Howard Cohen said:

A few years ago, on a custom car site, one of the guys cried the blues about his sick daughter and the fact that he would have to sell his entire model collection just to buy medicine. They felt so bad they did a fundraiser for him. They raised a lot of money, several thousand dollars I think. A few weeks after getting the money, he was caught buying a very expensive kit on Ebay, caught because he was buying it from one of the  guys that gave him money! A friend of mine, who knows him, told me he doesn't have a daughter. He has not been back to the site since. Hmmm... His nickname was 'doctor something'  

So now you’re insinuating that I’m the bad guy??? Nice!!

[Howard Cohen]

I did not know the name of the person and no name was ever mentioned! Why are you taking this personally? 

[blackbeard]

it had nothing to do you it had to do with blusy if I was you I would mind my own business it had to with a trade that went south and I think the person that did not sent the kit like he said should return those kits that he has received

[Ace-Garageguy]

23 minutes ago, Howard Cohen said:

...Hmmm... His nickname was 'doctor something'  

 

16 minutes ago, Howard Cohen said:

... Why are you taking this personally? 

I'm not taking sides, and I have no dog in this fight...BUT...the "hmmm" does kinda make it sound like an insinuation.

[DrKerry]

4 minutes ago, Ace-Garageguy said:

 

I'm not taking sides, and I have no dog in this fight...BUT...the "hmmm" does kinda make it sound like an insinuation.

Don’t ding!!!!! Ace wins the trophy!!!!!!!!!!! ? 

[DrKerry]

23 minutes ago, Howard Cohen said:

I did not know the name of the person and no name was ever mentioned! Why are you taking this personally? 

Just what Ace just wrote, the whole “Hmmmm name was doctor something” kind of like your turning the table on me..........

 

[DrKerry]

Ya know what, thanks for those that have offered help and tried what ya could but I’m done with this!!!!!!!! 

Later all!!!!!!

[oldnslow]

With him using the mail to receive his ill gotten gains , sounds like it's time to get the postal inspectors office involved in this scam artists future.