Due to the recent scam threads on the board I thought it might be timely to post this. Mods feel free to move this wherever you want. Just read two threads on a scammer that has been hitting people here....twice now apparently. Thought I would share some info we use on the Gibson/ Fender forums. We use it as a sticky in the cl***ified sections. I have noticed that a lot of people don't protect themselves as much as they could on this forum. Here's a little checklist to go through that can help you guys avoid a lot of grief when doing a deal with someone you don't know. In the future, I hope everyone here checks out people before they do business with them. A lot of you guys here buy and sell a lot of parts, and if you know the person...great. But if not make sure you get a home phone# a work phone # a cell phone# home address etc. check out the info too. Call the person. If you think they gave you a cell# as a home or work # - check it out here: www.fonefinder.net/ It will tell you if it's a land line or a cell and what city it goes to. Reverse the phone#s and addresses they gave you to see where they go. If you think the address is a mail drop you can check that out as well at http://www.finaid.com/scholarships/maildropsearch.phtml If you want to find out who owns the address they give you to send payment to you can also go to http://www.netronline.com/public_records.htm Select the state and county of the address. A lot of them have online databases, but you can call the tax ***essor as well and find out who owns that property. These are just a few of the free online resouces you can use to protect yourself and verify the information the seller gives you is accurate. Ask for references from other people they have done business with. If I'm shelling out $100 for a part or $10,000 for a car or project, I want to know if the person is honest or not. Make sure the info they give you checks out before you give up any of your hard earned cash. An honest seller won't be offended in the least when you ask them for this info. Hope this helps.
Agreed. Also, Google Reverse Image Search can help reveal if a seller is just using photos they've pulled from the internet.
Beware of new members selling or answering want ads. Go with your gut. Don't buy stories too quickly about 32 Fords or Dragsters being 'parted out' or garages full of vintage parts. If it's too good to be true, it probably is. Never transfer payment via Walmart or Western Union. The excuse that they don't have Paypal (easy to sign up) or won't accept a postal money order is not acceptable. Legit sellers should accept either. If it's a substantial buy, ask the seller if you can have a local friend stop by to view the parts/car. If the seller balks, deal is off. If he accepts, run a post on the HAMB to see if anyone in the area can check it out for you (including his gut feelings on the seller). Then make your decision. In addition to looking up/confirming ownership of the mailing address, Google Earth the addy. Is it an abandoned building, Maibox storefront or a residential home with old cars in the backyard? Facetime the seller! If your phone conversation regarding the parts is going well, ask if he's with the parts/car and if he minds showing them via facetime. I've done this with parts and in a heartbeat, I know if I want the parts or will p***. It's a virtual swap meet and the next best thing to being there. I ask them to show the back of parts, threads, etc. Photos are cool, but many times they're dark, out of focus and don't show details. Most folks are not trying to deceive a buyer, but are simply poor photographers and not doing the prospective buyer (or seller) any favors. If they won't/can't facetime you, strike up a BS session about old cars and Hot Rods/Customs, etc. and see how well they do in a real time conversation. They can research facts about parts and drop it in an email, but not so quick in a phone conversation. Ask them what they think about the Rolling Bones cars or Winfield and if you hear dead air, listen for a keyboard Googling in the background.
'Caveat Emptor' or buyer beware. Google Street view and Earth are other good tools for addresses provided.
All the above, (except for that ugly sister thing!), are right on and good advice. I have to mention though, the HAMB has a very low level of Scammers. In probably several hundred deals on the HAMB I've been burned twice. Once was the Postal Services fault and once the guy went to jail before he could ship the parts. Amazingly, when he got out he made good on the deal. I just want to put out there that in my opinion, the HAMB has to be one of the safest places to do business. I always send Postal MO period! The buyer knows the check will cash and I know it is mail fraud to skate. As a side note, it seems the most complaints I get from customers involve Ebay deals followed closely by Craigs List stuff.
Paypal is a great deal for a buyer, there is a lot of protection there, for a seller it could be losing proposition if the buyer is dishonest and certainly if he paid by credit card. I went through the ringer once with PayPal with the buyer claiming "significantly not as described" on some wheels and tires, PayPal took the money back and gave to buyer, he didn't have to ship them back even though I showed them he was trying to sell them days after his complaint. I've never dealt with them again.
Great picture. The truck ain't bad either.[emoji56] Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
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