I posted a WTB ad for a Porsche fender on Pelican. Here's our back-and-forth:
Him: Let me know via email if you still need the 996.2 Front Fenders. tmgoodw564@gmail.com
Me: I need the right hand side (with the fuel filler) and a few pieces from the bumper cover? Thanks
Him: I still have the front right fender from my 996.2. It's in great condition and I'm asking $350 shipped for it. I'll be shipping via UPS or FedEx whichever you prefer and shall accept payment via Money gram as my PayPal is currently dormant. What's your shipping address?
Thank you,
Tim.
~
red MoneyGram flag raised
Me: Can you send me some pictures?
Him: I'm having technical difficulties uploading images.
~
red no pictures flag raised.
Me (now certain I'm dealing with Joe Nigeria) testing his car fender knowledge: Does it still have the torque actuator on the inside timing flange? Those usually get removed.
Him: Yes, it still has the torque actuator on the inside timing flange.
He got the price right and had the lingo right initially, but fell for the old torque actuator routine.
Should have asked what shape the turbo-encabulator was in.
I would notify Pelican. And forward them what you posted above.
They are getting really good. I had a scammer ask me to do work on a home in my neighborhood. He led me on through multiple emails and he was on google streetview. Then he dropped the old- pay me more and refund the difference- ploy. With a mastercard. Numbers and all. What a rat.
They are certainly making a better effort. The above back and forth took about a week. Not overly eager and talking the talk.
I decided to see how helpful he could be so I sent him this response:
I actually need a fender without the torque actuator. Can you remove both of them before you mail it? You could either snap it off with medium-light pressure applied kind of down and outward. It should pop right out. Or just use scissors to trim it off or something. Sorry to be a pain. If you what to add a few dollars for your effort that's OK because it will save me a lot of money on the free shipping. Do you think you'll get pictures soon? I guess a drawing would be OK if you think you can capture the condition accurately. Probably use a 3 or 4H pencil. Maybe pen and ink?
Thanks
His response:
No worries, I'll have it removed before mailing it. I do understand your concern, and I'll also would be careful when buying any item sight unseen. But I tried emailing some photos but it keeps failing.
I'll prefer a part payment of $150, upon receiving delivery, if you're not satisfied with it, I'll make an immediate refund and pay for return shipping, but I assure you that it's in great condition.
Thanks,
Tim.
dean1484 wrote:
I would notify Pelican. And forward them what you posted above.
This. They should want to keep their reputation high.
I wonder if Tim looks like this:
Duke
MegaDork
4/20/16 11:50 a.m.
The more I see and hear about this stuff, the more I have to ask: Wouldn't it just be easier to get a damn job? I mean seriously, what's the effort / return ratio on a career like this?
Duke wrote:
The more I see and hear about this stuff, the more I have to ask: **Wouldn't it just be easier to get a damn job?** I mean seriously, what's the effort / return ratio on a career like this?
very high effort, initially. All it takes is one good sucker though. Probably using something like an AIM bot or a twitter bot, judging be the responses and quotes.
While I've not resorted to scams like this since giving up the "real job" a couple years ago, in general, I work a bit harder, make a bit less, but am a LOT happier and am able to spend more time with my kid and my car. Just need the drive to earn is all.
Duke wrote:
The more I see and hear about this stuff, the more I have to ask: **Wouldn't it just be easier to get a damn job?** I mean seriously, what's the effort / return ratio on a career like this?
When we had so many metal thefts, yea. Risking life and limb for $20 of aluminum that ruins a $3,000 AC? We still have some people stealing copper and they are getting bolder. Several have gotten fried for it.
Robbie
SuperDork
4/20/16 12:43 p.m.
Duke wrote:
The more I see and hear about this stuff, the more I have to ask: **Wouldn't it just be easier to get a damn job?** I mean seriously, what's the effort / return ratio on a career like this?
If you live in the US, probably yes. If you live in nigeria, one american sucker can make your whole year.
when I was looking at houses for my Father to buy when he was still in Florida, every single house I looked at was missing it's copper pipes. Every. Single. One.
This included one that had been listed the day before. The thieves had busted in the basement door that night and stolen everything
No one was fried but it made quite a mess. http://www.wsj.com/articles/copper-wire-theft-causes-subway-headaches-for-thousands-of-commuters-1432742450
I signed a check for an invoice for our trademark last year. I opened the invoice, read it, passed it to my bookkeeper, she read it and made out the check and put it back on my desk to sign. It was as official as hell. I signed the check and then thought I would reread the invoice because we had already sent one check. Turns out it was a scammer who kept track of new trademarks and invoiced the companies as they were published. I am a tiny company and they almost got me. They must make millions from corporations who aren't hands on like I am.
mad_machine wrote:
when I was looking at houses for my Father to buy when he was still in Florida, every single house I looked at was missing it's copper pipes. Every. Single. One.
This included one that had been listed the day before. The thieves had busted in the basement door that night and stolen everything
They broke into my moms house and ripped the pipes out without even shutting the water off. The entire basement flooded. That was after two A/C units were stolen. Bastards.
