Stevespickn - Posted - 08/23/2024:  07:25:38

A person had an item for sale, through emails agreed on a purchase price. I sent the money via a check to their address. I sent the check with a tracking number. I told the person to let me know when it arrived. The check arrived, per the tracking number. I kept waiting on a response, never got one. I emailed 4 times, no response.  Finally, in an email, I gave them my phone #, to call before 9 am this morning, or I’m going to my bank, cancelling payment on the check. I understand there could be some underlying circumstances, but I felt I needed to protect my money. If moderators want to delete, no problem. 

Edited by - Stevespickn on 08/25/2024 15:37:36

anonymonachos - Posted - 08/23/2024:  08:04:34

Hi,
Please send me an email with the details. I have had two suspicious dealings here in a month. I have come to the realization that this is a dangerous place to buy things. Do so at your own risk.

Texasbanjo - Posted - 08/23/2024:  08:30:19

Stevespickn

I PMd you about this just now.

For others who read this thread: there could be many reasons someone doesn't verify a check has been receive: out of town, on vacation, e-mail ended up in his spam folder and so on.

The member he's referring to is a member in good stand, good reputation, sold many items with no admin reports and no bad ratings as far as I can see.

But.... better safe than sorry.

No need to delete, members have a right to complain if a sale goes wrong.

Texasbanjo - Posted - 08/23/2024:  08:34:02

anonymonachos

We've had a slew of spammers lately who have hacked into unused accounts or made new accounts. As we find they are spammers, they are locked out. Members help us by reporting suspicious classifieds via admin reports.

Always be very careful when selling or buying. Check out the seller/buyer's home page, see if there's been any activity in the account. Try to e-mail back and forth, ask questions, ask for more photos, even talk on the phone, anything to make you feel safer in buying or selling.
It's the internet and there are bad people on here.

Alvin Conder - Posted - 08/23/2024:  09:40:36

As what Moderator Sherry stated above.

The last three “people” that I reached out to in regards to instruments or parts have all been spammers/scammers. Seems to be a recent issue here on the hangout as I never had that issue before.

Best course of action as in all transactions, do your due diligence. Make sure you at least have a phone conversation with the buyer or the seller. A 30 second conversation will give you all the info you need. No conversation or strange requests- just forget about it. If it smells like a skunk…well it most likely is a skunk.

Ask for photos other than what is in the advertisement. Most folk here know a number of other musicians. Name drop, if it falls on deaf ears, then most likely a scam.

Just be careful- the world is a changing place and there seems to be a lot on nasty people out there now.

NotABanjoYoda - Posted - 08/23/2024:  10:50:07

When buying a banjo, ask them to let you call them, this kills most scams....then ask for them to play it for you over the phone. Upon initial email, tell them you want to see it in person. Few scammers will reply to that request. Scammers will ask you where yor from and then say they live on the other side of the country, thus trying to kill your argument of seeing it in person. Tell them you have a friend in their area, they will make another exscuse like....no one comes to my house for security. Offer to meet them at the local Sheriff...they always quit at this point....most will quit by request #2.

banjo1930 - Posted - 08/23/2024:  13:19:45

Another way to avoid scams is to ask for a picture of the item with a piece of paper with the date written on it in the picture.

HighLonesomeF5 - Posted - 08/23/2024:  13:54:55

I had an item for sale and a buyer who would pay shipping. Well the $60 item, a banjo case, would cost $70 to ship. I didnt ship, contacted the buyer snd put the item on eBay foe him where shipping was far cheaper. He never went thru with the purchase. I contacted BH thinking he may be a scammer. Turns out he is a regular here.

Ya never know.

BanjoLink - Posted - 08/23/2024:  14:41:11

quote:

---

Originally posted by anonymonachos

Hi,

Please send me an email with the details. I have had two suspicious dealings here in a month. I have come to the realization that this is a dangerous place to buy things. Do so at your own risk.

---

Keith .... no offense, but I probably would not sell or buy from you because you only have a couple of posts on this site.  That in no way implies that you are not trustworthy, as I am sure some come to the hangout to buy or sell, but never post much.  However, I always feel like regulars on here are more likely to be up front an honest in their dealings as a lot of people know who they are ..... at least over the internet.  Is this foolproof ........ no, but I think it gives most on here a better feeling about who they may be dealing with.

woodchips - Posted - 08/23/2024:  14:55:15

I have had both good and bad people try to do business with me here. I try to do as much research about the buyer/seller and their product. If they refuse to talk openly about the sale or if they speak in a manner that is broken English or they don't have proper knowledge about the object, that is a deal breaker. I may loose a sale or miss an item but I have stayed safe with my business dealings. I have even had to notify the police and turn over evidence for the investigation. Always do your homework.

anonymonachos - Posted - 08/23/2024:  15:03:11

quote:

---

Originally posted by BanjoLink

quote:

---

Originally posted by anonymonachos

Hi,

Please send me an email with the details. I have had two suspicious dealings here in a month. I have come to the realization that this is a dangerous place to buy things. Do so at your own risk.

---

Keith .... no offense, but I probably would not sell or buy from you because you only have a couple of posts on this site.  That in no way implies that you are not trustworthy, as I am sure some come to the hangout to buy or sell, but never post much.  However, I always feel like regulars on here are more likely to be up front an honest in their dealings as a lot of people know who they are ..... at least over the internet.  Is this foolproof ........ no, but I think it gives most on here a better feeling about who they may be dealing with.

---

Actually, I do take offence.  To discriminate against a buyer, who pays immediately, because they are new, is ridiculous.  I left music 15 years ago, and have just recently returned to it.  I have spent thousands of dollars, and I don't mean one or two, I mean over 20 from mostly private sellers,  on the internet, sight unseen, and have never had a problem.  Not once.  Thank you for letting me know that you are unwilling to sell to newcomers, who are disabled through illness, and have only the internet to use to obtain instruments.  To not buy from someone new is one thing.  To not sell, is another completely.

Texasbanjo - Posted - 08/23/2024:  15:31:50

It's a member's right to sell or not sell, purchase or not purchase, according to his or her needs/wants/beliefs. No one should be offended because someone else is a leary seller/buyer.

If you're going to be on the internet, you need to have a thick skin and also be very understanding that others may have had problems you're not aware of.

anonymonachos - Posted - 08/23/2024:  15:48:17

Thank you for the clarification, and requirements of the temperment necessary for participation online. I have used the internet, since the beginning of the internet, around 1992, and have never formally had this explained to me. Although not active here, I do have extensive feedback on all of the major buy / sell resources available to us, from their inception. Paid sites, which have links to areas like discord, tend to weed out a lot of potential issues which may result from fraudulent activity. This may sound difficult to believe, but in this very cold world, there are sellers who are willing to make accomodations for those with special needs, and do so with kindness. The official position of the Banjo Hangout has been duly noted

Old Hickory - Posted - 08/23/2024:  19:55:08

Seeing as all banjos advertised in the Hangout classifieds also appear on BanjoBuyer.com (the non-member, public-facing version of Hangout classifieds) I think it's pointless for sellers to expect buyers to have records of participation in this community.

AMaccioni - Posted - 08/23/2024:  21:00:40

Sorry just reading your thread and jumping on. I am after some advice on selling a banjo and I was referred to this community. If there is concern over scammers, why wouldn’t you directed an item through a secure source like eBay?

Texasbanjo - Posted - 08/24/2024:  04:33:58

We moderators do the best we can to weed out scammers. We have a lot of help from members who buy and sell and are active here. Sometimes we lock someone out and they've still been able to look into the classifieds and post to sellers. We have no way that I know of to stop that.