Dustyman - Posted - 07/21/2025:  08:26:30

When dealing with unknown sellers , no BHO history, out of state or out of country, what is the safest method.
Thanks

Brian Murphy - Posted - 07/21/2025:  08:38:30

If you must (and I strongly advise against it), do not buy without a video chat where they play the banjo for you. Scammers can't play, probably don't speak English, probably don't have the banjo, and they will not get on a traceable Zoom, FB, or Google call. People get scammed because they want that great deal. That is why almost all scammers here advertise below market price. And when we really want something, we are willing to overlook red flags. New members selling below market is a huge red flag. So is someone who will not do video. The line that they really don't know about banjos or what they have (which is to trip your greed wire), can still get on a video and strum the banjo if they have it.  And teh "I'm just an elderly man who can't use this computer much" is another red flag.  Run away.  There is a good reason there are fewer scams on FB Marketplace.  People have history and information there, and you can verify identity easier (even with sock puppet accounts).

Edited by - Brian Murphy on 07/21/2025 08:41:00

Realbluegrassfan - Posted - 07/21/2025:  08:53:55

Brian,

While I do not have anything to sell, you have almost described me to a "T". I do not do anything that you warned us about, except FB. I have been a member here for more than the one year it shows me as being (I sent a message to Eric to correct that, but no correction or response from him) a member. I like banjos, old double barrel shotguns, and I have a flip phone as my only modern convenience. If I ever decide to sell anything on here I hope no one holds these things against me.

Brian Murphy - Posted - 07/21/2025:  09:24:20

I'm sure my method would weed out some honest people also. But risk is risk. One difference I see with you is that you are a Hangout Union member. I haven't seen any scammers with that designation. If I had a possible transaction with someone like you, I would at least require a phone call (if you can't do video) and would look for some information to confirm your identity. But yes, being careful means walking away from deals that could be legit.

Dustyman - Posted - 07/21/2025:  10:46:00

What about PayPal accounts like friends and family ( I think that’s what it’s called) or others.

randybartlett - Posted - 07/21/2025:  10:49:12

I have used BUYEE to buy and ship banjos from Japan. For their small fee, the risk transfers to someone in the home country. They are legit.

randybartlett - Posted - 07/21/2025:  10:54:25

Another idea... contact someone on the BHO who is in that country. If it's not far away, they might go see it

Bruce Berry Banjos - Posted - 07/21/2025:  11:02:57

I've had so much of my time wasted by scammers that I just started paying the fee to sell on ebay. They take a pretty decent chunk, but buyers have to pony up the full amount before anything transpires. I even offer a 14 day return policy (which theoretically could be exploited), but scammers aren't looking for anything but easy money. Ebay is slow and expensive compared to classifieds, but it doesn't seem to deter real buyers..

Dean T - Posted - 07/21/2025:  11:12:33

Post a link to the ad on this thread, and let the BHO sleuths have at it. The more eyes and experience, the better. I’m on several FB guitar groups, and folks do this all the time.

Texasbanjo - Posted - 07/21/2025:  11:23:18

Contact a moderator and see if they can find out anything about the person. We can check IPs, look at the home page, check for admin reports on the person, etc.

Dean T - Posted - 07/21/2025:  11:26:39

quote:

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Originally posted by Texasbanjo

Contact a moderator and see if they can find out anything about the person. We can check IPs, look at the home page, check for admin reports on the person, etc.

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This! Sherry recently did this for me on a recent purchase, and everything was legitimate, and the sale went perfect.

cevant - Posted - 07/21/2025:  12:10:20

How about you send me the banjo first, and then I will pay for it if it is what you say it is? If I am expected to trust you, then you can certainly trust me….someone with a history of buying, and selling. Why isn’t that an option?

Brian Murphy - Posted - 07/21/2025:  12:18:23

quote:

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Originally posted by Texasbanjo

Contact a moderator and see if they can find out anything about the person. We can check IPs, look at the home page, check for admin reports on the person, etc.

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That is very generous of you.  As if you didn't have enough put on you keeping this site safe and relatively squabble free.  

klgera - Posted - 07/21/2025:  13:50:44

I have purchased the majority of my banjosfrom dealers, Elderly, Greg Boyd, turtle hill, never had a problem.
Ken

lightgauge - Posted - 07/21/2025:  16:19:17

I am not a fan of "friends and family". Besides being dishonest when making purchases, there is no protection either way if something is lost. I have dropped out of a few purchases when seller refused to be legit. I ask if they are willing to give a refund if it doesn't arrive and all they say is it has never happened to them. I have had things lost in mail/shipping.

KCJones - Posted - 07/22/2025:  04:40:46

1) ALWAYS Require a voice phone call. This eliminates 99.9% of scammers immediately.



2) ALWAYS Use a payment service with a formal dispute resolution process and buyer/seller protection (e.g. PayPal).



3) NEVER use Paypal Friends & Family or a non-refundable method (cash, wire, money order, check). If someone pushes PayPal F&F, they are most likely a scammer. 

Edited by - KCJones on 07/22/2025 04:42:14

Joel Hooks - Posted - 07/22/2025:  06:47:23

Paypal "friends and family" is for EXACTLY that-- your friends and family. So, unless you are personal friends with the seller of the banjo, this is not an option.



There is really only a few scams that are repackaged/presented in different ways.





Go to these websites and read them:



consumer.ftc.gov/scams

fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/sc...nd-safety



But the fact is, if you are using any kind of connected device you should already know all of this.



I shut it down real fast. Ask for a very specific photo of what you want to buy. A specific angle or part. And have them include a note card or piece of paper with something written on it stuck under the strings or hooks or tailpiece. While there are ways that a scammer can doctor photos, this makes it difficult for them.



Also, search the image.



On Facebook, if they turn off public comments, it is a scam.

Edited by - Joel Hooks on 07/22/2025 06:48:11

KCJones - Posted - 07/22/2025:  10:07:01

quote:

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Originally posted by Joel Hooks

Also, search the image.



 

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All good points Joel has made here, but highlighting this to provide the following link. It's a reverse image search, and will let you know if a photo is original or taken from somewhere else. 

TinEye - Reverse Image Search and Recognition