….the instant you get that feeling. Better safe than sorry.

If that's not the only banjo for sale on BHO, find one that is for sale and whose seller is legitimate. Don't deny yourself playing the banjo based on the fact you can't find one exactly like the one that got away. You might regret one day not playing based on that kind of decision. Also, it's likely someone out there does have the model you had and it's for sale or will be; so keep looking.

Bobby

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Originally posted by lapsteel

….the instant you get that feeling. Better safe than sorry.

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I second that. Trust your gut feeling, as you do in playing the banjo. 

Message them to set up a video call where they physically hold or show the banjo in their presence. Be upfront and let them know your intention is to prove it isn't a scam because they have no reviews and are a new member.

You should know pretty quickly if it isn't legit if they get dodgy, refuse or don't reply.

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Originally posted by localhost

Message them to set up a video call where they physically hold or show the banjo in their presence. Be upfront and let them know your intention is to prove it isn't a scam because they have no reviews and are a new member.

You should know pretty quickly if it isn't legit if they get dodgy, refuse or don't reply.

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Do you know anyone who lives near them and can check it out?

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Originally posted by BobbyE

If that's not the only banjo for sale on BHO, find one that is for sale and whose seller is legitimate. Don't deny yourself playing the banjo based on the fact you can't find one exactly like the one that got away. You might regret one day not playing based on that kind of decision. Also, it's likely someone out there does have the model you had and it's for sale or will be; so keep looking.

Bobby

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Actually, I have plenty of banjos, have for 30 years.  This just extra indulgence.

Actually, I recall a situation here on the hangout several years ago.
Brand new poster in South Africa, very first question ‘how much is a prewar original 5 string Granada worth?’
Now I knew that was a scam.
However, I think Jim Mills traveled to South Africa and bought it.

You never know. While I always want another, last thing I need is another banjo.
Just making forum conversation

I agree that if you feel "dodgy" but you're REALLY interested in the banjo for some reason, call them up and get a feel for how they communicate, and ask for an in hand video.

Everybody was new here once. But you should still trust your gut.

Look at the person's home page and see if there is any information on there that might help you decide whether it's legit or not.

Ask a moderator to do the same thing. We can look at the IP and see if it's one that usually has spammers or one that looks okay.

Ask the seller for more pictures, to call you or give you a number to call him so you can talk.

An ad with a no returns may be suspect.

And you probably know all this, but any one of the above might make someone do a second take before parting with his money.

I bought my last banjo from a guy who signed up here, just to sell it. Sherry checked his profile, and said he was legit and no red flags. I messaged him and was able to start a good email exchange. I asked some questions, that only someone in possession of the banjo would know. Turns out he was getting older, and the banjo was too heavy for him. He had bought it from the Deering showroom, from Janet herself in 2013. The s/n photo he sent me, matched this year. After several emails, I asked for an address to send a money order. I did a people search, and a Mapquest search, and although I never called him, he did send me is phone number, which I also verified. Everything checked out, I sent the money, and received the banjo. It came well packed, with a nice hand written letter of thanks, several really nice song books, two nut keys, a new frosted head, new renaissance head, and about 20 new packs of strings, and a Deering coffee mug. Turned out to be the best purchase I’ve ever made from the classifieds.

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Originally posted by Gallaher

Actually, I know the answer. Just want to engage the forum a bit.
I had a banjo I really liked 20 years ago. However, an unforeseen event intervened and I had to sell it. Ultimately, things worked out and I did not need to sell the banjo but it was already gone.
Recently, the exact model/finish showed up here on the site for sale, at a good price.
I’ve been blessed financially by hard work, frugality and a booming stock market. I’ve decided I need to spend my kids inheritance cause they will just blow it.
So I almost pulled the trigger.
HOWEVER, the advertisement is posted by a brand new member who has never posted here
until they posted this add. The info is pretty sparse and generic.
Me thinks this may be a scam.
Not gonna pass the add on here. But I’d like to know when you walk away?
Over many years and transactions I’ve done fine here on banjo hangout.
Maybe, this is a reminder to sellers to make your add “real”.

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Maybe call their local music store and pay the music store something to vouch for it and maybe even handle the transaction. Might be worth the extra cost to have what you want. We won't tell your kids.