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Want to Buy FYI- Public Service Announcement - Scammers

Trader history for dirkfletcher (10)

dirkfletcher

Subscriber
Allowing Ads
Joined
Jan 29, 2012
Messages
464
Location
Chicago
Format
4x5 Format
Be aware of people trolling the WTB section who will reach out claiming to have what you are looking for. I had a long dialogue with someone claiming to have a lens I was looking for, it was suspicious from the get go, so I googled the email address being used. Found a bunch of instances where people were scammed from the same email address. Not just in photo fourms, everything from musical instruments to home brewers.

Just be safe, if it seems too good to be true (even if it doesn’t) a quick google search of the email address could save you time, $$ and headache.

Sucks that these people are out there, you know, people preying on camera nerds like us…, just be safe!

Dirk
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Excellent advice. Always pay for item as merchandise using a credit card. PayPal will protect you. I had an experience on large format photography forum, a long time member stiffed a bunch of people. I got my money back from PayPal. The seller had a personal crisis
 
Just out of curiosity, what was the post count and join date of the 'seller'? A low or zero post count and a recent join date should be red flags when someone is responding to a WTB.

If you haven't already done so, report the user to a moderator. If they're banned they might rejoin the site using a different account name, but then the join date and low post count checks will hopefully allow you to avoid getting scammed.
 
Zero post counts can't start a "conversation" thread. There's a minimum (though it isn't very large).
 
Hence all the really old threads being revived
 
I would like to have classified ads in a wholly separate area. You would need to look for it. I'm too easily tempted
 
I've updated the thread title - to make the excellent advice even more visible.
 
Ironically he must be trolling as he emailed out of the blue and said we can communicate here (instead of in the WTB post that I had just put up).

OK...I'm the idiot, I just looked at my post and realized I put my email address in the ad...duh! Lesson learned, Don't put an email address in your ads for buying OR selling!

All good info to keep everyone safe, have a great weekend all!
Dirk
 
Yes, that might explain it. But thanks for the tip on googling suspicious email addresses, I never thought of that.
 
In addition to all good advice here. Please don't use friends and family on PayPal. It doesn't offer any protection. Money is gone the second you send it.

Instead ask seller to send PayPal invoice. This invoice is also good if you are need to claim your purchase for tax purposes. It's better to negotiate terms for PayPal fee than to risk the whole transaction.
Some people will claim they don't use PayPal but you can offer COD if available or walk away from the transaction.
 
I've purchased from people here who have a long history of posting and being involved in the site in all areas. I also have bought lenses from Japan through ebay from dealers there who have 98% favorable ratings and have done many sales. It is somewhat of a crap shoot otherwise.
 
Thank you
I look for established members, if not, proceed with caution. Use PayPal and never as friend.
 
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