Ripped off by NC Scammer (long)

[ntmatter]

I was holding off on making this post until I could be sure that this wasn't just a communication problem or other explainable issue. However...

I had advertised a set of '98 wheels on the classifieds a while back, and got a nearly immediate response from several people. They sold nearly immediately to someone who's name I won't mention, although it could be ALEX ASTOR of Huntersville, NC. After some major delivery hiccups (UPS lost one of the wheels), I sent off the full set to him C.O.D. I received back a hand-written business check from this individual (whose name could be ALEX ASTOR of Huntersville, NC), but when I went to verify funds the account didn't have even $100.00 in it. In addition, his e-mail address and 3 different phone numbers have been cancelled. His business (possibly Racetronic Engineering in Moorseville, NC) phone number is, according to the phone company, an unlisted number. Some of the NC VCA members have graciously offered to check out the delivery address for this guy, but at this point I'm assuming that I've been totally screwed. In addition, writing $3000 in checks on an empty bank account, and then cancelling all of your numbers tells me that this was a pretty obvious intent to defraud. All of this brings up a few important pointers for VCA members sending merchandise to strangers:

1. Require a cashier's check or money order for all of your C.O.D. shipments. Alex talked a good line and was patient as I worked through the insurance claim with UPS, and so I let this slip my mind.

2. Be very cautious dealing with anyone named Alex in North Carolina. He bounced around through several phone numbers and addresses, and he may even be using different personal or business names. (Note: the NC chapter of the VCA has offered a bunch of help to me on this, and I don't intend to tar them with the same brush. This caution is specific to one individual, whose name might possibly be ALEX ASTOR of Huntersville, NC.)

3. If you're shipping something expensive to ship, like wheels, I'd recommend getting payment for the shipping in advance. My ship cost was $300.00, and even if I get the wheels back then I'm out of pocket for that.

I realize that most people who buy through the classifieds are straight-up members of the Viper community. I've spent over $2000 through the classifieds myself, and I bought my car there. However, don't be lulled by all of the good apples in this bunch into forgetting to protect your interests when you deal with strangers.

 

[Janni]

Andy,
We'll do whatever we can to assist on this - I am mobilizing the NC Region. Be advised that this person IS NOT a member of the VCA.

In the future, I think most club officers would be glad to act as a sort of intermediary, or better yet, classified sales may benenfit in using a service like i-Escrow. Perhaps a link off the classifieds page?

I'd like to think that this is an isolated incident, and that a VCA MEMBER would NEVER do such a thing, but you can never be too careful. We've sold a bit of stuff through eBay, and we ship ONLY when a check clears - although for something this expensive, I would use iEscrow.

We'll do what we can, Andy - maybe you can at least get a judgement and make the guys life miserable.

 

[BWoodbury]

Ouch. I would also like to make another suggestion. Paypal is used by lots of auction sites (one of which might be called eBay). It works very simply through credit cards. Anyone can sign up. You just give them your credit card info and your Email address. Money then moves between the 2 parties through the credit cards. I.e. the seller gets a credit and the buyer's card is debited.

Check them out here:

 

[Qualitywires.com]

That really *****! I buy things on the net here and had good luck. But this stuff can make you not want to do business.

 

[Vypr GT2]

I had a lengthy email exchange several months ago with someone that "might have" used that name in regards to buying my Viper that was for sale- we settled on a price, were making the arrangements for the sale, etc. when he suddenly started deleting my emails, then dropped his email accounts, etc. He seemed trustworthy and believable...scary stuff....

 

[Joseph Houss]

Go Get'im Janni!

 

[Jay Herbert]

I was nearly scammed a few months back as well. It seems that Wheels and tops are high on scammers lists because the market for these parts is the most fluid. This is not really a "net" problem, it is a classifieds problem, if people don't think that publications like Hemmings, or whatever have the same things happen.

During my experience, I found that COD was pretty much useless as the process does not allow for verification of any sort by the COD carrier.

Unfortunately, the things a seller does to protect himself (like not sending the parts until the check clears) are scams that are used on unsuspecting buyers. That is what a person tried to pull on me, requiring 100% payment up-front via Western Union, which I found out is basically a "cash" transaction. The real scammers have phony ID's, stolen credit cards, and in the case of the person that tried to sell me the hard top, even stolen cell pone.... and can talk like Clinton.... so to protect yourself from those types is going to be tough, but not impossible...

Heres how: Use the VCA community! Use it to check out sellers, there are VCA'ers everywhere, and most are friendly very willing to help. I've had friends deliver payment, pick up parts, and then send them to me.... no way for a person to cheat you if you leave withthe parts in your hand..... on the other direction I've shipped parts to friends then who drop off the parts to buyers and leave with the money order in hand, again, payment is pretty much assured that way. It'll cost a dinner or something nice for your buddy, but it is worth the piece of mind, and my buddy's wife is happy about the night out

You must be registered for see images

On the Hardtop Scam, I was lucky enough to have a friend who was close to the seller, and I told the seller: "drop it off to Gary at this address (only 20 minutes from where the seller claimed to live), and he'll pay you" Of course the fellow never showed.

On larger purchases a company called iescrow.com is another option, as mentioned, pay-pal works nice to (Just used it to buy a used MAC for my wife).

Hope this helps, I'm really sorry to hear about the wheel problem, it is a good idea to contact the local athorities, they can be very helpful in a situation like this. And I'll keep an eye peeled for anyone trying to turn around and sell the wheels.

 

[Robert Dyck]

I remember Jay Herbert posting a full warning about this a few months back. Unfortunately, perhaps Andy did not see Jay's report.