Neeed advice Possible Scam

R

Ron Kansas

Member
Hello fellow Fordbarners, I could use some advice. I have purchased several items on the site, up to now 100% satisfaction. One gentleman even called me to advise that the parts he advertised weren't as he had described. He had cashed my check but wanted to let me know about the difference and would immediately refund my money if I desired -- and HE DID!

On Nov. 22 a man advertised several parts. I responded to his ad saying I would like a specific part that he was asking $150 plus freight. I didn't haggle, asked him how much for UPS. Nov 24 he said a total of $173. Mailed a check next day and asked if he would confirm when he got check. No reply. Nov. 30 I e-mailed asking status. Dec. 1 He responded, got the check would ship part next day. Dec. 3 noted that check had cleared my bank, HE HAS MY MONEY. Dec. 8 no part, asked for update. No reply. Started to get worried. Dec. 11 sent anothe e-mail asking what's up? Dec. 15, got message saying he had been injured but was up and around, part would ship next day. Dec. 19 I got a message saying UPS had messed up mine and 10 other shipments of his, ALL THEIR FAULT! WILL SHIP TOMORROW AND YOU WILL HAVE BY CHRISTMAS. OK, now I am really worried, but we are in Ireland visiting new granddaughter and can't do anything.

Got home Dec. 28, NO PART. So my question and request for advice. By now, even as slow as I am, I am understanding that I got scammed. Should I post his complete name, address and Fordbarn ID plus other details to help others avoid his scam? Can I get in trouble for doing that? I tried to call him, but when I used his name and address to which I sent the check, it came up with no person at that address by that name. Not that it was unlisted, he doesn't exist, so I can't call him. He hasn't answered my last e-mail. What would you do??
 
If you have his address maybe make a visit or find someone in the area that might pick up your part. contact the sellers bank. Check with UPS for any status. UPS shipments are insured. Police might want to know about this fellow. Don't just rollover and write it off or he wins.
 
Like Franklin stated see if someone local on the Fordbarn can help you out.

If he's in PA/NJ- PM Me his address, me and a couple buddies will take a ride for you to get what you want. If there is no one at that address send me his a copy of his e-mail- we can search his IP address and have a few friends that can find out where he's at - I hate scammers and people who take advantage of people.

If he's in another state, I have family in North Caolina- Ohio- North Dakota-Colorado-Southern California
 
When you do become convinced its a fraud and not an error or hardship, report it to YOUR local police, who will contact his local police, and perhaps his local District Attorney already has other reports on him and this might start him thinking when he ie contacted by his local Police.

I regret not doing this, early in ebay history, when someone stuck me for a trailer purchase deposit and Idid not know, then, which way to turn, internet sales being a new thing and all.
 
I do not plan to "Rollover!" We are re-doing our wills and trusts and have an attorney on retainer who is willing to do some other legal work at no additional cost. My big concern here is that if he has done it to me, he has/will do it to others if not flagged and stopped. By the way, he is in Cincinatti, Ohio, at least that's where the check went. His profile shows being a member since May '10. In the ad I responded to, he has half a dozen items listed, I sent a check for the windshield frame. My big issue here is that he very promptly cashed my check, promised to ship the part the next day and provide tracking number. On three occasions he says the part will ship tomorrow and he would send tracking number. Have never received a tracking number and it should be only 3 days UPS from Ohio to Kansas. Can't get anything from UPS without track number and they have no record of the guy in their records.

Again, if he is actually sick, I can live with that, but he keeps promising to ship tomorrow, when ever that is. I just want to prevent him from giving this tremendous site and great members a bad name.

Ron
 
I considered the weather as well, however; that doesn't prevent him from providing the promised tracking number so I can follow up with UPS. They don't have any record of the guy.

Ron
 
Also Ron, it appears it was around December 16th since Brian has last logged in on the 'barn. Here is a phone number he has listed on here: 513-368-1093? I would also look on H.A.M.B. to see when he last logged in over there (providing he uses the same username there too). Based on his avatar and posts, I would think some people on H.A.M.B. would likely know who he is, ...and can assist you in tracking him or your merchandise down.

Good luck, and Happy New Year.




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If you sent the check throught the US Postal System, you might want to talk to the Postal Inspectors for possible mail fraud.

Ken
 
I always request a picture of the part. At least that way you sort of know he has the part you are buying. Nigerians don't usually have pictures of what you want even though they alway have the part you want in "mint" condition! Yes, it is true, a true scammer can find a picture of a similar item, but at least he has to do some work before possibly getting your money. And ask a lot of question about the condition of the part. I have bought a lot of parts on eBay and Fordbarn and so far I have been mostly lucky - knock on wood. I have been taken for some smaller items that weren't as good as described (even after asking a lot of questions), but at least I got the parts. I have only been cheated once for a large item $170 with shipping and that was from a fellow in Dillon, MT whose name starts with R. I got the "really nice" 21" rims that were not nice at all. I got pictures of them, but they didn't show the defects which they had. I alway pay with PayPal for eBay items as you can dispute an item that is not as described or not shipped. I have satisfactorily solved a couple of problems using PayPal. Using a credit card is also a way to combat scammers. Buying from an individual is a little tougher as they usually don't have a PayPal account or take a credit card, and want a check or money order. Good luck with trying to right your situation.
Rusty Nelson
 
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I think it's just a bad seller and not someone trying to scam. It's too bad. Best of luck Ron. Let us know how it goes.
 
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This is one reason when I'm looking for parts, if seller hasn't filled out his profile with where he's from I just blow by the ad, then keep looking and try to keep to 75-100 mile radius and make a trip. As others have said let Ryan know. If it was me I'd post his info in BIG letters here and let him straighten it out and clear his name. Just me.
Money is too hard to come by.
Paul in CT
 
He posts on the HAMB under the same handle (M*** W*** N*S****); been a member since 2007. Not too hard to track down.

Send Ryan a PM to make a "courtesy call" for you. Plenty of friends in and around Cincy, I would imagine.
 
Contact the Attorney General's in the state the "seller" resides in and tell them you want to file a fraud report.

I live in NJ, I guy in Oregon screwed me. I filed a report with the Oregon Atty. General and they got my money back
 
I made a purchase from someone on ford barn, and it was well over $1000.............. I listened to every excuse in the book for 3 or 4 months , much longer than i should have. i finally contacted my local police, who contacted his local police and i had the items very quickly. If they are just lazy, bordering on dishonest, the visit from the police will do the trick. i'd try that first.
 
Hey everyone, just to give an update, I received an e-mail yesterday afternoon from Ron thanking me for giving the phone number as he was able to call the man and talk with him regarding this. It looks like things may work out.

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Some of you asked for an update on this issue. After several more excuses and broken promises, I contacted Ryan. He sent a message and the guy responded with a story of woe that UPS had messed up 10 shipments, then shipped to wrong address, now it had been re-shipped and I would have it by 1/11 and he would send tracking number that day. Never got the number and didn't get the part. Ryan contacted him again on Friday. Again he apologized saying the UPS had messed up yet another time, he had actually seen the part go on the truck and didn't know why I didn't have it. Said he would get the track number and call me yet that day. NEVER CALLED. Today the part showed up, actually shipped the afternoon of 1/12. Never did get the tracking number but at least I have the part. Thanks for the suggestions and all the help.

By the way, say what you will about UPS, but in all that shipping back and forth, wrong address, being held in their warehouse while they screwed up the paper work, etc. they handled the package so well that it looks like it had only been packaged last week instead of two months ago! UPS, gotta love them for being so careful with the package that had been shipped to so many wrong places! (Big Big Grin)
 
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