KevinC
Autocross Champion
- Car(s)
- '19 Golf R, '21 M2c
I got burned badly once, never again.
About 20 years ago (!) I put up for sale on Vortex, a euro 50mm intake from my 2L Scirocco 16V, that was also polished. Rare in the first place (we got a NAR-only 42mm intake here in the states), and the polish job was first rate. Put it up for sale for $600. Some guy on Vortex wants it, and sends me 2x $300 postal service money orders, which clearly looked 100% legit to me (and they were). Deposited them in my checking account, and shipped the intake the same day. A week later it's delivered in Newark NJ (red flag #1!). The very next day I get a notice from my bank - my deposit has been rejected because the money orders were CANCELED by the buyer. Huh? Yep, you can buy a money order, then claim you lost it and simply cancel it. Had some Vortexers do a fly-by and check the delivery address - VERY sketchy multi-unit building where the delivery was apparently attempted at an unoccupied unit, then the perp met the driver there the next day upon re-delivery. I reported it but of course nothing ever happened. I had NO idea it was that simple to just cancel a legit money order. Today we have more modern payment solutions, but they can still be compromised if the buyer isn't careful.
Moral of the story: suspect EVERYONE you don't know. NEVER use "friends and family" option on PayPal - it's a huge red flag if someone wants you to. It only saves a very small % of the sale amount, but removes all buyer protection. And never buy from a newb on the board - another huge red flag. Buy from some old crusty fcker like me or Fed. We might be cranky at times but at least we're honest!
About 20 years ago (!) I put up for sale on Vortex, a euro 50mm intake from my 2L Scirocco 16V, that was also polished. Rare in the first place (we got a NAR-only 42mm intake here in the states), and the polish job was first rate. Put it up for sale for $600. Some guy on Vortex wants it, and sends me 2x $300 postal service money orders, which clearly looked 100% legit to me (and they were). Deposited them in my checking account, and shipped the intake the same day. A week later it's delivered in Newark NJ (red flag #1!). The very next day I get a notice from my bank - my deposit has been rejected because the money orders were CANCELED by the buyer. Huh? Yep, you can buy a money order, then claim you lost it and simply cancel it. Had some Vortexers do a fly-by and check the delivery address - VERY sketchy multi-unit building where the delivery was apparently attempted at an unoccupied unit, then the perp met the driver there the next day upon re-delivery. I reported it but of course nothing ever happened. I had NO idea it was that simple to just cancel a legit money order. Today we have more modern payment solutions, but they can still be compromised if the buyer isn't careful.
Moral of the story: suspect EVERYONE you don't know. NEVER use "friends and family" option on PayPal - it's a huge red flag if someone wants you to. It only saves a very small % of the sale amount, but removes all buyer protection. And never buy from a newb on the board - another huge red flag. Buy from some old crusty fcker like me or Fed. We might be cranky at times but at least we're honest!
