So every Sunday I write about things that are important to me. I share them with people who could use it. This Sunday it was about online scams. Our beloved Commanders have a LOT of obsolete parts. Scams are rampant tho. Take what info you want and learn from my mistake.
Sunday Musings: Scams... It happens to the best of us!!
Take time to read, share, and learn from my lesson
Yes... Even those who always do the extra research. Me included. I was scammed this week buying a part for a client's boat. A part that was obsolete, no longer made, and not available anywhere. So I put out a feeler on a trusted forum and got an almost immediate reply from a member saying “try xxx company” Figuring the member actually knew the company and had done business with them, I did a quick look at their site on FB, because it was tagged in the message from the member. Real site, lots of parts posts, and good interaction. Nothing negative on the surface, so I messaged them. The response was “we have one good used one. $150.00 and we will cover shipping.” So I set up payment which was requested as Apple Pay or Zelle. Still nothing abnormal, yet... Until Apple Pay said “receiver is not registered with Apple Pay”.
First red flag.
Switched to Zelle. Which by the way is one of the most secure avenues as far as account info besides Apple Pay if you didn’t know. Sent the 150.00 to the number given. ( A southern Cali Number) which really isn’t out of the norm even with a company in Missouri. I know people in NC who have Phone numbers in Ohio. So this didn’t bother me. I figured all along “If I lose 150.00 in a scam, I won’t lose sleep. I’ll just be mad, and learn from it.” Little did I know I was about to learn.
I received a picture of a small USPS box with my shipping info on it, to confirm they would ship the box with tracking info. There was an immediate “Oh S**t” came out of my mouth. Anyone with any engine knowledge knows that a fuel injection rail for a big block V8 engine won’t fit in a small flat rate box unless you cut it into many small pieces, and even then I don’t think it will fit.
Second Red flag.
What commenced over the next several hours was a back and forth of “we do clean good business here. We ship all over the world with happy clients.” I wasn’t biting. I’d been had. and I knew it.. A simple Google search revealed this company didn’t even exist. I should have done this first.
Third red flag. I lost.. Dangit...
But they don’t give up. I received an email from a cargo shipping company overseas wanting 100.09 for shipping insurance and cargo charges and that if the part received was undamaged my money would be 100% refundable. So after locking the vault down. (and I did) I simply replied. “Keep it. I’m prosecuting the seller for international fraud and theft.” Never heard another word. Imagine that. So a $150.00 part, shipped in a Small USPS flat rate box from Missouri, with a Cali phone for Zelle, needed another $100.00 for shipping insurance on a cargo ship from Asia. Wow.....
Lesson Learned. I share this info and these posts to help others. You can take it or leave it, but the intent is to help you. Don’t get in too big of a hurry when excitement of finding the impossible comes to light. Do the research. Do a simple Google search on the company. Read the reviews, TALK with a live person on the phone. Confirm for yourself, they are real, the company is real, and your gut is not doing butterflies.
Had I done a little more research other than the facebook page, and the word of someone I don’t know? I’d still have 150.00 in the bank. Now we are back to find this part for the client.
That is my wish and prayer for this world today.
Update Since the part never arrived. I'll update: The company in question was on FB as "Oceanic Boats and Parts For Sale" Steer clear of them.
Also if you get an individual that replies "I have one DM me" It's a flag. Not always but most times. The best method is a Picture of the part with a hand written note next to it. Sometimes it works.