Beware of this rip off artist

[Diesel]

This guy was advertising on another Porsche message board that he was parting out a 924. I sent a money order on the 30th of June to this schmoe for a spindle for my 924. After waiting a few weeks I e-mailed and asked if he got my M.O. yet. No answer. I gave it another week, e-mailed again. Got an e-mail back saying he'd been working a lot of overtime and if I didn't like it, he'd send my money back and "I could just try to find a spindle so cheap!" Said he'd be taking it off of the car that weekend and would UPS it and e-mail me the tracking number. Long&short, he isn't answering phone calls or e-mails even though I told him I'd be getting his local Police involved. I should have checked his e-mail address at E-Bay for bad feedback because if I did, I would have found he's a FREAKIN' DEADBEAT FROM WAY BACK! But, it's too late for that. However, so YOU don't get ripped off by this weasel, here's his info:

e-mail orsche924blk@aol.com
Mike Atwood
350 Scott Ct.
Decatur, Il. 62526
Phone# 217-875-1998

[fdb70]

Is there a better way to find out if the person is sincere about selling their items? I keep seeing these incidents now & then. There must be a better way to throw these DEADBEATS out of this site. It's just not fair for people wanting to make their Porsche's look/run well & yet getting ripped off. Please advise.

[LtUSMC]

One idea I had is to insist on using PayPal. A method of crediting his credit card and debting yours. That way if he is a deadbeat, all you have to do is to cancel the charge on your card.

I would also be interested in other advice of safely doing these kinds of transactions.

[hoff944]

Mail him of bag of dog feces!!! What? Can't I make an absurd comment every once in a while?

[Diesel]

What's up with the smilie face in the 'p'? Wierd....

[thamlin000]

haha,

: + p=

I figured that out last week!

[This message has been edited by thamlin000 (edited 08-10-2000).]

[This message has been edited by thamlin000 (edited 08-10-2000).]

[porscheboi928s/c944t/n]

i also might be a victim or already a victim!!have anyone bought the body kit that is in ebay auction...(fiberperformance)??i have sent this guy money(paypal) last june 20th and still haven't recieved the body kit yet??i was promised that i will get it 3 to 4 weeks and until now i haven't recieved it yet....was in touched with him last week and said that he will send it out tuesday of this week and still..never send it out(yet)...so watch out!!...i don't know if he is also a con artist or another type of guy that gives too many alibi's......

[hoff944]

I say we form a posse and find these guys that give water cooled 4 banger Porsche owners a bad name.

[todd951]

Actually, PayPal doesn't really give you any protection from deadbeats. If you take a look at the fine print when you sign up for a PayPal account, it says that they will terminate your account if you try to have your credit card company cancel a PayPal charge. So you can't really do that, unfortunately.

[LtUSMC]

That sucks. But better to have them terminate your contract then losing hundreds of dollars on a bum deal.

If you go this route, you will only lose your PayPal ability if you cancel a payment and save a lot of money, so it will always be worth it. Better than nothing anyway.

Checks, money orders, and cash of course, are much more dangerous.

[Diesel]

I finally got an e-mail from him last night. Here it is and my reply:

Why ya gonna call the police again? Guess what they thought it was quite
amusing, and My Uncle is in a high postion there so guess what nothing is
gonna happen they arent gonna sweat a measley $30 so either way you are still
gonna get your spindle but if you dont be nice it may even take longer.
IDIOT! So u relax dont P me off and youll get your spindle. And by the way
calling me names and threatening me isnt gonna do anything but get you kicked
offline I could be a ass and file charges for assault if you really wanna
play games (:

Sorry Mike, but I'm calling your bluff. I've found out you've defrauded
quite a few people on-line, not just me. Expect more calls from the police.
Calling you names? If you consider cheat or crook a name I guess. So I'm an
idiot? I guess you could make an argument for that, trusting you was pretty
stupid. However, I don't take being cheated lying down. Today I'm going to
see what the Postal police have to say about interstate fraud with one of
their money orders. A while ago, you told me that if I was going to get
stupid, you'd "send me my money back and I could just try to get a spindle
so cheap!". Well guess what Mike, I want my money back

[LtUSMC]

Way to stand up for yourself Diesel. Even if there wasn't any money involved, I would personally want to see that SOB nailed.

He's not just con man, but a loser and a jerk. Not some of the best qualities!

[hoff944]

This is making me mad just reading it!!!

[1.2gees]

That's why I always sell using COD...

Ofcourse when I'm the seller, I prefer a certified check, it makes things easier, and quicker for ME the seller. However, for the buyer, COD is the best way to go.

You can NOT be sure that whomever you're dealing with is sending you the right parts, but you at least get whatever it is that they're sending on time...

When you offer COD, and the seller refuses, you know that you might be taking a big chanse of them never sending you the part.
Ahmet

------------------
It's all the driver...

[tri]

I would suggest sending a copy of the e-mail to this guys uncles supervisor at the police department. A copy to the town manager or DA would heat things up a little. Why not bring down the whole family...

[porscheboi928s/c944t/n]

what a good idea tri....hope it works..

[Diesel]

I really doubt he's got any relative in a position of power. And even if he did, people don't get those jobs by being stupid. He just sent me another e-mail, here's the text for your enjoyment:

im sending your $ back you are a moron and I hope you have to pay 150 for a
spindle! Call whoever you want its not even a misdemeanor for $30. As far as
your info on fraud i havent been fraudulent to anyone! So keep emailing me
and I'll keep sending them to your ISP so you can get kicked offline! IDIOT!

[2young944]

oooook!!!.... good luck diesel...

[2young944]

oooook!!!.... good luck diesel...

[bwm944]

I've got this godfather. Hmm. Maybe he'll make him an offer he can't refuse.

Hold your ground.