What's the deal with dudes selling speakers in gas stations parking lots?

[masraum]

Probably in the '90-95 range, once or twice me or a buddy stopped for gas and had some dudes in a van or truck try to sell us "extra speakers" that were a "great deal". My buddy was tempted because he was always looking for a "great deal".

I don't remember running into that since until yesterday, I stopped for gas and these guys in a truck "hey, do you need a good wireless surround sound speaker system. We're from Houston and just did a pick-up in Columbus and they gave us an extra set that we don't need. It's a GREAT deal. They aren't stolen or anything."

I had to tell them "no" at least half a dozen times. They then checked with folks at two other pumps.

WTF?

[aschen]

Old scam for sure; "white van speakers"


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_van_speaker_scam

[NY65912]

They're labeled Apple and are some . 02 cent Chinese crap. Stay away!

[Cajundaddy]

30 years ago the speaker guys in a white van were selling "Acoustic Research Design 12" studio monitors, great price!" One of my gullible friends bought a pair and they sounded like azz.

Run Forest run!

[LWJ]

White Van Speakers is a classic scam. Google it up. Very odd that it was such a "thing." I don't think I ever saw this going down.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Free candy?

[911boost]

Did they ask you to help move a sofa?

It puts the lotion on the skin.

[Brian 162]

A friend of mine bought a pair of those speakers in the 80’s. They weren’t the greatest speakers but they weren’t bad either. He paid $100.

[Dantilla]

I always assumed they were stolen.
Steal stuff, sell it out of a van so there is no paper trail or security cameras.

[Alan A]

No need to steal when you sell knockoffs.

[Gogar]

Originally Posted by Alan A

No need to steal when you

this part of your reply has no place in the criminal mindset.

[Alan A]

Lesser crime. Less time…

[Por_sha911]

Originally Posted by Brian 162

A friend of mine bought a pair of those speakers in the 80’s. They weren’t the greatest speakers but they weren’t bad either. He paid $100.

Same here. Bought a pair in the early 80's for next to nothing. Like above, not the best but better than what I had at the time. Lasted a good long while till I bought my Cerwin Vega 12's.

[varmint]

My favorite

Late 90s. Homeless guy would dumpster dive behind electronics stores. Get dvd player boxes. Put a rock in it. Tape it back up nice. Then stand on the 405 freeway off-ramp holding the box up and yelling “$20”.

Idiot co worker got taken.

[sc_rufctr]

This scam seems like a really hard way to make money.

Why not get a job in a hifi shop selling the real gear? I'd bet they'd do well.

[zakthor]

I think it’s really cool. It’s never industrial tools or a massage chair, or any of the other bajillion things that a white van could deliver… it’s speakers. Are speakers alone in these lonely heights?

Something about testosterone and getting a good deal on speakers.

I’d love to hear why it’s always speakers by the salesman that invented this, and how exactly you can compel people to complete the deal. Got to hurry we are due back and boss will be mad.

Do you think they have classes?
Is white van required?
Is there only one white speaker deal van?

At least people get working speakers…

[LEAKYSEALS951]

Are the speakers "liquid cooled?"
Back when I was in high school, those guys were selling "liquid cooled" speakers. That was 40 years ago. They were in Richmond, Va. - and later were in Virginia Beach, Va. - and 10 years later were back in Richmond. Probably the same van.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by zakthor

I think it’s really cool. It’s never industrial tools or a massage chair, or any of the other bajillion things that a white van could deliver… it’s speakers. Are speakers alone in these lonely heights?

Something about testosterone and getting a good deal on speakers.

I’d love to hear why it’s always speakers by the salesman that invented this, and how exactly you can compel people to complete the deal. Got to hurry we are due back and boss will be mad.

Do you think they have classes?
Is white van required?
Is there only one white speaker deal van?

At least people get working speakers…

The other day it was a black or maybe dark blue pickup truck that was fairly new with great paint. I guess times have changed. Maybe they got tired of being associated with these guys.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by varmint

My favorite

Late 90s. Homeless guy would dumpster dive behind electronics stores. Get dvd player boxes. Put a rock in it. Tape it back up nice. Then stand on the 405 freeway off-ramp holding the box up and yelling “$20”.

Idiot co worker got taken.

My dad worked at Dillard’s in the ‘80s, on multiple occasions people either put an old electronic component into a new box or just some dead weight and returned it as new. This was back when they sold high end electronics like receivers and minidisc players. They changed some policies after that…

Originally Posted by sc_rufctr

This scam seems like a really hard way to make money.

Why not get a job in a hifi shop selling the real gear? I'd bet they'd do well.

Lots of people work really hard to not work. I don’t get it either.

[BK911]

They got me a few years ago.
Even had a catalog showing they were expensive speakers.
Didn't sound too bad but I'm not really in to music.
Much prefer silence.