Not selling Cardas cables online again, just wanted to share.....

Here's what I do (and I am sure its not foolproof) it has saved me a couple of times. Place a small dent, scrape mark or something you can take a picture of and compare when you get something back. I've done it with LP's in runout groove. Something small enough that will not cause it to be considered damaged. Make sure an image with that mark (where the mark is not a focal point) is included in the ad. This has helped me get my money back with cartridge and an LP thru eBay a couple of years back. 

On the Friends and Family subject, sometimes I have used the suggestion of Friends and Family as a test.  

Me:  " You seem like an honest fellow and after exchaging a few emails I think you are honest, lets say we do friends and family and save 3%?"

Often the immediate response to that question can give you some insight.  If they politely decline and say something that seems right, that is good.  If they over-react to your suggestion, you might be concerned that they plan to scam you.

Jerry

It hurts us all. I wouldn't buy anything remotely expensive Friends and Family so that definitely hurts commerce. I try to buy local too.

@drbond I am familiar with the “no fee” benefit of the Friends and Family pay option, but I didn’t know there was no recourse if a complaint was filed.  That’s good to know.  So, you asked the potential fraudsters to use the Friends and Family payment to see if they were willing to buy your product, knowing they couldn’t file a complaint and get a refund if they were up to no good.  That’s why I asked my original question because I was trying to understand why you challenged the potential fraudsters to use Friends and Family payment.

Good for you…

 Thanks

@dbt 

Using PayPal Friends and Family does not cost either buyer or seller any fees, and the seller gets the full amount.  The reason that some buyers don’t want to use Friends and Family is that they have no recourse if they don’t get anything, or if the item is not as described.  

Hope you had taken the pictures of your cables. Once you receive the fake cable, you might be able to compare and then send them to Audiogon and PayPal. Also, if possible, you should post his username on the forum so that rest of the folks can avoid that user like a plague.

@drbond Is there any security benefit by having the buyer use the PayPal Friends and Family payment option? I’m planning to sell my DAC pretty soon and these scams make me nervous. That’s why I sell all my gear on consignment through The Music Room. They receive a fee from the sell, but I have peace of mind.

Not yet, waiting for the cables to arrive (his fake ones) but I am planning to see what can be done via the local authorities since it is actually falls under mail fraud.  I have contacted the local authorities on how to work with border patrol on this if possible. I will get Paypal involved since they need to know and will decide after...at this moment I am not too concern about the money lost but would like to ensure it does not happen to anyone else.

@rapogee Were you able to leave feedback for the other user so people are aware of the transaction?

It is so unfortunate that we have to put up with this nonsense. IMO the scammers have progressively gotten worse. You have to vet your buyer and your seller.

I have found it is good to have two references from either the buyer or the seller. If you can't communicate with the past transactions then roll the dice! You make the decision! At this point, I lean more towards online dealers. Yes, it is a little more but it is more secure. I was a victim on the receiving end of a PP scam and lost my privileges. The buyer told the official that the unit he received from me was not working. Turned out it was his way of auditioning gear at my expense.

So sorry to hear this.  Does anyone think the problem of people scamming others on AGon, USaudiomart the same or getting worse?

That's terrible.....hate hearing stories like this.  

It’s becoming more common in this once trustworthy community to find scammers.  I listed a pair of Lamm monoblocks for sale, and I got a few inquiries from no feedback individuals asking me to ship them out of country with PayPal fees.  I replied that I would only sell to low/no feedback buyers if paid via PayPal Friends and Family.  Their interest stopped then.

This is really unfortunate. I've  not been here long but have have  had great experiences from buying on Audiogon  and US Audio Mart. Nothing but great folks to deal with, folks who care about their gear.
sorry  this happened to you. That said everything I have bought has involved at least a phone conversation, I suppose to test the validity of the purchase and I do try to buy local.

Unfortunately this is the world we live in, for the last post file the claim and get you money back.  I only deal with higher feedback sellers and buyers now and Friends and family only when I sell.  I am debating on getting out of the buying and selling because of all the criminals and scumbag people that prey of good people that still believe in doing the right thing.  Good luck to the original OP and also to the others that are going through issues.  

Sorry to hear this.

I recently got ripped off on a purchase via Head-fi, by user fakcior I should have been more suspicious. However, I had used PayPal. I made an online claim with PayPal and they approved a refund immediately. I think the money was in my account in a few days. So, my experience with PayPal is good.

I still normally use PayPal F&F but did not do it with the iffy transaction.

I have never once agreed to use PayPay. Just Google Top Ten PayPay Scams.  It is unfortunate you have fallen victim to one of them.  Everyone should take this as a warning.   Sellers have zero protection when using PayPal. Frankly, I'm surprised we don't hear a lot more of these stories. Forget the adage Buyer Beware.  It's Seller Beware these days.   A sad commentary indeed on our society. 

That’s nothing.

I sold a perfectly good Pro-Ject RPM 10 Carbon turntable and got a PP charge back and a completely destroyed turntable returned to me 45 days later. The guy claimed it took him 30 days to open the giant wooden crate and refused to participate with the carrier’s insurance claim.

I documented everything with photos and videos, packing process, pick up etc.

Argued with 10 different PP agents for 3 months to no avail.

Eventually I just refused to pay them (PP) back.

So the guy switched your real cables with fake cables and now you’re getting his fake cables back?  Correct?  What caught my eye here was Cardas.  I’m a Cardas fan boy and familiar with their older cables.  I mean Cardas GR IC’s unless they’re VERY long are going to sell for 500 bucks or so.  What some people will go through  to rip you off. Unbelievable.