Did you give F150 online your phone number when you signed up?
I know I didn't.

 

I wondered about that too, so I walked thru creating an ad backing out at the end.
The information requested includes name, address, and phone.
Of course no assurance that the info entered is factual.

 

Damn, I hate to hear this is happening to another member here. Although my issue worked out in the end, it was still a hassle and should have never got to the point it did. It's unfortunate, but a fact of life that some people are just out to screw others. I just hope they all "get theres" in the end.

I think it's time the classifieds are looked at and possibly put a safety feature in place so this type of thing doesn't keep happening. If thats not possible, maybe it's time the classified section is done away with. Turn it into a place where guys can post links to an ebay auction and let everyone sell their stuff there.


Whats going on around here lately?? This place is not what it used to be.
( please spare me the "this is a public forum" speach )



BREW

 

I did get a response from F150... They told me that all the info matches up ie: phone # matches from the same aera that I gave them. The IPC # matches up to the address that I gave them, the name matched but not exactly, their words...They told me that it does not show a red flag from their stand point. They said that they will not give any personal info untill there is a warrant for this guys arrest...

BREWDUDE: Did you get my PM? I sent you this guys address, just wondering if it is the same POS...

Thanks,

...

 

I generally do not get involved in these private issues that are chosen to be made public, but since some of the information given in this post is attributing inaccurate information, here are the exact words that I used:

1) The word arrest was not in my email to this poster, I stated specifically, "our privacy policy does not allow us to release the contact information provided by our users without a warrant of some sort."

2) I did not state the name matched exactly, my words were "It’s close, but not exactly the same. Same street, different building number. The address looks to be at the University of Miami, based on a quick search using Google Earth."

3) I also stated, "Based on the information I can see, this is not a classified that would send up and red flags for scams, as the IP address matches the location of the seller and they provided a phone number for the same area."

4) And since this is being left out, I also specifically stated: "If this does indeed turn out to be a scam, we will do what we can do to help you out. But my advice is to stay patient for now, as this person may just be out of town without access to email."

 

The larger we get, the bigger the target we become.

As a sidenote, it only takes being scammed one time to learn from your mistakes. I admit, I've been scammed on the Internet. What did I learn? Other than I will never get my money back...

1) Always ask for a phone number...and then call that number to make sure it is real. If the seller is unwilling to provide one, move on.

2) Use a payment intermediary, whenever possible, that provides some level of protection for you. (ie PayPal)

3) If a deal sounds too good to be true, or you are willing to overlook red flags because of price, you are setting yourself up for disappointment.

4) Never pay for anything in advance with cash.

While I am not saying this situation represents a failure of these idea in any way, there does have to be some personal responsibility with transactions made online. Far too often, someone will jump on what sounds like a great price and they give no thought to the red flags. I've been there, lost that.

 

Considering that this guy is in college, and that it's SPRING BREAK right now, you might want to be a little more patient.

 

This is true. You should be more sympathetic towards him now and he will be more sympathetic towards you later.

 

My rule of thumb is I don't trust anybody who wasn't here before Jul 2001 and has less than 3900 posts.

 

You need to add a qualifier, "and whose name starts with an "O".

 

And who has sworn off goat jokes.

 

 

You're just stockpiling them and that is almost as bad.
Until you give UN inspectors access you must remain on the 'axis of evil' list.

 

I only turned away one "inspector"; and, that was because she had cold hands.

 

I read her report and she was whistling a different tune.