Scammed on CalGuns

[ikeo1]

If this ever happens please be sure to use the report feature. We want to make sure we clamp down on that.

 

[ZeroFoxGiven]

Asking for deposit to me means automatic scam.

At least you did not lose hundreds or thousands of dollars. A good deal is nice, but never be so eager you ignore red flags and common sense.

 

[tedster]

It's hard to get scammed on Calguns when the site is always down...

Ain't that the truth !!

 

[tedster]

Asking for deposit to me means automatic scam.

At least you did not lose hundreds or thousands of dollars. A good deal is nice, but never be so eager you ignore red flags and common sense.

Correct and well spoken. We fall for it because we let our guards down. Seemingly, good deals will trigger this.

 

[gorgothmog]

Long story short, I met a user on calguns and he had a xd40 for sale with extra mags and with ammo. I reached out to him to on 4/16 to let him know im interested. We come to an agreement and he ask for a deposit, so in good faith I follow thru and give him $. Fast forward to 4/19 he ask for another deposit and at this point he’s given me 2 different emails and a whooole lot of excuses as to why he needs $70. So again, I follow thru and shoot him $. Now today this individual told me he never received any money from me when my bank account says otherwise. I know it’s my bad for being gullible but it was a deal I couldn’t pass up.

So fellas please be aware of scammers on here. He used a google number so he couldn’t be traced or called 1(423) 788-4326

This was his posting on calguns View attachment 856View attachment 856

How does calguns.net have its domain paid for if no one seems to be at the helm of this thing? I bet it's auto-debiting from a checking account in the Cayman Islands tied to some LLC that will live on in perpetuity that will keep this community forever hobbled and split. Paul T. Nordberg is sippin' daquaries on some white sanded beach, somewhere.

 

[Subotai]

Yeah, iTrader rating over there. I have something like 27. I try not to deal with anyone unless I read their ratings, who they are from, etc. Five seems a little light. I certainly wouldn't send money with that low of a rating. Maybe if he had about 50 or so, I might send money.

 

[.dC0m]

How does calguns.net have its domain paid for if no one seems to be at the helm of this thing? I bet it's auto-debiting from a checking account in the Cayman Islands tied to some LLC that will live on in perpetuity that will keep this community forever hobbled and split. Paul T. Nordberg is sippin' daquaries on some white sanded beach, somewhere.

Not to derail the thread too much, but Kestryll posted on 7/15 stating he suffered some life events and was disconnected from life, which included CGN. He's back now, but it seems like he needs some major overhaul/web admin help to keep the site running the way it should.

It's too bad he let it get that bad; I think a lot of its (regular) members migrated over here and have nothing bad to say about our new home.

 

[phonso302]

You win some you loose some. On calguns a guy posted a savage bolt gun,Mossberg 500 and stripped ar lower for low dollar. I went for it he asks for 100 deposit. Feedback was minimal but ok. Worked out for me he showed up as agreed and ppt went thru easily. Had another guy sell me a ar piston kit with tons of feedback. Mails me a empty envelope then left me negative feedback.

 

[echo1]

Happened to me the first and only time I used Zelle 3 years ago. In the past on Calguns, Survivors and Gunboards I'd always send cash and mostly knew the folks through posts. Then a few years ago I was convinced to use USPS money order. PAX

 

[SLORNR]

Happened to me the first and only time I used Zelle 3 years ago. In the past on Calguns, Survivors and Gunboards I'd always send cash and mostly knew the folks through posts. Then a few years ago I was convinced to use USPS money order. PAX

What were the circumstances with the Zelle Scam? PPT? I’ve never had an issue with Zelle or Venmo.

 

[echo1]

What were the circumstances with the Zelle Scam? PPT? I’ve never had an issue with Zelle or Venmo.

It really wasn't a Zelle issue. It was a faith issue. It was totally on me. As I mentioned I usually sent cash, in good faith, for something $500 hunnerd bucks or less. Sent to forum members. This was a reply to a WTB Savage 99E in .30-30. Fella responded, "My buddy has one email@xyz", ad contact, was all cordial, he sent picts, listed at 3-4 hunnerd bucks below what I'd seen. Did the money transfer, got ghosted. My bad. Similar deal went down with an RV I sold. Buyer sent $2K more than I was asking in a cashiers check to pay the "movers" to take possession. Him hawed around, the cashier check cleared, waited a few more days and sent $2K is USPS money orders to the movers PO Box, the same day the cashier checked bounced. Contacted the rural postmaster in Pingree Idaho, told her what happened, she contacted the postal hub supervisor in Pocatello and intercepted the ducats. She saved my hide. To say the least I'm a little sharper now. Tougher to do business on an internet handshake these days. PAX

 

[Hit Factor]

Never give a deposit for anything.

I agree, unless the person requesting the deposit is a prince who needs the money to unlock some frozen assets. I mean, when the son of the deposed king of Nigeria emails you directly asking for help, you help.

 

[SLORNR]

It really wasn't a Zelle issue. It was a faith issue. It was totally on me. As I mentioned I usually sent cash, in good faith, for something $500 hunnerd bucks or less. Sent to forum members. This was a reply to a WTB Savage 99E in .30-30. Fella responded, "My buddy has one email@xyz", ad contact, was all cordial, he sent picts, listed at 3-4 hunnerd buck below what I'd seen. Did the money transfer, got ghosted. My bad. Similar deal went down with an RV I sold. Buyer sent $2K more than I was asking in a cashiers check to pay the "movers" to take possession. Him hawed around, the cashier check cleared, waited a few more days and sent $2K is USPS money orders to the movers PO Box, the same day the cashier checked bounced. Contacted the rural postmaster in Pingree Idaho, told her what happened, she contacted the postal hub supervisor in Pocatello and intercepted the ducats. She saved my hide. To say the least I'm a little sharper now. Tougher to do business on an internet handshake these days. PAX

Got it.

In CA I only do FTF Transactions, I don’t sell anything through the mail or via commercial carrier. I want to see what I am buying, and/or I want a buyer to inspect what I am selling.

There are plenty of online vendors who can ship regulated and unregulated items, and they offer return policies, no way I can compete with that. I’m not trying to. If you buy something from me, you will inspect it before there is any money exchanged.

 

[sjb323]

I don't get it. You paid $140 to not own an XD40. Sounds like a win to me!

 

[tedster]

I don't get it. You paid $140 to not own an XD40. Sounds like a win to me!

Boah!! I reckon I got me some money saved!

 

[tedster]

I sold a couple of brandnew Ruger Mini 14 magazines lately. Original packaging never used.
Gotta go bellow present day online retail to make this attractive for anyone to buy.
Nice fella replied, texted, sent the money and the magazines were on the way next day.
Look, this is an honor system.
Asking for a deposit on what is going to be a FTF PPT, doesn't give me a comfortable sense of being honorable.
So, not now and not ever will I send a deposit for a transaction like this.
No deal is that good.

Oh, many years back I had bought a CZ 9mm that came with 14 round magazines.
I was still wet behind the ears so, I was scared to become a felon if I would keep those.
I posted in the CZ forum and sure enough a fella in the Carolinas received the same model with 10 round magazines.
We decided to make it a square trade. Shipped it off and exchanged tracking numbers.
Everthing went fine, we both were happy. However, not without a thrill.
I had to ask the guy 3x for a tracking number that worked.
Turns out he typed it manually, which took him 3 times to get it without errors.

 

[supermike]

I send deposit before but you need to make it make sense. Is it a hot item? are you asking seller to travel/meet long distance? is the amount reasonable? and is the 6 sense telling you no?

 

[Pewpewwagon]

Anybody remember the random three letter posts? Or the guy watching for the I’ll take it post , then he’ll create an account with a similar name, or the famous my buddy’s not logged in right now, here’s his number.

 

[Deleted member 12066]

Sorry to hear that you got scammed OP.

Deposits defiantly have their place, and I realize that many people won't proceed with a transaction when a deposit is required, but there is no shortage of the right buyer who is ok with doing so.
There is buyer beware and also seller beware.
Previously I would often ask for deposits, and when selling during COVID timesI required deposit for everything. Ive never had a problem until recently.
I recently got scammed buy a deadbeat buyer on HERE, who was a no call no show and left me hanging at my FFL, so now I require a deposit on firearms.

Story here; https://caguns.net/threads/buyer-beware-thread.13471/post-64732

No matter what I'm selling, I initiate transaction with at least one lengthy phone call to vet the buyer & build a trustful relationship for both parties.
Anyway, I hope you get some resolution.

 

[SLORNR]

Sorry to hear that you got scammed OP.

Deposits defiantly have their place, and I realize that many people won't proceed with a transaction when a deposit is required, but there is no shortage of the right buyer who is ok with doing so.
There is buyer beware and also seller beware.
Previously I would often ask for deposits, and when selling during COVID timesI required deposit for everything. Ive never had a problem until recently.
I recently got scammed buy a deadbeat buyer on HERE, who was a no call no show and left me hanging at my FFL, so now I require a deposit on firearms.

Story here; https://caguns.net/threads/buyer-beware-thread.13471/post-64732

No matter what I'm selling, I initiate transaction with at least one lengthy phone call to vet the buyer & build a trustful relationship for both parties.
Anyway, I hope you get some resolution.

I have had a no show PPT in the past, it does suck to waste time.

I’m really hesitant to sell anything to anyone outside the people I know or through associations these days. In turn I have also picked up some really good guns from those same people and associations, premium guns that are new in the original boxes with test targets, factory accessaries, and paperwork, collectors dream guns, from dudes who purchased them new 20-40+ years ago and never fired a single round through them.

From my experience, people with real money that buy and sell valued anything are not really on the internet, especially not in CA. The internet opens you up to imbeciles. Imbeciles have no issue wasting their own time much less anyone else’s. Time wasting is an imbeciles hallmark.

Many gun collectors also fall out of guns and shooting as they age, and their life’s priorities go in another direction. I have scored some unbelievable guns through association with the right people and I have sold guns to people with deep pockets. I had a dentist out of SD try to buy my whole gun collection for an insane amount of money. I sold him a few pieces but not the whole of my collection. The only way that guy found me was through his patient that I worked with, they always talked guns. The dentist was looking for a very specific gun and the guy knew I had one. That’s all it took to make a connection.

With that, I still would not take a deposit on a PPT unless it was a long haul to and from the transfer location. I have only been burned once in dozens of PPT meets, and I have never had to drive more than 20 minutes to a dealers for a PPT with an internet buyer. I guess it will take a bit more before being completely jaded.

From my perspective I believe no shows and the like are passive aggressive gun owners who don’t like your pricing or terms of sale. They can’t directly thread crap on your listings so they burn you with a no show or start a passive aggressive separate thread about your specific type or brand of gun and how the pricing is out of line etc in an infantile attempt to lash out because they have no control over their emotions. They probably have no idea that what they are doing is a form of mental illness. Don’t let them dictate how you run your business.