Scammers on Reverb

[War_in_D]

Listed that Fusionbear amp I have listed in the Classifieds to Reverb this morning. Got a message, literally within about a minute after listing it, asking "how quickly can you ship after I pay you through the app?". Sounded fishy, so I asked where they were located. Got "Delaware" back almost instantly, and before I had time to respond, they sent another one asking "Are you a serious seller?". Reported the message, and responded that my record pretty much speaks for itself and that getting a "how quick can you ship after I pay you" message sounded an awful lot like "can you ship this before you discover this is a scam". Too many red flags for me.

 

[Sixstringflannel]

Very interesting to me. I used to work in fraud for a company. Did they have any buyer/seller feedback. Can’t remember if you can see how long someone has been a member. Either way it’s a red flag so just color me curious on this one.

 

[War_in_D]

Very interesting to me. I used to work in fraud for a company. Did they have any buyer/seller feedback. Can’t remember if you can see how long someone has been a member. Either way it’s a red flag so just color me curious on this one.

No, I couldn't see anything. Usually, the "name/store" or whatever has a link that you can click on to see their feedback, etc.. Nothing, no link. Just a name. The name was two first names too (Judith Monique), which is very scammer-ish in my experience. I think whoever it was tried to get my listing taken down, because I just got an email from Reverb saying that I was reported for "keyword spamming" and that they have edited my listing to remove the offending bits.. But, I can't see where my auction description was changed at all. Everything in the add is relevant to the amp and not untrue.

 

[Sixstringflannel]

Gah what a pain! I need to move quite a bit of stuff soon so this is a good reality check. Typically I always check the buyers feedback before accepting - but fending off scammers is a PITA!

 

[griff10672]

exactly why I pulled my reverb Store ..... it was more work trying to not get scammed than it was to try to sell something ...

the icing was when the fees seemed to keep going up ...

 

[RaceU4her]

its everywhere, i recently with a few others got scammed off mercury comet parts on marketplace, the person had what appeared to be a normal profile with a listing that had multiple pictures of a car to be parted out for parts, communicated totally normal.. none of it was real and they got my $100 for the steering wheel i thought i was getting. i guess why not scam a bunch of people that need parts for a specific year car who most likely arent gonna do anything about $100, which im not, than go for the big one and draw attention.

 

[War_in_D]

its everywhere, i recently with a few others got scammed off mercury comet parts on marketplace, the person had what appeared to be a normal profile with a listing that had multiple pictures of a car to be parted out for parts, communicated totally normal.. none of it was real and they got my $100 for the steering wheel i thought i was getting. i guess why not scam a bunch of people that need parts for a specific year car who most likely arent gonna do anything about $100, which im not, than go for the big one and draw attention.

Well, that sucks that you got scammed. I'm sorry to hear that.

 

[Alpha Stryke]

Saw that amp [hiwatt/SLO] "sloth" if thats the one clone on FB MP last couple weeks.

 

[Findthetone1]

Damn, had no idea Reverb had gotten so bad.

 

[War_in_D]

Saw that amp [hiwatt/SLO] "sloth" if thats the one clone on FB MP last couple weeks.

Yup, same amp.. I'd really like to sell "locally" to avoid having to ship, but not seeing much interest as folks around these parts aren't really looking for good gear... Just cheap gear.

 

[napalmdeath]

I check feedback, that's usually where I'd start. But, I've asked the same question. I've bought things many times and the seller dragged ass shipping and ignored messages checking status. Sometimes you have to see if sellers are shady too. I totally avoid sellers with bad feedback too. There's still a lot of drop-shippers taking money and taking 2 weeks to get things complete. You can usually spot them pretty quick.

 

[War_in_D]

I check feedback, that's usually where I'd start. But, I've asked the same question. I've bought things many times and the seller dragged ass shipping and ignored messages checking status. Sometimes you have to see if sellers are shady too. I totally avoid sellers with bad feedback too. There's still a lot of drop-shippers taking money and taking 2 weeks to get things complete. You can usually spot them pretty quick.

I usually check feedback too, but there was no way to check (that I'm aware of). Usually, their name/store name is a link to their feedback profile/store front, etc.. There wasn't any kind of link, just the name. I tried clicking on it, but got nothing. Below, you can see how my "name" is a link, theirs's was not.

 

[napalmdeath]

Fishy for sure. Especially for a unique amp that many wouldn't have a clue about, other than us Forum folks who know Fusionbear..

 

[War_in_D]

Fishy for sure. Especially for a unique amp that many wouldn't have a clue about, other than us Forum folks who know Fusionbear..

Exactly.. and the first message came in.. no kidding, about 30 seconds after I hit the publish button. Like it's a bot that just waits for new listings and then tries to start the scam. Could it have been coincidence, sure.. but it was just weird. And then the "are you a serious seller?" question right outta the gate when I didn't answer quick enough.. reminded me of the "high pressure" crap you see with these scammers too. Scammer or not, if a person is going to open with these kinds of questions, I don't want to deal with them. Sound like way more trouble than they are worth.

 

[War_in_D]

Seeing this now on the message page at Reverb. Don't know if blocking is possible, or Reverb removed the account.

 

[skoora]

It’ll only get worse with AI because then they’ll iron out all the bugs on weird syntax and vocabulary in messaging and descriptions. It’s currently still pretty easy to spot something that isn’t on the level, just based on language, but that won’t last long I’m afraid.

 

[Alpha Stryke]

Yup, same amp.. I'd really like to sell "locally" to avoid having to ship, but not seeing much interest as folks around these parts aren't really looking for good gear... Just cheap gear.

well [not you] but most folks want cash & "no trades no trades no trades" in the ads. First things to go are the toys when folks need $.
Funny cuz ive actually gotten great gear on trades with such folks.
I woulda made you an offer but just got new CV axles which made a dent.
Plus w/ trades you have to give up something to get something. I am slowly learning [kinda] to be happy w/ what i have. Cant believe i wrote that.
Yep the current economy will make you hurt. My wife is hoarding $$$ for next tax day already as we have subsidized Billionaires incremently increasing since 2016.
Wonder why -
Ive had more bogus sellers / deals on verb & bay the last 2 or 3 years than in the entire 20 years as a 100% feedback buyer.
And PP is getting really lame about giving me refunds these day w/ thier Phillipino call center. Been to PI several times.
I got so pissed at PP i joined venmo to spite them only to find out that PP own venmo LOL. Very small world these days.

 

[Alpha Stryke]

I usually check feedback too, but there was no way to check (that I'm aware of). Usually, their name/store name is a link to their feedback profile/store front, etc.. There wasn't any kind of link, just the name. I tried clicking on it, but got nothing. Below, you can see how my "name" is a link, theirs's was not.

View attachment 420150

Kinda like the .02 second auto replys to 1/3rd of all threads on this heer 4-rum 24/7/365.

 

[skoora]

Wow, the fake listings and stores is getting crazy. At least if you follow the if it’s too good to be true saying and do the bare minimum searches on the listing content, you’ll be OK but damn.

Mesa IIC++ reissue

 

[Philhouse]

It's almost every day lately. Same old ads keep popping up red flags everywhere. Reverb realises after a few reports on ads and then takes them down and then they reappear a few days later under a new name.
It just swamps the feed with so many fake listings. It had been between 20-80 listings, but today a scammer straight up listed 1000 listings straight after joining.

Ha, I just realised you're looking at the same dude I'm talking about.

https://reverb.com/au/shop/joseph-bienek

He's down to about 800 listings now, hopefully the others were all canned and he/she hasn't scammed anyone yet.