OK - I may have made a mistake...but I want to warn anybody else about this situation so you do not repeat my actions. A person in Hudson Valley New York has a Paramount Style A banjo advertised on craigslist. I worked with him through email last weekend to buy the banjo...sent him money (unfortunatley Western Union...) and he has not shipped the banjo or given me any information about shipping...and today he RE-LISTED the banjo for a lower price. If you see this banjo in any of your searching for instruments, beware of this one....
If he makes things right, I will repost on this forum that the situation got corrected.
Interesting...the seller contacted me just now saying he had TWO Paramount A style banjos - hence the second ad. He told me the first one (in better shape) was mine...said "you own it" and said he would ship tomorrow.
I responded and copied the local police department who I already had alerted to the possible scam...
I wish you the best, but . . . don't assume anything. It's fair play to ask for a phone number* or some means of more direct contact than an email address. Craigslist is emphatic about not using wire transfers of money.
* He or she has your money & has waited a few days to ship. And yet, found the time to list a 2nd banjo for sale.
i would not recommend using western union to buy anything, regardless how genuine it seems. I do hope that you get your banjo but it does not look good.
Update - no contact from the seller today except for a phone call to my cell phone in which he quickly said "Sorry, wrong number."
I have now contacted the police department in his town and they are cooperating with me (and suggested I also contact my local police and file a complaint) as well as suggesting several other avenues.
I suspect no banjo is coming my way at this point - and that I am in for a period of struggle in trying to bring this situation to a proper conclusion if possible.
One further comment - I have purchased two great instrument off craigslist - my McIlroy A30 guitar and a Petersen Octave Mandolin. Both sellers were stellar and great to deal with. This is the first time I have had any problems assessing the viability of a craigslist deal....bummer.
Well, the story had taken several twists and turns lately. The young person selling the banjo is in some various forms of trouble and has been scamming on several things. I got police involved from three jusidictions...one went to the house and talked to his mother who was ashamed of his behaviors and troubles...but she had the banjo. The detective showed her the full string of emails showing that I had bought the banjo and she agreed it was mine. She took it to a shipping agency late saturday and they have it ready to ship to me as I understand it. I will confirm this monday when business opens. Hopefully, I will get the banjo. The kid is in some deep trouble and acted badly - but his mother did the right thing.
The banjo arrived safely and in darn good condition. One broken string but otherwise in good shape. First tune was The Rattlin' Bog as I could do that on two strings...and then paired that with Egan's Polks.
Kudos to the Mother of the fellow who posted the banjo for sale for completing the deal....but I did learn a lesson on dealing on craigslist for sure.
Wow! you are one of the lucky few who managed to avaid these types of scams! I'm really glad to hear you got your banjo. i'm sure everyone can see how this very easily could've ended in disaster.
Possible banjo scam
Possible banjo scam
OK - I may have made a mistake...but I want to warn anybody else about this situation so you do not repeat my actions. A person in Hudson Valley New York has a Paramount Style A banjo advertised on craigslist. I worked with him through email last weekend to buy the banjo...sent him money (unfortunatley Western Union...) and he has not shipped the banjo or given me any information about shipping...and today he RE-LISTED the banjo for a lower price. If you see this banjo in any of your searching for instruments, beware of this one....
If he makes things right, I will repost on this forum that the situation got corrected.
Dave
# Posted on October 20th 2011 by irishrhythm
Western Union? . . . on craigslist!?!
Sorry for pouring salt in your wound, but here goes ~
http://www.craigslist.org/about/scams
# Posted on October 20th 2011 by Batgirl has left the GPL ;)
Re: Possible banjo scam
Interesting...the seller contacted me just now saying he had TWO Paramount A style banjos - hence the second ad. He told me the first one (in better shape) was mine...said "you own it" and said he would ship tomorrow.
I responded and copied the local police department who I already had alerted to the possible scam...
Will update this story when more unfolds...
# Posted on October 20th 2011 by irishrhythm
Re: Possible banjo scam
I wish you the best, but . . . don't assume anything. It's fair play to ask for a phone number* or some means of more direct contact than an email address. Craigslist is emphatic about not using wire transfers of money.
* He or she has your money & has waited a few days to ship. And yet, found the time to list a 2nd banjo for sale.
# Posted on October 20th 2011 by Batgirl has left the GPL ;)
Re: Possible banjo scam
i would not recommend using western union to buy anything, regardless how genuine it seems. I do hope that you get your banjo but it does not look good.
# Posted on October 20th 2011 by palethinboy
Re: Possible banjo scam
Update - no contact from the seller today except for a phone call to my cell phone in which he quickly said "Sorry, wrong number."
I have now contacted the police department in his town and they are cooperating with me (and suggested I also contact my local police and file a complaint) as well as suggesting several other avenues.
I suspect no banjo is coming my way at this point - and that I am in for a period of struggle in trying to bring this situation to a proper conclusion if possible.
# Posted on October 21st 2011 by irishrhythm
Re: Possible banjo scam
One further comment - I have purchased two great instrument off craigslist - my McIlroy A30 guitar and a Petersen Octave Mandolin. Both sellers were stellar and great to deal with. This is the first time I have had any problems assessing the viability of a craigslist deal....bummer.
# Posted on October 21st 2011 by irishrhythm
Re: Possible banjo scam
Again?
# Posted on October 21st 2011 by zippydw
Re: Possible banjo scam - update
Well, the story had taken several twists and turns lately. The young person selling the banjo is in some various forms of trouble and has been scamming on several things. I got police involved from three jusidictions...one went to the house and talked to his mother who was ashamed of his behaviors and troubles...but she had the banjo. The detective showed her the full string of emails showing that I had bought the banjo and she agreed it was mine. She took it to a shipping agency late saturday and they have it ready to ship to me as I understand it. I will confirm this monday when business opens. Hopefully, I will get the banjo. The kid is in some deep trouble and acted badly - but his mother did the right thing.
# Posted on October 24th 2011 by irishrhythm
Re: Possible banjo scam - banjo shipped
Hi again - just another note to say eh banjo has been shipped and should arrive friday.
# Posted on October 27th 2011 by irishrhythm
Re: Possible banjo scam
The first tune you should play is a polka--I'll Tell Me Ma!
# Posted on October 28th 2011 by AlBrown
Re: Possible banjo scam - final update
The banjo arrived safely and in darn good condition. One broken string but otherwise in good shape. First tune was The Rattlin' Bog as I could do that on two strings...and then paired that with Egan's Polks.
Kudos to the Mother of the fellow who posted the banjo for sale for completing the deal....but I did learn a lesson on dealing on craigslist for sure.
# Posted on October 29th 2011 by irishrhythm
Re: Possible banjo scam
Good to hear his mother came through for you.
# Posted on October 29th 2011 by Batgirl has left the GPL ;)
Re: Possible banjo scam
Show us the banjo!
# Posted on December 14th 2011 by palethinboy
Re: Possible banjo scam
Wow! you are one of the lucky few who managed to avaid these types of scams! I'm really glad to hear you got your banjo. i'm sure everyone can see how this very easily could've ended in disaster.
# Posted on December 14th 2011 by palethinboy