30/04/2024
COPIED FROM A DIFFERENT GROUP PAGE.....
BUYER BEWARE - Scammers use Photoshop!
IF YOU POST A REQUEST FOR SOMETHING YOU WANT TO BUY, and someone answers immediately that they have it. 90% chance it's BS, they are a vulture.
RED FLAG 1. I HAVE EXACTLY WHAT YOU NEED
Vivian Dave responded immediately to my post looking for NH "Whitney" parts/donor. She had the exact clock I needed!
RED FLAG 2. ADJUSTING THE SCAM TO WHAT THE BUYER IS WILLING TO SURRENDER.
So I asked what s/he wanted, and s/he stated $550. And when I said that was way outta my price range she correct "Oh, I mistyped, I meant $50 + $5 shipping."
So, naturally sounding like such a great deal, I got suspicious. I check profile, and completely blank. I assume perhaps that means I have to add them as a friend. So, I asked for the photo with piece of paper + name/date. I got the attached with yellow sticky note. Whew, sigh of relief! It's legit!
RED FLAG 3. ONLY ACCEPTING UNSAFE PAYMENT METHODS
But when I agreed to buy, and asked how they wanted to handle payment, I was told s/he only accepts Venmo or Cashapp, or Paypal F&F.
RED FLAG 4: USING PUBLICLY AVAILABLE IMAGES
I decided to look further at the photos she sent. So I did image search of the main clock photo. Comes up for sale on E-bay from Newark, NJ for $750, with the exact same listing. But Vivians profile says she is in Cleveland Ohio.
If you check the images, you will see the "sticky note" image is exact same as ebay listing. So, the sun was at the exact same angle today as she held her sticky note up, as it was when that seller was photoing for the ebay listing. Timed that perfectly! The "Serviced" sticker is the exact same as well. She basically (or he) pasted all the photos from Ebay listing.
REG FLAG 5: WONT SELL TO ME THROUGH EBAY
When I confront them S/he claims that ebay listing is theirs, and $750 was just a base asking price open to negotiation. So, *idea* if that's your listing, please reduce the price to $50 + $5 shipping and I will buy through ebay so we both are protected.
And... thats when they get defensive, knowing they are exposed, and refuse to change the price because you can't just change the price of an ebay listing, and blah blah blah...
THE TAKE HOME?
Clearly this person was able to fake the photo with name/date instantly! But the note has blurred edges to hide that it was an overlay.
SO, BUYER BEWARE "NOTES" CAN BE PHOTOSHOPPED!
Rare Antique Banjo Clock 30” High & Original Key. Condition excellent for the age, minor blemish on ship picture, could be easily patched up.Clock were just serviced by professional watchman and running perfect.
