Does this deal smell fishy?

[Nightfire]

I didnt know where else to post this so I'll put it here.

I saw a Digidesign Control 24 for sale on a canadian buy/sell type website a few days ago. I emailed the dude asking him if it was still availalbe. çç
Here is his response

"HI
First I want to tell you that my Control 24 is in perfect condition .
My price is the best you could get: 1500 $, including the
shipping and insurance taxes.More,you will have 30 days to inspect the item
( i mean ,if in 30 days you will change your mind you will resend the item to me on my expenses ).I have many units available.
As delivery service we use UPS 2 days air service or overnight from EUROPE (with insurance and
15 days return policy), because it's the faster. And if you will have
a quick payment, we must also have a quick delivery. So that's why we
use as a payment method like western union , the fastest and
also very secure way of make transactions.
So, if you agree with my terms I'm sure that we can close the deal as soon as possible.
Waiting your quick answer right now,
THANK YOU"

$1500 for a Control 24 seems pretty cheap if you ask me, and shipping included?
Heres the pics he sent me,


How do I best go about this?

Mike

p.s.: does this "interface" only work with pro-tools?

[pipelineaudio]

Originally Posted by Nightfire

p.s.: does this "interface" only work with pro-tools?

Yeah, but for that price, if you have PT it would be worth it. Any more and I'd just buy MCU's

[loudsongs]

WESTERN UNION = SCAM


Don't do this deal unless you can do it with a credit card with easy charge-back privileges.

[Nightfire]

Thanks for the tips.
Im assuming this would work with Protools LE then?
I'll shoot him another email drilling him more on this price issue.


Mike

[SouthSIDE Glen]

Originally Posted by loudsongs

WESTERN UNION = SCAM

I second that, big time. There's a reason why this guy wants what is basically cash only. And when you figure that this is the same guy that claims to have "several" 24s for sale, each one in perfect condition and at 85% off standard street price, either he's got a hijacked truck on his hands or he's bullsh*ting just to get the $1500 and run from as many people as possible.

Then there's the kicker:

"And if you will have a quick payment, we must also have a quick delivery."

Ummm...what does that even mean? Nothing, it's pure smoke of the bad grammer type typical of Nigerian royalty.

G.

[Nightfire]

I figured so but I wasnt sure since his add seemed legit and hes from Quebec, Canada.
I wrote him an email saying I could pay with credit card or paypal, and that Id like his telephone number so we can further discuss the deal.


Mike

[WhiteStrat]

I'll repeat what the others have said: Western Union = Scam. They get the money and you have no recourse. They're not even traceable. That's why they use it.

[starbuck26]

i smell nigerian boiler room

[Nightfire]

My reply

"Hi Jeff,
you have to understand that Im a little bit weary of buying this unit. First of all, how would we work out the shipping expenses in the case that I am not happy with the product?
Also, I would rather not use Western Union if you dont mind. We can work out a credit card or PayPal perhaps or a shipping money order? Are you shipping from Quebec? Is there a phone number I can reach you at to work out the details? Do you have more pictures? And does it come with the Pro Tools system?
thank you,
Mike"

to which he replies

"no PayPal because the withdraw limit is 500USD per week. I cant use paypal because it said im over my limit and
i dont want to sound stupid but i dont understand why i cant use
paypal they only gave me a 2000.oo dollar limit for mounth my credit card has way more
than that on it. I usually pay the products with cash money.
More, I don't trust paypal payments anymore i got scamed last week or any
other onlne auctions go to this web address and read the
reviewes: http://paypalsucks.com/ and http://www.nopaypal.com/

please let me know"


Ah well it was too good to be true.


Mike

[SouthSIDE Glen]

Originally Posted by Nightfire

Ah well it was too good to be true.

Sorry about the let down Mike. But 999 times out of 998, if something sounds too good to be true, it either is too good to be true, or too true to be good.

G.

[PhiloBeddoe]

Originally Posted by Nightfire

to which he replies

"...i dont want to sound stupid...

Sorry, too late.

[Elton Bear]

Originally Posted by SouthSIDE Glen

999 times out of 998, if something sounds too good to be true, it either is too good to be true, or too true to be good.

G.

Too true.

[RAMI]

Originally Posted by Nightfire

hes from Quebec, Canada.

Never mind Western Union. Just the fact that he's from Quebec should have got your scam radar wailing.

[solaris1982]

Originally Posted by RAMI

Never mind Western Union. Just the fact that he's from Quebec should have got your scam radar wailing.

A joke:
What do people from Quebec do for fun?












Make Fun of Canadians!!!

[solaris1982]

On a more serious note, I totally agree with your course of action. I have a friend who got totally screwed on a similar transaction for a computer.

[soldierone]

Originally Posted by solaris1982

On a more serious note, I totally agree with your course of action. I have a friend who got totally screwed on a similar transaction for a computer.

Yeah... we ran into a similar scam awhile back. We posted a computer on craigslist, and within less than a day, we had an email from someone in Kenya asking for the email to make the payment via paypal. Despite all the red flags, we said it would be fine as long as we were paid before we shipped it. We recieved a comfirmation email from "paypal" the next day... when we checked our paypal account, there was obviously no money or evidence that a transaction was taking place or had taken place. Needless to say, we kept an eye on the account for a couple of days just to be sure and even contacted paypal to confirm that it was a scam... and fortunately, the computer is still sitting in my house to this day.

It's always smart to be careful in deals like that... some of these guys are really good at what they do!

[LeeRosario]

I hate to state the obvious, but 1500 for a new or "like" new control 24? come on.

despite the newer model, this version is still in good demand.


now if we're talking cracked casing, faulty motorized faders, fucked leds, busted pres, dropped, jerked off on and then shot at...then maybe that's realistic pricing.


when they say "if its too good to be true, then it probably is"...they where talking about this.


it dosn't smell fishy, i smells like a shite deal

[Nightfire]

Just for kicks I will post his latest email he sent me.

"Items are in europe romania.The shipping will be made trough UPS
express delivery (maxim 3 days) and because I will pay for the shippment you will pay
the fees for the money transfer. The payment which I accept is Western
Union.as soon i have the payment confirmation i will go to UPS and ship the item (i will give you the tracking number) and you will
receive in maxim 3 days.

Thank you"

I think its time for the "screw you" email.


Mike

[lyricalcharms]

if u got spare money, get all the information, go to western union and send him 4 pennies... i know when u wire money you can send notes that transfer wit the money... so in the msg put "shove them up yo @$$" hahahaha still will cost u money to send it, but man it would be funny. hahaha

[SouthSIDE Glen]

Originally Posted by Nightfire

because I will pay for the shippment you will pay
the fees for the money transfer.

Translated: You will pay all up-front costs so it won't cost him a dime to get your money. Then you'll never hear from him again.

G.

[BushmasterM4]

Originally Posted by Nightfire

I figured so but I wasnt sure since his add seemed legit and hes from Quebec, Canada.
I wrote him an email saying I could pay with credit card or paypal, and that Id like his telephone number so we can further discuss the deal.


Mike

Lots of terrorists in Canada !!!!!

[superspit]

this is great!!!...
I hope he uses LC's idea of sending the 4 pennies!!!.
Seriously...I want to know what happens from here!,....keep updating us you craaaaazy bastuuuurds!!!

[SouthSIDE Glen]

Originally Posted by superspit

I hope he uses LC's idea of sending the 4 pennies!!!

How about everyone who reads this sends me 4 pennies?

This is no scam; I promise absolutely nothing in return and guarantee that you will get that nothing immediately. I just want five thousand people to send me four cents each.



G.

[superspit]

Originally Posted by SouthSIDE Glen

How about everyone who reads this sends me 4 pennies?

This is no scam; I promise absolutely nothing in return and guarantee that you will get that nothing immediately. I just want five thousand people to send me four cents each.



G.

um..ok.....pm to be sending and with WesternUnion details..
um..wow...can I for to be getting pics too!.....






How ya goin SSG!?....this thread is great, and a great warning to our people.

[Nightfire]

"Ok Jeff, I dont know why you dont give me your phone number, I would really like to talk to you in person. $1500 is a lot of money for a student such as myself to spend, and I would be more comfortable making this deal knowing I can trust you. I am very interested, and cannot wait to finish this transaction. Send me your phone number and also the contact information that I will need for Western Union. "


Mike