[Elecraft] OT: How to *NOT* get scammed.....emails offering to sell Elecraft equipment?

[Jerry Flanders]

1) See if QRZ address matches the address he gives

2) Google search him to see if anyone complained on a list or 
elsewhere. Also see if he ever posts to ham reflectors and what that 
history is.

3) Does he have a land-line phone nr that can be verified against his 
address on the internet phone book?

4) Use USPS money order for payment. Supposed to give protection 
against fraud (possibly get the federal postal inspectors on your 
side) . This helps both sides, actually.

If at least 3 of the above are OK, he probably is also.

Jerry W4UK

At 10:22 AM 10/3/2013, you wrote:
>I hope its ok for me to post an OFF-TOPIC query.
>Here is my question:
>Recently I was forwarded an email.....a ham offering to sell a slightly
>used KX3.
>
>I had a bad experience this summer with someone who I believe was posing
>as a ham offering to sell something via email.
>It was in response to a "want-add" I had posted on Eham-swap looking for
>parts.
>
>I received an email a supposed ham wanted to sell me an item he claimed
>was almost brand new.
>I said thank you anyway....I'm specifically looking for parts.
>He emailed me 2 more times trying to get me to buy.
>I thanked him and repeated, I was only looking for parts.
>He then emailed me saying he had another unit he would sell as parts.
>I asked him for pictures.
>I never heard from him again.
>He was using a legitimate ham call-sign.
>
>I believe if someone on this list were selling a used KX3, it would be
>legit.
>But other forums I suspect are subject to scammers.
>Is there any way one can inspect an item at delivery before providing
>payment?
>C.O.D is kind of like that, but not quite.
>
>** please no flammers **
>Thanks :-]
>Duane - N1BBR