[Elecraft] OT- Buyer Bware

[Joel Black]

Folks,

A few days ago, I put out a solicitation on this reflector and the QRZ.com “for sale” forums for a PX3. I have read several stories of odd dealings with *some* sellers on QRZ.com about items not delivered or folks, otherwise, being scammed. I think I was almost a victim.

I have been a member of PayPal for a long time. I only ever use the “Pay for goods and services” method for sending money to people who I do not know. I’m not sure that I’ve *ever* used the friends and family method to send money to anyone. That said, it is my understanding that sending to friend and family offers no protection for either party.

Use your instincts and if something feels wrong, it usually is.

I received an email from someone offering for sale their PX3. It said the PX3 was in superb condition from a smoke-free home. It was signed, “73.” That’s it. No callsign and no name except what showed up in the email address. I asked for pictures, if it had been used outside, the callsign, and preferred method of payment.

The next email contained a picture and a callsign. I will not share the callsign as I don’t personally think it is from that person and I don’t want to ruin someone’s reputation without irrefutable proof. Still no preferred method of payment.

This went on for a couple of emails until it came to him requesting payment via “friends and family” to an email address not associated with the one he was using. That’s fine, my PayPal email address is not the one I use for other stuff. I sent payment but I used the “Pay for goods and services.” After about a day, I was told he tried to transfer it around and couldn’t get it so he refunded it. I verified it was back in my account and then I told him I would only pay for it using the method described and told him I didn’t want anything else to do with him. I have not heard back.

Not sure there is anything I can do legally (since no crime came to completion). I only post this here to make *sure* that you use the protections PayPal affords its users. I have never had a problem with PayPal although I’m sure there are some here who have.

I don’t post this to start a long email chain only to let you know what almost happened to me. We have a saying at work - “Experience is what you get when you don’t get what you wanted.”

No need to reply to the reflector with this. If you have any comments, you can send them directly to me.

Oh, yep, I’m still looking for a used PX3 from a smoke-free home in great condition ;)

73,
Joel - W4JBB