Internet scams: Watch your back

--Bait&Switch: This one started when I was scanning CycleGuide.com for Rockets two weeks ago. I spotted a new 2006 Rocket III that was advertised for $12,999 from a California dealer, with a photo of a Rocket that was mulberry red with the black engine. I called with interest for more details & photos. I then was e-mailed a photo of a Rocket that was blue with a silver engine, and was not new, but was a demo with 800 miles. I complained to CycleGuide that I responded to an ad for a bike posted by a dealer and then was instead pitched a sales job on a different bike. The response from CycleGuide was that they were not responsible for the accuracy of the descriptions, photos or prices listed in the ad. Screw them. The welfare of the buyer comes first.

--Rocket scam: On EBay, a Rocket with low miles, low price and the words, “e-mail for special details,” got me ready to pull the trigger. The seller told me he was in the UK, but the Rocket was at Customs in the U.S., and the “special detail” was he didn’t have the money to get the bike through Customs. If I would pay for that, I could then buy the Rocket at low price. “Great bike,” he added. EBay deleted this listing as soon as they were told of it. Good for EBay, looking out for the buyer.

--Harley scam: On HDTrader this week, a 2005 Fat Boy with 1,400 miles and about $10,000 in extras was advertised for “9,000.” This one is a long story, but to cut to the chase: The seller wanted 9,000 Euro, about $14,000 U.S., still way low, then explained he was in the UK, but the bike was in the U.S. If I sent him a $1,000 deposit, he would then fly over to complete the deal. No phone number, no address (I have a biker pal in UK who could have knocked on his door), no location of bike.

When I complained to HDTrader, after several exchanges and an investigation, they wrote me this: “This guy is a scammer. I've deactivated his ad. He actually attempted to list another bike yesterday, under a woman's name. It appears that he steals people's credit card numbers and identities and lists bogus bikes with them. Just DO NOT send him any money.” Good for HDTrader, looking out for the buyer.

I live in a remote area of Northern California, about 20 miles from the nearest stoplight, and use the internet to buy just about everything. My wife and I recently bought a ’68 Mustang through EBay from across the country, and were very happy with the purchase. You just follow the protocol: exchange of location, pre-buy inspection by a dealer, arrange shipping, and then cut a cashier’s check with fraud protection from the website (to make sure you get the item). I also recently sold my airplane, a modified Mooney, which I also called the Rocket, after advertising nationally on the internet and following the same protocol.

I am a columnist for the San Francisco Chronicle and personally verified every detail in this posting.

The lesson: Watch your back.

Appreciate the heads up. The net is full of scams and no matter how many I get rid of some do get through. The last one was the National Credit Union Federation wanted to verify my information due to scammers to their site. My browser flagged it right off. Just be careful out there.

The internet is a viscouis, unforgiving place where descretion is advised. If it looks too good to be true, it isn't.

Good post Waylonizer! We have had some of that even here on this site. That is why every post in the classified section is moderated (which is why I get cranky when people start to chat in there, it takes a lot of my time) and we don't allow links to egay. We've had two links to phony egay pages and a couple of instances of phishing. If you see something on egay you want... don't follow a link to it, back out and log in through the egay home page and then see if you can find it. If you can't....

For a large purchase it sometimes is best to deal with a brick and mortar dealer, even though you had one pull a bait and switch on you (or did he sell the 2006 and not tell you?). At least you know where to find them. I get a little nervous dealing with individuals that you don't know, I never send them more than I can afford to loose.

Tomo:

I like your 'Brick and mortar' mentality but the fact is you can (with a little discretion) do a bit better than dealing with a storefront. For one thing, interent purchases aren't taxable (we all know big bruther would like to tax all purchases but hasn't figured out an equitable-for them- way to do it as of yet).

So long as discretion is excercised, your chances of getting taken are pretty slim.

Just like my site for example. When you purchase an item from my site, my primary payment vehicle is Pay-Pal. Pay-Pal uses a very secure encryption process to accept payments. I know, I checked. You can also remit to me with a personal check or bank check....I even take cash.

I'd never intentionally try to defraud any of my customers for a number of reasons because it would ruin my reputation, cause me untold grief and put me out of business. Besides, I've developed a reputation for having quality products at a reasonable cost.

Like I said before, the Internet is a viscious, unforgiving place that deems a bit of consideration. If it's too good to be true, usually it isn't.

Like I said... for large purchases ..... like cars and motorcycles. There are a lot of brick and mortar dealers on egay. I know a lot of people buy from private parties but I think if I did I would want to pick it up in person if I could. I would probably pass on it if was so far away that I couldn't complete the deal in person.

I didn't mean to imply you were a crook, I know you are Flippo . Just kidding.... Flip is honest to a fault and builds quality stuff, and knows how to spell to boot.