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Weird Phone Call
http://www.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=33698		 Page 1 of 2
Author:  Mike OMelia [ Wed Sep 28, 2011 1:20 pm ]
Post subject:  Weird Phone Call
I have no idea if this was legit or not. But if it is happening to you, let us know.

About 6 months ago, I decided to clear out some guitars and other stuff that were just not being used. So I put an ad in craigslist. Got rid of everything except one thing, an Ovation Double Neck. Decided I did not have to sell it for now, so I forgot about it.

I just got a call from a guy who claimed he was in NJ (area code 201). Not sure if that matches NJ. Middle eastern accent. Wanted to fly to where I am to buy it. Said he worked for airlines, so he could do that easily. Kept asking me where I was... I only said Alabama. Figured if he found me in CL, he ought to know where I am! Wanted to know my name, even though that was in the ad also (first name only). He was really insisting on me going along, meet him at airport, etc.

Finally, I said I was not interested in selling and thanked him for calling.

Really strange call.

Mike
Author:  mcgr40 [ Wed Sep 28, 2011 1:27 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Weird Phone Call
I hate to be rude, but it seems like there is so much of this going on now, esp as the economy has soured a bit. If you answer the phone at a small business, some days it seems like there are more solicitations and scams tha customers- I end up being rude/hanging up often.
Author:  WudWerkr [ Wed Sep 28, 2011 1:31 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Weird Phone Call
mcgr40 wrote:
I hate to be rude, but it seems like there is so much of this going on now, esp as the economy has soured a bit. If you answer the phone at a small business, some days it seems like there are more solicitations and scams tha customers- I end up being rude/hanging up often.



Happens alllll the time now . I am same way because each call is a potenial customer . So what we do is start asking alot of questions about what tools they need what sandpapers what router bits etc: so fast that they cant talk and they hang up on us ! laughing6-hehe
Author:  WaddyThomson [ Wed Sep 28, 2011 1:34 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Weird Phone Call
Boy that's the truth! I get so many "charity" calls, I believe the "call center contractors" invent charities just so they can make a buck irritating small businesses.
Author:  douglas ingram [ Wed Sep 28, 2011 2:16 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Weird Phone Call
I get them, too. Too much!

You can tell sincere calls right away. They always start out with honesty. They will tell me who they are, why they are calling, what they want, how they found me, etc. The first tell-tale is the long silence while the automatic dialer is indicating an answered call. I hang up on those right away.

Same thing for callers who have no clue who they have just called! I close down charity requests, too, now. I don't like too, but there are so many. I tell them that I will choose my charitable donations.

Its bad enough having to deal with all of this, but it always seems to happen when I am working across the shop from the phone or with power tools. Always believing in real calls coming in, I stop and go answer. What a waste of time!
Author:  theguitarwhisperer [ Wed Sep 28, 2011 2:18 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Weird Phone Call
I had a guitar on eBay, same thing, except it was e-mail form. Guy wanted to pay me by a certified check immediately, cancel the auction before payment to ensure he got the guitar, said he represented a very busy foreign businessman who had no time to deal with the matter himself, but was going to send a runner to my house to pick up the guitar, he just needed my address and contact info.
I e-mailed him back and said forget it.

Check scams are huge. Certified checks can be falsified and seem real. By the time the check comes back as no good, the guitar is gone and you have no idea where the heck it is, or who has it.
Author:  DannyV [ Wed Sep 28, 2011 3:14 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Weird Phone Call
I've just received this one yesterday and today.


Coca-Cola Prom
230 Lyndhurst Road
Centurion
Pretoria
South Africa
0001

Dear Sir/Madam

We wish to notify you that your email address was automitical selected during the FIFA Soccer world cup finals in South Africa and has won you
$1,220,000.00 USD (ONE MILLION TWO HUNDRED AND TWENTY THOUSAND UNITED STATES DOLLARS) payable through a bank cheque (check) or by bank to bank transfer.

To claim your prize contact Mr. Masoka.

Contact Person. Mr. Masoka (For your Payment Process)
Email: tinahoward@bol.com.br
Tel: 0027-78-7748482

The payment is guaranteed within 72hrs (3 working days)

Your Ref No: FIFA2010/00453EURO/USD.

Kindly email us the below details

FILL THE INFORMATION BELOW

Full Names:

Sex:

City:

Country:

Direct Mobile Number:

Fax:

Age:

Marital status:

Occupation:

Email:

Ref No:

Note: if ever you are under 18, you will be automatically disqualified unless you provide us with the information of someone who is above 18 years of age.
We Congratulates you on behalf of FIFA and its Partner for making FIFA2010 successful.
This is brought to by the FIFA Partners below:


Wa Hooooooo! I'm rich baby. bliss Now all I'm going to do is sit around and play guitar. I'm even going to hire one of you guys to build them for me. laughing6-hehe
Author:  Alex Kleon [ Wed Sep 28, 2011 3:29 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Weird Phone Call
DannyV wrote:
I've just received this one yesterday and today.


Coca-Cola Prom
230 Lyndhurst Road
Centurion
Pretoria
South Africa
0001

Dear Sir/Madam

We wish to notify you that your email address was automitical selected during the FIFA Soccer world cup finals in South Africa and has won you
$1,220,000.00 USD (ONE MILLION TWO HUNDRED AND TWENTY THOUSAND UNITED STATES DOLLARS) payable through a bank cheque (check) or by bank to bank transfer.

Wa Hooooooo! I'm rich baby. bliss Now all I'm going to do is sit around and play guitar. I'm even going to hire one of you guys to build them for me. laughing6-hehe
You BC guys are so lucky! For the last couple of years I've been getting three calls a week from "Rachel" at Card Holders Direct Credit Service. Every once and a while I stay on the line, and give them some knowledge. They then tell me that the call is being recorded, so I give them the sailors version. So far, no RCMP knocking on my door!

Alex
Author:  cwood8656 [ Wed Sep 28, 2011 4:23 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Weird Phone Call
Mike, I don't know if the guy was a scammer or not, but 201 area code is in Northern New Jersey.

Chris.
Author:  Jim_H [ Wed Sep 28, 2011 5:03 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Weird Phone Call
theguitarwhisperer wrote:
I had a guitar on eBay, same thing, except it was e-mail form. Guy wanted to pay me by a certified check immediately, cancel the auction before payment to ensure he got the guitar, said he represented a very busy foreign businessman who had no time to deal with the matter himself, but was going to send a runner to my house to pick up the guitar, he just needed my address and contact info.
I e-mailed him back and said forget it.


I would have told him to send the runner, cash in hand, and to meet you in the lobby of the local police station.
Author:  woody b [ Wed Sep 28, 2011 6:00 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Weird Phone Call
Jim_H wrote:

I would have told him to send the runner, cash in hand, and to meet you in the lobby of the local police station.




bliss bliss bliss bliss
Author:  Mike OMelia [ Wed Sep 28, 2011 6:17 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Weird Phone Call
douglas ingram wrote:
The first tell-tale is the long silence while the automatic dialer is indicating an answered call. I hang up on those right away.


I forgot!! There WAS a long pause and I distinctly remember thinking it was an autodialer, and then suddenly a real human voice. As for it being a real NJ number, I guess that means nothing. Seems they would expect that to be verified.

Mike
Author:  ernie [ Wed Sep 28, 2011 6:48 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Weird Phone Call
My soloution . Next time you get a bozo call, You. Ask them for their name adr and fone number . , He or she will ask you why?/. You respond that you want to bug the CR@P out of them , just like they are doing to you. Works every time.
Author:  Mike OMelia [ Wed Sep 28, 2011 11:02 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Weird Phone Call
Roger that.

Mike
Author:  TonyKarol [ Fri Sep 30, 2011 3:57 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Weird Phone Call
Alex .. you know Rachel at Card Holder Services .. wow, small world !!!
Author:  Rod True [ Fri Sep 30, 2011 4:02 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Weird Phone Call
You have an Ovation double neck!!!!!! You really like those two neck jobbies eh :D
Author:  the Padma [ Fri Sep 30, 2011 4:18 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Weird Phone Call
Ya, me got a phone call once. laughing6-hehe


blessings
Author:  Erik Hauri [ Fri Sep 30, 2011 8:22 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Weird Phone Call
I once got a cold call from some financial guy - I said "Here, I'll hand the phone over to the person who does all the finances in our house" and I gave the phone to my 20-month-old daughter sitting in her highchair, babbling away.

After a few minutes I took the phone back from her, and the guy was still on the other end! laughing6-hehe
Author:  Mike OMelia [ Fri Sep 30, 2011 8:26 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Weird Phone Call
the Padma wrote:
Ya, me got a phone call once. laughing6-hehe


blessings


No doubt. Any data goin IN or OUT of your casa gotta be a bit strange. :P
Author:  Mike OMelia [ Fri Sep 30, 2011 8:28 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Weird Phone Call
Rod True wrote:
You have an Ovation double neck!!!!!! You really like those two neck jobbies eh :D


Yup... the more the merrier. Its really a sweet guitar, but needs SERIOUS setting up, just no time to tackle it yet.
Author:  the Padma [ Fri Sep 30, 2011 8:34 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Weird Phone Call
Mike O'Melia wrote:
the Padma wrote:
Ya, me got a phone call once. laughing6-hehe


blessings


No doubt. Any data goin IN or OUT of your casa gotta be a bit strange. :P




Really, you think...naw...me is just as normal as the next dude...maybe a bit twisted and off the wall and bent outa shape but like me said ~ normal. laughing6-hehe


blessings
duh Padma
Author:  truckjohn [ Sun Oct 02, 2011 7:15 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Weird Phone Call
Buying stuff long distance isn't all that uncommon... but sometimes it is way too hard to do because people just don't seem to want to sell their junk.... In the end - you gotta decide whether you are actually trying to sell your stuff or not.... If you are trying to sell it - then figure out a way to complete the sale to your mutual satisfaction....

Example - I was looking for some good QS cherry... Finally found a mill up in PA that said they had it for a good price.... I was going to buy some high figure walnut at the same time.... Ready to buy... Money ready to send their way - just take my money.... I start getting all these excuses.... I finally gave up on them.... Maybe they got worried about getting scammed... Whatever - I don't care... The time came and they wouldn't sell....

Let's face it - it's probably more common to be ripped off or hassled by someone in town than it is long distance.... If you will take a check face to face from someone who lives across town... Is it any different if they live far away? They could just as easily rip you off and disappear.....

I suppose if you wanted to sell it and weren't sure if he was serious.....
Ask for cash payment..... Explain that you have been scammed several times, and you only take cash for purchases like this....

If he brings cash - you know he's serious....

Thanks
Author:  Mike OMelia [ Mon Oct 03, 2011 9:52 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Weird Phone Call
truckjohn wrote:
If he brings cash - you know he's serious....

Thanks


Weeeeell, hate to stereotype here, but the ME accent (almost intelligible), the fact that the ad was 6 months old, and the fact that he said he worked for the airlines just freaked me out. Plus, I have darn good reasons to stay away from ME folks I do not know (it's a security thing). Just weird.

Mike
Author:  DannyV [ Mon Oct 03, 2011 10:05 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Weird Phone Call
Mike O'Melia wrote:

but the ME accent (almost intelligible),



Which state is that. laughing6-hehe
Author:  truckjohn [ Mon Oct 03, 2011 10:12 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Weird Phone Call
ME = the abbreviation for Maine

Yeah.. I have trouble with people from Maine too..... Their accent is just weird laughing6-hehe laughing6-hehe... I am especially suspicious of a Mainer who works for an airline.... I didn't know they even had airplanes up there.....

Thanks
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