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possible scam?
http://www.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=35369		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  Tai Fu [ Sun Feb 12, 2012 8:42 pm ]
Post subject:  possible scam?
I got this email from some guy in India... something just doesn't look right about this inquiry. Why not just go to Warmoth, they can do the same thing at much lower cost...?

Here is the email:

Quote:
Hi,

I am from India. I require a guitar body and neck for my project. Found your contact from http://taiwanluthiers.wordpress.com/about/
Do you make custom bodies and neck? if so,

please send me cost of body and neck to these specifications, including build period and shipping cost to India... for reference I am sending you few pictures

My specifications are

Body shape: Similar to Strat for 24 fret neck/ 25.5 scale length, AANJ heel .guitar shape Pic attached
Body Wood: Mahogany
Body Comfort Contours: forearm cut / tummy cut/ Contoured heel/
HSH Pickup Cavity : no pickup rings. pickups directly mounted on the guitar body pickup cavity
1 tone / 1 volume / 5 way switch controls
Bridge cavity Recessed Gotoh 510TS-FE1 Tremolo
Centre to centre of post mounting - 56mm
String pitch - 10.8mm.
Diameter of body fit bushes - 10mm
Finish : unfinished

Neck: Mahogany with rosewood fretboard/ straight headstock
Nut width: 1.650" ,White tusq
Neck profile: thin c profile
Neck Back Shape: .800-.850
Fingerboard Radius: 16" radius
Frets: 6100 Jumbo stainless steel 24 frets
Headstock: Beakshape. pic attached ( straight, not angled )
Finish: unfinished
Author:  Chris Pile [ Sun Feb 12, 2012 9:36 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: possible scam?
Of course, it's a scam.
I used to get snail mail scams from Poland back in the 80's.
They always want free guitar parts, complete instruments, and other musical gear.

Doesn't have to be foreign, either. I had a whole gospel group come in my shop once wanting to be completely outfitted. "And of course, you'll be doing this for the Lord" said one of the women in the group. "As soon as the Lord brings around a check, you can have my stuff". They split, post haste.
Author:  J Hewitt [ Sun Feb 12, 2012 9:41 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: possible scam?
just sounds to me like he is interested in you building him a guitar! Or am I missing something??? :P

Thanks,
Jeff
Author:  Tai Fu [ Sun Feb 12, 2012 9:44 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: possible scam?
J Hewitt wrote:
just sounds to me like he is interested in you building him a guitar! Or am I missing something??? :P

Thanks,
Jeff


He's not interested in a guitar, just body and neck. I just thought it seemed a little fishy that they're contacting me for a service that Warmoth provides rather cheaply. I am not sure how to respond or what to charge.
Author:  WudWerkr [ Sun Feb 12, 2012 9:50 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: possible scam?
Just dont respond
Author:  mud4feet [ Sun Feb 12, 2012 10:34 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: possible scam?
He wants stainless steel frets......that would be a "no" for me, right there. Or else he'll be payin' for my tools! Sounds bogus to me.
Author:  nyazzip [ Sun Feb 12, 2012 11:10 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: possible scam?
why not send a quote, and nothing more, no info or anything else, untill you have a wad of cash? can't hurt.
Author:  Tai Fu [ Sun Feb 12, 2012 11:20 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: possible scam?
will do that.

I do install SS frets, but at a significant upcharge (about 100 dollars, and another 30 dollars if the neck is bound). I will do all cutting with a dremel abrasive disc, because I don't want to wear out any tools, and abrasive discs are cheap.
Author:  Stuart Gort [ Mon Feb 13, 2012 1:12 am ]
Post subject:  Re: possible scam?
Assuming you can't process credit cards:

Go ahead and quote job but tell him you only do international business via an escrow account. Like these guys..... https://www.escrow.com/index.asp

If he's legitimate he'll be comforted by the idea of having his interests covered.

If he's not legitimate you'll never hear from him again.

It's a bit of a hassle setting up your first escrow account but if you are planning on doing more international stuff....this is a professional way to go about it if you can't process credit cards. It's quite simple once you're set up to do it. PayPal might also be or act as an escrow account....I'm not sure. I need to look into that myself. That may also be a solution.

Edit....I just looked at the fees of the escrow service I linked to .... Whoa Nellie! :shock:

Call your bank and see if they offer any kind of escrow service as part of their wire transfer services. I used escrow accounts through my bank all the time when I was in business...it was never that expensive. I guess PayPal might be the best option.
Author:  bluescreek [ Mon Feb 13, 2012 7:37 am ]
Post subject:  Re: possible scam?
There is another way you can see the validity of this order. Ask for a 1/3rd down payment rest on account 3 weeks before completion once the cash clears on the first payment you should have your cost covered and then some , Also point out no refunds on down payment on cancelled orders until the sale of the guitar to another party.
Author:  Markus Schmid [ Mon Feb 13, 2012 8:34 am ]
Post subject:  Re: possible scam?
Zlurgh wrote:
Edit....I just looked at the fees of the escrow service I linked to .... Whoa Nellie! :shock:

3.25%, but at least the minimum fee of 25 $.
Author:  Michael.N. [ Mon Feb 13, 2012 8:59 am ]
Post subject:  Re: possible scam?
Send him the quote asking for a substantial deposit, payment paid directly into your Bank account. The Banks are set up for international payments, it's no big deal. Act professionally, stating that a receipt will be sent as soon as the payment is cleared. Don't forget to include shipping/packing costs in the price. Remind him that he will/may have to pay import duties and that it is his responsibility to establish those duties/ costs, you can't possibly be an expert on each and every countries import regulations and tariffs.
Usually you never hear from them again.
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