Scammed, and probably not alone...

[Cloudchaser]

Tried to buy this Hulk: https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=782677

I believe he was leading multiple buyers on on this one and managed to get money from me via PayPal. I used PP Goods and Services and my AMEX, so I'll be whole (aside from my time) but anyone else thinking they bought this watch is likely in the same boat.

Whoops. Definitely let my guard down and took the risk because of PP, but should not have.

Careful out there!

(Yes, I've now flagged the post.)

[GGGMT]

Dayyum. So what happened? Never delivered?


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[Cloudchaser]

Originally Posted by GGGMT

Dayyum. So what happened? Never delivered?


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Went completely dark in every way past the time he had agreed to ship...after a weekend of excuses and wavering. Downright bizarre.

I don't know enough about PayPal's inner workings to know how they recoup if he has already moved the money, but am confident in my recourse.

Still sucks, though. I really do believe that he was working multiple TRFers simultaneously all weekend.

[GGGMT]

Watch posting still up and says “sold”
Glad you’ll be ok.


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[Cloudchaser]

Originally Posted by GGGMT

Watch posting still up and says “sold”
Glad you’ll be ok.


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Banned now and listing gone.

[offrdmania]

If its good and services then you have recourse with Paypal.

[Cloudchaser]

Originally Posted by offrdmania

If its good and services then you have recourse with Paypal.

It was indeed PayPal Goods And Services. I'm highly confident that I will be whole after this but it still was lame to have to give it the extra time.

[dimag333]

yep never bank transfer!

steve

[214270Explorer]

AMEX was a perfect choice to be covered.

[tike71]

I'd be hard pressed to find a cc company that wouldn't have your back in the case of fraud or failure of delivery.

[ZOOK]

Originally Posted by Cloudchaser

Banned now and listing gone.

goldintl logged in at 9:10 AM PST today. He is on-line now.

[Cloudchaser]

Originally Posted by ZOOK

goldintl logged in at 9:10 AM PST today. He is on-line now.

That's something I don't understand...that banned members can login. He's listed as banned but had indeed signed in at 9:10 AM.

[ZOOK]

Originally Posted by Cloudchaser

That's something I don't understand...that banned members can login. He's listed as banned but had indeed signed in at 9:10 AM.

It looks like banned or suspended members can login and read but not post or PM. At least now you know he is avoiding you and is able to communicate if he wanted to.

[Humble michael]

Op so very happy for your wisdom - Double protection AMX & PP ! Good for you - just think if you had used a wire the story would be much different- congratulations & thanks for sharing that others might learn as buyers. James in San Antonio Tx

[Old Expat Beast]

What made you think that this seller was trustworthy?

[onefishtaco]

Sucks. He was fairly new, the PP thing throws me off too ... wouldn't a scammer ask for F&F or wire? Interesting how people are saying using a credit card gives you double protection, is this only for Amex or would pretty much any cover you in case PP failed? Let us know how long it takes to get your money back from PP.

[Cloudchaser]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

What made you think that this seller was trustworthy?

Beyond a fair question, to which I somewhat reluctantly admit that I took a rather significant flyer on it only because PayPal was his preferred payment (as listed in his TRF sale post). PayPal + AMEX felt like a pretty low-risk flyer. I wire on watch deals fairly regularly but never would have wired under these circumstances with this "seller."

I had basically convinced myself that since the seller takes the overwhelming majority of the risk in a PayPal transaction that the red flags weren't as worrisome. I let my guard down because of PayPal and, even though I am well-protected, it's lame.

In other words, I would not do the same again, even with PayPal and AMEX.

Apologies to you and the other moderators for your time on this; definitely won't happen again.

[Cloudchaser]

Originally Posted by onefishtaco

Sucks. He was fairly new, the PP thing throws me off too ... wouldn't a scammer ask for F&F or wire? Interesting how people are saying using a credit card gives you double protection, is this only for Amex or would pretty much any cover you in case PP failed? Let us know how long it takes to get your money back from PP.

I'm pretty sure that all cards provide very similar protection but AMEX has marketed it particularly well. They sure made the process easy, though, that's for sure...just a phone call explaining it, took less than 5 minutes.

[onefishtaco]

Originally Posted by Cloudchaser

I'm pretty sure that all cards provide very similar protection but AMEX has marketed it particularly well. They sure made the process easy, though, that's for sure...just a phone call explaining it, took less than 5 minutes.

You got your money back already? That was fast! You call Amex or PP? This give me a bit more confidence buying here, even if I have to pay the extra 3% fee or whatever lol.

[Cloudchaser]

Originally Posted by onefishtaco

You got your money back already? That was fast! You call Amex or PP? This give me a bit more confidence buying here, even if I have to pay the extra 3% fee or whatever lol.

Called AMEX, filled out the online dispute form at PayPal. PayPal gives the "seller" 10 days to respond, AMEX flags the transaction, freezes it, and "investigates." So, technically, I don't have my money back, but unless an authentic Hulk shows up or the "seller" refunds my money, it's a no-brainer.

But my takeaway is actually that I owe this great community more than taking calculated risks that could unintentionally attract more scammers. Even if I get my money back, that a-hole will be coming back here. That's my bad. Lesson definitely learned all the way around.

Hindsight, 20/20, all that...

Be careful out there!!

[Jiayin3]

Wow interesting story, thanks for sharing!
I am looking at getting my first Rolex and considering grey, stories like these will help me a lot.

[Cloudchaser]

AMEX has fully credited the amount as of this morning.. Thanks, AMEX!

[77T]

Originally Posted by Cloudchaser

AMEX has fully credited the amount as of this morning.. Thanks, AMEX!

That’s welcome news, I’m sure.


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[Cloudchaser]

Originally Posted by 77T

That’s welcome news, I’m sure.


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Definitely removed the anxiety that remained!

[trackingtime]

wow, you got lucky brother.

always facetime with the seller to make sure they do have the watch.
if they don't, don't buy

[duncand111]

Glad you got your money back.

[offrdmania]

Its so weird that the scammer would accept goods and services because you have to have a confirmed bank account for it and charges can be reversed whereas friends and family is just like a funds transfer with no recourse.

Im glad you got your money back OP but the scammer is an idiot and not a good one

[Cryten]

Originally Posted by Cloudchaser

But my takeaway is actually that I owe this great community more than taking calculated risks that could unintentionally attract more scammers. Even if I get my money back, that a-hole will be coming back here. That's my bad. Lesson definitely learned all the way around.

Perhaps you should look at it a different way. You outed him quickly and got him banned, hopefully before anyone wired him any money.

[VonSlingshot]

Yes, this was the wisest way to cover your ass with the least amount of inconvenience if/after things went sideways.

What a douchebag.
How do people think this is going to work for them......

[rolehex]

So did PayPal eat the loss?