True confessions - I got took. Its was a pretty good one, and I let down the guard and they drove away with the money. First time its ever happened, and it was well done. So the story is maybe so others will be warned.
The ad was an older one for a Hassy Arc View, with 3 lenses for a great price. It had not been sold yet. The owner was Albert Ciro in Rome, Italy. He sent pictures and was responsive. The deal was not Paypal, but through a third party shipper (Top Trans of England) who would hold the money for the 5 day inspection period. The money was wired to a Top Trans rep in Rome (Martin Allen Bergen) to hold.
Everything was on the up - Top Trans had a good web site, instructions, and tracking number (no - I didn't call them....) and the seller even declined a direct transaction in favor of using this intermediary (in hindsight, so I wouldn't have his banking info).
Needless to say, it was all phoney. Everything disappeared. At once.
So - others - please be warned. Just glad it wasn't huge $$$, but it was just enough to feel that "ooh, what a deal" and leave common sense at the door. Got played like a fish.
How does one spell foolish?
The ad was an older one for a Hassy Arc View, with 3 lenses for a great price. It had not been sold yet. The owner was Albert Ciro in Rome, Italy. He sent pictures and was responsive. The deal was not Paypal, but through a third party shipper (Top Trans of England) who would hold the money for the 5 day inspection period. The money was wired to a Top Trans rep in Rome (Martin Allen Bergen) to hold.
Everything was on the up - Top Trans had a good web site, instructions, and tracking number (no - I didn't call them....) and the seller even declined a direct transaction in favor of using this intermediary (in hindsight, so I wouldn't have his banking info).
Needless to say, it was all phoney. Everything disappeared. At once.
So - others - please be warned. Just glad it wasn't huge $$$, but it was just enough to feel that "ooh, what a deal" and leave common sense at the door. Got played like a fish.
How does one spell foolish?