Follow up - I just reread the posts in this thread - I'm still confused (and don't really want to know all the details)....but just to be clear.
First - There was an old post on FB (unrelated to this group at all) - It's been there a while. - It seems scammy. Also - Someone DM'd a group member (As I've mentioned before, this is possible even if the DM'ing member is moderated) saying a similar bike is for sale. - That went scammy quickly. - Others had experience with that individual which felt scammy. - No one reported it to me. - I've now removed _that_ individual who was on this list. Then - there was a tangent about an older scammer (immediately removed from this group back when it happened, after someone brought it to my attention). Review: - If someone solicits you via DM for a transaction and they have no presence on this list, I would err on the side of caution. There are plenty of solid group citizens here and very few scammers. But that does not mean you should simply trust someone who has contacted you. Verify. Ask for specifics. Engage in safe online transaction practices. - And if someone is acting hinky, let the admin know... OK. Enjoy your weekend! Jim On Friday, May 3, 2024 at 3:18:52 PM UTC-7 Jay wrote: > I feel for those of you who have been scammed. Hopefully, karma plays out > for them, and perhaps you'll have a 'win' in the near future that makes up > for it. > > I'm almost to the point of quoting any online used buy/sell activity. > > I've bought/sold bike stuff, and a few other categories of items, on > kijiji for 10-15 years. Pre-covid, didn't do too bad. Most items would go > in 1-2 weeks, a lot of views, responses were generally positive even if a > sale didn't occur. Most who did respond, got back to you even if they > decided to pass on the item. Likewise, I would message on things I was > interested in, and most sellers were respectful and good to deal with. > During covid, selling was a piece of cake. Now, sigh, about 90% of the > interactions I've had are with pinheads. People who in one minute seem so > interested "I can be there today between 3-4pm", and when you say you're > working, how about after dinner, you never here another word from them > (this has happened with 8 out of the last 10 interactions). I've had items > listed for months with no activity. I may donate a bunch of things to a > bike collective or not-for-profit and hopefully the old parts (mainly > saddles and stems) will go to a good home. I'm a really positive person, > but it's hard to be positive with a lot the online activity these days (and > these are not scammers, just, pinheads!). > > Buy/Sell looks great on this site. I'm in Canada though so that's a bit > of a challenge (though I do use cross border pick up site, and it works > fine, both directions), plus I'm at my budget for spending on bike things, > for now, and I have most of what I want. > > On Friday, May 3, 2024 at 11:07:48 AM UTC-4 krhe...@gmail.com wrote: > >> @Roberta and Eric - >> Let me clarify how I was scammed. I posted here last July wanting to buy >> Blue Lug's >> *REW10 WORKS* hex brass valve caps here in the states to save myself some >> monies in overseas shipping costs. >> >> Anita Batya saw my post and claimed that she had a pair. Anita told me >> that she lived in Seattle, of which is relatively close to me (This was a >> lie. She lived in Pennsylvania after doing some online homework after the >> fact). If I wanted them, she requested me to make a payment through a third >> party email address of which she claimed it was her bookkeeper. Anita told >> me that she was waiting for an answer from Paypal for a refund. I sent >> her money (I forgot what amount it was $50.00~?) several times. This kept >> going in circles over and over again. By then, I felt that there was >> something mighty strange and peculiar going on. I caught on that I was >> being scammed. I did not respond back to her. This was my first time being >> scammed over something that I really wanted. My apologies for there might >> be some holes left out from my recollection of my interaction with Anita. >> >> Later down the road, there was other members herein and over on the IBOB >> group being scammed by Anita. Skip Montanaro, the administrator accepted >> Anita >> Batya's membership. When I told Skip that she was/is a scammer, he quickly >> took action and denied her membership. >> >> https://groups.google.com/g/internet-bob/c/5FXmDXVSG6c/m/yGCjPQ3KBAAJ >> https://groups.google.com/g/rbw-owners-bunch/c/WRzS3bBRKcc >> >> Kim Hetzel. >> >> On Friday, May 3, 2024 at 7:24:11 AM UTC-7 drewfi...@gmail.com wrote: >> >>> The "Jeff" in question reached out to me in response to a WTB post. I >>> asked what his "Friend" was selling and he said a 60cm Homer, which I >>> thought was strange considering my post specifically said 54/55/56cm. >>> >>> A quick check to see that he'd never posted in the forum and I assumed >>> it was nefarious. >>> >>> On Friday, May 3, 2024 at 9:20:37 AM UTC-4 eric...@gmail.com wrote: >>> >>>> Kim: I don't see how the administrator of this forum has any bearing on >>>> someone's Facebook post. The scam is potentially occurring via Facebook, >>>> not our forum. You reposted the FB listing here with a link. >>>> >>>> Regarding the Blue Lug purchase, how on earth were you "scammed" by >>>> Blue Lug? They are one of the best bike shops in the universe and I'm sure >>>> they would correct any mistake or problem with your purchase. I dislike >>>> like the implication that Blue Lug would scam anyone. >>>> >>>> Regarding scams and buying/selling: If anything about the listing or >>>> your interactions with a seller makes you uncomfortable or sets off >>>> *any* alarms just drop the exchange and walk away. It's easy! If it's >>>> too good to be true, it probably is. Although sometimes you have to know >>>> when to snag a deal like when someone posts a Nitto S83 seatpost for $30. >>>> Sellers should be happy and eager to share photos or details about frames >>>> or bikes for sale. >>>> >>>> Here on the forum it's easy to check someone's history simply by >>>> searching their email address and reviewing their past posts to see if >>>> they >>>> participate in discussions, buy and sell goods and you can get a sense of >>>> how long they've been part of the community. All common sense stuff. >>>> >>>> Also — Don't end up handing $50,000 in cash to a stranger on the >>>> street! >>>> https://www.thecut.com/article/amazon-scam-call-ftc-arrest-warrants.html >>>> >>>> On Friday, May 3, 2024 at 8:00:50 AM UTC-4 Doug H. wrote: >>>> >>>>> I concur. I sent this scammer Leah's way unknowingly. Stay away from >>>>> this person. In this case his "cousin" just bought a Homer and so was >>>>> selling his Roadini. He must troll this group for want to buy posts and >>>>> pounces. Karma is a concept of action, work, or deed, and its effect >>>>> or consequences. Here's hoping that a little karma is heading his way. >>>>> Doug >>>>> >>>>> On Friday, May 3, 2024 at 7:55:23 AM UTC-4 Andrew Joseph wrote: >>>>> >>>>>> Bad experience with Jeff and the “seller,” he directed me to with a >>>>>> Homer as well! >>>>>> >>>>>> I posted that I want to buy a Mustard frameset. >>>>>> Jeff directed me to his friend, and it went very badly from there. >>>>>> Fortunately, I sent no payment. >>>>>> >>>>>> I also reported this to Admin. >>>>>> >>>>>> Sent from my iPhone >>>>>> >>>>>> On May 3, 2024, at 5:29 AM, Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! < >>>>>> jonasa...@gmail.com> wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>> That Jeff McCathern guy tried to sell me a Roadini. He’s a scammer. >>>>>> I wasn’t brave enough to say so publicly, but I will now. >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> On Friday, May 3, 2024 at 6:25:52 AM UTC-4 Roberta wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>>> Kim, the link takes us directly to a blue lug page. How did you get >>>>>>> scammed? >>>>>>> >>>>>>> BTW, I’ve gotten scammed too — with eBay. I will never not buy >>>>>>> directly from the seller. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> On Friday, May 3, 2024 at 12:29:57 AM UTC-4 Kim H. wrote: >>>>>>> >>>>>>>> @Brenton- >>>>>>>> I am sorry to hear and see you go through this ordeal. I wish it >>>>>>>> was not so. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> The administrator for this RBWOB group is Jim - cyclo...@gmail.com >>>>>>>> Your message may take a day or two for him to respond. I hope he >>>>>>>> can help you. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> My regards, >>>>>>>> Kim Hetzel. >>>>>>>> I got scammed too last year over these - >>>>>>>> https://global.bluelug.com/catalog/product/view/id/27109/s/rew10-works-hex-brass-valve-cap/category/1321/ >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> last year. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> On Thursday, May 2, 2024 at 9:17:48 PM UTC-7 brenton...@gmail.com >>>>>>>> wrote: >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> The more I think about this the more fired up I get. I've had so >>>>>>>>> many pleasant exchanges here, both transactional and >>>>>>>>> non-transactional, >>>>>>>>> that I feel protective of this group. If no scam is happening, no one >>>>>>>>> will >>>>>>>>> be bummed on me sharing out a phone number and email. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> I was direct messaged from 'Jeff McCathern' via >>>>>>>>> *jeff00m...@gmail.com* who said they were friends with a seller >>>>>>>>> named "Leonard" and I gave my phone number to that emailer. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> The text message correspondence was with phone number *424-269-2563 >>>>>>>>> <(424)%20269-2563>* which got super cryptic and scammy. When they >>>>>>>>> told me the bike was in LA, I said I would happily have a friend (I >>>>>>>>> have >>>>>>>>> lots of friends in LA, some are in this group!) meet up to buy the >>>>>>>>> bike, >>>>>>>>> they accused me of being cautious and suggested a deposit. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Not sure who the admins of this group are, but everything about >>>>>>>>> this says *scam*. I would love to be wrong. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> On Thursday, May 2, 2024 at 8:48:01 PM UTC-7 Brenton Eastman wrote: >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> Hi. I've been searching for a blue homer in 54.5 for my wife and >>>>>>>>>> in my ISO post I was linked to this facebook listing: >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> " @Brenton - >>>>>>>>>> If you go FACEBOOK Rivendell Bicycle BUY/SELL/TRADE, there is a >>>>>>>>>> blue Homer under the owner's name of >>>>>>>>>> *Payton Beargrr* >>>>>>>>>> <https://www.facebook.com/groups/3127504017358010/user/33810597/?__cft__[0]=AZWM_HUDwICO-DZxRDgeH6PKEH27Q60_rtRW56T14XolOXVDtbhiBhqSs5IRAf2tQDooAhYlS1GgrtEsUMVFG9ZrTDTGQLgc2dwfiW-pCa6kFgLsLZXBqq6yep7jrikH2XvXt0mesTqEacdgnkqciYIV4VxMZbmA-_JjOgp9P2iC9Yu-ioEmc_h01k1sYLT7-4XapFpB_ZNlHwVe_6xRHXgq&__tn__=-UC%2CP-R> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> Very near mint condition A. Homer Hilsen, 54.5cm with 650b >>>>>>>>>> wheels. Unsure of year but it's likely 4 or less years old. >>>>>>>>>> Taiwanese made >>>>>>>>>> frame. I am not the original owner but this appears to be a >>>>>>>>>> Rivendell >>>>>>>>>> build. >>>>>>>>>> -Nitto handlebars, stem, and seat post >>>>>>>>>> -Brooks saddle >>>>>>>>>> -Paul racer brakes, Paul canti levers >>>>>>>>>> -Paul thumbie mounts with Microshift shifters >>>>>>>>>> -Riv Silver double crankset >>>>>>>>>> -IRD front derailleur >>>>>>>>>> -Shimano Alivio rear derailleur >>>>>>>>>> -MKS Grip Monarch pedals >>>>>>>>>> -mismatched Shimano hubs, no name rims >>>>>>>>>> -Soma Cazadero 650 x 42b >>>>>>>>>> -Sackville bag >>>>>>>>>> The only imperfections are the two small paint chips on the top >>>>>>>>>> tube, noted in the pictures. >>>>>>>>>> $2500 + shipping. >>>>>>>>>> Let me know if you have any questions. >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> Kim Hetzel." >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> Other people seem to also be looking at this bike. Robert Carlton >>>>>>>>>> said owner confirmed it's a 58. The facebook post has some comments >>>>>>>>>> and the >>>>>>>>>> owner says the bike is in *Fargo ND.* >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> I've been texting with someone (who says the bike is in *LA*) >>>>>>>>>> and he wants a $400 deposit to sell it to me for $1300 (complete >>>>>>>>>> bike, >>>>>>>>>> insane price). The whole thing is odd. They can't send me a pic with >>>>>>>>>> measure tape to prove a claim of *69cm standover*. It sure >>>>>>>>>> doesn't look like a 54.5 based on every other Riv stack I've seen >>>>>>>>>> and >>>>>>>>>> studied. Our messages have been super cryptic. >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> I just *HOPE* anyone else looking for a blue homer in 58 or 54.5 >>>>>>>>>> doesn't fall for a scam. Posting here amongst people I trust, >>>>>>>>>> admire, and >>>>>>>>>> have become friends with. My Roadini frame and dozens of parts on >>>>>>>>>> both my >>>>>>>>>> Rivs have been purchased from this group. I don't want to stir up >>>>>>>>>> any drama >>>>>>>>>> if this is in fact a legit sale, but the listing is from Jan 2023, >>>>>>>>>> 16 >>>>>>>>>> months old, this bike at any price under $2000 should be long gone >>>>>>>>>> on it's >>>>>>>>>> way to a new owner. PS. I'm not sending a deposit. >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> -- >>>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>>>>> Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. >>>>>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, >>>>>> send an email to rbw-owners-bun...@googlegroups.com. >>>>>> To view this discussion on the web visit >>>>>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/9d7fa74f-3093-4c10-b38a-63aa4a200dafn%40googlegroups.com >>>>>> >>>>>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/9d7fa74f-3093-4c10-b38a-63aa4a200dafn%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>>>>> . >>>>>> >>>>>> -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/d729d684-077e-4d60-92d7-61a6ab6ad5a4n%40googlegroups.com.
