PSA: Scam Replies to WTB Ads

[Joe Putnam]

Hey everyone, 

I am sure most people are aware of this, but being new to the group I have to admit I was a bit surprised to find that the overwhelming majority of direct messages I received in response to my recent WTB post were scams. 

I had two separate people use the same pictures in their replies, with one having had the items poorly edited into a different AI-generated background. Another went the lazy route of copying an image from an existing eBay listing, but then was mysteriously unable to provide additional photos. 

Be on the lookout and make sure to ask questions. Some of the emails were quite good, but in continuing the conversations and asking questions, the telltale signs of AI-generated content emerged. 

All-in-all, I received replies from five people to my post (looking for some Sackville bags), and only one turned out to be legitimate. I am not sure if there is a way to report these users, but if there is, please let me know and I will forward the conversations to that person.

Thank you!

[John Bokman]

I also recently posted a WTB that produced what looked to me to be a scam. I look for the name of the person "selling" the product on the list; no posts, no sale.

John

[Joe Putnam]

Good tip. Thanks!

[derek zeitel]

I also received a scam response a few days ago to a WTB post. The "seller" copied and pasted an image from a completed eBay listing.

Derek Z

[Garth]

FWIW, Jim is the site admin cyclofriend @ gmail .com .

He always recommends you check to see if a responder is an actual member. The member list also tells how long they've been signed up for. Also do a search for their posts, if any. Sometimes a posting history predates a "join date" though, due to certain circumstances ! Don't buy from anyone who isn't t least a member and you've vetted them to some extent. If the offer is too good to be true, it likely is !  "Hey I was looking a Nitto pink poka-dotted stem in 90mm, and someone replied that they had one !" Ahahahahahaha !!!

[Jon Kaplan]

I believe I’ve been scammed on a saddle. Buyer insisted on payment via Zelle  rather than PayPal. It’s now two weeks and they keep claiming that they never received the funds. Bank said they did. Now no response.. from now on, PayPal only.