Is it a scam or not

sahara · #1 10-19-2004, 09:40 AM

Hi Guys,

Having never sold anything over the internet before and hearing about all the scams that are about I don't know whether this is or not.

Perhaps I'am being totally paranoid, but this the email I received

Message:

Goodday,I am intrested in the Item you have for sale (Chesnut Mare Portrait) on the , I want you to tell me the Full Conditions for the item and also the Price you are willing to sell the Item. Will also want you to know that i will handle the Shipping. I have a reputable Shipping Company that will carter for that. Will hope to hear from you soonest today.
Thanks..
Best Regards,.....

I have this painting up for sale on a website minigallery.

Any ideas on how I should procede

Thanks
Sarah

MonicaB · #2 10-19-2004, 09:56 AM

Yes, most likely it is. If you haven't already, check the Internet Sales Strategy forum and do a search on "scam". They get you with phoney cashiers' checks, from what I understand.

musket · #3 10-19-2004, 10:02 AM

The person is merely asking for terms & conditions, and price. He or she has not made an offer or tried to dictate method of purchase. On what basis can anyone consider this as a scam, at the moment anyway?

MonicaB · #4 10-19-2004, 10:06 AM

Just based on previous emails, which emphasize the shipping company. They get you to pay the shipping company with your money, then pay you with a phoney cashier's check. They're long gone by the time it gets discovered.

**Ceiliog** · #5 10-19-2004, 10:31 AM

I would be inclined to proceed with caution.

Assume its genuine, and offer to send the item once you have recieved payment - make sure the payment clears before you post - if they want to organise transport themselves then fair enough, so long as noone is asking you to pay anything then you shoudl be OK - basically you have to protect yourself by making sure the cash is in your account first

sahara · #6 10-19-2004, 10:42 AM

Thanks Ceiliog and Monica, for your advice. I will try and do a search.

Having never really dealt with sales over the internet before, I want to be careful because you hear about scams quite a bit now.

Hi musket, it's the shipping part that rang alarm bells, as Monica pointed out. I'm sure a while ago I read something about it, it may have even been on this forum.

Cheers
Sarah

CarolChretien · #7 10-19-2004, 12:22 PM

I get a LOT of those emails to my site.

It has scam written all over it to me.
IF you write back and tell them you only accept a Bank Check made out to you or a money order...they will tell you there is a reason they can't do that.

IF someone sends you a check AND you can cash it at your bank (they may tell you it takes up to 14 days) THEN be very happy to send them the art work!
jmho

ps...you may get a invite to have your work in exhibits in NYC and Italy for a fee of only thousands for space & expenses.

just use your good sense and listen to that voice in your head like you did this time.

Heidi Maiers · #8 10-19-2004, 04:18 PM

Beware,
Counterfeit cashiers check scams are rampant, especially in regards to buying art overseas. Even if the bank tells you it clears, it does not actually clear for about 2 weeks and if found to be counterfeit, you lose.
Cashier's check scam information

jade fox · #9 10-19-2004, 06:06 PM

Good advice given so far. Does sound like a familiar scam. The main thing is don't send anything until you have the money cleared and legal. This can actually take 6+ weeks sometimes. And if you are the seller you should never have to pay for shipping charges or wire money anywhere. Also get the name & # of the shipping company & do a thorough search to be safe. Seems strange an individual has a shipping company that caters to them for a single item. Also there is a slight problem with all of these overseas scams, they can't spell or write correctly, something is usually spelled wrong or sounds strange.

myorca · #10 10-19-2004, 10:01 PM

Hi Sarah,

My best advice is to keep the communications going with this person. You will find out more info as you proceed and you already aren't quite sure if this is on the up-and-up, so if it does turn out to be a scam you wont be too disapointed.

By keeping the emails going for a little while, you will be able to tell how they want to proceed with this. If you quote them lets say $500.00 for the painting and they tell you they will send you $2,500 to cover shipping, you bet its a huge scam.

Hope it is not bogus, but glad you are wary.

Bob

BlackHorseDesign · #11 10-20-2004, 12:29 AM

This same form letter was used on horse sale boards too. Almost word for word, with the name of the item always in brackets like that and very poor grammar. Proceed with caution, and NEVER give "change" back to them. If they can't send you the right amount, it's fishy, imho.

birdlady · #12 10-20-2004, 10:20 AM

been there done that too .. only they were for my birds. I continued to email back til I figured i had enough to convince me it wasnt on the up and up then told them the ONLY payment acceptable would be a bank check , from there it went no where and never heard back from them again.

as BlackHorseDesign said "word for word" is how the email goes. I have more then enough of them deleted in my trash to fill a lot of baskets. I sure has gotten OLD with me. These people must think we are really stupid to fall for this crap.

I also suggest to proceed with caution on this.

sorry to be so harsh but its really hit a sore spot with me.

Laurie

sahara · #13 10-24-2004, 07:00 AM

Hi everyone,

Sorry I haven't replied sooner but I've been in bed with a really nasty cold/cough

Feeling better now though

Thank you everyone for all of your advice you have confirmed basically what I thought, proceed with extreme caution. I contacted the people who run this website for artists and they said not to reply as they have had people report in emails of a similar nature that turned out to be scams.

I guess you live and learn.

It makes me angry too, any enquiry you recieve you are going to have to be cautious with however genuine it seems. Selling our art is hard enough without having these dishonest low lifes trying to rip you off as well

Sarah

FiddleKat · #14 10-24-2004, 10:16 AM

If your painting is listed on eBay, that email would not be allowed.

I read once from an attorney who specialized in art that there was a scam where artists are contacted and they send u a check and ask that you send the painting out immediatly as they really need it for a client. But the check they send u is phony, and u end up out of cash and out of painting.

Investigate more before committing.
Kat

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