Target Sports

I got scammed in the weirdest way today

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  • clawmarks

    Member
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    Apr 21, 2020
    103
    26
    austin, tx
    This story is so weird, that I have no idea what to make out of it.

    Saw a listing for a gun, contacted the seller and asked for his price, told me, I said OK, we scheduled to meet.

    It's a 1.5h drive, he asks to meet at a gun store which is always great (public place, occupied by professionals). I told him I'm heading out, he says great see you soon.
    Sending him an eta 30 minutes before arrival, he acknowledges.

    Got to the place in time, he's not there. Sent him a msg saying what I'm wearing, no reply. Waiting, nothing. Completely ghosted me.

    I saw everyone on the store and in the parking, haven't seen him.

    I have no idea what's the play here, he didn't get anything from me, nothing makes sense here. I'm so confused...

    I have no idea what was the play here, and I'm not sure what lesson can I take out of this. Unfortunate turn of events, I could've spent that time in the range. Bah.
    Target Sports
     

    candcallen

    Crotchety, Snarky, Truthful. You'll get over it.
    Emeritus - "Texas Proud"
    Rating - 100%
    2   0   0
    Jul 23, 2011
    21,358
    96
    Little Elm
    Where was the listing? I usually out people like this. Do it in feedback or rants or a separate ad if appropriate and within the rules.

    This info is like gold for the rest of the group.

    Are you back home yet? These are a stretch but more common than you would guess. Make sure the ploy wasn't to get you away from home or follow you back home or to rob your car at a stop on the way.
     

    crzy_one

    Active Member
    Rating - 100%
    12   0   0
    Aug 29, 2011
    246
    11
    Austin
    Small possibility something happed ie he was in a collision...not likely but who knows.

    sorry that happened to you...I have been lucky and only had a few instances in which a person was very late but was communicating well during it.

    was it from this forum?
     

    clawmarks

    Member
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    Apr 21, 2020
    103
    26
    austin, tx
    He knows nothing about where I'm from, he got no personal details about me whatsoever (except my number) - so I don't see how it's about getting me out of the house.

    I'm just so extremely weirded out by the illogical aspect of it all, he doesn't know me so I don't understand what kind of satisfaction will he receive from stealing 4h of my time. He got no money out of it, nothing.

    Someone mentioned outing him - Can I publish his name / number to avoid any other tgt members from getting scammed? I do not wish to break any forum rules.

    Also, how can I reduce the probability this happening in the future? I thought perhaps always to call the person beforehand (we just emailed/texted), but I don't want people to think I'm weird or something. I also have a foreign accent, but I guess that if someone doesn't want to meet me because of that we shouldn't meet in the first place..
     

    TexasRedneck

    1911 Nut
    Lifetime Member
    Rating - 100%
    9   0   0
    Jan 23, 2009
    14,560
    96
    New Braunfels, TX
    If nothing else, send me the info please. But I see NO harm in saying: "I arranged to meet Mr. Deadbeat NoShow today, and after having communicated with him several times at 512-466-7469, he didn't show up at the meeting place, nor return numerous text messages.

    Oh - and where you saw the listing.....maybe I'll see if he still has it and wants to meet.......for enough "stupid money" more than he's asking that HE'll actually show up.<evil laugh>,
     

    clawmarks

    Member
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    Apr 21, 2020
    103
    26
    austin, tx
    Admins - if I break any rules here please delete my message.

    His details are available in the ad he published on texasguntrader.com, offering to sell/trade a glock g17 gen4.

    He did not publish a price, so I asked him what is his price and he replied - I'm attaching our correspondence so you can see what transpired.

    I'm kind of bummed from the fact I wasted so much time for no reason, I don't understand why would someone do something like this to a stranger.

    (And of course, bummed from not getting another pistol I really don't need but definitely want, lol)
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    F350-6

    TGT Addict
    Lifetime Member
    Rating - 100%
    2   0   0
    May 25, 2009
    4,237
    96
    Listing in the link is down. With an acknowledgment30 minutes out and the link suddenly being taken down, it's hard to think of a good excuse for the guy. (if it were a bad car wreck, he would either be out of touch still, or would have reached out before taking the ad down).

    Did you google the number to see if it was an actual cell phone or one of those app numbers like google voice or something?
     

    candcallen

    Crotchety, Snarky, Truthful. You'll get over it.
    Emeritus - "Texas Proud"
    Rating - 100%
    2   0   0
    Jul 23, 2011
    21,358
    96
    Little Elm
    Not showing up for a gun deal then following to a second location to break into the car or following home and breaking into later is not unheard of. Just make sure you're not followed from such a meeting.

    The point is they know you have either guns or cash. One LE agency recently put out an alert on people following others from gun shows or gun stores and robbing them. Dont want to be a victim then be prepared and alert to all possibilities.

    Probably just a flake but never underestimate trash.
     

    clawmarks

    Member
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    Apr 21, 2020
    103
    26
    austin, tx
    Good point, gladly the way I took home renders it virtually impossible.

    My main concern is him having my phone number, but I guess that's not a strong enough parameter to use. A good "lesson learned" for me is to have a new number that is solely being used for this type of one-time transactions.
     
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    Axxe55

    Retiretgtshit stirrer
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    Dec 15, 2019
    47,022
    96
    Lost in East Texas Elhart Texas
    I have had this happen quite a few times, but with a buyer, not a seller.

    I remember on "potential" buyer calling a few days later asking if I still had the item for sale, after he failed to show up at the agreed time. I laughed at him and hung up!
     

    busykngt

    TGT Addict
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    Jun 14, 2011
    4,730
    96
    McKinney
    Deserves to be “outted”. Definitely lodge a forum complaint against his user name too. At least make him have to set up and start over again in that forum.
     
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