someone tried to scam me :(

[gorie]

here is a story of a scammer ruining my day.


i had a painting up for auction here. i had the starting bid at $150, and buy it now price set to $300.

i did not really have high expectations in the first place, but it is free to list auctions on that site so why not. this is the second week i've had it up for auction. just a small step of mine toward trying to take my art more seriously.

last night i receive this email:


Hi I like your painting and will like to buy it immediately. How much will it cost to ship to Seatac, WA? How much is the minimum price I can pay? I am dead serious about buying it immediately.
Please email me back.
Cassie.



wow, ok this was pretty exciting. someone liked my painting and was willing to pay for it. cool!

my reply:


Hi Cassie,
I'm glad you're interested in my painting!
I am not sure of the exact shipping costs to WA, but my auction lists
shipping costs at $20. This should cover shipping & handling by Priority
Mail, with insurance.
I assume by your inquiry you would like to buy it immediately but do not
want to pay the Buy It Now price of $300? How does $200 sound ? That would
be a total of $220.
I would be willing to take down the auction and sell to you for this price.
Otherwise if you would rather, you can bid and wait for the auction to end
in 2 days.


considering not many bidders are on that site i thought it was a little strange they wouldn't just bid and wait the 2 days... but still believable if they really wanted it and maybe not very familiar with the site.


this is their response back:


Ok I will take it by $220. Please end the auction. I will ask my accountant to issue you a check for the amount immediately. I will therefore need your name and address so the check can be issued out to you asap.

Expecting our prompt response.

Cassie.


yay i sold a painting! i'm so excited i totally overlook the bad english and the weird mentioning of an accountant to issue a check! although i did think the accountant part was a little weird, why mention that ? also did they even read my auction ? it said acceptable methods of payment were paypal or money order. um. ok but i ignored this all because i was being excited about possibly selling my painting.

i replied:



Cassie,
Great! If you are able to pay through PayPal that would be preferred method of payment for a faster transaction.
You can send the total amount ($220) PayPal to [my email]
If you need to write a check I will have to wait for the check to clear before sending the painting, but that is acceptable as well.
send payment to:

[my address]

Let me know the address where you would like the painting shipped.
Thanks I hope you enjoy the painting!




ok guys, ready ? this is the fun part....


Hello, I just contacted my accountant and he says he wont want to
issue out a check for 220 because it's too small.

There is a client I am owing some money in NG, I want to send you a
check from my account immediately. It will be from an online delivery
service and this means that you will receive it immediately in your
email address.

When you have been notified of the check, you can print it with your
printer on a "Versa Check Paper". This is sold everywhere for less
than a dollar.

When you have successfully printed the check, you should take it to
the bank for clearance. When it clears, you can take your money for
the item, take an extra $100 for your effort and send the rest to my
client in NG. I will give you the information you need.

I will need your Full Name (To make the check payable in) and Address
(which I think I already have) to fill on the check form. I will also
need the email address with which you want to receive the check.

Check out the website of the secure online check delivery service at
www.qchex.com

I am hoping to hear from you.

Cassie.









wtf ? i suck.

i hate you, cassie.

[billygrippo]

your painting reminded me of but i'ma chearleader

[Dominic]

LOL....I hate that crap. But i'm interested in seeing your art...where can I look at it?? Will you post some images on 2+2??

[snagglepuss]

gorie,

i didn't read all that, but i do like your limes painting.

i would like a colorful collection of all the various fruits.

[Elevens]

Dids wants to know where his painting is.

[GambleGamble]

[ QUOTE ]
Will you post some images on 2+2??

[/ QUOTE ]

[wpr101]

Lol. This person is an idiot. I would tell them Paypal or check and that's it. I didn't even undestand the last thing they were talking about.

[wpr101]

[ QUOTE ]
Dids wants to know where his painting is.

[/ QUOTE ]

haha.

[GambleGamble]

The one you have on that site is very nice, it seems like it could be a focal point in a room.

[snagglepuss]

gorie,

i checked out your website. you are good at painting fruits. keep up the good work.