The trials and tribulations of Scum Tree

[SOJ]

Got a message on gumtree about 10 days ago responding to my wanted ad. The guy had some nice stuff, a ESB boxed falcon and AT AT, both clean and complete, a boxed scout walker and some other nice loose vehicles. Trouble was he lived in Margate, about a 3 hour round trip for me.

He told me what he wanted for them and after some negotiation we agreed a price. They didn't use eBay and just wanted shot.

I originally planned to do the drive last Tuesday after work but caught a bug from my son and ended taking the day off work. I dropped him a message and explained I wouldn't be able to collect until the Sunday as I had other commitments before then. I could tell they were pissed and said I was messing them about. He said he had other interested parties and that if I wanted them he wanted a deposit.

I thought fair enough and did a bank transfer for £20, double checked he was cool with me collecting at midday on Sunday and he said yes.

So last Sunday morning me and my boy set off to sunny Margate, arrived at 11:55 and knock at the guys door.....no answer.
Left it 20 mins and knocked again.....no answer.
Sent him an email saying I'd be in Margate for another couple of hours and to let me know when he was in. By 14:00 still no response, so gave it one more go on his front door.....no answer.

I've sent couple of subsequent emails but had no response and am now out of pocket by £20 plus petrol money to Margate and back.

Lessons learned I suppose, at least me and the boy had a nice afternoon at the seaside.

 

[indianawars]

I will never understand how people can treat one another so badly. I know how hard it is to walk away when you feel so insulted! but i truly believe in what goes around, comes around. Nice to see your little one had a nice day out though.

 

[Section 8]

You know where this guy lives. Maybe try popping round again. 2am sounds about the right time to make sure someones home.

 

[fuzzybuzzytoys]

You know where this guy lives. Maybe try popping round again. 2am sounds about the right time to make sure someones home.

I very much doubt he lives there. This is a very typical GumTree scam.

Sorry you got conned mate. You live and learn.

 

[Stuart Skinner]

Dan I live five minute drive from Margate and have to go there daily for work. Could have met up if I knew you were down.

If you send me his address and details I'll randomly call in there if you like.

 

[Mr-shifter]

Good old planet Thanet. I tried the gumtree "I'm looking for Star Wars" path. Didn't last long. I think the days of wanted ads are well and truly done, although I know in the past some of the forum guys have had real good success in this approach. There is a local dealer to me and when I have responded to ads or gone to car boots, fairs or auctions he is usually there as well.

Although as walkies recent uzay finds have shown, perhaps I should try harder.

 

[SublevelStudios]

Feel sorry for you mate, that really is a **** thing to do.

 

[SOJ]

You know where this guy lives. Maybe try popping round again. 2am sounds about the right time to make sure someones home.

I very much doubt he lives there. This is a very typical GumTree scam.

Sorry you got conned mate. You live and learn.

He did live there I spoke to the neighbour next door. I guessing he got a better offer and didn't have the balls to let me know.

 

[SOJ]

Dan I live five minute drive from Margate and have to go there daily for work. Could have met up if I knew you were down.

If you send me his address and details I'll randomly call in there if you like.

He can have the £20 mate if he's that hard up. Wouldn't wanna waste your time on him as well. Thanks though,

 

[JFK]

I would have pissed all over his front door ,then wrote peado lives here

 

[Robstyley]

That sucks arse Dan, what a wanker! It's tricky dealing with people you don't know, I just got done by some non paying ****stick on ebay :roll:

 

[wrighty]

Terrible. At least it looked like a great day out in Margate!

 

[TwistedMetal]

Hi mate,

Sorry to hear about this but the one good thing that came out of this is that your son clearly looks like he's having a great day

There are lots of scumbags out there and this guy fits the bill, it's a real shame that the guy didn't have the balls just to answer the door and atleast give you your money back, or even better have let you know before you made the long journey through, trouble is with situations like these they can turn out into something worse, the guy could have opened the door told you he sold them to someone else and that you wasn't getting your money back, then what do you do, I know what you'd probley like to do as would most of us, but then if you have a good think about what you've got, family a lovely happy son then to punch this bellend is of course not worth it, I take my hat off to you for carrying on and enjoying your day and like the guys say lesson learnt.

I must add though if you didn't have family I wouldn't atall blame for punching his ****ing lights out

 

[weasel]

You know where this guy lives. Maybe try popping round again. 2am sounds about the right time to make sure someones home.

I very much doubt he lives there. This is a very typical GumTree scam.

Sorry you got conned mate. You live and learn.

He did live there I spoke to the neighbour next door. I guessing he got a better offer and didn't have the balls to let me know.

I think I would have posted a turd through his door.

 

[Richard_H]

Yeah but not everyone has a passport sized photo handy.

 

[steve obi wan]

That's another example of a dick jumping on the Star Wars band wagon !

Sorry buddy , but at least it was only £20 , some people get scammed for hundreds if not thousands

 

[mumbo]

What a tosspot :x take the positives you had a great day out, it was only a partial payment of £20 and you've learnt a valuable lesson.

 

[SOJ]

To be honest I've had more good experiences on Gum Tree than bad, had 2 really good hauls last year. Things have been a little thin on the ground this year compared to last.

This prick though took the biscuit and I was furious driving out of Margate. Really only posted this as a cautionary tale for others who might be a little too trusting like myself.

 

[theforceuk]

Sorry to hear this SOJ, what a stitch up. At least you had a nice day with the boy.

 

[Cazza]

Absolutely rubbish mate it's the time and trouble that he's cost you that's most annoying Rather than the £20. Why do people do stuff like this?