The Newbie Scams, Deceipt and Pitfalls Thread

[bkstang]

I don't know about that. I have never posted my address or phone number on this site and never will. You don't have to be a member to read the threads on MR and I don't see why I would want to share that information with the world. I'll put my zip code in the thread and if the person isn't bright enough to use google to find out what neighborhood that is, oh well. I won't usually give up my address/number until the person has agreed to meet, everything up to then is through PM. Maybe it's just my paranoia but I'm always surprised how many people post their numbers everywhere on this site.


On another note, I always get a kick out of people saying "I'll let it go for $XXX", when it's not reasonably priced at all. For all the newbies, a quick search on this site is all it takes to have an idea how much to pay for a certain coral/fish. Don't pay anyone on here store prices unless it's something you really want and haven't been able to find.

Sorry. This is not what I meant. I never write address in the sale thread just:
Pick up: Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, 11209. I give address only when the buyer is ready to pick up not at the initial contact. The buyer who was looking for me on the Upper East Side lived there also and he admitted he didn't pay attention to those "tiny" details.

 

[d5332]

BIZARRE

Selling my expensive highly desired light fixture in mint perfect condition.
Paid $800, I want $650, oh, just one thing all of the fans and the ballasts suddendly stopped working, cheap online, besides that this light fixture is in great condition.

HUH!?!?!?!?!

Please newbies, dont buy a light fixture just for the sake of the name thinking you can refurbish it, it will be a pain in the *** and probably costly, just buy new and get the warranty.

 

[Nandez13]

Sorry. This is not what I meant. I never write address in the sale thread just:
Pick up: Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, 11209. I give address only when the buyer is ready to pick up not at the initial contact. The buyer who was looking for me on the Upper East Side lived there also and he admitted he didn't pay attention to those "tiny" details.

Gotcha, my b.

Still irked by the people that will post their cell in every Marketplace post though lol

 

[d5332]

Actually, I prefer folks that post their number on their threads, easier to just call someone than send private messages back and forth.

I can't even recall how many great bargains I have found by calling instead of posting dibs or "sent pm" and stuff like that, it truly does work when you are set on buying.

Not sure why it would irk anyone, to see a telephone number on a post, its convenient and to the point but if PM is your thing, that works most of the time as well.

Gotcha, my b.

Still irked by the people that will post their cell in every Marketplace post though lol

 

[rookie07]

Actually, I prefer folks that post their number on their threads, easier to just call someone than send private messages back and forth.

I can't even recall how many great bargains I have found by calling instead of posting dibs or "sent pm" and stuff like that, it truly does work when you are set on buying.

Not sure why it would irk anyone, to see a telephone number on a post, its convenient and to the point but if PM is your thing, that works most of the time as well.

People can take your number from your post(s) and prank call you (as has happened on here) or use your number to do you harm in some other way. It is just plain stupid to put private info, such as your phone number, in a public place.

 

[KathyC]

Actually, I prefer folks that post their number on their threads, easier to just call someone than send private messages back and forth.

I can't even recall how many great bargains I have found by calling instead of posting dibs or "sent pm" and stuff like that, it truly does work when you are set on buying.

Not sure why it would irk anyone, to see a telephone number on a post, its convenient and to the point but if PM is your thing, that works most of the time as well.

When we see phone #'s on threads - we edit them out as this is the Internet and there are too many oddballs out there.
If you're in a rush- you can always send a PM or RB and ask for the number privately. Most sellers will honor the order they received their messages in to pick a buyer..though they are not obligated to, most do.

 

[Nandez13]

Actually, I prefer folks that post their number on their threads, easier to just call someone than send private messages back and forth.

I can't even recall how many great bargains I have found by calling instead of posting dibs or "sent pm" and stuff like that, it truly does work when you are set on buying.

Not sure why it would irk anyone, to see a telephone number on a post, its convenient and to the point but if PM is your thing, that works most of the time as well.

I think you're absolutely right as far as making transactions through MR Marketplace. It will always be best/quickest to text somebody rather than wait for someone to log back in and respond to your PM. I have also benefited from texting someone as soon as they post something for sale and gotten a great deal out of it.

Why it irks me? I personally think it's foolish. There has never been a time where more people are online and have so much information readily accessible. There are constant news articles that try to get people to refrain from posting personal information online but many will not heed the warning until they have been a victim of: identity theft, prank calls etc..

It's like when people post private information/photos on FB or other social media outlets and think it won't come back to them. I was always bothered by this from the start but people didn't start seeing it until they heard of numerous people getting fired from their job or penalized in some way for what they posted.

Once it's online, it can't be erased.

 

[edd]

most people don't think twice about ordering on the internet with their credit card info, but your worried about your number and address being posted on the internet.
if you have a listed home phone, your number and address are in the book. like its been for years and the only crank calls i get are from telemarketers, which are randomly dialed.

 

[Cu455]

I don't post my number on the internet. But thinking about it now it is probably safer then all the information in the phone book.

 

[Nandez13]

most people don't think twice about ordering on the internet with their credit card info, but your worried about your number and address being posted on the internet.
if you have a listed home phone, your number and address are in the book. like its been for years and the only crank calls i get are from telemarketers, which are randomly dialed.

Edd, I don't think we're talking about one in the same. I am not most people. When I provide my personal information to a financial institution or something of the sort, there are some reassurances they will not share this information. They are not perfect. We have seen that in the recent past with the hacking of Mastercard, Visa, Target and others. The difference is that these are professional cyber criminals that are accessing your information which we unfortunately have to deal with nowadays and always will.

What I was referring to is that MR can be accessed by anyone. There are plenty of other reef forums that many MR members are a part of as well where you can see other peoples private information. At most you will have to create an account ( 2 min process) to access a FS thread. Everytime you choose to share your address, number, social, maiden name etc, you are taking a risk...but why make it easier for others??

cu, whatever you say sharky

 

[Cu455]

No problem. I always knew you had a little man crush one him. In al seriousness you do have a weird obsession with him.

Are you shArkbait and LBC? You do talk about them a lot and respond to all their posts. You have A lot of LBC in you. Especially with you use of sharky.

 

[d5332]

DECEPTION / SCAM

At times folks will try to sell coral or fish that has gotten ill in their fish tank.
They may post great items for sale and when you show up the seller will make every attempt to steer you to buy the ugliest or dying corals or sick fish.

Its the sellers way to minimize their loss and off load dying or really ugly stuff.

Newbies, if you do end up doing trips to homes make sure of the following before you leave:

Know what exactly is for sale, dont just go because the seller says I have tons of stuff

Do not buy if it is not what you really want and know how to recognize ill fish and ill corals, a clear indication that the seller is looking for a sucker is when 99% of the corals in the tank are not for sale except the ugliest piece that you have ever seen.

Moral of this post is if you want a frogspawn know what a frogspawn looks like and dont believe the it's closed because I just moved it story.

If you do not know what a healthy coral looks like do not buy.

 

[ocholoco]

Hey

Hey guys when I first got to the hobby many people suggested that I needed great skimmer x amount of LR x amount of LS, super expensive lights but I guess many people forgot the most important part the water, I wish someone would have mentioned it from beginning now I know better and when asked for advise is the first thing any reefer should get RODI unit.

 

[pmoneyt]

I think in this age of used car salesman you would think people are smart enough to make their own decisions. While I can see where are trying to do, it seen you are coming across a bit hostile like someone did something you you and your upset about it.

I think a good rule for anyone is the READ about the products you see and or want. Buy equipment for a system larger than you one you have just in case you decide to upgrade. Don't try to build a system fast because it will only crash faster and most of all set up a QT for fish and coral.

Plan your system and any future upgrades out carefully and never impulse buy any livestock.

If you remember to used the KISS approach you will be fine. Don't use Paypal as a buffer for making bad decisions, everyone here has and you learn from it i for one sure have.

But the biggest lesson you need to learn from this thread is " Don't end up becoming like a good amount of the A**H**ES on here with the low ball offers when you are trying to purchase anything from someone. This is an expensive hobby so make sure you have the money for it.

 

[vio]

Find some corals , u like it, sand PM , u the first, u tell him "i take it", ask when i can pick up ?, then u got ans. Sold by Paypal, i guess some members, pay rent etc. by selling corals.

 

[evolution21]

Find some corals , u like it, sand PM , u the first, u tell him "i take it", ask when i can pick up ?, then u got ans. Sold by Paypal, i guess some members, pay rent etc. by selling corals.

Has nothing to do with rent. Get with the times. It's 2014, if you have a checking account, and are a part of any hobby forum then you should have a paypal account. Why should a seller wait a week for you to come to him/her with cash with the risk of 1. Not showing up and 2. Low balling him/her when you get there? I have and will always go with the guy paying paypal regardless of dibs. This guarantees my item is sold and not losing a deal because you want to pay cash and change you're mind when you realize YOU don't have enough to pay a bill or something a few days later.

 

[bkstang]

I partially agree with the above but whenever I have more than one reefer that contact me regarding an item I send a PM informing them about it. I don't have a problem with waiting 1 or 2 days for someone who wants to pay cash but not a day longer. I'm done with " my car broke", "wife asked me to do shopping", etc, etc.

 

[vio]

Has nothing to do with rent. Get with the times. It's 2014, if you have a checking account, and are a part of any hobby forum then you should have a paypal account. Why should a seller wait a week for you to come to him/her with cash with the risk of 1. Not showing up and 2. Low balling him/her when you get there? I have and will always go with the guy paying paypal regardless of dibs. This guarantees my item is sold and not losing a deal because you want to pay cash and change you're mind when you realize YOU don't have enough to pay a bill or something a few days later.

sorry to inform u , i got Paypal , u just DONT get the point, if i said " i take it" "i come over"why selling thru Paypal ? r u in 2014 ?!

 

[BioMan]

IMO starting out small is not a good idea for the simple things like temperature swings and water parameters you have to deal with. Best solution is dilution lol,,, Also read the nutrition facts on the food you buy, I was buying mysis shrimp that was only 6 or 7% protein now I only buy (not a plug) PE mysis and if I remember right that stuff is like 90% or more.

 

[d5332]

Gentlemen, dont derail the thread please.

Paypal is a safe manner for conducting financial transactions, it provides security.