Date: Thu, 17 Mar 2011 10:47:03 -0400
From: Jeremy Shaffer
Subject: 2 guys in a van speaker scam
I just wanted to warn everyone of some guys who I saw in town the other day trying to take advantage of people. It’s a scam that has been going on for years… my first encounter with them was well over 10 years ago. They load some extremely lousy speakers (or home theater speaker systems as it is now) into a van and drive around the triangle trying to sell them for hundreds of dollars. They will tell you that they accidentally were loaded onto their van that morning, their boss doesn’t know, and that they’ll sell them to you real cheap. The story sometimes changes a little, but that’s basically the gist of it. They try to create excitement by telling you that this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and rush you into making a bad decision. The stuff they are selling is absolute junk and is not worth more than $25 or so. Sometimes the brand name will be one that sounds like a more popular brand or they will use a name from a company that no longer exists, but built and sold good equipment in the past.
They stopped me at the Citgo the other day and when I told them that I knew what they were doing, the 2 kids got real sassy, mouthed off a bit, and sped away. I opted to not fill my tank and followed them over to Lowe’s where they already had the back of the van open where they were in the process of trying to sell that crap to someone again. I informed the guy that if he bought the stuff he’d be making a huge mistake. Once again the kid started mouthing off loudly and waving a wad of cash in the air saying “screw you man, I’ve already sold a bunch of this stuff… we’re going out tonight!’
At this point I thought I’d have a little fun and followed them north up 15-501. They tried to duck off a few times to lose me with no success… I ran them all the way to Chapel Hill and then let them go on their way. I just thought I’d put the warning out there and also share what is kind of a funny story.
If it sounds to good to be true…….
(you can also read about this scam on the web… Wikipedia, etc)
—
Jeremy Shaffer
Chatham Audio
These 2 guys got me today =( I work hard for my money and I had that feeling that it was a bad idea but I got taken for 250 bucks! Some piece of crap acoustimax hd-90 home audio system. He told me the exact same story about his boss etc. Tried to show me msrp of 4699 dollars. He asked for 1000 and I told him I cant afford it. 2 guys in a dark blue or brown chrysler mini van. Both white males. The taller one was the fast talker wearing a hat. Next thing I know he is putting it on the back of my car. I get the crap home and its missing all types of crap and the buttons are falling off the display. Its straight out of china and plain garbage. PLEASE dont let them get you. Also if either of you 2 thieves are reading this and you EVER come back around my way I will shoot you on the spot, rob you and leave you for dead. I swear it. Keep your scam up and it will cost you your life!
I have run into tons of these guys up and down the NW I-5 big box/outlet store parking lots. Had a friend taken for $700 on a set of these shitbox speakers. Talking BS to him all the way up to the ATM machine. He was so excited when he got them home to us, didn’t believe me when I told him he got scammed. He was planning to flip them for a big profit, poor kid used the college money he had saved up all summer working his ass off.
I might sound cold, but I just don’t get how people can be so naive. Everyone knows there are dishonest people in the world, how could they be so easily fooled? These guys have approached me dozens of times and always end up speeding away with their middle finger up, even before I’d heard of the speaker van scam I never believed their bullshit.
I guess some people are just naturally more trusting. Makes me worry about some of my family members.
Acoustimax Crap. The got to my teenage son last night. $150.00. Same story in El Paso.
I got scammed out of $ 400.00 . The Seller’s Bro’s Parking lot. I was coming out of the store with my Food and this two hispanics in a Brown Chevy Tahoe honking at me . So I looked in the Window and he pulled up beside my car. and kept insisting that I look at his Home theatre system . I saw the sticker price said it was 1900.00 on the box it even look brand new and he said they were on they’re way to do installation at customer’s house @ the store they worked for made a mistake , he didn’t want to take the home theatre back . It’s a IMAGE Home theatre System . here’s his Cell Number 713-725-5236 said his name is Gaberial his a short little hispanic wearing gold bracelet and the guy passanger seat is the look out . it happened Federal Rd . @ I-10 Houston TX.