DECEPTIVE PRACTICE TARGETING UofDE STUDENTS
Known as “speakermen”, these folks operate out of a white van and approach you with an offer too good to refuse, taking advantage of your willingness to purchase a $3000 set of high-end speakers for a couple of hundred dollars. Their claim is that since their van was "accidently" double packed they have an opportunity to convert their employer's misfortune into cash for themselves and you can get some fantastic speakers on the cheap. They show you an article from HDTV Magazine to confirm the value of the speakers, you close the deal, get the speakers and go home happy. Only later do you discover that the speakers are inferior, search the web, and discover you are among many who actually paid several hundred dollars for speakers worth less than $50.
I know these folks are operating in Newark because my son was approached by them last Friday. He recognized the situation, called 911 with the van's license number, the dispatcher told him that the police were very interested, and shortly after saw the van pulled over with officers interviewing the occupants. Others in Newark have been taken by this scheme and you can learn more about the perpetrators and recovery should you be approached. (The above two links may be slow to load but they are worth reading.)
These folks are operating all across the country according to Scam Shield .
By the way, I hesitate to call this a “scam” so much as a “deceptive practice” because the actual transaction is not illegal in most states and the only deception is the HDTV magazine article that plays to greed. You believe you are getting a $3000 speaker for perhaps $150; they are actually selling you a $50 speaker for $150. One the one hand you believe you and they are “scamming” their employer, when in fact you are a victim of “deception". Let the buyer be aware - and be informed.
I know these folks are operating in Newark because my son was approached by them last Friday. He recognized the situation, called 911 with the van's license number, the dispatcher told him that the police were very interested, and shortly after saw the van pulled over with officers interviewing the occupants. Others in Newark have been taken by this scheme and you can learn more about the perpetrators and recovery should you be approached. (The above two links may be slow to load but they are worth reading.)
These folks are operating all across the country according to Scam Shield .
By the way, I hesitate to call this a “scam” so much as a “deceptive practice” because the actual transaction is not illegal in most states and the only deception is the HDTV magazine article that plays to greed. You believe you are getting a $3000 speaker for perhaps $150; they are actually selling you a $50 speaker for $150. One the one hand you believe you and they are “scamming” their employer, when in fact you are a victim of “deception". Let the buyer be aware - and be informed.
posted by George | 10:53 AM
2 Comments:
Your son, much like you is a DUCK. You guys look old and dumb so we ask you. Peoples greed is what makes it possible for me to be able to type on a 7 thousand dollar computer right now, to you. It is no scam and you are not blowing the lid off of this thing. Its been going on for thirty years and no matter how many times losers like your son call the police it doesnt do anything. What is insanely funny is that dumb people like you call the police and have them come out which cost the tax payers money, which is you. Then they just come out and say hey to us and check our permits and leave. THen your son is left feeling like a good citizen when really he is just costing the city money by being dumb. Im 22 and currently almost worth a million dollars from this bussiness. I have a double major in English and Science and make tons more doing this than anything else. It is so funny how people will fuck my "boss" and company out of money to get the speakers, but then when it was us fucking them it is all the sudden a horrible scam. People are dumb and I got rich, its that simple. And if you really think that Wal Mart got your shampoo for the price you bought it for you are dumb. Every company does this we just see you face to face. So stop being one of the many people that are angry that 22 year old guys make twice as much as them by just having shit loads of fun every day. Im sure I would be jealous if I was a normal DUCK like you guys too. Have a good one and get in touch with me if you wanna buy a home theatre, I just got two free from my job today! haha
Thank you for your confirming comments. As stated in my original post, I don't see this as a "scam" so much as a "deceptive practice", and I'm not angry, just interested that it's as prevalent as it is. The adage, "The more you pay the more it's worth" appears to establish value in this situation, and you are proving the truth in Barnum's statement that, "you can fool some of the people some of the time..." Congratulations on your success in this venture.
I'm also interested in the nomenclature of your industry. If a DUCK is someone who looks old and dumb and therefore approachable, I guess this is equivalent to being a MARK. What is your industry slang for a DUCK who actually completes the transaction? And the slang for the person making the sale?
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