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Conference marvin::uk_music

Title:The UK Music Conference
Notice:Welcome (back) to UK_MUSIC on node MARVIN.
Moderator:RDGENG::CROOK
Created:Mon Mar 28 1988
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:1381
Total number of notes:39269

1130.0. "Ordering stuff from private ads" by WELCLU::HEDLEY (Lock up your wildebeest, it's the RCC!) Wed Mar 24 1993 09:30

I thought I'd enter this as a warning to others ordering pop
memorabilia from private adverts in Record Collector.

A few months ago I ordered a promo video from an advertiser,
at a fairly reasonable rate, and this was delivered promptly.
As is not uncommon with mail orders, this was followed up with
a letter offering more merchandise for the same group, explaining
that there was likely to be high demand for it so could I reply
promptly.  Naturally, I was interested, and assumed that the
company involved was reliable from my past experience, so I sent
off an order complete with cheque.

Three weeks later, nothing had arrived.  Although this is not
an unreasonable amount of time, I thought I'd give them a call
to find out when I could expect delivery.  I was surprised when
an anonymous person answered and gave me the number of a detective
from the local police.  On calling him, it turned out that the
advertiser had sent out a large number of follow up letters for
non existant merchandise, cashed the cheques and buggered off.

I don't yet know what the chances are of being reimbursed, so
I would suggest caution when ordering from adverts of this nature.
I'm probably not allowed to mention the company, but if anyone's
ordered anything from advertisers like this and are still waiting,
it's probably worth a 'phone call to check that nothing is amiss.

Chris.
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name		DateLines
1130.1MENOW::PACENHere comes the twistWed Mar 24 1993 10:234
    > I'm probably not allowed to mention the company, but if anyone's
    
    I can't see any reason why not - perhaps the moderators could make
    a ruling.
1130.2KRAKAR::WARWICKCan't you just... ?Wed Mar 24 1993 11:052
    
    I've no idea what the policy is, so it's up to you...
1130.3WELCLU::HEDLEYLock up your wildebeest, it's the RCC!Wed Mar 24 1993 12:054
Okay, the person or persons were trading as C.K.Wilkes, based
at Heysham in Lancashire.  If anyone's had any problems with
them, I'm sure that DC Gareth Cole (0524 852341) would be
interested to hear from you...
1130.5WELCLU::HEDLEYLock up your wildebeest, it's the RCC!Wed Mar 24 1993 13:238
No, I didn't.  I only found out that there was a problem yesterday
evening, by which time the police were already involved.  I doubt
if there's much the ASA can do at this time.

I'll probably let Record Collector know what happened though, so
they will hopefully print a warning about this sort of thing...

Chris.
1130.6NEWOA::DALLISONThis space for rentWed Mar 24 1993 16:485
    
    Ask your bank for a copy of the cheque. It should have some details of
    the person who cashed it.
    
    -tony
1130.7I did - it cost me a fiver!WELCLU::HEDLEYLock up your wildebeest, it's the RCC!Thu Mar 25 1993 07:5110
re: last,

that's what the Police are advising people to do... that way, as well
as having more evidence against these people, I suppose there's a slim
chance that some money might be returned.

Oh well, next time I order anything I'll use my credit card - this is
the last time I send a cheque to a mail order company!

Chris.
1130.8CHEFS::BRIGGSRFour Flat Tyres on a Muddy RoadMon Mar 29 1993 09:4326
    
    Funnily enough I had vaguely related experience last month. Before
    Christmas I ordered 2 Japanese pressed CDs through a record shop in
    West London (Quicksilver) advertised in Record Collector. I gave them a
    credit card number and, true to their word, the CDs arrived about a
    month later and, in due course, they appeared on my credit card
    account. No problem.
    
    A month later I get an extensive listing of Japanese CDs through the
    post from a company called 'Revolution' who had got my name from a
    mailing list they had acquired. On this list I saw two more CDs I'd
    been after for years. So I went to call them last Friday, creidt card
    at the ready. Ah, no telephone number given. OK, let's look at the
    address and call directory enquiries. Ah, no address, just PO Box
    number. And, furthermore I see they don't accept anything but cheques
    and PO orders.
    
    So, I called Quicksilver only to get number unobtainable. Presumably
    they've gone bust and sold their mailing list to Revolution.
    
    I really did not feel like sending cheques to a PO BOX number in
    advance of receiving goods and the experience in the last note makes me
    even more wary. Unless of course anyone can vouch for Revolution's
    integrity? Even then I'd be unlikely to follow this through.
    
    Richard
1130.9WELCLU::HEDLEYLock up your wildebeest, it's the RCC!Mon Mar 29 1993 11:559
re .8,

Is it okay if I send the bloke who's investigating this a copy
of your note (anonymously if you like)?  I have to contact the
Police again anyway, to send them a copy of the cheque.  Chances
are it's unrelated, but you can never tell!
Cheers,

Chris.
1130.10CHEFS::IMMSAadrift on the sea of heartbreakMon Mar 29 1993 14:4422
    On a related issue.....
    
    My son (Richard) answered a private wants ad in RC as he had an album 
    the advertiser wanted.
    
    The advertiser replied and said that as he had been ripped off in the
    past, Richard should send up the album (to Aberdeen) and the money would
    be sent by return. He hoped Richard would understand.
    
    Guess what.
    
    But what *are* the guarantees when buying private?
    
    I have something you want. It is as risky for you to send the
    money to me first as it is for me to send the goods to you first.
    
    It's a dodgy business.
    
    
    andy
1130.11CHEFS::BRIGGSRFour Flat Tyres on a Muddy RoadThu Apr 01 1993 10:2310
    
    Re .9.
    
    Feel free. However, Revolution may be 100% above board so mind how you
    go. On the other hand, to not even supply a telephone number makes it
    pretty difficult to determine how genuine they are. Whatever, if they
    are a genuine business concern then their lost trade is going to be
    enormous.
    
    Richard