I have just gone through one of the most bizarre ettempted transactions for the purchase of an item I am selling here on SS and think others may benefit from a requirement for new members (unless it already is a requirement?).
Without getting into tons of detail, I was contacted by a new member with ZERO posts who committed to buying my 106mm RR mount U-bolts for the M274 Mule for a total of $110.00 shipped anywhere in the CONUS (as the ad stated). The first contact was oddly worded via an email and I thought it was a scam, like the one where someone agrees to buy your car for their agent, but wants to send you a check for more money than the car and send the extra back to them kind of scammery. The "buyer" didn't say this in the email; it was just strange in the wording and direction to caontact him with no explanation as to why I had to contact him. Turned out he is located in Italy and I told him shipping may be extra. The "buyer" clicked the "Commit to buy" link in my SS ad. I gave him my address for his contact in the US to send the MO. Then he wanted me to send the item to his contact in the US and his contact would pay the shipper. Then he wanted me give him my number so his contact could call me. I got the contact's # and called him, but didn't get to talk long and I never called him back. Then the "buyer" PM's me and says his contact said my address doesn't exist! I told him to let me know if he is sending payment or not so I can relist the item. Then he PM's that I should call is contact and find out what the problem is myself!
I just PM'd back and basically outlined how totally strange the whole exchange has been and respectfully backed out of the transaction.
My point is, is there (or shouldn't there be) a requirement for new members to introduce themselves in the public forum before they can buy anything from the classifieds here on SS? I'm not saying I have dealt with a scammer in the above experience, but it had my "Spider Sense" tingling from the first contact I got. Enough that I contacted a moderator and did some of my own "detective work" on IP's and the US contact. Could the classifieds be blocked to new members until they have posted once in the "Requirements for new members" section? I may be over-reacting here, but it wasn't like I was arranging the sale of an $800,000.00 M60A1 Main Battle Tank???? The whole thing was too weird. Just my
.
Without getting into tons of detail, I was contacted by a new member with ZERO posts who committed to buying my 106mm RR mount U-bolts for the M274 Mule for a total of $110.00 shipped anywhere in the CONUS (as the ad stated). The first contact was oddly worded via an email and I thought it was a scam, like the one where someone agrees to buy your car for their agent, but wants to send you a check for more money than the car and send the extra back to them kind of scammery. The "buyer" didn't say this in the email; it was just strange in the wording and direction to caontact him with no explanation as to why I had to contact him. Turned out he is located in Italy and I told him shipping may be extra. The "buyer" clicked the "Commit to buy" link in my SS ad. I gave him my address for his contact in the US to send the MO. Then he wanted me to send the item to his contact in the US and his contact would pay the shipper. Then he wanted me give him my number so his contact could call me. I got the contact's # and called him, but didn't get to talk long and I never called him back. Then the "buyer" PM's me and says his contact said my address doesn't exist! I told him to let me know if he is sending payment or not so I can relist the item. Then he PM's that I should call is contact and find out what the problem is myself!
![Confused :???: :???:](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/images/smilies/icon_confused.gif)
My point is, is there (or shouldn't there be) a requirement for new members to introduce themselves in the public forum before they can buy anything from the classifieds here on SS? I'm not saying I have dealt with a scammer in the above experience, but it had my "Spider Sense" tingling from the first contact I got. Enough that I contacted a moderator and did some of my own "detective work" on IP's and the US contact. Could the classifieds be blocked to new members until they have posted once in the "Requirements for new members" section? I may be over-reacting here, but it wasn't like I was arranging the sale of an $800,000.00 M60A1 Main Battle Tank???? The whole thing was too weird. Just my
![2 Cents 2cents 2cents](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/images/smilies/icon_smile_2cents.gif)