Burned By snapster

[gtermini]

Hello all,

On Jan 29, 2014, I agreed to purchase a set of Snap On metric 4-way wrenches from GJ member "snapster". We agreed on the price of $150 shipped and I got his paypal address. I made the fatal mistake of paying via gift form. This was prior to the NorthCountry disaster.

After 3 weeks, I had not recieved the wrench set, so I PM'd snapster, who told me he'd find the tracking. Still in good faith I believed him. Over the next weeks I continued to send PM's asking about the tracking information. He never provided any, saying he lost the info and the post office couldn't find the package. I went to send him another PM today only to find he has either turned off PM's or blocked me ability to send them to him. This is the final realization that I've been burned. He deleted the picture from the ad on the 27th of Feb.

I have a record of 90% of the PM's, but won't share them unless you desire. They're are mostly short questions about the tracking info and his ******** replys.

Here are the ads:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/s...d.php?t=233566
Original:

Deleted:

I realize I am screwed out of my $150, but I don't want any other GJ members to get burned by this scammer.

His name is Jayson Siemon.

His paypal address is: [email protected]

His Profile

Has it ever been considered that to post a classified ad should require a member with no less than 100 posts or something similar?

Sincerely,
Greyson Termini

 

[Patrick in DC]

That stinks, man... sorry to hear it.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Has it ever been considered that to post a classified ad should require a member with no less than 100 posts or something similar?

I really wish something along these lines would be a rule here. I've posted in the Classifieds and haven't had any issues, but I've only bought from longtime members on here. I've stayed out of the classifieds for about a year now, thanks to so many people who sign up on here and the only 2 posts they have is **** for sale, and then the big scammer **** with Northcountry (and scammers popping up in the classifieds on other forums I'm a member of).

I figure if someone is joining in order to sell and not willing to be a part of the GJ community, we don't need them around.

 

[Mike007]

That *****. I won't buy from anyone without a good history here.

 

[SMKS]

Contact paypal. You're not necessarily screwed, you just can't go though the normal process of starting a dispute by clicking a few buttons.

You'll have to email or call. If you search here you'll find a buyer who tried to reverse paypal gift payments by claiming they were fraudulent transactions. He lost, because the seller had delivery confirmation and other proof. In that case, the buyer was the scammer.

But, the moral of the story is there are ways to dispute it. Contact paypal and see if playing dumb on the whole gift/normal payments will get them to help you.

 

[zkling]

I really wish something along these lines would be a rule here. I've posted in the Classifieds and haven't had any issues, but I've only bought from longtime members on here. I've stayed out of the classifieds for about a year now, thanks to so many people who sign up on here and the only 2 posts they have is **** for sale, and then the big scammer **** with Northcountry (and scammers popping up in the classifieds on other forums I'm a member of).

I figure if someone is joining in order to sell and not willing to be a part of the GJ community, we don't need them around.

This entire forum semi recently seems to have become a gigantic for sale or silent auction place. Between some of the "everything's for sale" people that provide nothing useful to the forum besides advertising to pedal their newly found items. And the numerous only post in the classifieds, ridiculously high priced stuff folks. I thought this was a place to discuss and share knowledge of tools. Selling and trading is one thing, but recently it seems to have gotten out of hand and the tone has definitely changed.

As for the post count; I've bought items from people with <100 posts and couldn't have been happier with the transaction. I've also been dickered with and lied to by high post count folks. So a random number be it age or post count has nothing to do with a persons honesty or intelligence.

 

[Zeke]

Well, he said it was a 'gift'.

 

[Jsf721]

If I were you I'd call him at his place of work and leave a message to call you re: the wrenches. He will get up tight be he will know you know where he works and wont want to be embarrassed. Next message is ask who his boss is, explain that he used a work email as a contact and he never sent wrench's. Either his boss will pass info or not.

I'd try it. Sorry a few morons ruin it for us all. Kind of feel like this place is a family.

 

[jeffmoss26]

****, this guy has been bumping the same F/S thread for 3 years!
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=102118&showall=1

 

[gtermini]

If I were you I'd call him at his place of work and leave a message to call you re: the wrenches. He will get up tight be he will know you know where he works and wont want to be embarrassed. Next message is ask who his boss is, explain that he used a work email as a contact and he never sent wrench's. Either his boss will pass info or not.

I'd try it. Sorry a few morons ruin it for us all. Kind of feel like this place is a family.

I would if I had the ph number. I've emailed to his PayPal address with no response. I might give PayPal a call and try to work that.

Greyson

 

[NHBandit]

His paypal address is tied to the University of NH. Maybe make a call to someone there and see what they think of a guy who's using the school email program to rip people off ? Make his life miserable every legal way you can. You might never see your money or your tools but there's nothing worse than a thief.

 

[PugetDude]

Why anyone would "gift" money to a stranger on the internet is beyond me.

I understand trying to be a nice guy around the paypal fees, but there are just too many scammers out there to make this a viable option anymore. If I buy anything online from a private seller, I do so with the understanding that I might just be throwing the money away- if the reward is worth the risk, then I do it. If it isn't, I don't.

As far a chasing the scumbag down and making their life miserable, it sounds great, but the reality is that life is too short to get your blood pressure up over a few bucks; probably better just to let it go and consider the transaction your tuition payment to the U of NH for a business ethics course.

Good thing there is a way to report these incidents here to prevent anyone else getting burned.

 

[1956 F100]

report him , and hopefully they ban him.

 

[rsanter]

Check the university register of employees, that sure looks like a student address
Bob

 

[3baygarage]

I think a minimum post count should be required before any items can be sold.

If the scammers want to play, then they have to hang around the garage for a while and converse with us fun guys!

 

[DodgeMech]

Another big forum I'm on requires either 100 posts or paying for premium membership to even see the classifieds section

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Another big forum I'm on requires either 100 posts or paying for premium membership to even see the classifieds section

 

[Nch209]

Paypal has been great with me when dealing with such idiots like northcountry. Don't pay via gift, and IN ANY CASE, gift or not, contact paypal and report. They will work with you!!! I had a gut feeling that this guy snapster was a scammer, perhaps even the same person as northcountry, so I called paypal about him while ago. They are quite aware of him...

 

[NUTTSGT]

It looks like he has changed his email address in his profile as I don't believe it is an actual email account.

I believe that he may have multiple accounts, which I have banned the other account.

EDIT: I believe his actual name is Jason Seamen, not Jayson Siemon.

 

[gtermini]

Just wanted to bump this so other members might see.

I was out of town most of last week, so I wasn't able to do too much on this. I will continue my fight and post any results here.

Thanks for all the help.

Greyson

 

[NUTTSGT]

Snapster, The members of GJ know that you are following this thread by opening multiple accounts. You need to reimburse them for your scams. I've banned atleast the third account you have opened up since this has been brought to light.

When you read this, it tells me that you have opened another account. I will find that one too and perma-ban that account like the previous accounts.

 

[Mach5]

Sellers ask for payment via "gift" for two reasons: (1) to scam people out of their money, or (2) to scam paypal out of its fee. As the buyer, if you paid by "gift" to purchase something because the seller told you to do that, I would think that paypal would take that into account. If you provide them with copies of the ad and the exchange re: payment, they should see that this was really a purchase transaction and not a gift, and go after the seller accordingly.

Paypal doesn't want a rep of supporting scammers and thieves...they want their system to be recognized as reliable and safe. So, definitely contact them.

While I acknowledge that the comment about not getting your blood pressure up over $150 has some merit, if we all take that attitude all the time we are just making it easier for thieves to continue to steal from us. Whether you get the money back or not, you have to at least make some report.

That's my $.02.

 

[Super Sport]

Another big forum I'm on requires either 100 posts or paying for premium membership to even see the classifieds section

This is a great idea, as buyers can scam the system too!

 

[rmsg0040]

^^ been saying that in my mind for a while, 100 post minimum

 

[Richard Cranium]

I see too many ads on here from new member, They have not put a single thing on the forum for us, but wants to sell their stuff to us. I agree that some thing needs to change...Richie

 

[gtermini]

I emailed a certain UNH Prof. by the same name related to 'snapster'. I do not in any way believe the Professor is the con artist, or related to him. In his very professional response he mentioned:

The name is a strange coincidence but I have heard that there is someone with my same name living in Durham.

Leading me to believe that the Professor has been contacted before relating to a similar matter. He thought the email format used in the PayPal address matched the ones given to student. I don't think the University office will release any information or even acknowledge the student of email, as per stadard University privacy policies.

The search goes on...

Greyson

 

[SMKS]

Did you contact paypal yet? Tell them you were scammed. They can possibly help you, even though it's a gift payment.

 

[Hpozzuoli]

Call Paypal. Get a human being on the phone. Just keep saying agent on the voice system. Tell them you want to file a claim. Explain what happened. Tell them you were instructed to pay via gift by the seller IF THEY ASK.

Call UNH police or public safety. Explain what happened and see if they are willing to help.

Next step you need to find a member here that has done business with snapster. You need to get his address. With his address you can then call the local PD and ask them for help. They may tell you to file a report with your local pd and they in turn will forward it.

You have a UNH email address which is a good start. Campus police operate a little differently than local pd so they may do more for you.

With northcountry most everyone was covered whether payment was gift or regular. Last I heard there were a number of reports filed by members that were handed over to the prosecutors office. I haven't called in a week or so, but my guess is northcountry was arrested and charged and now it is working its way thru the system.

You paid a decent amount of money for something you didn't get. Stealing drives me crazy and I can't stand the people that do it. Be persistent and don't let him get away with it. More than likely he is a college kid, but its no excuse.

PM me if you need help.

 

[Skin]

Another big forum I'm on requires either 100 posts or paying for premium membership to even see the classifieds section

I don't mind new members buying from me, I just require MO or personal check and that it clear before I mail products. I have no problem with that at all.

As far as buying from new or inactive members go, personally I don't do it. Its the simple fact that they're not an established member and have no desire to take part in our community and are only trying to turn profits (or scam).

 

[Conductor562]

That's unfortunate. I agree there should be a minimum post count, I'd maybe even consider a minimum of 250. If you want to sell, you hang around and get to know everyone, that's how I see it.

I've bought and sold a few items on here without any issue whatsoever. I always ship within 2 business days and provide tracking info the day it's shipped. Everyone else should too.

 

[Hpozzuoli]

Just keeping this current for anyone who might have done business with snapster and has an address for him.

 

[gtermini]

OK, I just got off the phone with a human at PayPal. They opened a case and are working to reverse the transaction.

This morning, I sent an invoice to [email protected] requesting $150. I wrote out a full description of the rip off. When I called, they seemed to know all about the case, and didn't question my actions any. I am happy so far with how they are dealing with this.

New information has come to light further strengthing the UNH connection, so please take my above post with a grain of salt.

Greyson

 

[NUTTSGT]

Sounds like you are making progress Greyson. Good for you and it ***** for the bad guy.

 

[Buckgnarly]

Keep us posted. Some of my former students now go to UNH, but not this guy!

 

[mmack66]

Why anyone would "gift" money to a stranger on the internet is beyond me.

I understand trying to be a nice guy around the paypal fees, but there are just too many scammers out there to make this a viable option anymore. If I buy anything online from a private seller, I do so with the understanding that I might just be throwing the money away- if the reward is worth the risk, then I do it. If it isn't, I don't.

As far a chasing the scumbag down and making their life miserable, it sounds great, but the reality is that life is too short to get your blood pressure up over a few bucks; probably better just to let it go and consider the transaction your tuition payment to the U of NH for a business ethics course.

Good thing there is a way to report these incidents here to prevent anyone else getting burned.

I don't get it either. As a buyer, it isn't my concern that the seller has to pay a measly 3% for fees. If they neglected to account for it in the price that they ask, that is their problem.

 

[ricky836]

I bought well tried to buy a Snap on BJP1 from this same guy. His user name was farmtruck at that point in time I used normal Paypal though and got my money back. I found the item listed on craigslist and he even had a phone number there. Got my money back no problem, why people use the gift option to a total stranger to safe a lousy 3% is beyond me.

 

[12ozd]

why people use the gift option to a total stranger to safe a lousy 3% is beyond me.

Agree, all this for $4.50

As far as people wanting more rules (IE post minimums), no one stopping you from doing it yourself. Don't deal w/ anyone that dosen't meet whatever criteria you want. Buying selling etc.

To the OP - good luck w/ this, hope it works out.
To the thief....
I can't stand a thief!

 

[gtermini]

I found the item listed on craigslist and he even had a phone number there.

Do you have the phone number? You can PM me if you do.


And yes guys, I realize I was a complete ******* for $5. I've learned my (expensive) lesson and will never do it again.

Moral of this story:
DO NOT PAYPAL VIA GIFT FORM!!!!!!!!!!!

Greyson

 

[NUTTSGT]

I bought well tried to buy a Snap on BJP1 from this same guy. His user name was farmtruck at that point in time I used normal Paypal though and got my money back. I found the item listed on craigslist and he even had a phone number there. Got my money back no problem, why people use the gift option to a total stranger to safe a lousy 3% is beyond me.

That is one of the accounts that I have already banned.

 

[bczygan]

http://exploringnh.com/forums/member.php?2480-farmtruck

He runs a Yota

(Jason, or someone, deleted the thread that contained the above photos)

His girlfriend Kris (Christina Lawsure):
http://exploringnh.com/forums/member.php?2916-littlecloud829