Watch Out For This Online Scam! The 'Bait & Switch' + 'Laziness' Scams and How They Work

This scam starts the same as many scams. It can turn into a bait and switch or the "Laziness" scam as I like to call it. If you stay proactive during this scam, it is unlikely you will actually lose any money. However, if they catch you by surprise - you could be out a lot!

I saw this scam on Reverb this evening on a Buckethead Les Paul. Being on my phone, I thought it was a deal of a life time and made an offer before I realized what I had done. Luckily I was very specific in my offer terms and asked to complete the listing with Direct Checkout and the seller wasn't willing to do that because his scam would not work as well then.

I hope this video helps you avoid this scam!
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[Trog]

This is a very common scam to see on Reverb early in the morning or late at night. This scam is just more so a time waster - your money will be tied up for weeks in a PayPal case or they will try refunding you all but a few dollars of your payment. Sometimes it is $50 - sometimes it is $5. Have you ever fallen victim to this scam?

[tdszabo]

"He's from Italy, that's our first red flag!" 😂😂😂

[yvczojk]

A fun thing when you're talking to a scammer is say you are in their area and you'd like to pick it up. Never had one accept yet.

[henryhunter]

Nice video. I buy guitars on eBay and have often spotted obvious scams but you have to be aware that the scammers are always finding new ways to make money. Sadly I almost always avoid sellers with very low or no feedback it’s a shame because everybody has to start sometime. When I buy an expensive guitar I always do my best to authenticate it by looking in the control cavities and checking the pickups etc, also comparing the instrument to the manufacturers spec.

[ghosteh]

Great idea for a video. Thanks. As someone who doesn’t know too much about Gibson, this is helpful.

[ML-dhly]

Thank you for your kind help yesterday in identifying a counterfeit Les Paul in the UK 🇬🇧 for me.. the tutorials you do are invaluable

[Prophetic_DMize]

I bought a really cool guitar from Reverb's handmade section a couple of years ago. It looked cool...but proper intonation could not be achieved because the guy who built it put the bridge too far forward. To make matters worse, the grommets for the bridge were epoxied into the holes. Still trying to find a workaround on that one... I'm thinking of drilling the holes until they're countersunk, filling them with dowels, and making a floating bridge. Best I can think of, just don't have the tools or the time right now.

[chrisdurham]

Videos like this will surely bump-up your subscriptions. Identifies an issue and offers simple prescriptions for prevention. Thanks!

[beatlesrgear]

THANK YOU SO MUCH!

I was not aware of these evil tactics scammers pull on us buyers.
I will be super careful from now on and follow your advice (I've written it down).
I have never been scammed, but now, I can rest easier with the info you provided :)

[stephenmccarthy]

I also feel reverb should police this type of thing

[THEQueeferSutherland]

Smart! Now I feel more comfortable buying the guitar I've been hesitating to buy, but the seller I'm buying from has tons of feedback, has been a member for several years, and there are no google image results. Thanks!

[jcoulter]

Good solid info and advice. Thanks for sharing. I've got a few friends who are very wary of buying anything on Reverb for this reason. I've had great success on Reverb and will continue to do business there using your tips to spot problems. Keep up the great work Austin!

[musicalcompanion]

i've had more offer fall through on reverb because everybody thinks they are sitting on liquid gold! Aside from scammers and counterfeiters. A lot of sellers not all, but alot want top dollar from run of the mill pedals and guitars.

[shelbyboytchuk]

Or just click search google for image after right clicking...lol

[massimoterenzi]

Great video!!! Thanks for the heads up, I've never dealt with PayPal nor do I trust it. Any transactions are 100% cash and in person.

[aneurysm]

I literally just bought that exact white SG listing to the left of the les Paul

[SteveBrownHudsonRecords]

Thanks for the scam video. No matter how many times I report them, guitar scams keep appearing on Facebook. I suspect they're coming from the same place because they are essentially identical with a slight difference. These ads "sell" high-end guitars at ridiculously low prices. I believe after you use your credit card or PayPal account, they tell you the item is out of stock. Now they have your number and God only knows what they'll do with it.

[metalmaniac]

Great vid as usual. Thnx for helping out people to avoid scams. Greetings from Israel \m/

[shield]

My biggest problem with Reverb or any site that sells used gear is that people DON’T seem to know what “Mint” or “Like New” means. I know people want max $$$ but seriously!? However there are those rare individuals who understate the conditions which is always a fantastic surprise.

[rayh]

you're correct! I spotted this on reverb a few years back, early in the morning there was almost always someone who just joined and was selling a fake les paul.