Scam Warning - Troops as bait

Fiddleback

Fiddleback

Knifemaker
Moderator
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Oct 19, 2005
Messages
20,005
Just before I left for Christmas, I was hit in the softspot by a despicable scam. I was told in a phone conversation that one of my knives had scales that had seperated from the tang just a bit and needed warranty attention. Unfortunately, this knife was to be a Christmas present for a serviceman who was shipping out just after the Holidays, and the customer was distraught that he wouldn't be able to give the knife in time. So I immediately shipped out a replacement that I happened to have around trusting that the customer was honest and the damaged knife was in the mail headed back to me.

This whole story turned out to be false, and the only reason I cought it was that another maker (and friend) here was hit by the same exact scam, same story to the letter, on the same day.

So now if you have warranty issues, serviceman - hero - guardian of our freedom - or not, I will have to recieve the knife before I can determine what to do about the situation.

Luckily, both myself and my maker friend who may or may not chime in here have gotten our knives back after teaming up to threaten legal action against the scammer. Still, I don't feel that this was an 'alls well that ends well' scenario. I feel burned.
 
This sort of scam turns up now and again, and it's always a good idea if you have any doubts about a story to post it in Shop Talk for the others to share the information.
 
Thanks for piping in Esav. I was wondering if this was an appropriate post.

I'd sure hate to have this on my soul when I meet my maker. I am still pissed off even thought the knife is home.
 
We've had guys ask for free knives to review. You have to be careful with that also. Some people out there are just thieves, no other word for them.
 
As a Soldier this really pi$$es me off!

May be a good idea in the future to ask for a copy of the service member's ID card for verification. That can also be faked or exploited but will cut through some of the fakers.

You did the right thing in supporting your product. I'm sorry that someone tried to game you in the name of a Soldier.
 
Holy Smokes, that is LOW. I know that people will play on one's patriotism, so I'm careful to only contribute to organizations that are a known quantity, Wounded Warrior Project, American Snipers DOT org, etc. It never occured to me somebody would just call up a maker and try something so abominable. Is there further action being taken somewhere, or is this worm still unaccountable?
 
Andy, I hope you know that you're getting hit with scams because you make some of the most desirable knives on the planet.

I know, it's a backhanded compliment, but it's still a compliment to some degree. You're in the big leagues. :)
 
That's aweful.

So did this guy actually BUY a knife from you and the other maker at some point? I think you should post some info about this scammer so nobody else gets taken. Repeat customers are treated like gold in my book, it would suck to have someone betray that trust.

Rick
 
I haven't had that happen yet, but here's an email I got a couple days ago. I'm posting it in case anyone needs a laugh. :D


Dear Sirs,

We are manufacturer of Damascus Steel billets, bars, blades/blanks. We successfully exports quality products all over the world now we feel pleasure to introduces our new Damascus steel axes.

We use Material 1095 and 15N20 for our Damascus Knives. We get hardness 60 HRC on Rockwall after Harding and tempering process. Both materials are high carbon and high chrome based combinations.

The pictures of our Damascus Knives, Axes, Bowies, Arrow Heads attached.

We hope you like our efforts and send us your valued remarks.

Thanks and awaiting your favorable reply.
Click to expand...
 
Rick Marchand said:
That's aweful.

So did this guy actually BUY a knife from you and the other maker at some point? I think you should post some info about this scammer so nobody else gets taken. Repeat customers are treated like gold in my book, it would suck to have someone betray that trust.

Rick
Click to expand...

Nope. As far as I know the knife mentioned in the initial complaint never exsisted. When I called the guy and accused him of the above, he never denied it. I was, um, very insistant that he cease his play, and return my knives. Somehow he was convinced. Cajuns can be very persuasive. It also helped that during conversation I had found out a lot about him (he is from near where my parents live), and the other maker (who has said he will post) found out a bit more than me. He would have been in trouble if he hadn't changed his mind on this scam.

If anyone else was hit with this before Christmas, please contact me to get the name and information I have about the scammer. I know a lot about him, and its enough to scare him straight evidently.
 
ohen cepel said:
As a Soldier this really pi$$es me off!

May be a good idea in the future to ask for a copy of the service member's ID card for verification. That can also be faked or exploited but will cut through some of the fakers.

You did the right thing in supporting your product. I'm sorry that someone tried to game you in the name of a Soldier.
Click to expand...

Thank you for your service sir!
 
Phillip... Yeah, those guys are just drumming up "testimonials" from knifemakers to sell their crap.


Rick
 
that is horrible... some folks just can stoop so low.. hopefully it all works out and you get your knife back Andy....:thumbup:
 
Fiddleback said:
Nope. As far as I know the knife mentioned in the initial complaint never exsisted. When I called the guy and accused him of the above, he never denied it...
Click to expand...

Brother, do you not keep record of your sales?... or was this guy claiming to have bought it through a dealer/second hand type thing? If it was the latter, I would say that any warranty issue should start by you getting the knife back. If someone has bought a knife directly from me and I have record of it, I take them for their word and bypass the anti-scam protocol. I have never had someone break that trust. A few folks have dragged out payment on subsequent orders but it always works out well. Some have had me sweating, though.

The only bad happenings I have experienced is with shipments to Germany. I've been burned twice by customs and will no longer ship there.

Rick
 
Esav Benyamin said:
We've had guys ask for free knives to review. You have to be careful with that also. Some people out there are just thieves, no other word for them.
Click to expand...

Oh there are plenty of words for them, but it would ruing the general civil and somewhat gentleman like behavior on here.
 
Dang Andy- That would sure make my blood boil!!! :mad:

Glad you guys got the knives back.

What a dirt bag... Can you imagine calling someone up with a story like that, when it's pure lies??? :rolleyes: :grumpy:
 
I'm glad everything worked out, and you got your knife back.

Some people have no shame.
 
I'm the other maker who this guy tried to scam. I was having doubts about this right away but went ahead and shipped the knife anyway. What really got me on to him was when he kept coming up with excuses for not giving me a tracking # for my returned knife. I called Andy to alert him because of the circumstances of our knives. He was out of town during the Christmas holiday and I wasn't able to talk to him until after the scam was in progress. Once I talked to Andy and found out he had the same story as me, we teamed up and nailed his ass.
Scott
 
It's something disgusting to have such kinf of situation when someone is cheating on your work. I think it's one of the worst scenario that a knifemaker or an artisan like you can suffer. And when someone is touching the works or the job or the famyly I see really really red
:D
Luckily you solved.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top