Stereo Speaker Scam

[JohnnyCNote]

Has anyone ever been approached by guys, usually in a van, selling stereo speakers? Typically they drive around parking lots in shopping areas and will ask you if you want to be some "nice speakers", etc. While they may look nice, they're junk inside. They might ask several hundred dollars, but they're usually worth about $50/pair at best. The ones who've I've enountered tend to get really nasty when I refuse.

If you ever see them, watch out. I've gotten their license and passed it on to the merchants in the area. Most of the time they don't want their customers accosted when shopping in their stores....

[Shocker Milwaukee]

Do a web search & I think you'll be surprised at how widespread a phenomenon it is. I don't understand how this can be a successful business model, but it must be. My brother ran into them this summer & they were hawking Cypress Serious Cinema 6.4 speakers.

[JohnnyCNote]

I tried to get some video of them for a local TV station, but of course when you want to find them they're never around. Sometimes they advertise for help in the paper under such titles as "Rock and Roll - fun work", etc. The scam was exposed on "Dateline" a while back....

[Faustus]

Yup yup many times.

them: "Yeah dude we were installing these in a theater and we have a ton left, they are awesome speakers!"

Me lying: "Great! What brand are they, I work with theater speakers!"

Them "uhhhhh..."

[hech54]

I've run into them in Pittsburgh MANY times.

[JohnnyCNote]

They're all over, in fact, I was surprised to see they're in Australia and NZ, too....

[Faustus]

A good scam never dies.

HEY GUYS GET A FREE IPOD!!!!!!!!!!!!1!11111one1

[BJ_M]

toronto also -- seen this going back 20 years at least ..

here they are on tape and uncovered in two parts

http://www.wsbtv.com/video/2826847/detail.html
http://www.wsbtv.com/money/2825532/detail.html

[BJ_M]

another way to get back at them:

call the police and do not report an attempt to scam you but an attempt to sell you stolen goods!

here is where it becomes fun, they will come in for questioning and most likely say that they are the legal owners of the speakers and show receipts and yes they will prove that it is not stolen, but trying to sell you items under the presentation of stolen is a conspiracy to commit a crime. Again note, if you have bought from them do not use it, if you agreed to buy thinking that they might be stolen or they might not be the rightful owners will get you convicted of the same crime!

at this point they have a choice of which crime to confess to, theft and the attempt to sell stolen goods or conspiracy to commit a crime, both carry jail time.

Good luck, be careful, try to get it on tape (audio or video) and if you really want to get them this will work but be ready to give statements and spend some time in court.

(from a user post on http://www.scamshield.com./Sighting.asp?country=none&state=Georgia&article=1).

[JohnnyCNote]

That's a good idea! The last time I was approached by these losers I asked for their phone number "so I could buy them later", but they didn't go for it. Next time I might tell them I need to get the cash and I'll be back, then tell a store manager about them. They can call the cops and have them warned about trespassing. All 3 times I crossed paths with them was in front of a large grocery store.

As I said above, the store managers were very interested in stopping this sort of thing. Also, if one insists in following me into the store, I can still ask for the manager.

I do like the stolen goods angle, however.....

[ViRaL1]

Looks like I need to find a new job.

[JohnnyCNote]

Maybe you can move up into management....

[pacmania_2001]

Seen them here in Australia as well. Never actually been approached by them though.

I have been approached about buying Altezza style head lights for my car by a guy driving a 7 series BMW when I was stopped at a red light.

[VideoTechMan]

Ive had this happen to me at one time too, when i was in KY (driving truck at the time and was staying at a hotel) 2 guys in a white van came by and were trying to sell me from what they so-called $1500 speakers for like $200-300...I refused them and mentioned that I dont carry that kind of money on me. Then asked that I could go to an ATM to get it....I knew something wasnt right....nobody would sell you expensive speakerslike that for that price....either they were stolen or something else. I told them again that I will pass, and I already have a decent system.

They then commented on like "well you missed out on a great deal..have a nice day" and they left. My sixth sense spoke to me and I listened. I simply dont trust people like that, and I surely am not going to be arrested for "possesion of stolen property" if that was the case.

VTM