Trumpet Purchase - Escrow Service DPD

uglylips

I'm in the process of purchasing a trumpet from an individual in the UK. The seller wants to use an escrow service through a parcel delivery company. The company is Dynamic Parcel Delivery (DPD).

http://www.dpd.co.uk

I've never heard of them until today. It sounds like they're going to want cash through a bank transfer. I prefer to pay with a credit card or Paypal. Anyway an unusual request for me and when it comes to cash transfer I couldn't help but wonder if this could be some type of a scam.

What do you THer's think? Anyone ever purchase or sell a trumpet through DPD before? It's entirely possible that the seller who inherited the trumpet from a relative is just being very cautious.

A.N.A.Mendez · Posted: Tue May 13, 2014 3:49 pm Post subject:

Pick a shop, restorer, or music store you both know. Pay them a small fee to accept the $$ and or horn......
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musicalmason1 · Posted: Tue May 13, 2014 4:32 pm Post subject:

I'm not familiar with that company. But, whenever I am involved with any deal over the internet, and I find myself not 100% completely comfortable....If I have any gut doubts whatsoever, I walk away. Just me, but better safe than sorry. If the other person really wants to make the deal, they'll agree to a transaction method that both of you can be comfortable with.
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uglylips · Posted: Tue May 13, 2014 6:33 pm Post subject:

Good helpful advice guys! Thanks!! I'm going to try to work out something else with the seller that doesn't involve cash.

Eric Ball · Veteran Member Joined: 16 Nov 2006 Posts: 261

I sometimes check to see if the buyer/seller has a facebook account..that can sometimes ease your worries

SatchmoGillespie · Posted: Tue May 13, 2014 8:47 pm Post subject:

Here's some info on DPD. Looks like they are a German based company that's been around for around 40 years.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dynamic_Parcel_Distribution
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uglylips · Posted: Tue May 13, 2014 9:27 pm Post subject: Wow it looks like it is a SCAM!

Ok, I Googled this guys name Adam Gardella and I found a thread on another forum with an almost identical email. Check this out:

Email to me from Adam Gardella on 5/12/14. See the ad I replied to: http://fortmyers.backpage.com/MusicEquipForSale/1955-mt-vernon-bach-stradivarius-43-bell-trumpet/12019220

Hello,

I still have for sale my 1955 Mt. Vernon Bach Stradivarius 43 bell trumpet. I am asking $1600. From the beginning I want to tell you that I left the country a couple of days ago and came to United Kingdom with my work for the Save The Children Foundation. If you still want to buy it, I will pay all shipping fees. Also we can do this in a safe way with the help of an escrow company. They will handle the delivery from United Kingdom to your home since I had to take it with me having no place where to leave it there. The escrow company will give 10 days to inspect it so you can test and see that it is exactly as described in my ad.

Thanks,
Adam

Email on guitar forum from Adam Gardella on 1/08/14. See: http://theunofficialmartinguitarforum.yuku.com/topic/155740/Martin-D45-2000-is-it-a-scam-stolen#.U3LmylfYMfU

Hello,

I still have for sale my Martin Standard D-45 Acoustic Guitar. I am asking $2000. From the start I want to tell you that I left the country a couple of days ago and came to United Kingdom with my work for the Save The Children Foundation. If you still want to buy it, I will pay all shipping fees. Also we can do this in a safe way with the help of an escrow company. They will handle the delivery from United Kingdom to your home since I had to take it with me having no place where to leave it there. The escrow company will give 10 days to inspect it so you can test and see that it is exactly as described in my ad.

Thanks,
Adam

Seeing as how he just moved a few days ago to the UK in both January and May, I'm certain this is a scam.

He also sent me many pictures of the trumpet, talked to me about not being able to answer many questions because he inherited the trumpet from his grandfather. I thought he was legit until he was asking for cash. I gave him my home address too.

I wonder how I can catch this guy and who should I report him to?

Dieter Z · Posted: Wed May 14, 2014 12:13 am Post subject:

Nowadays someone can not be careful enough to avoid scams.

I have done lots of classified purchases and so far all went well. But buying an instrument and the price is probably high enough to make this a pretty big gamble.

Like said above you may want to check with some reputable dealers such as Trent Austin (a member of this forum) who sells lots of used instruments and is great to deal with.
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rockford · Posted: Wed May 14, 2014 3:39 am Post subject:

I see letters like this all the time on Craigslist. If there is a "story" of some kind, especially involving deployments or relocation due to working for some charitable cause I walk away. It's a big red flag.

http://www.craigslist.org/about/scams
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Andy Del · Posted: Wed May 14, 2014 4:13 am Post subject:

+1 Run away, don't bother walking. That has scam written large all over it!

cheers

Andy
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Louise Finch · Posted: Wed May 14, 2014 4:40 am Post subject: