I believe I am getting scammed by a fellow Headfier.... | RESOLVED |

Never thought this would happen as I've always had good transactions here on HeadFi. But over a month ago (over. a. month.) I sent a user on this forum payment very promptly to make me some modified T50RPs. I sent him more than I wanted to but I decided to give him the benefit of the doubt. He also "needed help making a payment the next day." So I gave in, since he seemed desperate and I thought it would be fine (he had good feedback). I don't want to name names in case this guy finally does give me my money back, but oh my god I can't believe this happened to me here on this site. Just goes to show you never know.

Anyway, a couple weeks after I sent my money to this headfier (via paypal/gift - big mistake), I changed my mind and decided I just couldn't afford it at this time. I simply wanted the money I sent back. If a customer wants a refund, give it to them. Well, he didn't. He made a lot of excuses, about how he spent all his money on supplies so he doesn't have the money, and kept stalling. Then he tells me a week ago, that he should have the refund for me tonight. So I pm him tonight - then I email him. He finally responds and says that "I should have kept on being persistent no matter how annoyed he got" because "he forgot about me." He spent money on "groceries, gas," and who knows what. Point blank, he doesn't have the money for me. Even after he admitted he sold some headphones and for the price he's selling them, he should have the money for me. So then he asks if he can pay a portion of it now, and send the rest by the 23rd. I agree.....

It's 1:27 am (he's on the east coast also so I know there's no time difference and he had sent me that email at approximately 10:31 pm) and he hasn't sent the money. Nada. Zip. Emailed him once more in case he got my paypal email wrong. Nada. The guy has good feedback on headfi, which is a bit odd. I guess he's only good to customers who don't want refunds. I even told him I would reconsider getting his modded T50RPs once I had the funds.

I am at a loss and don't know what to do. I just want my money back, that's all and this guy is making it so difficult. It's amazing. Well, I just thought I would share this so that others know that this could happen... even on HeadFi. And I'm posting this in the hopes that this guy, who seems to want to make a living doing this... reads this... and gives me my money back. Simply. Easily. Hassle-free. Why couldn't it be? *face-palm* 

Ok so the good news is he sent me that portion. Here's to hoping he'll send me the rest.

nikp, he did buy them and was getting ready to mod them. However, I felt comfortable asking for my money back because he made it seem like he was giving me a great deal and actually wanted to sell it for more. He's been modding headphones and selling them for a little while now so I figured this would give him the chance to sell them to someone else for more. It shouldn't have been a big deal and he should've been professional enough to give me my money back as soon has he had the funds. But... he "forgot about me." And even in this last 'half-return' he made it so that I pay the paypal fees, even though I paid him via gift so he wouldn't have to suffer any paypal fees. No matter what, no matter what I've been through and how patient I've been, he continues to insult me.

antberg - I feel you. I was so patient with him that he complained about it! lol I really should follow your advice. Seriously though, I hope this doesn't happen to anyone else. If he is reading this, I hope he understands how bad this is for business and I don't see how he can continue doing this if he keeps treating customers this way.

So I just wanted to update you guys and say the matter was resolved just today! I'm so happy I don't have to worry about this any longer and I can finally relax and enjoy the holidays. I still think it was important to start this thread, however, because you never know who may try to screw you, no matter what website. Thank you guys for the support, it definitely helped. 

@antberg, I'm so sorry about what your partner did to you, leaving you all that debt. I can't even imagine the devastation it caused you, financially and emotionally, and I surely hope what goes around comes around. It's true, you never know who will flip on you like that. The most you can do is just learn from it and move on.

@chef and kiteki, thanks for the support.

@muppetface, I work for a reputable custom clothing business - suits, shirts, coats, blazers, slacks - everything custom made. It is a business in which we cannot (and we make it clear) make refunds since the product is custom made for you. We can't sell it to any other customer because it won't fit them and we aren't an off-the-rack business. However, we offer a high-quality product, free alterations, and great customer service. The business is now just about 40 years old. That said, I am well aware about refunds and whether it can be applicable in the circumstances. 

This headfier is attempting to make a business out modded T50RPs (a la Smeggy) and it is very easy for him to sell these headphones like hotcakes, for the right price (and for more than what he sold them to me for, as a matter of fact). I was more than patient as I waited for him to have the funds. And look at that - he ended up selling more headphones and forgetting about me. Not to mention from the beginning, he made it crystal clear that he would be able to offer a refund. The only thing I did wrong here is jump the gun as fast as I did. I shouldn't have sent the money when I did, and I suffered the consequences. I was honestly very worried, mostly due to the guy's lack of professionalism (there are many examples of it that I haven't divulged here and anyone in my situation would have been livid), and because of that I was even afraid of how the product would come out. The guy was unpredictable and didn't help matters with the things he'd say. All of these factors coupled with my financial situation is what led me to get my refund and post about it here so that no one has to go through this again.

I highly doubt Smeggy or other members of the trade would deal with customers in this fashion. The most important thing here is customer service. I told this guy that once I get the money together and hear some impressions of his work, I would absolutely look to him to make me some modded T50RPs. Instead, he derailed the situation and forgot about a potential customer. The only credit I can give him, is that only after I emailed him today he finally sent me the rest of the money.

The moral of the story is... not always.