CurtPalme.com Home Theater Forum

**Curt Palme** · Posted: Wed Nov 02, 2011 6:11 pm Post subject: 909 scammer in Md.

Since everyone seems to be really litigious these days, I won't post his name or city, but suffice to say that I've more or less scammed by this seller with the initials RP.

I did indeed get a 909 projector. Finally. It was supposed to be 'mint'.

I got the set, loosely strapped to the pallet. It was hanging off the pallet, damage to the case. No lenses. Seller claims they were in 3 separate boxes separate from the projector. Shipper says no extra boxes were picked up.

Green and blue tubes have wear. He did send tube face pix, but either the angle or the lighting washed out the wear. Task bar along the top of the tubes. I'd mentioned to him that I THOUGHT I saw wear, he knows about CRTs (apparently he bought the remains of CRTcinema.com when the Minneapolis company went under), and said that the sets were mint. 1200 hours. Not a chance, I'm guessing 4000 hours minimum.

I haven't brought it through customs yet, but it sure wasn't worth what I paid for it.

This guy also says he's going through a nasty divorce and needs cash badly. I'm sure that motivated the lying.

I won't go into other gory details, 2 weeks ago I thought I wasn't getting a projector at all, but don't be buying sets or parts from this guy. A couple of other CRT techs in the know also know about this guy, as he approached them as well, and they've been told what I've gone through.

Spanky Ham · Joined: 22 Mar 2006 Posts: 5643 Location: Comedy Central

My initials are SH not RP. Wink

Wait it wasn't me. Very Happy

That sucks. The lenses are worth $800 by themselves.

**Curt Palme** · Posted: Wed Nov 02, 2011 6:44 pm Post subject:

Hey, it wasn't the first time I developed tunnel vision over a 909.. Wink

It did all seem legit when I first talked to the guy, as I said, he knows about CRTs, and I felt comfortable sending him money... then it turns out he's super short on cash, and started dinking me around. From the time I sent the funds to the time I got the set was a month..etc.

HaydnG90 · Joined: 22 May 2006 Posts: 1356

Certainly an excellent cautionary tale, when even a seasoned CRT buyer like Curt can be scammed. Just goes to show if a seller is determined to be deceitful and misrepresent an item you really have to go with a gut feeling. I think Curt had the feeling the seller was being a little evasive, but maybe the deal was good enough that it was worth a punt. This time things didn't work out. For purchases like this from an unknown seller I'd be tempted to insist on a CC payment through Paypal and pickup the fee. Most sellers will agree.... unless they're hiding something.

At least you finally got something for the money. Is he also sending the other 909's or was that purchase contingent on the outcome of the 'taster'? If he sent the best of the bunch I'd hate to think what condition the others are in.

**Curt Palme** · Posted: Wed Nov 02, 2011 6:54 pm Post subject:

OK, you're going to make me spill the story aren't ya? Smile

The deal originally was that I'd buy one set, evaluate it, and if I liked it, I'd take the other one. He sent pix of both sets, but as we all know, light and angle can be deceptive as to tube condition.

I wire transferred the funds, something I don't like to do, but no big deal, I saw the sets, and he was name dropping of lots of other CRT guys, etc.

Then, I don't hear from him for 2 weeks. Then he gave me the wrong pickup address. THEN, as I'm rebooking the pickup, me sends me a long email, saying the other set to be paid for by the end of Oct., so he''s now holding the first set ransom until I pay for the other one. I go ballistic, another CRT tech close to him gets involved, and he finally releases the paid for set, and I got it today.

I just got called by the trucking company, they spoke to the driver who said all he picked up was the one skid. No lenses. Oh well, live and learn.

HaydnG90 · Joined: 22 May 2006 Posts: 1356

I think most of that was in the other thread.

But what a douche not shipping the lenses. Clearly he was a CRT 'expert' and knows the value of a set of HFQ900's on the used market. Keep your eyes skinned for a set turning up on Ebay.

416ray4538 · Joined: 14 Jul 2009 Posts: 517 Location: near Toronto Ont

Is there not an official way to pursue this. I mean it sounds like he intentionally ripped you off.
Any lawyers out there who know the process for cross border gettin' him back?

**Curt Palme** · Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2011 12:03 am Post subject:

Nah, not worth it. Lawyer? Best case, I can file in small claims in Wa. state, wait months to get heard, and there's no saying that he'd show up or respond. He told another CRT tech that he was going to get evicted if he didn't get the other money I said I'd send for the second set.. if the first turned out OK.

Best case here, I'll make a few bucks on the parts, I should be able to part it out and recover my investment.

Or, I retube it, and sell it cheep without lenses. Or keep it as a test set.

Not sure what to do yet, I need to get it into Canada to evaluate it.

**AnalogRocks** · Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2011 1:29 am Post subject:

You sure he didn't break a shock on his van on the way to meet the shipper? Laughing

wallace123456 · Joined: 14 Aug 2006 Posts: 2236 Location: Northwest VA area

Give us the 411 on him; we'll send Rocko and Luigi to help him "find his checkbook".

wallace

**Curt Palme** · Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2011 4:29 am Post subject:

Nah, my job is done here. He has no money, he's apparently going through a nasty divorce, which is why he's cash poor.

Was gonna send a nasty email regarding why his wife left him, but 'F**K YOU YOU LYING PIECE OF CRAP' got the message across as per our last phone call. Smile