I've never fallen for this scam, I'd like to think that I know what I'm buying. Im trying to help Op understand why he made his buying decision and why he shouldn't exactly be mad.
If OP at the moment saw the value and benefit he was getting and was happy at the time of purchase, went home and used it instead and never googled them, would he still be mad?

Its a psycological scam. Buyer thinks they are getting a killer deal on questionable items, however there is a reciept offered so they feel more at ease. Regardless of the story told on how the goods were obtained, as long as they are not stolen its legit. Yeah you got suckered into buying $50 speakers for $300 by a slick salesman and pitch. Too bad they have a no refund policy.

Props for admitting you fell for it amd warning others. Most "scams" go unreported and therefore the police dont look into it. Sorta like rape. The vixtims are too ashamed. Good on you man.

than i guess garage sales and people selling fresh pick fruits at street corners are illegal too? Its immoral but certainly legal, we live in a capitalistic society afterall.

Seems like no neighborhood is NOT affected by drug addicts looking for their next score.
This month has not been my month.

Car Window was smashed..lucky I didn't have valuables in it.
And I almost fell for an ADVANCE version of the TOWING SCAM.

Friday night and some regular looking 40 year old man knocks on my door. He claimed he was my neighbor and was short $9 for the tow man down the street.
Warning bells came up because who cant afford $9? You must be one poor mofo if you needed that much. And secondly I wouldn't know if he was really my neighbour. Im asian... we dont chat with our neighbours :badpokerface:

But yea good thing I spotted it out quick and good thing he didn't pull a knife and stabbed me to death. If that were happen...Im thinking I woulda got stabbed 3-6 times before I manage to run to the kitchen and grab my own knife to defend myself.

similar thing happened to me before outside canadian tire, 2 italian looking guy claiming they were here on a fashion show with left over items and cant bring it home due to tax limits. They were acting all nice and stuff saying they wana give it to me. took them 10 min to get straight to the topic and asked me for donation :fuckthatshit:

They went as far as asking me the direction to the airport, I told them they can follow my car to the airport lmao

:troll:

One of the company's that run this scam have been on the news and they have been in trouble with he police for selling without the right permits. You can't just open up shop in a parking lot and start selling stuff. The owners of the land would not be happy.

Did he get charge? and did the charges stick?

People met up to sell stuff at parking lots alot, technically it isn't all that difference than white van scammer except they are not scamming each other. White van scammer are also usually mobile anyways, flag down someone while in traffic and than go to the parking lot to complete the scam.

Ain't all the different than buying something off craigslist than meeting up at a parking lot to check out the item and complete the transaction.

Now you say they have a company than i can see where they might ran into legal issue as its not a private sale between individuals anymore. I was under the impression they usually work alone or in small group, not as a proper legal company that can be sued and tracked down.

also, lol

White Van Speaker Scam

I believe the drivers have been fined by the police before but the companies have not because they claim the drivers are independent contractors and they have no control over the sales tactics they use.

lol i remember this one time dude try to sell me a iphone off the street & it was funny cuz i told him i dun like iphones so the dude just said what about other phones

since i use to know a few ppl that steal things & sell them in high school i told him that i know a guy that might want it, long story short dude booked it after i point at some random buff guy

I had that happen a good number of years ago at a corner store. Guy comes up to me and he's in a almost new jetta. He ran out of gas and doesn't have his wallet.

OK. Sucks.

Can you spare $5 so I can get some gas? I need to get to the airport to pick up my daughter.

Cool. We've set the stage for emotional connection and an issue of expediency. Nice.

I say I can help. I have a nice full tank that we can siphon from. Just need to get a hose.

"I can't...I need to use 91 octane..its a turbo."

And you lost me. And now I have decided to have some fun. I think you could handle a little pinging and driving gingerly to get out of being stranded.

"Oh...I have no idea what that means"

And he goes on to say he appreciates the offer, but just a few dollars will help.

"Ok, I'm here to help. I will follow you to the gas station 4 blocks away and we'll get you right topped up-my treat!"

"I don't want to risk running out on the way and being really stranded"

"Cool. Cool. I'll tell you what. I'm a generous guy. Leave your car and I will take you to the airport. Get your daughter and you can deal with the car later."

I was literally willing to take him to the airport, I wasn't bluffing. It wasn't a matter that I believed him, but if he truly wasn't a scammer then I was willing to go through with it. The amount of bullshit he came up with to spin out of offers to: fill his tank-for free!, drive his ass to Richmond from East Van-for free! and go and get his wallet-for free! was hilarious.

And he'd trade all of that for $5 in cash.

The owner of the store was just laughing at me the whole time.

^ I think I've seen this "corner store" guy.
Asian, early 30's?

I stopped by 7-11 on knight and 33rd to pick up some snacks. Then this guy comes running over, says he's out of gas, needs some money to fill up. Says if I leave him my number, he'll call me to pay me back. He didn't look like he needed any money.. He was in a Hugo Boss track suit, new shoes, but I was still reluctant. I offer to let him use my cell phone. He says his buddies are out of town.. All of them. And he has no family here. :fuckthatshit: I ask him where he lives, I can drive him home. He says he has somewhere important to be, so he needs to fill up his car. I offer to drive him. He declines. I tell him I can't help him then.

The shit people will make up for a few bucks..

I encountered one in Richmond, this time around the guy was in a blue van. When I saw the person trying to pitch me the product I was like :fuckthatshit:

Mine was a white guy.

I was just laughing the whole time. It was such a crock. Whatever bullshit you come up with, I have a solution, and whatever solution I have, breeds more bullshit.

I was just waiting for the guy to tap out.

"I'm sorry, I was trying to scam you. Can we call it a draw?"

Another guy happened on the scene too and he leaves me to try him. I made it quite clear that I had supplied numerous solutions and the guy kept walking.

Man you guys have alot more patience than I ever will have with these scammers,I would have told them to fuck off within the first 15 seconds or just ignored them.

I got buzzed one time at my intercom and it was around 1:30AM? This woman said she went out on a date with this guy while when he was driving her home kicked her out of his car. All of her belongings were in his car so now she's stranded and she needs to call home to check on her daughter to make sure she's ok.

I'm like, someone stole your belongings and assaulted you. Do you want me to call the cops? Then she just said no and ran off. hahaha

@The_AK, you're confusing what is legal vs what is ethical with what's a scam. As defined.. Scam: "a fraudulent or deceptive act or operation".

Stop being legalistic. It IS a scam. Props to the OP for bringing awareness even though he fell for it.

im not gonna lie, amazed at how many fails op got. you guys say "oh this is so 2003" well fuck, realize not all of us are 30+ lol back in 03 i was 11 :rukidding: and never heard or seen any of these scam things until this thread came up. there should def be more thanks then fail, just my .02

I imagine this scam was a lot more successful back in the 80's since people weren't able to share info as much as we can today

Thanks OP for the post. Read this yesterday and today my dad calls me up asking if he should pick up this projector. I told him to punch that guy in the face right now. Saved my dad from being scammed. Thx

^ I love the fact that he called you. My dad will never consult with me about anything.

^ My friend bought that projector shiiit, brought it to my house and asked if he can store it in my basement until he finds a buyer. Its been collecting dust for almost a year.

my dad got scammed a while back (10 years ago or so?)
Same thing, 2 guys in some white van saying the same story, but they were selling "high-end" speakers instead. My dad bought them and I ended up using them. They're ok for blasting music across the room :S

Point is, these scams has happened for a loooong time.

yah i been approached by this guy who drives in the blue ford van too, the guy wears sunglasses too. He asked me if i wanted high end projectors. He roams around Oakridge Parking lot

Even when I was 11 I knew better than to buy merchandise out of a van in a parking lot..