I May Have Been Scammed Right Here On TRF

[Safetrends]

Originally Posted by joeychitwood

Thank you for that offer of advice. It may be a while before I look at buying another watch, at least on the internet, and my spouse will probably hit me with a club if I suggest it again anytime soon, but I will certainly take you up on your offer.

Doctor,
A little advise, if you do decide to buy another watch, keep the two you have and invest in the third one from a seller who will meet you face to face at a Rolex Dealer where it can be authenticated on the spot.

[LouCan]

doc, congrats on the outcome! As i read this thread, i would have never imagined this outcome. I purchased my rolex from an authorized Rolex Dealer. I would like to purchase another rolex in the future. I know NOW never to make a purchase unless i meet that person in person at a authorized Rolex Dealer. No buts about it. My Rolex is insured against Theft, loss or mysterious disappearance. Only in person at a AD to check it out. People always have there car checked out after the purchase. they never think of spending the money before the purchase. I wish you the best and hpoe that your error in judgment will make us all a little wiser. God Bless

[nch209]

Great news. Do let us know when loot and watches are in your grips! Do go after this guy and set an example that this will not be tolerated- by doing this might make other scum think twice!!! I still like the photo of his home early in the thread- and the fact it was claimed he logged onto TRF. Awesome!

Hope the cash comes soon!

[Alcan]

Originally Posted by joeychitwood

An investigator from the Richland County Sheriff's office just called. My watches have been turned over to them and shipped to me by the sheriff's office via FedEx and should be back in my possession in just days!!!! The wire transfer of $3,800 will follow late today or tomorrow. Yee haa!!!!

Mark, I've followed all 23 pages of this thread but have refrained from posting until now. I'm very pleased to hear that you are going to be made whole on this deal. I'd guess New Year's Eve will be a time of an extra special celebration for you. Well done!

[MAWhite]

Originally Posted by joeychitwood

Once everything is back to me, I'll post some information regarding the legal issues in a case like this.

BIG CONGRATS!!
I've been following this thread with fingers crossed for you and my belief in karma is still strong.

But remember "Revenge is a dish best served cold" and this scum deserves whatever he gets.

Best,
Mike

[thesharkfactor]

this is great news! im delighted and relieved for you.well done to all involved in helping Mark get his watches and money back!!!

[Barracuda]

Very cool...

[Ashley]

YAAAAY! I am so glad to hear things are going the right way for you, Mark. I will be SO relieved when you get your watches and money back, then the celebration REALLY begins
I also look forward to hearing how the legal process works in this whole ordeal. Please keep us updated!!

[Latrodectus]

That is so good! I am very glad for you! Congratulations. Yes, this is the great TRF!

[Rags]

Congrats... Glad to hear that you will be having a Happy New Year...I love this forum....You guys are vicious.. Worse than the F.B.I. & The NYPD put together..... You guys should all get gold shields. I'm very happy to see this wrong made right... Again congrats....

[B Square]

Mark, I am so happy for you. This will truly be a Happy New Year
Boyd

[jimbones43]

Amazing thread. This forum is truly amazing. I've never seen so many people rally around another forummer. Joey Chitwood (Mark) glad to hear things are working out. I can't add anything that's not been said already, so I won't try.

My hats all to everyone who offered (or actually did) help!!

Jimbones

[sturgeon123456]

Glad to hear that things are on the right track!

[TurboWatch]

The sucker messed with the wrong person this time around. Press charges please, and take the sucker to JAIL.

Did he even say SORRY Doc?

[Rolesor]

congrats once again!

I can't wait to read the details of how this all worked out and hopefully some of the dialogue you had with this dumb @$$ of a con artist.

I'd take this as a sign of a great year to come if I were you! I was truly hoping and pulling for things to end like this but a small part of me was worried that this would turn out as a worst case scenario type of ending.

You save lives on a daily basis and are the LAST person that should ever have to go through some B.S. like this! (Not that anyone should ever get scammed or robbed but you know what I'm getting at)

Much respect to you and the way you handled this. Please let us know when your property is back in your hands.

[rsg]

I'm very glad things worked out for you. Don't let this experience sour you on all deals that are available as there are some very reliable sellers here (David SW comes to mind).
If given the opportunity please prosecute this jerk to the fullest extent of the law to help discourage others from doing the same sort of thing.

[toph]

WOW!!!!
so glad to hear that it has nearly been totally resolved!
happy new year

[Z-Sub]

Congratulations for a great Christmas present that couldn't came at a better time.

[mcjp6]

Fantastic news Mark and a great outcome, with the amazing amount of positive energy coming from this thread how could you not have a "win".....very happy for you.....

After spending a bit of time here on the Watch out forum it is really sad seeing how many scams are here on ebay on a daily basis where real people are being conned out of their money. One does not realise they are real people and they are really losing money. Reading this thread brings home just how personal it does actually become and how it can affect people. It makes one want to spend 24 hours a day here trying to eradicate these scammers, of course that is not possible and unfortunately most will not turn out as well as yours has, all the best.

[walds11]

I have followed most of this thread. Congrats and Happy New Year.

[stevemulholland3]

I have seen a few posts from people saying that the lesson to be learned is that you should never buy on-line..now that statement couldnt be further from the truth..there are many of us who make their living selling Rolex on-line and we are all 100% trustworthy.
I think the lesson learned should be to know your seller..and that it is worth paying a couple hundred dollars more on a watch sometimes just to have piece of mind that you will be getting what you paid for..
personally I have sold(and bought also!) well over a hundred Rolex and several hundred Rolex parts off of this site and others and have never had one deal go bad..so there are most definitely good on-line sellers..just do your homework folks.
anyway,glad that this debaucle has ended in a good outcome.
cheers!

[2careless]

Congratulations Mark! This is a very happy ending. Happy New Year!
Please do write down your experience so that others can learn how to handle similar issues.

[Mosco]

Originally Posted by stevemulholland3

i have seen a few posts from people saying that the lesson to be learned is that you should never buy on-line..now that statement couldnt be further from the truth..there are many of us who make their living selling rolex on-line and we are all 100% trustworthy.
I think the lesson learned should be to know your seller..and that it is worth paying a couple hundred dollars more on a watch sometimes just to have piece of mind that you will be getting what you paid for..
Personally i have sold(and bought also!) well over a hundred rolex and several hundred rolex parts off of this site and others and have never had one deal go bad..so there are most definitely good on-line sellers..just do your homework folks.
anyway,glad that this debaucle has ended in a good outcome.
Cheers!

x20000000!!!

[joeychitwood]

I think it would be helpful to develop a program of escrow whereby an escrow agent could (for a fee or percentage) hold watches and funds until both parties involved in a TRF watch sale have satisfied their obligations in the transaction. The agent would not be responsible for determining the authenticity of the watch, but would merely insure that payment is received and watch is delivered. It could be a profitable part-time job for a retired attorney or similarly professional person. Given the worldwide nature of TRF, there could be an agent on each continent.

Participation would be voluntary between the parties. Well known sellers could bypass the process based on their reputations. If a seller or buyer refused to participate in the escrow process, the deal would be off, and red flags would certainly fly for the next transaction involving that party.

[toph]

Originally Posted by joeychitwood

I think it would be helpful to develop a program of escrow whereby an escrow agent could (for a fee or percentage) hold watches and funds until both parties involved in a TRF watch sale have satisfied their obligations in the transaction. The agent would not be responsible for determining the authenticity of the watch, but would merely insure that payment is received and watch is delivered. It could be a profitable part-time job for a retired attorney or similarly professional person. Given the worldwide nature of TRF, there could be an agent on each continent.

Participation would be voluntary between the parties. Well known sellers could bypass the process based on their reputations. If a seller or buyer refused to participate in the escrow process, the deal would be off, and red flags would certainly fly for the next transaction involving that party.

fair point -but there are more fake escrow sites than anything!!

[gold4u2]

Originally Posted by joeychitwood

An investigator from the Richland County Sheriff's office just called. My watches have been turned over to them and shipped to me by the sheriff's office via FedEx and should be back in my possession in just days!!!! The wire transfer of $3,800 will follow late today or tomorrow. Yee haa!!!!

WOW! That is great news!! I am so glad this story had a happy ending! From one Mark to another, have a great New Years!!!

[dotcomakazee]

Congrats!!!

Didn't have time to read this whole thread, but what happened to the theif that scammed you? Is he in jail?

[Welshwatchman]

Great news about the return of the watches!

The Trusted Member Escrow idea is great in principal but has a few serious pitfalls and in any event could not be officially sanctioned by TRF since we would then be party to these transactions.

At least the whole event should educate other members in the potential hazard of dealing with those who have not yet earned our full trust.

Even then there is the smallest chance of things going wrong, that's life.

[joeychitwood]

I think it would be extremely helpful and educational for an attorney or law enforcement officer member of TRF to comment on the civil issues and lack of criminal issues involved in internet scam transactions. The information will be shocking to most.

[goduke1]

I have been following this thread from the start and I am thrilled for you that your getting your items back! It's great news that doesn't happen too often.