Chris, that is a real bummer. I had hoped that "Austin" might have realised the error of his ways and was actually trying to make good. It seems not.

Myself, I haven't heard anything from him for three days. I can only assume he doesn't wish to take this one opportunity to save his skin by fully reimbursing all three of us.

His lack of explanation, apology, or even in my case any communication at all is downright offensive to say the least.

"Austin", if you are out there, this is your last chance to make amends. Get in touch and send proof that the International Banker's Draft for £529 Sterling is on it's way to me, or this goes 'all the way' - irrespective of whether you repay all three of us or not.

The choice (your last) is yours.

Andy.

On a happier note, I am now the proud owner of a new 60Gb Mk2a.

My thanks to Gareth who advertised the unit on this BBS. It was a pleasure dealing with him - plenty of communication, fast delivery, a fair price and an item exactly as described. (A far cry from a certain other individual we all know and love ...)

I hope this note offers some reassurance to those still looking to buy an Empeg via this BBS. There are still many honest and trustworthy people out there. Just watch out for the others ...

Andy
60Gb Mk2a Blue (Woohoo !!!)

There are honest people on here! I bought my Rio via the BBS just a couple of weeks ago. I was even offered a 60GB by Austin! Lucky escape for me there I think!

My thanks to Cyberco for a great sale.

Didnt mean to say that I was suggesting to do that to a couple of 13 year old kids, I simply meant with that kind of stuff going on, I can't blame him for getting ideas like that.

Have there been any more developments on this matter?

I can't speak for the others, but so far "Austin" is refusing to even reply to my emails. I can only assume that he has no intention of making good and wishes us to proceed with prosecution to the full extent of the law.

Andy.

Same here.

The police are pursuing the matter. I have faith that Mr Laesch will be caught soon as he has left a trail that a blind man could follow.

Sorry to dig this up, but I've had an email from an Austin of CLM-Mods with the email address clm-mods@insightbb.com which I noted was the same domain as the one your Austin used.

He has offered me new 20gb Mk2a for $600 - I have MAJOR doubts so will not be buying. What was the final outcome though? I heard he came back on the bbs?

This is the first that I've read of the scam (new to the forum), but I have noticed that Ebay user clm-mods has been sniping auction after auction of Empegs, so they at least have a supply. You can usually find the sold units relisted on Ebay a couple of weeks later. The last post caught my eye, because I had been watching nearly every Empeg on Ebay and had seen clm-mods pop up countless times with last second bids. Perhaps it is the same Austin, offering Empegs before they're actually in his possession (hence the delays in shipping)?

Can I get a lock on this thread or better yet have it deleted all together? I have fullfilled my promises to everyone.

clm-mods is clearly the same Austin: The auction he refers to
here
was sold by clm-mods.

Of course, there's no indication he has poor business practices or that anyone has a bone to pick with him, either. Sniping is hardly a unique thing; There are several proxy bid agents that do it. Until people start actually bidding the maximum they're willing to pay when they bid the first time, there's no reason to stop sniping, either. Once everyone starts sniping, it effectively becomes a sealed bid auction, and truthfully I think that would be fine.

Can I get a lock on this thread or better yet have it deleted all together? I have fullfilled my promises to everyone.

Err, no in fact, I very much hope that will not happen.

This is the kind of information I for one would want to see if I were in the market for a used empeg. I think you have clearly stated that you fulfilled your obligations to everyone so your side of the story is represented. I think it is important that the extreme inconvenience and worry you caused some of your customers also remains visible, so people can make an informed decision about their purchase.

I'll keep my opinions about people who profiteer from our small community to myself, however.

Rob

Of course, there's no indication he has poor business practices

..so the fact that people didn't get their empegs (or refunds) until the FBI were involved is a good business practice? I don't think we ever saw an in depth explaination of the whole episode, but while it may not have been malicious neither does it instill me with confidence about the vendor.

Rob,

For one I've saw it take others much longer to ship empegs that it did for me. TTony? If I recall right it took him almost 2 months or better to get a few of his shipped. Also
I have explained this situation to the people directly involved but since you also need to know.. I was going through a bad time in my life and my dad was in very bad health condition and in the hospital. I really do not feel the need to go into every little detail. However if this was ever a scam (which it wasn't) 1) people would never have got empegs 2) I would've never used my REAL name, REAL address, REAL ph. number, REAL email, etc.

Thanks.

I purchased an Empeg from clm-mods on ebay in the middle of January. I had no problem other than leaving feed back.. He is not a registered user??? and I had to recontact him to get him to sign back up. I have bought several empegs on ebay 4 or 5 using different names, my reason is I don't use ebay often and am old, can't remember passwords.. Hope all goes well in getting your empegs or money back. This post is at his request.

I never said that his bidding practices were illegal or unethical, it's just that I remembered the username clm-mods based solely on that observation (of sniping). I was just saying that he was bidding and winning several auctions of Empegs so he obviously had at least a small supply. Now whether or not he was selling Empegs that he didn't actually have in his possession at the time is another story, and the only person who knows that, or can prove it, is Austin.

On a side note, I did happen to look up clm-mods on eBay to see if he was indeed the seller from Peoria, but the username was recently suspended, and the user's location was changed from Peoria, Il to Fast Shipping...

Yes I have parted with ebay pretty much. They got nasty about me putting in "Will accept paypal but buyer must cover fees" type of line in my auctions. I would only do this on high dollar stuff because after paying ebay fees then getting hit again with paypal fees then still have to ship it all adds up quick. As you can see my feedback on ebay is all good.

I changed my location from Peoria, IL to Fast Shipping because I seen other ebay people do the same thing. Usually I do ship fast too except back in May 2002 when I had some problems.

Also this is just a hobby. I like to keep several around. While it appears I have bought a lot off ebay most have actually came through private deals.

They got nasty about me putting in "Will accept paypal but buyer must cover fees" type of line in my auctions.

The new Paypal terms say you can't do that. I bet the old ones did too.

Can I get a lock on this thread or better yet have it deleted all together? I have fullfilled my promises to everyone.

My official admin stance on this. No. I have however bumped the other thread that covers the resolution to this issue, and advise everyone interested in dealing with you to read it. For archive purposes, the link is here. I will not censor this board with issues like this, as potential buyers have the right to see what has happened in the past.

I think you still owe me $30 .. ?

Nope. $810 paid in full. $30 was sitting unclaimed in paypal. Should be fine now.

Can I get a lock on this thread or better yet have it deleted all together?

I think you are thinking wishfully on the wrong BBS.

Rob, Tom, I appreciate your clear-headed stance on this.

"For one I've saw it take others much longer to ship empegs that it did for me. TTony? If I recall right it took him almost 2 months or better to get a few of his shipped."

Those involved in the group purchases knew it would take some time. In order to get the low gp prices, I had to collect everyone's payment up front and then go to the distributor. The units then shipped to me and were shipped out within 2 days of arrival to me. I do not know of anyone with whom it took 2+ months. Please do not associate me with any dishonest business practices, I did not make promises of overnight shipment.
Thank you,
-TTony

All sorted out now, thanks!

If looks like stahimooney was made reasonably happy here: http://empeg.comms.net/php/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=sale&Number=106535&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=0&fpart= .

I personally love the pictures of one box (with the name written on it) and shipping of a totally different box.

I just read the thread and it reminded me of another similar incident posted here. The guy in this thread got stiffed for over $3k, and with all of the help from the other posters in the thread he was able to catch the crook!!! It's really a fascinating story if you read the thread in order. The story of how the capture went down is on the last page of the thread because the link to the story he posted on the 3rd page no longer works.

It just goes to show - when you involve enough intelligent people - you're bound to come out ok in the end. And I'm glad "Austin" made "good" on his promises.

- trs

looks like it works to me.

Ah - great.