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How would you respond? / Scam or not?

Started by Pike's Comics,

39 posts in this topic

@Captain_Sawyer

@Captain_Sawyer

Posted
Posted
So today I decided to clear out some comics I just dont want to take the time to move and listed them on craigslist (7 longboxes to be exact).

 

In response I received this email:

 

Hello,

 

I don't have any cash right now. However I can understand that you are trying to get rid of the comics. I help boys and girls in a program that helps bring cheer to them. Most have a medical condition that they are born with which make it hard to function with the outside word. Im not sure if you are up for this. but if you would like to donate them. It would be a great gift for them. I have giving many of my own collection many different kids and the experience I get seeing them smile makes life so much more valuable.

 

If you are interested, I would really appreciate it.

 

talk to you soon,

 

Brandon

 

Now I definitely believe in giving back but was puzzled by how he didnt reference any organization he worked with and the story just didnt seem to be really believable. So I googled him. And what do I find but that he actually has a youtube video showing off his CGC books!

 

His CGC collection

 

Now while watching the video I realized that the Marvel Spotlight #5 looked very familiar. And thats when I remembered that it had been the same one which was just listed a few days ago for sale (for $500) on craigslist which has now been deleted.

 

I emailed him and asked more about this charity

 

Hello Brandon. I am always interested in helping charity. Please tell me the name of your charity. Are you local and where do you operate from? How long have you been around? What is the link to the website?

 

To which he responded:

 

Hey there, We don't have a name for the charity nor a website just. we locate certain hospitals and clinic in the area with patients that are among the life risking threats. Then it is my job to try and hold small events for them, bring things to them and help in anyway i can as volunteers. I want to see it be built into something more in time but right now there is just a few of us. It is like a hobby for me and I feel that I am making my life more meaningful every night I go to sleep. Its a passion and great way to help.

 

Thank you for considering, If there is a time we can meet. Let me know so we can make the exchange. In return I will take your name and information and we will send you a thank you package in the mail.

 

Brandon

 

So what are your thoughts?

 

 

I've actually had a similar email a year ago, (I reside in Cali) and I sensed bs from the get go. He kept on harassing me to donate the books and trying to give me the guilt trip for not helping the "children". I told him his scamming ways are going to catch up to him and that I was reporting him to the authorities. He never emailed me again.

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Balham's Finest

Balham's Finest

Posted
Posted

Seems quote obvious to me.

 

Think about it: if he was contacting you as a representative of a charity, why would he bother beginning his email with "I don't have any cash right now"?

 

And, I mean, I know not everyone is capable of stringing a coherent sentence together, but: "patients that are among the life risking threats"?

 

Steer clear.

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Speedy-D

Speedy-D

Posted
Posted
Tell him it sounds like a noble thing he is doing, and to let you know the time and place of the next hospital he will be handing books out at, and you will meet him there and help with the handing out.

Liar!!! :baiting:

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obmit

obmit

Posted
Posted

Hello,

 

I have cash right now. However, I can understand that you are trying to get rid of the comics. I help a big boy in a program that helps bring cheer to him. He doesn't have a medical condition that he is born with that would make it hard to function with the outside world. Im not sure if you are up for this, but if you would like to donate them it would be a great gift for him (me). I have given me many of my own collection, and the experience I get seeing me smile makes life so much more valuable.

 

If you are interested, I would really appreciate it.

 

Talk to you soon,

 

Tim.

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comicwiz

comicwiz

Posted
Posted

You are well within your rights to ask as many questions to satisfy your reasons for donating to any charity or cause. I know how I would handle the situation, but you're not me and no matter how you go about it, anyone that would use sick or hospitalized children as an angle to get free comics is likely a sociopath, and that means there is no guarantee they will come clean on any wrongdoing.

 

Personally, I would level with him and explain the conflicted impression you got from him posting books he owns on YouTube, the fact that he sells books, and is saying he has no money to front a collection purchase. People like this need to be made aware that even though they might not be acting morally depraved or corrupt, running a charity of this kind requires the highest order of responsible conduct and a dedication to maintaining a perception of professionalism that can quickly be thrown to the wind by online posts of flamboyance and scoring on a casino cruise.

 

If you prefer avoiding a confrontation, then simply tell him you're willing to tag along the next time he visits a hospital and would like to personally hand the comics to the staff or children yourself. The other idea would be to do it yourself and I'd recommend donating directly the to children's burn or oncology units. My gut feeling is this guy isn't levelling with you and isn't being honest about his intentions, and to know people might possibly be running a scheme of this type just plain disgusts me.

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Speedy-D

Speedy-D

Posted
Posted

What makes this so hard is that there just aren't any charities out there that do similar stuff, which also have names and Web sites. I mean, basically, if you're looking to donate stuff to a charity, the only option is to hope one of the many nameless legit charities on craigslist finds you. It's sad really, but that's the state of this world. I blame Snowden. :preach:

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Tiger Topher

Tiger Topher

Posted
Posted
Hello,

 

I don't have any cash right now. However I can understand that you are trying to get rid of the comics. I help boys and girls in a program that helps bring cheer to them. Most have a medical condition that they are born with which make it hard to function with the outside word. Im not sure if you are up for this. but if you would like to donate them. It would be a great gift for them. I have giving many of my own collection many different kids and the experience I get seeing them smile makes life so much more valuable.

 

If you are interested, I would really appreciate it.

 

talk to you soon,

 

Brandon

 

Hey there, We don't have a name for the charity nor a website just. we locate certain hospitals and clinic in the area with patients that are among the life risking threats. Then it is my job to try and hold small events for them, bring things to them and help in anyway i can as volunteers. I want to see it be built into something more in time but right now there is just a few of us. It is like a hobby for me and I feel that I am making my life more meaningful every night I go to sleep. Its a passion and great way to help.

 

Thank you for considering, If there is a time we can meet. Let me know so we can make the exchange. In return I will take your name and information and we will send you a thank you package in the mail.

 

Brandon

 

lying-cat_zps43366572.jpg

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Tony S

Tony S

Posted
Posted
What makes this so hard is that there just aren't any charities out there that do similar stuff, which also have names and Web sites. I mean, basically, if you're looking to donate stuff to a charity, the only option is to hope one of the many nameless legit charities on craigslist finds you. It's sad really, but that's the state of this world. I blame Snowden. :preach:

 

So much sarcasm so early in the morning! Suggest you switch to decaf my friend!

:roflmao:

 

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Doohickamabob

Doohickamabob

Posted
Posted
So what are your thoughts?

It's legit, the guy is an upstanding citizen, and in his half-hour video he comes off as a gentleman and a scholar who happens to enjoy discussing his comic-book collection with himself.

 

I obtained a photograph. His dashing appearance tells me that yes, this is just the chap to bring joy and cheer to severely ill children via the magic of comic books obtained on Craiglist.

144627.jpg.f30f9ccfb21e60fceecf2f36925f0abf.jpg

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Ebel 1911

Ebel 1911

Posted
Posted
So what are your thoughts?

It's legit, the guy is an upstanding citizen, and in his half-hour video he comes off as a gentleman and a scholar who happens to enjoy discussing his comic book collection with himself.

 

I obtained a photograph. His dashing appearance tells me that yes, this is just the chap to bring joy and cheer to severely ill children via the magic of comic books obtained on Craiglist.

 

:roflmao:

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bababooey

bababooey

Posted
Posted
So what are your thoughts?

It's legit, the guy is an upstanding citizen, and in his half-hour video he comes off as a gentleman and a scholar who happens to enjoy discussing his comic-book collection with himself.

 

I obtained a photograph. His dashing appearance tells me that yes, this is just the chap to bring joy and cheer to severely ill children via the magic of comic books obtained on Craiglist.

144627.jpg

 

I usually wear shirts that match my arms. What's the big deal? (shrug)

 

 

:tonofbricks:

 

breadsticksshirt.png

 

 

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Mark 1

Mark 1

Posted
Posted

How about asking him about references where he donated comics? You can easily check to see if he did in fact donate comics to the places.

 

Sounds like a total scam to me and I'd avoid.

 

 

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DavidRF-migration

DavidRF-migration

Posted
Posted
So, what, charities are supposed to have names now?? You people are too much!!

'Scam' indeed, have a heart y'all and open your minds a little!!! :facepalm:

 

Reputable ones, yes. The "charity" he mentions could be himself in regards to picking out what he thinks he can make a buck on and selling the rest. Though you could also be trolling...but if not....would you be interested in purchasing the deed to a bridge in Brooklyn I own? All proceeds will benefit the children....

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GAMBIT

GAMBIT

Posted
Posted
Sell the comics in bundles and donate the money to a charity yourself.

 

St Judes immediately comes to mind.

 

That's the way to go. OR donate the books yourself to a local charity (so no worries of foul play)

 

How about some pictures of the events he has held to help these children. I am sure if it were true there would be some kind of photo's taken .

 

 

 

If this guy is or isn't a scam artist is one thing, however if he is. this is really low. and quiet disgusting :mad:

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