I saved up for a les paul, but I think I got duped...

[frankv]

Maybe in South Florida they won't, I guarantee up where I live, they wouldn't hesitate to help. I am not sure why yours won't as it prevents court action and the possibility of handling matters yourself. It is a win-win for the police to prevent it from becoming a bigger matter. I think you are forgetting a crime was committed (although it sounds like it isn't a crime in Florida). The police have to at least take a report. There isn't a high crime rate around here, so this would be a pretty big thing for the police to ignore. And, from the poster above, the police froze his account. That is taking huge action!

Listen.. I don't know where you think you are but in this country it doesn't work that way.. The police will tell you they can't help. It's why there is a small claims court system in the country.. And stop saying a crime was committed. There is no crime until the courts say so..

Can you just imagine if everyone who had a transaction dispute went to the police... Please, use your brain.

Regarding a frozen account.. Only the courts can do that my friend.. Not the police.

I'll tell you what I'm going to do. I'm going to ask a police dept in your area of NY if I had a fraudulent transaction could they help.. Give me a phone number.

 

[FrankieOliver]

Gentlemen, please keep this civil or the thread will be closed and that will not help the op in the least.

 

[TheX]

Sorry you didn't prepare well, but I would be VERY surprised if the cops do anything to help.

 

[Schweitzer]

thanks.. I really don't know what has caused it to become derailed.

lol

 

[endial]

This is the thread I was talking about. http://www.mylespaul.com/forums/gibson-les-pauls/326544-experts-one-dont-look-quite-right.html

I would stake my reputation on that being the same guitar. Good call sibyrpunk.
The "tell" is in the "MODEL" script on the headstock, as someone else pointed out earlier. It's slanted.

Oops! Replied this after only reading the first page. Sorry.

 

[Maxwell]

.

 

[SkaneatelesLake]

Listen.. I don't know where you think you are but in this country it doesn't work that way.. The police will tell you they can't help. It's why there is a small claims court system in the country.. And stop saying a crime was committed. There is no crime until the courts say so..

Can you just imagine if everyone who had a transaction dispute went to the police... Please, use your brain.

Regarding a frozen account.. Only the courts can do that my friend.. Not the police.

I'll tell you what I'm going to do. I'm going to ask a police dept in your area of NY if I had a fraudulent transaction could they help.. Give me a phone number.

You lose all credibility when you say a crime wasn't committed. He sold a good claiming it to be a genuine Les Paul. That is a fact. If he had said it was a fake and then sold it, he would be on better ground. The seller didn't state that. He sold it as a genuine Gibson Les Paul. That is a crime in the country. I doubt the police would arrest him, but I know they would take a report and would question him. This isn't a case of - I don't think the Les Paul I bought sounds as good as it should. That is where small claims court comes in. A crime was committed here. You can't misrepresent a good when selling an item. There are laws to protect us. Think of it this way. You eat at a restaurant and don't like the food. You can't just walk out because you didn't like it. It is theft of services. Selling an item you claim to be real is a crime. I know the police would help because they know how most of these cases end up: Someone getting the snot kicked out of them or worse. I live way out in the country in a small town. I know local small town cops would help in this without hesitation. Maybe not big city cops, but small town cops would.

 

[FrankieOliver]

Gentlemen, if you have nothing constructive to add, move along.

 

[Juan Wayne]

I would stake my reputation on that being the same guitar. Good call sibyrpunk.
The "tell" is in the "MODEL" script on the headstock, as someone else pointed out earlier. It's slanted.

Oops! Replied this after only reading the first page. Sorry.

Yup, here, dead giveaway. http://www.mylespaul.com/forums/gib...ts-one-dont-look-quite-right.html#post6759914

There's a picture from a different angle on the first page that matches.

 

[Stinky Kitty]

The OP should report it to the police regardless of whether they actively do something or not. It's the first step of the legal process.

OP, consider researching the free legal assistance in your area if you can't afford a lawyer. If you are a college student, your school may have services available to you for guidance through the process.

 

[BrothersInArms]

Thank you all for the information. My roommate who came with me to but it started this topic and posted the first couple replies + pics, just FYI it was $700 not $1500, idk why he felt the need to lie about that. He's more upset about this than I am, and I'm the one who is out money. I did send the email giving him 3 days to respond.

So what I gather from this thread is that I would need to file a civil suit against this guy. All I have is the craigslist 'encoded' email, his phone number, and our email records. I will be sending pictures to Gibson and we'll see what they have say, I guess I can chalk this up to a learning experience and never buy from a shady craigslist guy again. I am a college student, and I am pretty much flat broke... I was hoping I could buy this guitar and sell 2-3 of my old ones and make rent for a couple months, haha. terrible financial decision.

I did some google-fu and tracked this guy down, almost positive I found him. Looks like I should be able to contact the police come tuesday if he doesn't agree to meet, the police around here are usually really helpful and friendly. I'm thinking I can just go to them and they will help me out. I will also look into the legal resources available to me as a student.

Again I really appreciate the help guys, it was a pretty stupid decision, looking back I was just blinded by the excitement of getting a real Gibson. Now I'm just itching to get a job and be able to afford a real one. I'll probably update this thread in a few days if anyone cares.

 

[Stinky Kitty]

GAS blinds us all sometimes. Few things are a exhilarating as a new (to us) Les Paul! Glad to hear you didn't lose as much as we first thought. Even more so that you may have access to experts who can help you get through this.

Don't feel too badly about being duped. I got burned on my first strat purchase, yes off CL. But we live and learn..

 

[tolm]

This sucks man - hope you get it sorted. I wonder if Gibson will be able to help? Obviously they should be able to confirm if it's fake but it must be in there interest to help resolve this - get the fakes off the street?

 

[Kirk2000]

Glad your calming down and accepting the outcome and are trying to solve the problem.. There is no way that you can prove to the police that he intended to defraud you.. They won't do anything.. It's not a criminal matter.. The Marshals take care of civil matters.. All you need is his name and address, go down to the local court that handles his area, file a complaint, I think here in NY it's like $15.. Then he is served with the complaint and has to answer the complaint to the court. At this point he knows your serious and will probably give you your money back.. If he doesn't that is an admission of guilt.. Then you ask the court to freeze his bank account, then the Marshal does it.. Then you get paid.. Just keep a clear head.. Don't email him with threats, or call him with threats.. That is criminal, aggravated harassment and you could be picked up by the police.. Like I said, "keep a clear and level head and let the system get you your $700 back." Then come back here and we can hook you up with a better Les Paul.. Oh, did you get a receipt? That is the proof that you need to establish what you paid him for the guitar..

 

[Lightningflash]

The OP should report it to the police regardless of whether they actively do something or not. It's the first step of the legal process.
.

I agree, it can't hurt anything to call the police and ask if they can have someone escort you to his premises (if you know where he lives that is). If they say no, they say no but it's at least worth a try.

 

[BrothersInArms]

I've actually never called the police, obviously I don't dial 9-11, do I just call the local department?

 

[BlueCajun]

I've actually never called the police, obviously I don't dial 9-11, do I just call the local department?

Your local PD should have a non-emergency number.

 

[Findthetone]

Guys, 15 years in Law enforcement......it's civil, that's it...move on and close the thread.

 

[Fritz44]

caveat emptor ..... I'm sorry that you got cheated man.. truly
This kind of shit happens every day and this is why places like MLP are so important.
Let me ask you something brothersInArms. Did you actually play this guitar before you handed over the cash? Did you not inquire about the lack of serial# ? I'm very curious to know.

Frank is right. The police will do nothing . Your only recourse is civil action and even then your chances are slim. All you can really do is try to mod your new guitar and play the shit out of it.

Luck to you

 

[Bobby Mahogany]

I gave him until Tuesday to respond, and let him know that it is fraud and I am willing to go to the police.

I find waiting 'till Tuesay is too long.
He has the money now, it's no time to wait.
He might be all out of money by Tuesday.
Plus, you have to cause a certain amount of immediate anxiety to trigger
action.
"My money today by 3h00pm or it's the cops".
Don't be afraid to shake him a little.
Meet him in a public place an bring a friend as a witness.