Watch Out For These Latest Online SCAMS! | Guitar YouTube and Reverb Scammers

[@Trog]

Thank you to Sweetwater for Sponsoring tonight's Episode! 🍭Join Their Giveaways here ➡️imp.i114863.net/RyY112 Stay safe out there!

[@wolfsguitarden740]

Yea they tried to get me in your channel I am sure u don't remember but I emailed u and asked u ..and no they tried to get me for 250bucks

[@clarkbabin9799]

It's funny you're doing this episode. I've gotten the spam scam after watching different KZbin channels including yours and Darrel Brauns. I actually just commented on that same thing and don't you know I hot one right after. First time i got one i tried messaging DB but didn't get a response. The current one dropped the circled letters and used DB followed by an instagram account. It's not always connected to any KZbinr . Sometimes you can open an email that connects you to a site but it has supposed supporting ads that try to draw you in by something you may have searched. I saw the reverb one around Friday and just knew that it was to good to be true that they were selling off stock at 60 to 90 percent off. I've also seen scammers use academy's logo and Sketchers logo trying to scam. As a rule of thumb if I didn't click on the site and sign in or see a local store option I don't bother with them.

[@toddknight6855]

Are you trolling us with the giveaway link above? ;-) "Don't trust the giveaway comments. I don't do giveaways. Now here's a link for a giveaway." I feel like this is a phishing test at work!

[@MrCharlesdross]

Thanks for spending a minute on the 1981 ES-355. That’s my guitar, my pictures, etc. and I’ve had a lot of potential buyers shy away from purchasing it because so many fake listings are out there on it. It’s still available lol if anyone is interested. Quite the vintage gem

[@chris_2714]

That has to be so annoying when trying to sell the real thing!

[@angusyoung7668]

i have a es335 too

[@kjl3080]

That must hurt so much

[@fenatic7484]

I got a scam email on a car enthusiast site, same MO

[@stringlocker]

the scam prices seem closer to reality. the other scam is people charging too much.

[@patprop74]

LMAOOO Right! it's insane nowadays, the pandemic forced more people to start selling basement crap online that would otherwise be found in a garage sale and online selling drove up the prices.

[@stringlocker]

Also there's no such thing as a used guitar anymore. It's like oh my God this is so special it's a 1992. I refuse to pay more for a used guitar than it cost when it was new. The younger guys think this is normal. A recent example is the Les Paul Studios only a year or so ago you could get them for $650 used. On this channel it seems like the prices are set by the paint job. Underneath it's the same guitar. I could go on for days. But I usually get myself in trouble.

[@nankypooh655]

This actually happened to me right here, the other day! I had watched Paul Davids' review of the Gibson Theodore, and somebody left a post under my comment informing that I had actually WON a Gibson Theodore, using Paul Davids' profile pic, and the same telephone number format you pointed out. Well, I don't have a cell phone, so I don't have any of the apps to contact whoever left the post, but I responded by telling them that in no way was I going to give out personal information to a stranger. Thank for alerting people to this and other scams on the interwebs, and for also confirming my suspicions. I may have to go through life never knowing the joy of picking up and playing a Theodore, let alone owning one, but a smart consumer is one that won't fall for scams like this. As the old saying goes, if it sounds too good to be true...

[@patprop74]

Never-ending and relentless scammers online, who would have thought, We can all thank companies hiring overseas tech support just to save some money for that one. One day we might learn that saving money has a cost.

[@patriotpizzaman]

I recieved that ccomment from the scammers and laughed at how obvious it was. They are really preying on people who don't have the money to lose which makes them so much more despicable.

[@rickcrotts6673]

So you're telling me Lauren Alexis ISN'T mailing me a jar of her farts???

[@OldManBadly]

Okay, simple rules to know what is a scam: If someone / group is trying to give you a prize, they will not be asking you to pay shipping or some other charge up front. If you are getting something for free, it is free. if they can afford to give away a few thousand dollar guitar (or anything else) they can afford $100 to ship it. Don't get tricked. Same thing in selling anything. if they say they will pay you by check, but include an amount to "give to their courier for shipping" or that you need to return them funds for overpayment, it's a scam. The check is bad, and they want your product and a tip on top of it. Don't fall for it. There are so many. Just don't. if it sounds too good to be true, or sounds way to much like your lucky day, it really isn't.

[@landonbailey]

Thanks for sharing this. It's all over KZbin

[@An2oine]

Come on, Adolf's in Germany?

[@subjektobjektpradikat7902]

A good idea is also to check the interiour in the background, if it does look typical for the country. The ES-355 in cherry seems to be in germany, but the light switches on the photo arent german ones. The overall look of a place might help to locate it, at least to a certain degree (switches, furniture, windows...)

[@acousticblu]

I also look at how long they've been a reverb seller. Too great of a deal from someone who's been a reverb seller since 2022 is a huge red flag.

[@NHfiddle]

See? This is why I do NOT buy instruments online, these damn scammers ruin it for all of us. The last time I bought something online was like 6 years ago and I got scammed trying to purchase a 5 string fiddle and just recently some telecaster parts. These sellers were in the wind when I tried to return these items so never again. At least I'm safe with a real music store.

[@julosx]

And at least, in the music store, not only you don't have to wait for your order, but also you can try it !

[@NHfiddle]

@@julosx My point exactly!!!

[@thecappy]

A common thing in all these possible fraudulent listings is they all joined reverb in 2022.

[@neotoxo54]

Maybe another tell for a scam is the join date...I noticed the examples you showed were 'Joined 2022'....like ebay sales I think they need some maturity to be considered seriously.

[@auratnik]

Yes, it's crazy on Reverb lately, a lot of false or low priced listings in EU from sellers that just joined. Reverb should start monitoring this people!

[@JDog_Unchained]

I won't buy anything from reverb or ebay sadly because it's to hard to verify authenticity

[@schaerfentiefe1967]

No real German would call his shop "Adolf's Bouitque" 😂 The name Adolf is a no-go since 77+ years... 🤯 Greetings from Germany ☮

[@achill3usoverclocking874]

Thanks for the headsup I started to realize this recently, however I would never buy from 0 feedback seller account no matter what kind of deal is that, its most probably a scam nowdays. Too bad for honest new starters.

[@platypuspracticus2]

"Adolf's" in Germany is also pretty suspicious. That name is not popular in Germany at all. However, a scammer making a nazi reference doesn't seem too unlikely.

[@Purezshock]

this was the first thing i saw haha

[@subjektobjektpradikat7902]

Proud supplyer of Handmusikgeräte since 1939? A shop with that name is very unlikely in germany today.

[@jujuUK68]

In fairness, Gibson aren't the only people to have used V1 and V2 model names, I think a guy called Adolf from Germany did previously, but he's not in a position to enforce copyright right now. Could be legit!

[@maxmustardman298]

not popular, but also not forbidden, thanks google..however I woudnt be surprised to find turn of the century names more often these days, those are really popular in G.

[@alexanderober2130]

Nobody in Germany would name his shop "Adolf's". Really nobody.

[@Trashslayer76]

I hate that kind of spamming, scamming crap! Thanks for another great vid!

[@Greg-vd5om]

Trogly's in the HOUSE!!!

[@sgt.grinch3299]

Greg in the house

[@hkguitar1984]

Greg is in the house

[@grantcindrich]

Gregory is inside the domicile🤘🤘

[@holstorrsceadus1990]

I report those as spam

[@holstorrsceadus1990]

Like 50 times

[@holstorrsceadus1990]

I better not see anyone trying to sell me crypto or get me to sub their onlyfans up in here

[@sgt.grinch3299]

The worst for me was when I clicked on the notification and my iPad shut down. Foul language was running amok. LOL

[@EverestMystery]

Any shop on Reverb with 'Adolph' in the name, from Germany no less, is over the top suspect. Great video Austin....thank you.

[@mathewdavies6472]

I have to admit that sometimes when I talk about some guitars I used to have and some I still do online but do not have any current pics of I do use the old pics off reverb

[@Spartanm333]

Thanks for the insight BUT, big but, what are Reverb doing about this. Frankly its disgraceful that they are not putting in some form of validation and tracking themselves to kill some of these thieves. It's not rocket science (I am a web developer) - all sorts of options - IP tracking, listing tracking, keyword repeats (scammers are lazy) - Reverb could do more. And if they don't they will lose their customers.

[@Ryan-wr8fx]

Looking for image compression artifacts and pixelated images on listings is a good way to know if the photo has been lifted from somewhere else.

[@The_Rude_French_Canadian]

Yeah call me weird I wouldn’t trust a store called “Adolf’s boutique” located in Germany in the first place😂

[@Dexter13th]

3:30 "Adolf´s Boutique from Düsseldorf, Germany" 🤣🤣🤣

[@jaredcoderre3062]

Here we are!

[@santrixhimself3679]

i have encoutered that youtube comment scam several times on the normans rare guitars channel. i think they are doing a weekly t-shirt giveaway at norms and the scammers of course try to use that for their advantage and act like i won a shirt.

[@spokes28]

What do you think about these adds by shops “going out of business” and selling Gibsons and other premium brands for $89?

[@mattmanley7118]

Such a shame people feel the need to do this. Thanks for bringing awareness Trogly

[@foreverthestudent]

Mannn I almost got had with a MPC one ad on Facebook. I'm like this is a $700 machine and there only asking 9 dollars for shipping?

[@TheSpineSplitter1990]

I tried to stop from people buying Jackson and Gibson guitars that were being advertised at $65 on Facebook, but didn't work. A good amount of people fell for it and paid. And my comments warning them were deleted haha.

[@Steve.Cutler]

I send them a message saying they've been auto reported and then just report them immediately. Stop using PayPal!!!

[@SwirkH]

I got that same scam reply under Phil McKnight's video about a Kramer, saying I won the actual guitar from the video. I reported that shit immediately

[@russellstarkey8965]

I follow mostly fender custom shop Stratocasters with Floyd rose tremolos. I saw one of these fake listings. They were overseas selling one for about half price. It sold or was taken down within a few hours of being posted. I thought someone got a deal but now I worry about what they really received. Geez!

[@bryanmchugh1307]

Texas. One of these scammers using THIS CHANNEL to scam folks is working out of Texas. I fell for the scam for a couple hours. Enough to alert my bank. My bank followed the electronic trail which wound up in Texas.

[@HigzyTeflon]

lol... I got one of those scam messages on Guitar MAX's channel. I immediately knew it was a scam and reported it to KZbin Gestapo and it was promptly removed.

[@ohmtronseedling]

this is a good video. at this point in time i'm quite hesitant to buy used Fenders because of how many Squier (and also Fender-shaped) headstocks that have been modified with Fender logos. why buy a Squier and put a Fender logo on it anyway? are people THAT insecure about what their friends might say?

[@charlesbolton8471]

Yes, some people ARE that insecure, but most do it because they hope to profit from it eventually.

[@ohmtronseedling]

@@charlesbolton8471 thus my hesitation over used Fenders nowadays.

[@sgt.grinch3299]

Where’s RONDO BONDO & Biker Jon?

[@homegrownson]

They have been spamming me on sites on you tube like this for over the last year and Have ignored Them and I usually block whatever person sent it, On Reverb I find it usually best to check and verify the Feedback and History and extremely wary of those with Little to No listed Sales, Another thing I regard as a Scam on Reverb and EBay are Underpriced Guitars and gear with Excessive S&H so even if returned state only return Purchase price and Not the Ridiculous Shipping charges

[@DanielBobke]

Ran into a scam on eBay... some joker named modestoaudio selling a $1300 amp for $100. Auction ends with someone buying it for $300 and then suddenly the same amp is up for sale the next day. After the guy got tagged in a review that called him the "most crooked seller on eBay" he pulled the listing down. I hate scammers that try to victimize those who lack knowledge about gear.

[@simonpark843]

This was a great video and you explained how the scammers operate really well. I also liked the 'post credits' sequence. ☺

[@bluzzjazz]

I got a text from someone claiming to be Tyler from Music is Win. I must have signed up for a guitar giveaway awhile back. After a few texts back and forth, I became suspicious. Then when they said I would have to pay shipping myself and wanted to link me to UPS/FedEx site asking $140-$156 I knew it was a scam. I then said "I was born but not yesterday, this is a scam". The reply was "scam you with my personality". My reply was "you are blocked"

[@suemacias667]

Good to do a heads up!

[@fcariani]

I was scammed of about $100 on a non-guitar related item purchased on PayPal and PayPal ruled in my favor as soon as I could provide fairly soft proof that the shipping address was in my neighborhood but not mine. (They may have different policies for purchases in the thousands though)

[@umbertoyltp]

Scams are clever attempts to empty your wallet. But poor or incomplete descriptions of second hand instruments can be a threat and annoying as well!

[@slamcrank]

Hey Trogly, thanks for this video. Super helpful! And, I really wish you would do a video about the insane scammers on Reverb that are trying to flip "demo" and "mod" guitars for twice (or more) their original Gibson demo shop prices. There's one account that is just bizarre that I keep seeing where he has one of the Slash brazillian guitars and then a bunch demo shop guitars as well. Just super weird. Thanks again for your vids!

[@toddknight6855]

Curious if anyone else has noticed the ebay listings that sell new guitars at a crazy auction price (like a Fender Player Plus for ~$500) but then relist the same guitar over and over and over? I have now found two of these storefronts on ebay. Numerous good reviews, can actually find the stores real brick and mortar, but it looks like all their too good to be true listings are just that. One in particular listed the same 10 or so tele's 5+ times, all as auctions with no reserve showing. Even listed the serial numbers so it was easy to tell it was the same guitar.

[@davidmurray9193]

Had this on two other KZbin site and let them know via another media and had no reply from them about this, I would never reply to scammers if it looks dodgy on my page I delete it straight away

[@markcampbell7554]

The scammers are still at it. I have encountered them on your page before, and tonight I saw them all over Darrell Brauns page. I'm glad to see you warning your viewer's. As for Reverb, that whole site is a huge disappointment anyway.

[@mrishka7286]

I've only had great experinces with Reverb, as both a buyer and a seller. Anytime I had to deal with customer support was fairly pleasant aswell

[@hairmetaltimemachine7132]

I received the USPS tracking BS from a bike seller online, it said it delivered to my door (nope). Website looked legit, kid wanted a bike during the pandemic and my emotions got the best of me. Paypal would not reimburse me even with proof that USPS never had the package and tracking was a fake. Paypal can go blow.

[@pearsonebfd1]

I had the same thing happen to me with a Hunting Tree Stand. It turned out to be a scam and i got ripped off 225 dollars

[@mikepj1025]

PayPal is the worst to deal with.

[@RainRedMusic]

The annoying part is how many clones there are of these accounts.

[@neil2706]

Scammers and bots are ruining KZbin I remember 5 or 6 years ago none of this stuff happened now its like everywhere and google/KZbin is fine with it

[@chaoschild0144]

Thanks for the heads up, just got hit with one today from someone posting as nuclear blast records. I left a comment on a fit for an autopsy video and they commented saying that I had won a black epiphone prophecy v guitar said I had to pay shipping and it was from Shanghai, China. Seemed sus to me so I started poking around, found your video and confirmed it was a scam. Good looking out.

[@eric_in_florida]

Anyone who falls for a KZbin comment giveaway scam deserves what they get. Come on.....

[@ArmanBaig]

Saw a 2020 LP Standard 60’s for $1500. Mint. Too good to be true. Dude kept sending me offers of 1200, 1100, etc. they’re not even trying to seem legit anymore.

[@thesonnyboy]

I’d also look into “triangulation fraud”, which results in innocent buyers looking like the are using stolen credit cards to purchase gear and subjects them to investigation. Just happened to me.

[@michaelaiello9525]

Ok so I’ve been easily able to see through KZbin giveaway scams… no prob. But dang, now I’m gonna be paranoid about my next Reverb purchase. Thanks for the alert, but what’s the drill? I don’t have the breadth of experience that Trogly has. I’m always looking for a deal, there’s always guitars priced to sell… so again what am I looking out for? 1. Copped photos 2. Overseas sellers. 3. Strange wording in the description. 4. And a price that’s on the low side. 5. (Just read a good one below) Too recent join date on Reverb. 6. Don’t purchase through PayPal

[@WPAPi3.14]

Thanks for the heads up!! I’m buying from you or a shop!!!🥰🥰🥰🥰😎💚

[@carstenreeder8634]

Just the name "Adolfs Boutique" would give it away in Germany. That name is burned here. I am sure there was no shop named after an Adolf here around for the last 75 years.

[@moritzgarciagraf1132]

Jap, genau das dachte ich mir auch ...

[@imannonymous7707]

Thats a huge revelation , i had no idea i could be censored for having an opinion of my own, hmm . That kinda sucks. It makes sense in hindsight tho. I get blocking scsmmers and so called trolls, suddenly you tube has become a little tainted to me tho

[@MegaSickcat]

Remember the old expression: If something seems too good to be true, they're NOT!

[@johnsmith-ug5tp]

The blue LP at the end is beautiful!

[@derekkennedy7346]

Thanks for explaining trogly nobody else has done a video like this and I've gotten a lot of responses that are exactly like what you're showing so thank you for this video you're awesome and keep up the great work Buddy take care

[@bertrandmajorik6589]

Guitar Max had something like that, had a FAKE brand name amp and shipped it to the looser.... thank you foir sharing your experience with all of us.

[@rodakjones7574]

Pretty kind thing to say about PayPal. If you're a seller, you are almost always going to lose no matter what the buyer says. I would say they have terrible customer service if they actually had customer service.

[@perihelion7798]

I've seen those 'Call me' type messages all over some comments fields. Didn't fool me a bit. I watch a lot of fiscal/financial channels, and the comments sections are full of that tripe.

[@joejones891]

I flagged someone who was reusing photos of the pedal that I sold them. I reached out to him to try and resolve it amicably, but he didn’t think he was in the wrong, and told me to mind my own business. I’m not exactly sure the ethics of it, but it was over a year ago, so to me it was a bit disingenuous. His argument was that since he bought the pedal, he owned the photos. Reverb promptly took his add down.

[@ZPDSurvival]

I want to talk about the first scam you illustrated. Contact through whatapp. Very convincing and I stalled it. Then it happened again on the same channel. Not your channel because I rarely comment. When it is too good to be true. Then it's most likely a scam. Glad you clarified this on your channel. Thank You. They wanted my shipping address and short of getting a PO Box. I never responded back.

[@picksalot1]

These scams have spiked recently on guitar channels, and if leave regular comments on a channel, your more likely to be targeted. Be careful.

[@charlesbolton8471]

@@picksalot1 I don’t remember what channel it was, but one day last week a scammer was leaving a similar message on every single comment on that particular video. When I saw it I reported quite a few of the scammer comments and then reported their account. I also posted a comment telling the channel that they could also do that, and to remind everyone else that it was a scam. A few hours later the channel posted a comment telling everyone it was a scam and to not give out any information. Apparently, it was too late for several people.

[@picksalot1]

@@charlesbolton8471 Might have been Darrell Braun's Channel. His commenters are getting spammed again on his latest video. I emailed him about it, and suggested he check out Trogley's video. Maybe that will help.

[@CarsInDimension]

"Adolf's Boutique" in Germany. No red flags there. No, none at all.

[@biker7532]

Im pretty sure there are Red Flags. Propably with a white circle an wired looking black Cross in it.

[@Dan.Solo.Chicago]

I kind of like the term “native case”.

[@gloifti]

First time the comments have appeared below the video for me in several episodes.

[@Flamewalk]

Well, these guitars are quite an expensive purchase for most people. I think it's always reasonable to request additional photos of specific details (check that the photo metadata is there and is valid). It's even possible to make a video call and ask the seller to demonstrate the instrument (after all, they are about to make several grand of it, why not make a little effort on their side). If the seller refuses or delays too much - it's suspicious and not worth the risk.

[@Louis_Rain]

Ohh! I saw one of these a couple few weeks ago Austin! It was a SG Custom, borderline too good to be true, overseas, and it was gone quick! Thanks for this informative warning video!

[@timwhite5562]

I've gotten one of these on KZbin. You check their info page and they just started it that day.

[@WW-1995]

Trogly, what you can do is to blacklist some keywords of their scams. Such as "giveaway"

[@ohmtronseedling]

nice touch there at the very end.

[@billycjustice]

The statement should actually be, “PayPal always doesn’t have the best customer service”.

[@Eddy-tx9wn]

No comment about amount of sales these scammers have? Did they just decide to become a scammer, or is this like Ebay where they hijjack accounts? I'm tired of reporting these accounts!

[@68024]

I'd be suspicious buying from "Adolf"s boutique in Germany to start with 🤣

[@GreggRoberts]

You forgot to mention that Sweetwater has free candy. Also, months back I sent you an ad via twitter messages for that sparkly les paul. Same exact guitar. Did you buy it?

[@larryburwell8550]

Thanks for the warnings and updates. Well appreciated by me

[@ashleyjohansson230]

Sweetwater did a giveaway before for schools of whoever entered and I wondered to myself "why on earth would I enter a giveaway for a place I hate when I could be the one taking the prize myself"

[@crestadude4139]

I dinnae ken what your trying to say.

[@wadeguidry6675]

Now, I'm scared.

[@MikeE-]

Could of sworn I saw that ebony custom you just bought from mod shop that had a little custom art print painted on the top and the pickups modified to tele style setup. The store in KS and they’re selling for $5950 I believe

[@holstorrsceadus1990]

Congratulations, you are now popular enough to get flooded with spam bots. This channel has really grown.

[@pariahpokemonwesbragg2904]

Spammers are EVERYWHERE.. I've had to watch out for them when buying/selling/trading pokemon cards on FB, IG, YT , Ebay...everywhere. Be careful out there folks.

[@Jason-Evans]

FYI- Buckethead just put one of his personal signature guitars for sale on his pikes website. You’d be the perfect person to make an offer then document it.

[@sgt.grinch3299]

Damn Grant you were quick brother!

[@holstorrsceadus1990]

I got the loading circle for ever today. It happens to the best of us

[@grantcindrich]

Always varsity Trogly training for that mole hill!! emailed Trogly about that ‘78 standard last night, what a great guy + episode!

[@grantcindrich]

Since nobody’s given you that podium treatment yet ime throw a big ol’ YEWHEW and an even bigger YEEHAWW for silver🤠🤘!!! Well done bromigo

[@holstorrsceadus1990]

@@grantcindrich lol. We need Trogly Varsity jackets and we need them yesterday. Green AF, logo patch on the chest, slap Varsity on the back and we're golden. I'm going to be pissed if they aren't in the merch shop by tomorrow.

[@grantcindrich]

@@holstorrsceadus1990 big ole dragon on the back, stingers going up the sleeves, hell we’d roll into that future museum like a professional biker gang!

[@Dayman667]

Hey Trogly's, can you give me any info on a guitar i have that i want to know more about? Its a Gibson SG, Special, 2004 in a gloss black finish. All i can find on these guitars are satin finishes!

[@jimmyjames2022]

Would have been lots more time and effort than is warranted, but would have been interesting if you had contacted a bunch of the Reverb "scammers" to see how they would reply to an accusation. Or is it better to just report them and let Reverb deal with any righteous outrage.

[@jeremywolstenholme9277]

Thanks T. I had one 40% off every guitar listed! And that's a Mod and Demo shop episode. Just how many guitars do they think I need!

[@thejimrodden]

Funny phone call ending!🤣😂

[@silverfr3ak]

First on crypto videos, now on guitar videos? Damn! These scammers are reproducing!

[@EddieVanAidan]

I don't even bother going to the comment sections on crypto videos anymore haha.

[@holstorrsceadus1990]

Slow clap for the end bit

[@another_alex8738]

"Shipped from: Adolf's Boutique, Germany" How creative they are. fascinating.