Be careful advertising in Hemmings

**eilig** · #1 12-08-2005, 07:30 PM

Hey guys -- Just wanted to pass this along.

As many of you know, I'm in process of working through the sale of my 1970 442 W-30, and the numbers are pretty big. I just recently had my ad hit Hemmings Motor News. Since it has hit, here are some things that have happened:

1) Got a call from a man and woman (they blocked their inbound caller ID) who offered to pay for the car using an equivalent amount of methanphetamines (sp?)
2) Last two nights, getting repeated calls with the caller ID indicating "PRISON."
3) Last night, my garage got broken into -- the first time this has happened in 30+ years. Nothing was taken, and fortunately the 442 is in a garage at a different location.
4) Now getting insulting emails from "yo_quiermo", a person who is bold and beligerant.

Net, I will NEVER EVER advertise in Hemmings again. Nice to see the various types of elements this publication is obviously reaching.

It's downright dangerous. I actually published my home phone number in the Hemmings ad -- a HUGE mistake.

What a pathetic eye opener of the state of America these days.

71-LS6 · #2 12-08-2005, 07:56 PM

I don't think I would lay the blame on Hemmings, your experience is much more a reflection of the greedy SOB's that have descended upon our hobby during the last few years. Unfortunately, it is much easier to locate and contact a seller these days through the various internet databases that are available. Over the last 15 years, I have had the good fortune to be pretty successful with my business, each year I grow a little more cautious, with regard to whom I associate with. There may not necessarily be more dirt bags out there, but I do believe that some are getting bolder. Good luck with your sale

Belair62 · #3 12-09-2005, 12:45 AM

[ QUOTE ]
There may not necessarily be more dirt bags out there,

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm thinking there actually are more scumbags out there now...lots more...

**Pacecarjeff** · #4 12-09-2005, 01:02 AM

It has to be the print magazine only.

A few months back I place an ad for my 69 Z/28.
The car sold so fast, that I cancelled before it hit the print ads. My ad was listed on the hemmings.com part for a week or so.
Got a few interested parties who saw it.
Lots of scams for sure - how did they get your address?

TDW · #5 12-09-2005, 02:48 AM

I would guess they got the address by doing a reverse phone number look up.

Hey...my post number is 427! I'm building one for my Nova. Just thought that was cool.

Mr. T · #6 12-09-2005, 04:48 AM

[/ QUOTE ]I'm thinking there actually are more scumbags out there now...lots more...

[/ QUOTE ]

I totally agree with that!

**Lynn** · #7 12-09-2005, 04:55 AM

[ QUOTE ]
I would guess they got the address by doing a reverse phone number look up.

Hey...my post number is 427! I'm building one for my Nova. Just thought that was cool.

[/ QUOTE ]

Exactly. Go to Google. Type in your phone number with area code. Unless you are either unlisted, or you at least have your address deleted from the listing, up will pop your address.

Lynn

MikeA · #8 12-09-2005, 05:20 AM

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I would guess they got the address by doing a reverse phone number look up.

Hey...my post number is 427! I'm building one for my Nova. Just thought that was cool.

[/ QUOTE ]

Exactly. Go to Google. Type in your phone number with area code. Unless you are either unlisted, or you at least have your address deleted from the listing, up will pop your address.

Lynn

[/ QUOTE ]

I just punched in our phone number and Yahoo delivered our address and a nice little map to the house!

SMGCO · #9 12-09-2005, 05:59 AM

This is a really good lesson for everybody to know about and learn from. Yes there are a lot more people out there ( here in the US and around the world ) that see and can respond to ads due to the internet. I suggest you not take it personally and just always be very careful where and to whom you give any information to. Try to get a P.O. box as your main mailing address and alwys use a cell phone ( or even a back up second cell phone ) when advertising something. Have all your bills sent to you PO box address. Always tell you kids to not use the home address when filling out contest forms or anything else. They can use your work address or PO box.
I've had the same things happen when I advertised my e55 and my zl1 for sale. They don't know you from the next guy but they know where to look for the expensive ads.

**eilig** · #10 12-09-2005, 06:52 AM

I couldn't agree more. It was actually my girlfriend that saw the "PRISON" info on the Caller ID. At first she laughed, and then when she realized that there was someone who had committed some type of serious felony who was calling our house trying to track us down, she got very scared. When we found the garage had been broken into, she about flipped. I have to admit, it freaked me out pretty good too.

That's why I wanted to share this story with everyone. Be careful. The cars are important and all, but our lives and the lives of loved ones are FAR more important. It just seems like there are some really desperate people out there these days. And desperation seems to bring out the worst in folks. Use your cell number, and use a PO Box.

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