One moment of madness!! The cost £200

superscaper

As for advice to the OP I'd say to go to your local Trading Standards and report it. A lot of these types of scams/auctions are actually illegal in the first instance just in the selling approach (black bin liner auction etc) under the Mock Auctions Act.

chuckley

u obviously got money to waste.

Blacksheep1979

oldest scam in the book (well not quite but pretty much). Never part with cash unless it's a reputable firm or you have the goods in your hands. You took a gamble, were greedy and lost.

I_know_my_ABC_and_my_CMYK

The reason the scam is still going is because some people don't realise its a scam until its too late. A relative of mine was caught quite a few years ago now but we can't mention it as he is still really embarrassed about it. It's an expensive lesson learnt.

d123

I_know_my_ABC_and_my_CMYK wrote: »

The reason the scam is still going is because some people don't realise its a scam until its too late.

The reason the scam is still going is far simpler, GREED, plain and simple.

People (sorry OP) just don't see the risk, all they see is the BIG BARGAIN.

grayme-m

thepid (OP), I'm not going to say anything as you know it already.

However, I did want to add that I respect you for your honesty in posting about it. Yes they were scum, but you haven't tried to turn it around to make out that it was all their fault. :T

I think it is a shame that people are still knocking you about it.

Volvic

Yep I've seen these operating in Oxford Street many a time although the con artists must be getting wise to it now, as I haven't seen them in the empty shop for a while.

Me and my friend were a bit suss so we waited right til the end til they did the £10 offer and went for that as a test and ended up with a mini compact mirror probably 3 for a quid in the Pound shops!! They usher you out of the shop and lock the doors so fast you haven't got time to complain or thump them one!

Pollycat

As the OP says:

We left like mugs felling stupid and angry for having fallen for such a con.
This is just a warning to the rest of you. I now have learned my lesson.

Thepid
Thanks for posting this.
If it stops just one person being ripped off in this way, it's been worth your while in posting.
I too remember these type of auctions in Blackpool (in the early 70s not the 50s).

Just wondering though if there is any way i can stop or get my money back

I wouldn't have thought there's much chance of getting your money back.
Did you pay cash?

Poppycat

They used to be two shops in my home town that operated scams like this for years many years ago as I live in a sea side town.

It was mentioned on tv on BBC 3

d123

Pollycat wrote: »

Did you pay cash?

unfortunately these "people" only accept cash.