How do the local Facebook scams work? I assume for long distance, just get paid and they don't ship. But for local buyers, what do they do? Ask for electronic payment in advance and give a fake pickup location?

They are NOT a scam. I received my E3 from them in April of this year. The only issue with ITNA is they (James and Jimmy) require full amount up front. Also, they aren't too big on communication and updates. That being said, I'd buy from them again.

Just to be clear, my posting did not claim they were a scam.

NOT TO DEFEND anyone... but it is possible that not all "recycled" photos are scams.

Someone may have saved the photos when they purchased the machine and then just reused those photo's when they decided to sell it. I would ask some probing questions or request a new very specific photo to be sure (maybe even with a copy of todays newspaper!). Yes, I see this scam often on craigslist, usually it involves a price too good to believe and a certified check or wire transfer. Caveat Emptor

Yep... I'd claim never.

Everyone has a smartphone (with camera) or access to somebody with one... okay, not everyone, but practically everyone when we're talking about selling a pinball machine.

I can't even imagine who would go through the trouble to search for the old digital photos when taking new photos is so easy to do. And even if the scenario happened, a buyer would want to see current condition, not condition the last time it was bought.

"Never is a long, long time."

When I buy something online (not just pinball), I create a file and save the pictures and the write-up that were listed. I keep this information. If I resell the same item later and the previous information is still accurate, I MAY reuse some of that information. If a previous picture of the item is materially the same and still representative, then what is the problem in using it? Truthfulness and accuracy are what matters. I am NOT scamming or cheating someone if I do this. While, I have no problem taking new pictures when needed, getting the lighting right, multiple takes, editing and cropping and then transferring multiple files to a computer for uploading, it just takes time.

You call it "lazy"; I call it efficiency.

I never said that was lazy, or ever used that word. Quite the opposite. It takes more work to save and recycle the old photos and information, which is why I claimed it "never" (practically) happens.

I recommend you stop doing that so people don’t think it’s a scam. And unless you’re selling the game very soon after buying it, you could be absolutely misrepresenting the game’s condition, even if it wasn’t your intent.

facebook.com/profile.php?id=100076246921424 is now gamestop!
[Previously (Eau Claire Games and Arcade, impersonating a legitimate business; or George arcade & games)]

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Same with Instagram.
The scammer that keeps copying us out of Cameroon Africa has changed their name at least 15 times and been reported by us and several others but they still have done NOTHING to take their scam account down.

On a good note. I figured out which Stealth account they were using on IG to steal our content and blocked their ass.

Pic of scam account for reference. DO NOT SEND THESE guys money! Previously known as arcadefunmania, pinballfunmania, etc. Notice how they keep incorporating FUN in their name to dupe people into thinking they are is.

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I have been getting some IMs here for games I have listed. People with 0 feedback, scores, forum posts, etc. Guessing most of these are scams?

Pretty sure this new website is also a scam. Same aholes as previous scam websites but they changed the domain name slightly

www.pinballmachinesdeals.com

I noticed they had some BS posted in Facebook marketplace.

Oh and hey, you can transfer your money straight into their bank acct to make your purchase! Or wait, they even take crypto! Lol

From their checkout:

Direct bank transfer
Make your payment directly into our bank account. Please use your Order ID as the payment reference. Your order will not be shipped until the funds have cleared in our account.

CRYPTO CURRENCY
PAYPAL | MOBILE BANKS | WIRE TRANSFERS

same here,getting PMs from people with 1 week on pinside no posts no nothing.I was thinking we should have a questionable list but cant because I cant think of a fair way to make sure there are no innocents getting damaged.

This seems like it may be a scam site to me, but I can't be for sure. It just seems very fishy to me.

instagram.com/pinballworldusa

Can anyone confirm or deny on this on for me?
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probably sometimes. i'm new, but have tried to show i'm for real by joining the site w/ a donation, verifying my address, and adding an avatar. everybody starts from scratch, right?

and with that, i've gone from lurking to making my first forum post. whee!

is this website real or fake? : pinballmachineus.online
and then a guy named ben hunter on facebook: facebook.com/profile.php?id=100092397753896
oops neverming on ben hunter, just found him under your scam list. guessing his website is fake then as well ha ha. thanks

Is Carolina pinball a real company?

This?

https://www.carolinapinballs.com/

They are listed on sterns website, so yes.

Anyone recognize these? Or wanna dig?
User facebook.com/dona.blis joins for sale group (accidentally approved lol) just to immediately drop reference for fishy "Apartment & Condo Building" page with 2.3K hidden followers.

facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085025456706 (Robert's pinball shop)

Reverse google leads to "Pinballs.com"

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Somebody's impersonating somebody

Jose Ciminelli
facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095014925614

Century Pinball
facebook.com/centurypinball/

The Troll:
facebook.com/groups/scammersgtfoh

Century Pinball Machines Screenshot 2023-07-29 215331 (resized).pngJC account hacked message (resized).jpgJC stranger things listing 7-29-2023 (resized).PNG

www.nitropinball.shop
Unrealistic low prices, choppy website
Stolen name and logo

This one was just brought to our attention.
-> SCAMMER facebook.com/PinballGameRoom/

They are copying us! I've reported them to facebook.

Not to be confused with the REAL FUN! Billiards & Gameroom Superstore
https://www.facebook.com/pinballandmore

These scammer ….. wasting everyone’s time thinking you are getting a great deal.