If any of you are like me, I am always searching for a good deal on Facebook, Facebook forums, Ebay and other online resources for good (let's face it GREAT) deals on flight simulation peripherals, hardware and the like.
Often, as I am searching I run across some posts with photos which look legitimate, the price looks reasonable (not too cheap, but still a deal) and from a reputable profile or account that seems like the up-and-up. Then, I see those deals that are UNBELIEVABLE. Look, if you have been in the simulation hobby for long enough, you know how much things really cost. Some items like yokes, joysticks, rudder pedals and similar can have a new retail price of between $50 USD and up to $300 or $400 USD. Past that, there are those "big ticket items" like CDU, MCP, TQ, MIP components that start at $1,000 USD and go up from there. Those are the items I am always searching for the big deals.
Since 2021, I have been on a serious march toward building out a full, static 737-800 flight simulation cockpit. If you have even started glancing at pricing, one knows the cheapest this project is going to be is around $15,000 USD and more realistically, all items purchased new would cost in the range of $40,000 and above. This is a serious hobby for serious simulation and aviation fans. Make no mistake, I am on the hunt for a deal here and there, but I also know what things cost new and how much I think a used piece of equipment should cost and in what condition it should or shouldn't be in. Have I made some mistakes, absolutely! Have I ever lost money, thankfully no! I have agreed to, and sent funds via PayPal (Purchase, NOT FRIENDS AND FAMILY) every time and it has saved me! Here is my scorecard of items I have purchased online as well as the result:
CP Flight MCP and CDU: Seller changed profile after funds sent via PayPal. Immediately refused to connect with me and blocked me. I screen captured all of my conversations I had with them via FB DM and then uploaded it to the PayPal Resolution Center. After 14 business days, funds were refunded back in full.
Cockpit For You TQ and Flight Deck Solutions CDU: Seller offered a PayPal link and met during an event in Houston, Texas. All items were as described and offered personal information in case the items didn't work as suggested upon my return home and closer inspection.
Cockpit Simulator CDU: Seller offered CDU at a highly discounted price. Was "getting rid" of his peripherals. I was highly skeptical, but payment was accepted as a PayPal Purchase. The seller shipped the item and provided a tracking number. I received the item in approximately five days. The quality of the item was a bit less-than-explained, but was operable.
CP Flight NAV Radio and CP Flight COM Radio: Seller was "well known" within the FB sim community and had provided several transactions with others. This was my first with this individual. The funds were sent via PayPal Purchase. The items were sent and a tracking number delivered. The tracking number didn't show up in the shipper's system for several days. Just about the time I was getting a bit worried, the items did appear in the tracking system and were delivered. The boxes were very worn from travel, but the items initially worked. After about four months, two of the four items stopped working.
OpenCockpits Dual 737 Yoke: First, let me assure everyone - I knew this was a
scam, hence, the reason I left it last on my list. Recently, I saw several posts from this individually. He was offering several BIG TICKET items at about 10% of the suggested NEW retail price. However, the amount wasn't as much as I had "risked before" and felt like it might be a good way to go in with both eyes wide open. So I did. I told him I wanted the item, gave him my zip code (never your full or real address) and asked about the cost of shipping. He came back with a RIDICULOUSLY CHEAP shipping cost and I knew it was a game. He then asked if I was in on the deal and kept pushing with question marks via FB messenger. I began screen capturing all of these conversations. He then gave me a different email address than his name for the PayPal and directed me to use "Friends and Family" and send him a screenshot of when the transaction was compete. I refused and told him the funds should be in his account. To which, he told me his wife was at work, blah, blah...Finally, he accused me of scamming him and I told him I was going to be the last person he scammed with this con. I sent it off to PayPal Resolution Center and refunded.
TIPS TO HELP AVOID AN ONLINE SCAM
Here are a few things I have learned to watch for when searching for an online bargain:
Know the original/new price of the item(s) you want to purchase. A good deal is fine, a great deal is rare. Make sure as a buyer, you understand what they are suggesting the product is and how much they want for the product
Use Google Image Match to find the item(s) listed for sale. If they item(s) are for sale by someone else, most likely one or both parties are not being transparent
Ask questions such as:
Where is the item located
How long have you (the seller) owned the item
Why are you selling the item
Does the item(s) work
What general condition are they in
Use a guaranteed form of payment. This is up to everyone reading this post - but for me that is PayPal Purchase only. Sure, if I am going to purchase something that is $50 or less, I might gamble, but ultimately, a buyer could lose their money.
Ask for recent videos, photos or a date and name placed on the items for sale. I ran across a recent post and the seller had posted the information and a handwritten note with his name (matching the profile) and date taken.
Don't provide ANY additional information. The $100 item may be a gateway to steal from you in other manners such as pose as you, take your credit information, find your home or place of business, etc.
Tell someone else you are making a purchase. Look, we all have friends and family we can share our hobby with - so don't be shy. If they don't think it is a good deal or sounds suspicious, listen to them. They have NO DESIRE in buying a set of OEM A300 rudder pedals! They DO HAVE an interest in making sure you don't get scammed!
FIND EXPERT ADVICE
I am a flight simulation hobbyist just like most of you reading this article. I am not a financial guru (obviously, I am spending my hard earned money on building a plane that goes nowhere), nor am I a lawyer or law enforcement. If you have been scammed or believe someone has defrauded you - get some help. The honest answer is most likely you have learned a very valuable and expensive lessen. Maybe the best case scenario will be like mine, learn how to identify those who are trying to take advantage of others online and in-person and let's group together to stop them from negatively impacting our community!
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