NOTE to the ADMIN here

**NICE PAIR** · 11-26-2016, 09:41 AM

Originally Posted by HStream1

To all concerned here. Please take it from first hand experience. It can get really dicey if situations like this are not handled with proper care and investigation. I can personally attest to the fact that a legal action can be initiated causing innocent people alot of money to combat it. YES it happened to me and two other members on here. When Greg banned the Crook the crook threatened suit. The crook also initiated suit against myself and two others. After it was all said and done. Three innocent people became the victims and several thousand dollars each in legal fees. The Lawyers were the only ones that won. I sympathize with Greg's position when dealing with situations like this. Its never as cut and dried as many may seem.

"Get a rope" ;-)

**crusader83** · 11-26-2016, 09:57 AM

I posted in the lower unit section that I was looking for a 3 liter Sportmaster. Jsuther told me he bought one from Michael. Gave me his email. Said he shipped very quick and was easy to deal with. I emailed him. We talked and texted. He wanted $1000 I offered $800. He said ok. I paid him that day with my credit card from capital one through my chase Bank wire transfer. 2 days later I asked for a tracking number and he told me he talked to a colleague and they wanted $500 more or they weren't shipping it. I told him we agreed on $800. He said I'm ripping him off. He won't return my calls, text or emails. He said he would wire me my money back but it's been 2 days and no money.

**gman** · 11-26-2016, 11:40 AM

Greg I have been a member here for almost 15 years and have read a lot of deals that went bad, and I just want to say that you have and do a great job with this site. and for the ones involved with this latest scam I hope you can get it worked out, although I have bought many items from this site you just never know if you are going to get what is advertised, again Greg you do a great job policing..just my 2 cents

**FMP** · 11-26-2016, 03:01 PM

Originally Posted by NICE PAIR

"Get a rope" ;-)

and a horse and some harsh ground.

**CUDA** · 11-26-2016, 03:38 PM

Originally Posted by crusader83

His name is Michael Lapides his address is 331 E McNab Rd. Pompano Beach Fl 33060. His cell phone is (754) 202-4205 and his email is [email protected] I'm assuming he goes by jsuther on here. That's how he bated me. Here's the pic of the Lower he used in case anyone gets the same pic. Attachment 361273

Everyone send a email or give him a call, ask if it was worth it .
Take out the trash.

**Scream And Fly** · 11-26-2016, 11:54 PM

Thank you so much for that post Gary. It really means a tremendous amount to me and I am very thankful. I really had no idea that "Jsuther" was actually such an organized scammer. At first I thought he might have been somebody working for a dealer that was trying to avoid becoming a Supporting Vendor (we get a lot of those), but the more I look into this, the more bizarre it gets. I misread this particular person's intentions and I'm sorry for that. I was not expecting such a criminal effort on this level and I feel that I didn't see it quick enough.

I always try to be very proactive in preventing this from happening, but we all know that it's impossible to predict what everybody can do. I do always suggest basic guidelines to help protect the buyer, such as never sending PayPal money as a 'gift' so as to negate the fees. That's dangerous, since sending money as a gift also removes any of the PayPal protections from the transaction.

The new version of the Scream And Fly site will retain this forums-based Buy and Sell section, however there will be an additional classifieds area on the new site. The additional Buy and Sell area will require anybody that wishes to use it submit a working phone number, email address, and shipping address, which will be verified by myself, and kept confidential in our database. It is my hope that a section with a higher degree of security measures would help to minimize this possibility even further.

Thank you for all of your support. I feel terrible when things like this happen and I always try to learn from these situations to hopefully prevent them from happening again. I ask everybody to please never hesitate to contact me personally - not just a post here, but please call, text, or at the very least, email me when there is any suspected issue in the making.

Thanks again Gary, and everybody,
Greg

Originally Posted by gman

Greg I have been a member here for almost 15 years and have read a lot of deals that went bad, and I just want to say that you have and do a great job with this site. and for the ones involved with this latest scam I hope you can get it worked out, although I have bought many items from this site you just never know if you are going to get what is advertised, again Greg you do a great job policing..just my 2 cents

**flabum1017** · 11-27-2016, 01:33 AM

Originally Posted by crusader83

His name is Michael Lapides his address is 331 E McNab Rd. Pompano Beach Fl 33060. His cell phone is (754) 202-4205 and his email is [email protected] I'm assuming he goes by jsuther on here. That's how he bated me. Here's the pic of the Lower he used in case anyone gets the same pic. Attachment 361273

There is a guy with the same name in Pompano..... different address, he got a couple tickets last year:

1121-2 SE 22nd Ave
Pompano Beach, FL 33062

Lapides, Michael D

Gender: Male
Race: White
Height: 5' 6"
DOB: 04/15/1951

Vehicle License Number: K883QR
Vehicle License State: FL
Vehicle Year: 2006
Vehicle Model: MITSUBISHI

**Scream And Fly** · 11-27-2016, 03:50 AM

Thank you for the information you posted. The more we get, the better.

Let's use this post to collect as much information as we can about this operation, so as to warn others. I'm also going to send a message to Al Shields at Bass Boat Central, as I suspect there is a good chance this criminal is operating there as well.

Greg

**rock** · 11-27-2016, 08:46 AM

Sorry you have to deal with this crap but I really like the idea for the new buy and sell section. So many good people but there will always be the occasional pos. Thanks for the site.

Rock

**Stoker1** · 11-27-2016, 09:27 AM

I hate to sound like a dick, but you’ve also got to conduct a little research before doing a transaction with them and would most definitely be leery of a person messaging behind the scenes.

Hope it gets settled but its also your responsibility to keep your head on a swivel.

**baja200merk** · 11-27-2016, 10:15 AM

Jsuther sent me a pm to contact mike at the email above stating he has the crankshaft I need. He said he had a brand new crank for $900. msrp for a new one is $2,780 dealer cost is $1740 so something was fishy. Then I downloaded the picture he sent and it was a picture of a used crank with used bearings on it. Not only was it used, the picture was taken from google and I tried buying that particular crank but i missed it. He also had 0 posts and would only take a bank wire transfer for payment.

Long list of red flags...

**crusader83** · 11-27-2016, 10:30 AM

Originally Posted by Stoker1

I hate to sound like a dick, but you’ve also got to conduct a little research before doing a transaction with them and would most definitely be leery of a person messaging behind the scenes.

Hope it gets settled but its also your responsibility to keep your head on a swivel.

I was sent a pm to contact Michael. I did. We talked on the phone. Talked via text. I asked for pics and got them. I assumed I was getting what I paid for. I agree it's my bad but it seemed straight up and was for the right price.

**flabum1017** · 11-27-2016, 11:38 AM

Originally Posted by Stoker1

I hate to sound like a dick, but you’ve also got to conduct a little research before doing a transaction with them and would most definitely be leery of a person messaging behind the scenes.

Hope it gets settled but its also your responsibility to keep your head on a swivel.

Perhaps a forum in the buy/sell section called "seller verification" where we can post bad deals and rip-off artists all in one place instead of all over the site.

**SANTAFE** · 11-27-2016, 12:11 PM

Which way is the best? Send the part before payment, or pay for it before it is shipped? I have done it both ways and only got burned once. As long as both parties are straight up, I guess it does not matter. I sent a prop to a guy with the check supposedly in the mail. After 3 weeks and no check the prop came back with a note saying it did not work on his boat. I had sent him pictures and full description before he bought it. Live and learn.

**flabum1017** · 11-27-2016, 12:46 PM

Originally Posted by SANTAFE

Which way is the best? Send the part before payment, or pay for it before it is shipped? I have done it both ways and only got burned once. As long as both parties are straight up, I guess it does not matter. I sent a prop to a guy with the check supposedly in the mail. After 3 weeks and no check the prop came back with a note saying it did not work on his boat. I had sent him pictures and full description before he bought it. Live and learn.

The best way is use PayPal......ship using tracking and delivery verification.