Feedback - FROWNS

[Krish Chandran]

Had a negative experience when dealing with this user : Surendranath M for the item mentioned in this post :

https://forum.jjmehta.com/index.php/topic,69494.msg503763.html#msg503763

The lens was shipped using DTDC with a filter attached (not requested by me). I received the lens with the filter shattered, and some of the  broken pieces of the filter in the lens which I had to remove very carefully. The lens was packed in a in a flimsy carboard box with only bubble wrap, when I pointed this to the seller , he said this was due to handling issues  from the courier side, he wanted to see an unboxing video of the lens. In my 10 years with this forum, I never felt the need to do an unboxing video for any item, however I urge fellow members to take an unboxing video of any item when buying from this seller. He has other items for sale in this forum too. Also the lens was shipped with an after market lens cap, seller only mentioned this fact after shipping the lens. I am still waiting for him to dispatch the original lens cap.

Sometimes it may be wise to ask for a "boxing or packing" video to see for yourself (and possibly correct) how it is being packed before dispatch. I have sent packing videos to some members who bought items from me, especially if they were unsure of the safety of the courier process.
Having said that, the videos I sent were initiated by me, for their confidence, not because they requested it.
 
Still IMHO there is nothing wrong with asking for one on your first transaction with an unknown seller, and be on the safe side.

[Bharat Varma]

DTDC has gone to the dogs.

I strongly suggest filing a consumer complaint against the company for the damage.

Send one mail to DTDC with details of the damage and demand adequate compensation. Keep track of any response from them (which is very likely to be either nil, or just a stupid template driven mail), and then report them to the consumer forum.

(The shoddy packaging is inexcusable, and the seller is certainly at least partly responsible for this unfortunate occurence).

Had a negative experience when dealing with this user : Surendranath M for the item mentioned in this post :

https://forum.jjmehta.com/index.php/topic,69494.msg503763.html#msg503763

The lens was shipped using DTDC with a filter attached (not requested by me). I received the lens with the filter shattered, and some of the  broken pieces of the filter in the lens which I had to remove very carefully. The lens was packed in a in a flimsy carboard box with only bubble wrap, when I pointed this to the seller , he said this was due to handling issues  from the courier side, he wanted to see an unboxing video of the lens. In my 10 years with this forum, I never felt the need to do an unboxing video for any item, however I urge fellow members to take an unboxing video of any item when buying from this seller. He has other items for sale in this forum too. Also the lens was shipped with an after market lens cap, seller only mentioned this fact after shipping the lens. I am still waiting for him to dispatch the original lens cap.

[JessePinkmanYo]

This feedback is about use of Multiple/Dummy/Group IDs for conducting and manipulating transactions on this forum or using the same for other ulterior/fraudulent motives. I have been experiencing several attempts at this lately - sometimes with proof, at other times with just hunches.

An active forum member has recently got one of his "friends" to buy an item from me simply because I refused to deal with him basis our earlier interactions. I dont even know if this "friend" is actually for real or just another Dummy/Group ID for the active member. Details regarding the nature of this "Proxy Purchase" were NOT disclosed beforehand but came into light only after I made independent enquiries. Since the payment was already made and I didnt want to make an issue out of this, I decided to go ahead and ship the item. I have also decided not to disclose the names/IDs of the parties involved (unless there is further provocation) or request MODs to intervene regarding this. That said, I do find it highly unfair that people would have no hesitation indulging in such practices while I should have qualms reporting them.

Operating Multiple/Dummy/Group IDs, etc can by itself be a very problematic thing for any forum (our own forum prohibits this practice via Item.14 of BST Guidelines). But the importance of abundant caution while dealing with Multiple/new/dormant/inactive IDs cannot be overemphasised even from a sellers perspective. Its a very common practice on OLX, FB, etc to use multiple IDs to 'soften' a seller to get him to sell something for cheap. Or buy a cheap item using Dummy IDs and get potshots at seller for free ! These are just examples. The possibilities, to use that cliche, are "limitless".

On a related note, I often get enquiries where buyer agrees to buy and at last moment chickens out by blaming - my "friend" does not need this anymore. While it may be alright to buy for "friends", I think a proper prior disclosure regarding this is in order. Just as we expect a disclosure from seller selling on behalf of a "friend", I would expect a disclosure from buyer buying on behalf of a "friend" ! Can save a lot of potential trouble and heartburns later.

There's just too much of buying on behalf of a "friend" happening these days.

[tapobrata_tb]

Had a negative experience when dealing with this user : Surendranath M for the item mentioned in this post :

https://forum.jjmehta.com/index.php/topic,69494.msg503763.html#msg503763

The lens was shipped using DTDC with a filter attached (not requested by me). I received the lens with the filter shattered, and some of the  broken pieces of the filter in the lens which I had to remove very carefully. The lens was packed in a in a flimsy carboard box with only bubble wrap, when I pointed this to the seller , he said this was due to handling issues  from the courier side, he wanted to see an unboxing video of the lens. In my 10 years with this forum, I never felt the need to do an unboxing video for any item, however I urge fellow members to take an unboxing video of any item when buying from this seller. He has other items for sale in this forum too. Also the lens was shipped with an after market lens cap, seller only mentioned this fact after shipping the lens. I am still waiting for him to dispatch the original lens cap.

[krishnenduk]

I had a similar unfortunate experience with a seller on OLX. I found an advertisement for a DJI Action 4 camera adventure pack listed for Rs. 26,000 by an individual named Nidhi Pawar. After contacting the seller through OLX and moving the conversation to WhatsApp, I was instructed to pay Rs. 230 for courier pickup scheduling. The courier, Delhivery, was arranged.. The next day seller conducted a video call to show the package being picked up by a courier executive, which gave me confidence in the transaction. Subsequently, I transferred the full amount of Rs. 26,000 via Google Pay to the mobile number provided by the seller.. However, the seller claimed that there was a server issue and the payment was not received.

Attempts to track the shipment through the Delhivery app were unsuccessful, and further inquiries with my bank confirmed that the transaction was indeed successful. Despite numerous WhatsApp messages and phone calls, the seller continued to insist on non-receipt of funds and eventually cancelled the shipment, causing the item to be returned to him.. Through some contacts, I was able to confirm that he received the funds at the same time I made the transfer. Realizing that I had been defrauded, I filed a cyber crime complaint. Although recovering the money is proving to be difficult, the case is still ongoing. This incident has been a harsh lesson for me, and I urge others to exercise extreme caution when making online transactions..

This is terrible, and I can, being in a similar state, completely empathise. Hope we recover our money well and soon. In my case, the action by the Cyber Crime Cell was immediate. The very next day they had blocked the account to which payment was done. Unfortunately, frauds might have multiple accounts and sim cards. This entire episode is painful.

The same thing happened in my case too.. The Cyber cell department immediately froze his account, but the procedure to recover money is difficult and time consuming as far as I know..

[Krishna]

I had a similar unfortunate experience with a seller on OLX. I found an advertisement for a DJI Action 4 camera adventure pack listed for Rs. 26,000 by an individual named Nidhi Pawar. After contacting the seller through OLX and moving the conversation to WhatsApp, I was instructed to pay Rs. 230 for courier pickup scheduling. The courier, Delhivery, was arranged.. The next day seller conducted a video call to show the package being picked up by a courier executive, which gave me confidence in the transaction. Subsequently, I transferred the full amount of Rs. 26,000 via Google Pay to the mobile number provided by the seller.. However, the seller claimed that there was a server issue and the payment was not received.

Attempts to track the shipment through the Delhivery app were unsuccessful, and further inquiries with my bank confirmed that the transaction was indeed successful. Despite numerous WhatsApp messages and phone calls, the seller continued to insist on non-receipt of funds and eventually cancelled the shipment, causing the item to be returned to him.. Through some contacts, I was able to confirm that he received the funds at the same time I made the transfer. Realizing that I had been defrauded, I filed a cyber crime complaint. Although recovering the money is proving to be difficult, the case is still ongoing. This incident has been a harsh lesson for me, and I urge others to exercise extreme caution when making online transactions..

This is terrible, and I can, being in a similar state, completely empathise. Hope we recover our money well and soon. In my case, the action by the Cyber Crime Cell was immediate. The very next day they had blocked the account to which payment was done. Unfortunately, frauds might have multiple accounts and sim cards. This entire episode is painful.

[krishnenduk]

I had a similar unfortunate experience with a seller on OLX. I found an advertisement for a DJI Action 4 camera adventure pack listed for Rs. 26,000 by an individual named Nidhi Pawar. After contacting the seller through OLX and moving the conversation to WhatsApp, I was instructed to pay Rs. 230 for courier pickup scheduling. The courier, Delhivery, was arranged.. The next day seller conducted a video call to show the package being picked up by a courier executive, which gave me confidence in the transaction. Subsequently, I transferred the full amount of Rs. 26,000 via Google Pay to the mobile number provided by the seller.. However, the seller claimed that there was a server issue and the payment was not received.

Attempts to track the shipment through the Delhivery app were unsuccessful, and further inquiries with my bank confirmed that the transaction was indeed successful. Despite numerous WhatsApp messages and phone calls, the seller continued to insist on non-receipt of funds and eventually cancelled the shipment, causing the item to be returned to him.. Through some contacts, I was able to confirm that he received the funds at the same time I made the transfer. Realizing that I had been defrauded, I filed a cyber crime complaint. Although recovering the money is proving to be difficult, the case is still ongoing. This incident has been a harsh lesson for me, and I urge others to exercise extreme caution when making online transactions..

[Krishna]

For the benefit of the Admin and the members of JJMPF:
EXERCISE EXTREME CAUTION BEFORE BUY ANY PHOTO/ VIDEO ITEM FROM THIS PERSON.

Seller name on JJMPF: viisshnu1
GPay: Vishnu Vardhan
Truecaller: Weekend Gamer
Phone number: 7702252475

Item purchased: https://forum.jjmehta.com/index.php/topic,68851.0.html

Krishna I think it is time to file a complaint with the police as well as cyber crime wing/division. You have his mobile number and full name as well as proof of payment and extended communications with him. Time to put an end to this.

Hi. Yes, I was left with no choice but to approach the Cyber Crime division. Had filed a complaint and they immediately froze his account. Any person with a single gram of conscience would rectify this unethical approach. Unfortunately our friend is made of a different circuit. Without remorse, he offers me a part payment on the pre-condition that I withdraw my complaint and allow him to use his account. But prior to 'his offer', he first claimed that he has an 'other'account to live out of, hence this is just a minor glitch. And later, I'm told, the frozen account has no money in it. I have also been christened a 'Drama Queen', since I was vehemently expressing my anguish.

I now await the senior police official's advice here. The amount, in the larger expensive universe of photography, may seem small. But it is large enough for me at present, and sheds a bigger shadow of mistrust and fear of any transaction going forward.

Krishna
June 27, 7.40pm

[gsferrari]

For the benefit of the Admin and the members of JJMPF:
EXERCISE EXTREME CAUTION BEFORE BUY ANY PHOTO/ VIDEO ITEM FROM THIS PERSON.

Seller name on JJMPF: viisshnu1
GPay: Vishnu Vardhan
Truecaller: Weekend Gamer
Phone number: 7702252475

Item purchased: https://forum.jjmehta.com/index.php/topic,68851.0.html

Krishna I think it is time to file a complaint with the police as well as cyber crime wing/division. You have his mobile number and full name as well as proof of payment and extended communications with him. Time to put an end to this.

[Krishna]

For the benefit of the Admin and the members of JJMPF:
EXERCISE EXTREME CAUTION BEFORE BUY ANY PHOTO/ VIDEO ITEM FROM THIS PERSON.

Seller name on JJMPF: viisshnu1
GPay: Vishnu Vardhan
Truecaller: Weekend Gamer
Phone number: 7702252475

Item purchased: https://forum.jjmehta.com/index.php/topic,68851.0.html

JJMPF has some of the nicest people in the photography community, who are just a pleasure to interact and deal with. Unfortunately, I have now experienced the bitter side too. This person - Vishnu - posted a Nikon 50mm f/1.4D brand new, unused lens for sale on May 21, 2024. I get in touch the same night and made him an offer, to the extent my financial situation allowed me to. We had a chat but it didn't end in a sale. The next day he checked with me, but my offer was still the same. Later, that very day - May 22 - he surprisingly agreed and asked for an extra Rs 100 for packaging material. I first paid him this 100 bucks via GPay and post confirmation of receipt via Whatsapp, I made the full payment for the lens immediately. This was May 22. Next day, as I expect a message with tracking number and the shipping cost, he texts me saying that he's to travel to Bangalore and that his brother will take care of the courier during the weekend.

Weekend passed by. No news. I ask him about it. Said he'll check and let me know. Later I'm informed that the brother can't do the shipping, and that I should positively hear about the shipment that weekend (the 2nd weekend of the saga.)

This weekend too passed. No news. Now he states that he's still out of Hyderabad and would courier it the following weekend. Same blank promise, a third weekend now.

Again, like a sinister pattern, complete silence. I check with him one more time on Monday ie yesterday June 10. I'm now told that he's back in Hyderabad but has a client job for which he'll have to use the lens. So no commitment on when I would get it.

A lens that was touted as brand new and unused, and considered for purchase accordingly - and even paid for - is sought to be used for an indefinite time. All the while - for 21 odd days since I first interacted and 20 days since payment - I have been extremely patient and polite. Sure, people can have personal problems that prevent them discharging their duty or obligation, but this decision to wilfully not send the lens took the cake, and the bakery too. So I asked for my money back. Now I get open-ended replies of one more month for repayment, which after intense argument dropped to "earliest" and "as soon as possible".

Uncertainty loomed large though. I gave him two options, either return my money by Tuesday, June 11, or put the lens in the courier by 11th morning. He can't splurge my money and not send me my lens. I mean, this is outrightly unprofessional and downright unethical. Unilaterally deciding to use a lens which has been paid for - with no commitment on refund of payment made - raises serious red flags about this seller's true intentions. He didn't have the scruples to inform or check with me about his decision to prolong the delivery for an additional month and to use the item for a likely commercial shoot. It's exactly 3 weeks since I made the money transfer. I don't have my money back nor do I get the lens. In what world is this ok?

I had made this payment clearly communicating that I'm stretching my extremely low finances just for this lens' sake. Not here to fund some immoral person's filmmaking activity, by paying interest out of my own pocket on my loan. What an unscruplous low life. Waiting for my money now, since I received no shipping confirmation info by 8pm today (June 11).