Beware of a scammer/thief at Voodooman Switches

[Tollywood]

I'm so mad, I can hardly form a coherent thought.

I've just learned that I've been ripped off to the tune of $150 from Voodooman Switches. This jerk who calls himself James has a website and he claims to make switches for amplifiers. It is a scam and I hope that I can save some of you from a similar fate.

VoodooMan Switches - Home

I sent him a postal money order, so paypal cannot help me.

I've since researched the scam, and I was horrified to learn that there is a facebook page dedicated to this problem: Scammed by Voodooman Switches. I really wish I would have researched this first, but his website seems so legit.

Having a bad day...

 

[xjbebop]

scammers suck.....
Sorry to hear that Mr. T
Very admirable of you to share & warn....thnx!

 

[kestrou]

So you send him money and he sends you nothing? Oh boy...

Thanks for sending up a flare on this, Tollie!

Kevin

 

[FantasyMetal]

That sucks man, is there any way to recoup your losses?

 

[canuck6string]

I clicked the link you provided Tollie and my anti-virus icon flashed caution and warning.

 

[browndog]

Sorry to hear that, Bryan.

Scammers bring out the beast in me.

 

[kestrou]

Just for fun I took a peek at who registered the domain name - and they used a proxy service so the owner's name isn't public...

Better Business Bureau certainly doesn't like them - 53 complaints of non-delivery in the last three years: VoodooMan Switches Business Review in Washougal, WA - Alaska, Oregon and Western Washington BBB

Holy cow - here's a TV newscast on the topic: Video Landing Page - KPTV - FOX 12

Kevin

 

[edhalen]

Ouch. Sorry to hear about this Brian.

 

[DarthV]

Wouldn't that be mail fraud?

 

[DrewH]

Wouldn't that be mail fraud?

Sending a postal money order is better than paypal. Its indeed mail fraud. Report it to the post office that you got the money order from. They'll nail him.

 

[Another Noob]

Sorry to hear it Tollie but at least we all know now...

Saw this posted on another forum...

Contact this officer, he is investigating. Spread the word!
Thad Eakins, Detective
Washougal Police Department
1320 A Street ● Washougal , WA 98671
Tel: 360.833.7915 ● Fax: 360.835.7559
Cell: 360.518.6093

Can't hurt to reach out especially because it's now potentially a mail fraud/postal maybe federal kind of thing from the way you described it...

 

[Tim O'Sullivan]

I 'bought' a switch from this company for my Roland Cube a while back and I seem to be in the minority of people who actually to have received it. It took ages though - over 6 months! The guy never replies unless you say you are approaching your credit card company for a refund. Even then it takes an eternity. Best avoided.

 

[Tollywood]

Sorry to hear it Tollie but at least we all know now...

Saw this posted on another forum...



Can't hurt to reach out especially because it's now potentially a mail fraud/postal maybe federal kind of thing from the way you described it...

Thank you everyone for the kind words. I really appreciate the support from you guys. I just left a message on Detective Eakins' voice mail (thanks a million Another Noob). Thank you Darth V and Drew - I will go to the post office right from work tomorrow to file a complaint.

I am really mad about the money, but I equally bummed about the non-existent pedal. If the pedal were real, it would allow me to blend the clean channel with the dirty channel on the fly, like the factory pedal did; kind of an odd feature. Plus, I could switch from clean to dirty, and the boost for leads. I never had the factory pedal. A random pedal won't do what the Gibson Super Goldtone requires. This is the amp:

Wow, Kevin, I wish I had researched the BBB ratings before buying. Sadly, I entered my debit card info into the site to place the order, but he contacted me to say this:

Comments on your Order:
Hello Byran,

First let me apologize for the delay on your order. We have been experiencing some technical difficulties with our credit card processor in which we are trying to remedy. Your order is ready but we cannot ship until payment is confirmed. Is it possible to pay with Paypal? If so can you please send me your Paypal payment email address so we can send you an invoice for payment.

Again, I apologize for the inconvenience and would like to get your order to you soon as possible.

James
VoodooMan Switches


So, I had to cancel my debit card and order a new one. Nothing was stolen from my account...yet. I should have been suspicious when he called me "Byran".

 

[Johnny Alien]

Sending a postal money order is better than paypal. Its indeed mail fraud. Report it to the post office that you got the money order from. They'll nail him.

A postal money order is no different than any other money order. I used to believe this too until I got scammed and tried to talk to the PO about fraud and they said there is nothing that could be done and it was just a standard MO. Paypal is the quickest and easiest way to protect yourself.

 

[wired]

I bought a footswitch from this guy several years ago on eBay. Same deal, I paid & several weeks went by with nothing shipped. I filed a complaint w ebay & PayPal. Only then did he finally ship the damn thing. Probably took 2 months to get it.

 

[Ciranimal]

I bought a footswitch for my 5150 a while back. It took a long time to receive. Maybe you haven't waited long enough?

 

[Tollywood]

I bought a footswitch for my 5150 a while back. It took a long time to receive. Maybe you haven't waited long enough?

Wow, I am surprised to hear that he actually does produce a product. His complete lack of communication since receiving the money order two weeks ago and his past history of screwing people lead me to fear the worst. 53 people filed a complaint with the BBB saying they never received a pedal. So, perhaps a visit from the detective will prompt him to deliver? We shall see...

 

[Magic Jason]

Well... Now I'm curious.

How are his pedals? Do they work? Do they look good??? Let us know..

 

[DrewH]

A postal money order is no different than any other money order. I used to believe this too until I got scammed and tried to talk to the PO about fraud and they said there is nothing that could be done and it was just a standard MO. Paypal is the quickest and easiest way to protect yourself.

Wow..if thats the case, then that sucks. Its definitely not how is used to be. They used to go after people who did stuff like that. Before Paypal, the USPS money order was the way to go.

There is a phone # for the US Postal Inspection division on the USPS website. I'd recommend calling that if the PO won't do anything.

 

[Tollywood]

Wow..if thats the case, then that sucks. Its definitely not how is used to be. They used to go after people who did stuff like that. Before Paypal, the USPS money order was the way to go.

There is a phone # for the US Postal Inspection division on the USPS website. I'd recommend calling that if the PO won't do anything.

Thank you, I will try everything.