A guy showed up at the shop door today with a pick-up load of new
equipment to sell. It probably wasn't a scam as the truck was painted
with the same logo/brand as the equipment. Anyway, the story was that
the items were left from the trade show and they wanted to sell them
rather than return them to the head office or sit on them. Can't
remember the exact brand but it was familiar but not major label.

2 generators on rolling carts..didn't get the exact specs but one was
diesel and rated at 18 amps, 240 the other at 30 amps 240

1 gas powered air compressor. Twin "hot dog" tanks that appeared to add
up to about 15 gallons. I would guess it was about 6 HP

1 pressure washer...probably about 6 horse

1 trash pump which I couldn't see well due to the amount of shrink wrap.

All items were new and still in shrink wrap with warranties that were
also transferable.

book list was $18,000 which probably means that retail was about $
8000-$ 10000 (guess)

He wanted $ 4600 for the lot. I said all I could go was $ 2500 which he
passed on. Didn't need it and didn't have time to try and sell on e-bay.

What would you have done (and I know you can't see the stuff)? One
generator would have been nice but the rest was a little too much to
take on a whim.

Koz

Koz wrote:

A guy showed up at the shop door today with a pick-up load of new
equipment to sell. It probably wasn't a scam as the truck was painted
with the same logo/brand as the equipment. Anyway, the story was that
the items were left from the trade show and they wanted to sell them
rather than return them to the head office or sit on them. Can't
remember the exact brand but it was familiar but not major label.

2 generators on rolling carts..didn't get the exact specs but one was
diesel and rated at 18 amps, 240 the other at 30 amps 240

1 gas powered air compressor. Twin "hot dog" tanks that appeared to add
up to about 15 gallons. I would guess it was about 6 HP

1 pressure washer...probably about 6 horse

1 trash pump which I couldn't see well due to the amount of shrink wrap.

All items were new and still in shrink wrap with warranties that were
also transferable.

book list was $18,000 which probably means that retail was about $
8000-$ 10000 (guess)

He wanted $ 4600 for the lot. I said all I could go was $ 2500 which he
passed on. Didn't need it and didn't have time to try and sell on e-bay.

What would you have done (and I know you can't see the stuff)? One
generator would have been nice but the rest was a little too much to
take on a whim.

I think that $2500 would have been a good deal if
you could turn some of it around. Given the situation,
I think $4600 is way too much.

"Koz" wrote in message
...
A guy showed up at the shop door today with a pick-up load of new
equipment to sell. It probably wasn't a scam as the truck was painted with
the same logo/brand as the equipment.

Even though the equipment matched the truck, you would have to confirm that
the driver was authorized to sell the items. Just to be safe, I'd place a
quick call to the company office and ask them to fax a letter (on company
letterhead) authorizing the sale.


Anyway, the story was that the items were left from the trade show
and they wanted to sell them rather than return them to the head
office or sit on them.

Yup. It's a real hassle (and major expense) moving goods to and from
tradeshows. So it's not uncommon for exhibitors to sell off their display
items at a discount to save themselves from the return trip.

But as I mentioned earlier, sometimes the person offering to sell the stuff
is not authorized to do so. This is most often seen with third-party vendors
or independent reps who are contracted to exhibit the goods. They are given
the products to show only.


He wanted $ 4600 for the lot. I said all I could go was $ 2500 which he
passed on. Didn't need it and didn't have time to try and sell on e-bay.

What would you have done (and I know you can't see the stuff)? One
generator would have been nice but the rest was a little too much to take
on a whim.

Did you make an offer on one generator only?

As for the value of the lot, it's difficult to say without knowing the
wholesale value. But if you weren't ready to lay out the cash to take the
lot (and then deal with the hassle of storing and reselling it), then it's
probably moot to worry about it in retrospect.

- Michael

The truck and all may have been stolen. I would definitely not buy without
confirming the legitimacy of the deal. It seems odd that AFTER a trade show
the stuff would still be shrink-wrapped like new. Was there awctually a
trade show in the area, that you know of? Someone may be running around
looking for his truck.

This is apparently a standard "come on". We had the same package
offer. My boss went for it hook, line, and sinker,though I don't
know what he gave for them. The only tool we have used so far is
the power washer. All the tools are engine driven. The engine is
an indistinguishable copy of Honda, but I'm fairly sure it is made
in Chaiwan. The engine has performed well and the pump has done
what we asked of it.

I would worry about warranty, etc. If you are interested, I will
try to remember to write down the brand name. I looked them up on
the internet when we bought them, but there was very little
information on the site. The tools all have an 800 number written
on them to call for warranty and parts - NO EXPERIENCE.

(top posted for your convenience)
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Keep the whole world singing . . . .
DanG (remove the sevens)




"Koz" wrote in message
...
A guy showed up at the shop door today with a pick-up load of new
equipment to sell. It probably wasn't a scam as the truck was
painted with the same logo/brand as the equipment. Anyway, the
story was that the items were left from the trade show and they
wanted to sell them rather than return them to the head office or
sit on them. Can't remember the exact brand but it was familiar
but not major label.

2 generators on rolling carts..didn't get the exact specs but
one was diesel and rated at 18 amps, 240 the other at 30 amps
240

1 gas powered air compressor. Twin "hot dog" tanks that
appeared to add up to about 15 gallons. I would guess it was
about 6 HP

1 pressure washer...probably about 6 horse

1 trash pump which I couldn't see well due to the amount of
shrink wrap.

All items were new and still in shrink wrap with warranties that
were also transferable.

book list was $18,000 which probably means that retail was about
$ 8000-$ 10000 (guess)

He wanted $ 4600 for the lot. I said all I could go was $ 2500
which he passed on. Didn't need it and didn't have time to try
and sell on e-bay.

What would you have done (and I know you can't see the stuff)?
One generator would have been nice but the rest was a little too
much to take on a whim.

Koz

Koz wrote:
A guy showed up at the shop door today with a pick-up load of new
equipment to sell. It probably wasn't a scam as the truck was painted
with the same logo/brand as the equipment. ...

Maybe he stole the truck too....

--

FF

I was called by a friend of mine who was at a job sight with the same offer.
The seller was asking $7000. He wanted me to come down and work a deal. Not
something I wanted to do.
"DanG" wrote in message
news:myNne.256$Zt.160@okepread05...
This is apparently a standard "come on". We had the same package offer.
My boss went for it hook, line, and sinker,though I don't know what he
gave for them. The only tool we have used so far is the power washer.
All the tools are engine driven. The engine is an indistinguishable copy
of Honda, but I'm fairly sure it is made in Chaiwan. The engine has
performed well and the pump has done what we asked of it.

I would worry about warranty, etc. If you are interested, I will try to
remember to write down the brand name. I looked them up on the internet
when we bought them, but there was very little information on the site.
The tools all have an 800 number written on them to call for warranty and
parts - NO EXPERIENCE.

(top posted for your convenience)
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Keep the whole world singing . . . .
DanG (remove the sevens)




"Koz" wrote in message
...
A guy showed up at the shop door today with a pick-up load of new
equipment to sell. It probably wasn't a scam as the truck was painted
with the same logo/brand as the equipment. Anyway, the story was that the
items were left from the trade show and they wanted to sell them rather
than return them to the head office or sit on them. Can't remember the
exact brand but it was familiar but not major label.

2 generators on rolling carts..didn't get the exact specs but one was
diesel and rated at 18 amps, 240 the other at 30 amps 240

1 gas powered air compressor. Twin "hot dog" tanks that appeared to add
up to about 15 gallons. I would guess it was about 6 HP

1 pressure washer...probably about 6 horse

1 trash pump which I couldn't see well due to the amount of shrink wrap.

All items were new and still in shrink wrap with warranties that were
also transferable.

book list was $18,000 which probably means that retail was about $ 8000-$
10000 (guess)

He wanted $ 4600 for the lot. I said all I could go was $ 2500 which he
passed on. Didn't need it and didn't have time to try and sell on e-bay.

What would you have done (and I know you can't see the stuff)? One
generator would have been nice but the rest was a little too much to take
on a whim.

Koz

Was the company name "Carolina" or something similar? Vague reports on the
web seem to indicate that many (all?) of their products seem to get sold
this way. A Google groups or standard web search should turn up more info.

A friend bought a Carolina horizontal bandsaw under similar circumstances.
He seems to think it works OK but has only recently got around to trying it
out, years after he bought it.

BTW, was there a trade show in your area at the time?

"Koz" wrote in message
...
A guy showed up at the shop door today with a pick-up load of new equipment
to sell. It probably wasn't a scam as the truck was painted with the same
logo/brand as the equipment. Anyway, the story was that the items were
left from the trade show and they wanted to sell them rather than return
them to the head office or sit on them. Can't remember the exact brand but
it was familiar but not major label.

2 generators on rolling carts..didn't get the exact specs but one was
diesel and rated at 18 amps, 240 the other at 30 amps 240

1 gas powered air compressor. Twin "hot dog" tanks that appeared to add
up to about 15 gallons. I would guess it was about 6 HP

1 pressure washer...probably about 6 horse

1 trash pump which I couldn't see well due to the amount of shrink wrap.

All items were new and still in shrink wrap with warranties that were also
transferable.

book list was $18,000 which probably means that retail was about $ 8000-$
10000 (guess)

He wanted $ 4600 for the lot. I said all I could go was $ 2500 which he
passed on. Didn't need it and didn't have time to try and sell on e-bay.

What would you have done (and I know you can't see the stuff)? One
generator would have been nice but the rest was a little too much to take
on a whim.

Koz

No need to kick yourself unless you just LOVE to take a chance. They
always say that an offer that is too good to be true probably is.

Stuff was either misrepresented, stolen, or some low grade Chinese
knockoff. If it wasn't stolen I'll guarantee you can buy the same stuff
for the same price, but not have to take the extra that you don't want.

I did a quick scan, looks like the total was about $3500 if bought from
the usual off brand internet sources.

Koz wrote:
A guy showed up at the shop door today with a pick-up load of new
equipment to sell. It probably wasn't a scam as the truck was painted
with the same logo/brand as the equipment. Anyway, the story was that
the items were left from the trade show and they wanted to sell them
rather than return them to the head office or sit on them. Can't
remember the exact brand but it was familiar but not major label.

2 generators on rolling carts..didn't get the exact specs but one was
diesel and rated at 18 amps, 240 the other at 30 amps 240

1 gas powered air compressor. Twin "hot dog" tanks that appeared to add
up to about 15 gallons. I would guess it was about 6 HP

1 pressure washer...probably about 6 horse

1 trash pump which I couldn't see well due to the amount of shrink wrap.

All items were new and still in shrink wrap with warranties that were
also transferable.

book list was $18,000 which probably means that retail was about $
8000-$ 10000 (guess)

He wanted $ 4600 for the lot. I said all I could go was $ 2500 which he
passed on. Didn't need it and didn't have time to try and sell on e-bay.

What would you have done (and I know you can't see the stuff)? One
generator would have been nice but the rest was a little too much to
take on a whim.

Koz

On Thu, 02 Jun 2005 15:57:01 -0700, Koz wrote:
A guy showed up at the shop door today with a pick-up load of new
equipment to sell. It probably wasn't a scam as the truck was painted
with the same logo/brand as the equipment. Anyway, the story was that
the items were left from the trade show and they wanted to sell them
rather than return them to the head office or sit on them. Can't
remember the exact brand but it was familiar but not major label.

Danger, classic scam technique there, pretty much word for word...

He wanted $ 4600 for the lot. I said all I could go was $ 2500 which he
passed on. Didn't need it and didn't have time to try and sell on e-bay.

What would you have done (and I know you can't see the stuff)? One
generator would have been nice but the rest was a little too much to
take on a whim.

I think you did well by not biting. Tooo many crap tools out there.

wrote:
A guy showed up at the shop door today with a pick-up load of new
equipment to sell. It probably wasn't a scam as the truck was painted
with the same logo/brand as the equipment. Anyway, the story was that
the items were left from the trade show and they wanted to sell them
rather than return them to the head office or sit on them. Can't
remember the exact brand but it was familiar but not major label.

Danger, classic scam technique there, pretty much word for word...

He wanted $ 4600 for the lot. I said all I could go was $ 2500 which he
passed on. Didn't need it and didn't have time to try and sell on e-bay.

What would you have done (and I know you can't see the stuff)? One
generator would have been nice but the rest was a little too much to
take on a whim.


Did he give you a local address and phone number where he could be reached
in case you had a problem?

I didn't think so.

I don't buy much where I have to make up my mind in a very short time.
Particularly when you are talking seven grand. Unless it is something you
are totally familiar with, and know it is worth the money.

You should pat yourself on the back. And the wallet. Ya dun good.

Steve

Given the sales situation, even if it was all name-brand,
top-of-the-line stuff, the offer is suspect. You dodged the bullet.

Even if everything was in order and he gave you some phone number and
address, that's small consolation when local law enforcement comes and
confiscates it. The phone number is disconnected and the address
bogus.

Koz wrote:
A guy showed up at the shop door today with a pick-up load of new
equipment to sell.
Koz

On Thu, 02 Jun 2005 15:57:01 -0700, Koz
wrote:

A guy showed up at the shop door today with a pick-up load of new
equipment to sell.

I've seen this 'pickup full of equipment from a show' marketing ploy
several times. They seem to target small businesses where they can
talk to an owner who has the means to write a big check for the entire
truckload.

I know someone who **did** buy the entire load, but I haven't heard
any impressions of the quality of the equipment. If memory serves the
manufacturer was in one of the Carolinas but that is all I remember.

Jim

Koz wrote:

book list was $18000
retail was about $8000-$ 10000 (guess)
He wanted $4600
I could go was $2500

Do you really think this deal was legal?

Do you have the sellers name? Did you get a bill? Why do they have
machines on display at a show and when bringing them home they are
shrink wrapped?


Nick

--
"Wissenschafts"-Sendung auf einem der Privat-Kanäle:
"Der Behälter fasst 200.000 Kubik-Liter."
Wie viele Quadrat-Stunden braucht es dann wohl, um ihn voll zu bekommen?

""Nick Müller"" wrote in message
...
Koz wrote:

book list was $18000
retail was about $8000-$ 10000 (guess)
He wanted $4600
I could go was $2500

Do you really think this deal was legal?

Do you have the sellers name? Did you get a bill? Why do they have
machines on display at a show and when bringing them home they are
shrink wrapped?


Nick


The only honest thing above (and maybe not) is the shrink wrapping. I
worked conventions for years. At the end of machinery shows, it is common
to reskid and shrink for shipping.

I don't think that is what was happening in this case, but it does happen at
real trade shows.

Steve

On Fri, 03 Jun 2005 13:13:04 GMT, Jim in VA
wrote:

On Thu, 02 Jun 2005 15:57:01 -0700, Koz
wrote:

A guy showed up at the shop door today with a pick-up load of new
equipment to sell.

I've seen this 'pickup full of equipment from a show' marketing ploy
several times. They seem to target small businesses where they can
talk to an owner who has the means to write a big check for the entire
truckload.

I know someone who **did** buy the entire load, but I haven't heard
any impressions of the quality of the equipment. If memory serves the
manufacturer was in one of the Carolinas but that is all I remember.

Jim

I got a taiwanese drill press from such a truck in the early 80s. They
showed up, the boss bought the load and then sold off the stuff to the
employees at cost (I liked! working for that guy). I still have it in
my shop. Still runs fine.

Gunner

"Pax Americana is a philosophy. Hardly an empire.
Making sure other people play nice and dont kill each other (and us)
off in job lots is hardly empire building, particularly when you give
them self determination under "play nice" rules.

Think of it as having your older brother knock the **** out of you
for torturing the cat." Gunner

book list was $18000
retail was about $8000-$ 10000 (guess)
He wanted $4600
I could go was $2500



PSSSSSSSSSSTTTTTTTT.. Hey, Buddy ............ wanna buy a Rolex
??????????????? ..................

Steve

On Fri, 3 Jun 2005 10:04:27 -0700, "SteveB"
wrote:

book list was $18000
retail was about $8000-$ 10000 (guess)
He wanted $4600
I could go was $2500



PSSSSSSSSSSTTTTTTTT.. Hey, Buddy ............ wanna buy a Rolex
??????????????? ..................

Steve

My Dad, for a joke, bought several "Rolex" watches for our family when
he was traveling. Not from some guy in the street, but in a store. And
they sure were cheap looking. No way could they have been mistaken for
the real thing. We all got a laugh. I think he only paid about 1
dollar US for each watch.
ERS

Be very careful. They may be Irish Travelers. Check out
http://www.fraudtech.bizland.com/travelers.htm . They usually represent the
Rebel Tool and Equipment Co. of South Carolina but have used other equipment
names.

Terry

"Koz" wrote in message
...
A guy showed up at the shop door today with a pick-up load of new
equipment to sell. It probably wasn't a scam as the truck was painted
with the same logo/brand as the equipment. Anyway, the story was that
the items were left from the trade show and they wanted to sell them
rather than return them to the head office or sit on them. Can't
remember the exact brand but it was familiar but not major label.

2 generators on rolling carts..didn't get the exact specs but one was
diesel and rated at 18 amps, 240 the other at 30 amps 240

1 gas powered air compressor. Twin "hot dog" tanks that appeared to add
up to about 15 gallons. I would guess it was about 6 HP

1 pressure washer...probably about 6 horse

1 trash pump which I couldn't see well due to the amount of shrink wrap.

All items were new and still in shrink wrap with warranties that were
also transferable.

book list was $18,000 which probably means that retail was about $
8000-$ 10000 (guess)

He wanted $ 4600 for the lot. I said all I could go was $ 2500 which he
passed on. Didn't need it and didn't have time to try and sell on e-bay.

What would you have done (and I know you can't see the stuff)? One
generator would have been nice but the rest was a little too much to
take on a whim.

Koz

Terry wrote:

Be very careful. They may be Irish Travelers. Check out
http://www.fraudtech.bizland.com/travelers.htm . They usually represent the
Rebel Tool and Equipment Co. of South Carolina but have used other equipment
names.

Terry

Now that you mention it, it does sound a LOT like the same kind of scam.
Same glossy sales pages, same high list price and low sell price, etc.
Everything dressed to look legitimate but probably junk quality if even
that good. Glad that I walked away from it. It wasn't the company
mentioned in the web page but it was'nt a famaliar enough brand to say
that the stuff was "real". (travers tool? something like that? just
can't remember)

Koz


"Koz" wrote in message
...


A guy showed up at the shop door today with a pick-up load of new
equipment to sell. It probably wasn't a scam as the truck was painted
with the same logo/brand as the equipment. Anyway, the story was that
the items were left from the trade show and they wanted to sell them
rather than return them to the head office or sit on them. Can't
remember the exact brand but it was familiar but not major label.

2 generators on rolling carts..didn't get the exact specs but one was
diesel and rated at 18 amps, 240 the other at 30 amps 240

1 gas powered air compressor. Twin "hot dog" tanks that appeared to add
up to about 15 gallons. I would guess it was about 6 HP

1 pressure washer...probably about 6 horse

1 trash pump which I couldn't see well due to the amount of shrink wrap.

All items were new and still in shrink wrap with warranties that were
also transferable.

book list was $18,000 which probably means that retail was about $
8000-$ 10000 (guess)

He wanted $ 4600 for the lot. I said all I could go was $ 2500 which he
passed on. Didn't need it and didn't have time to try and sell on e-bay.

What would you have done (and I know you can't see the stuff)? One
generator would have been nice but the rest was a little too much to
take on a whim.

Koz

I don't think you missed on much.......this has been going on for at least
40 years that I'm aware of.

Years ago, around New England, it was a small hydraulic press, an engine
crane, and a transmission jack.

Several years ago - before I knew any better - I was staying at the Econo
Lodge in Asheboro, NC. When I came out to leave, early in the morning,
several pickup trucks were backed up to a 40-foot trailer, loading up the
day's sales inventory.

They used to prowl gas stations and independent garages with "great", very
negotiable offers.

The stuff was the equivalent of today's Chinese stuff.

Sounds to me as though they've expanded their SKUs.




Koz wrote in article
...
A guy showed up at the shop door today with a pick-up load of new
equipment to sell. It probably wasn't a scam as the truck was painted
with the same logo/brand as the equipment. Anyway, the story was that
the items were left from the trade show and they wanted to sell them
rather than return them to the head office or sit on them. Can't
remember the exact brand but it was familiar but not major label.

2 generators on rolling carts..didn't get the exact specs but one was
diesel and rated at 18 amps, 240 the other at 30 amps 240

1 gas powered air compressor. Twin "hot dog" tanks that appeared to add
up to about 15 gallons. I would guess it was about 6 HP

1 pressure washer...probably about 6 horse

1 trash pump which I couldn't see well due to the amount of shrink wrap.

All items were new and still in shrink wrap with warranties that were
also transferable.

book list was $18,000 which probably means that retail was about $
8000-$ 10000 (guess)

He wanted $ 4600 for the lot. I said all I could go was $ 2500 which he
passed on. Didn't need it and didn't have time to try and sell on e-bay.

What would you have done (and I know you can't see the stuff)? One
generator would have been nice but the rest was a little too much to
take on a whim.

Koz

"Ignoramus26831" wrote

My general rule is to refuse any solicitations where the seller has an
informational advantage (knows more than me) or demands an immediate
decision.

i


That, my friend is profound.

Steve

On 4 Jun 2005 01:17:02 GMT, Ignoramus26831
wrote:


My general rule is to refuse any solicitations where the seller has an
informational advantage (knows more than me) or demands an immediate
decision.

Or comes knocking on my door despite the no soliciting sign the argues
that they are not soliciting, at this point I offer to demonstrate how
I remove unwanted growth with my $2 weed whacker.
Gerry :-)}
London, Canada

On Thu, 02 Jun 2005 15:57:01 -0700, Koz
wrote:

A guy showed up at the shop door today with a pick-up load of new
equipment to sell. It probably wasn't a scam as the truck was painted
with the same logo/brand as the equipment. Anyway, the story was that
the items were left from the trade show and they wanted to sell them
rather than return them to the head office or sit on them. Can't
remember the exact brand but it was familiar but not major label.

It's been said here multiple times here, but

"You were wise to be Leary, Timothy..." ;-)

I would have given him the bum's rush right then, and picked up a
phone to dial 911 if they didn't drop the subject and leave. NOW.
Our business is completed, now you are trespassing. And if he still
doesn't get the message you might have to resort to letting him
'accidentally' catch a glimpse of the butt of your weapon in the
shoulder holster.

If you want to buy low-cost equipment with a minimum (but actually
usable) warranty, call Harbor Freight. Buying stuff of unknown (and
unknowable) lineage out of the back of someone's truck is a recipe for
disaster on several levels - it's probably junk that will break inside
of an hour, but it could also be stolen, too.

Or they're using it as a distraction searching for a bonus. So they
come up to a one-man shop and have you out front dealing with the
'salesman', while his associate (who you conveniently enough haven't
been introduced to, he was lurking on the sidewalk) is inside your
office stealing a few sheets of blank checks out of the back of your
checkbook...

If you buy the equipment they have your signature on the equipment
PO to use for check forgery practice, if not they only have to fool
the check cashing store, not your bank's tellers...

-- Bruce --
--
Bruce L. Bergman, Woodland Hills (Los Angeles) CA - Desktop
Electrician for Westend Electric - CA726700
5737 Kanan Rd. #359, Agoura CA 91301 (818) 889-9545
Spamtrapped address: Remove the python and the invalid, and use a net.

Good article.

I have met and watched them at work...the article is accurate.

No salesman has your interest as his primary concern, may it be tools,
insurance or whatever.

TMT

Koz wrote:


Terry wrote:

Be very careful. They may be Irish Travelers. Check out
http://www.fraudtech.bizland.com/travelers.htm . They usually
represent the
Rebel Tool and Equipment Co. of South Carolina but have used other
equipment
names.

Terry

Now that you mention it, it does sound a LOT like the same kind of scam.
Same glossy sales pages, same high list price and low sell price, etc.
Everything dressed to look legitimate but probably junk quality if even
that good. Glad that I walked away from it. It wasn't the company
mentioned in the web page but it was'nt a famaliar enough brand to say
that the stuff was "real". (travers tool? something like that? just
can't remember)

Good link, thanks Terry.

I don't see these in my neck of the woods, but we do get the barn roof
painters from down south every summer, same sort of style but southern
accents instead of Irish..

The ones that we get around here that really **** me off are young,
college-student looking types that will come into a business and sell
trash from a big black nylon shoulder bag. I went around with the wife
over them, she viewed them as just people trying to make a living and
couldn't see my point that they were burning her customers in her
establishment, with the result that the ripped-off customers would see
her as the source of their troubles. She finally saw that it was true,
but it took a long time..

I finally solved the issue by catching one at the door- when asked
nicely once, and then told not nicely again, he refused to leave.
Offering to punch his nose 'till I couldn't reach him anymore, convinced
him to leave. The fact that he was the last one to show up demonstrated
that they were all of the same bunch and keeping track of the suckers.

John

Koz wrote:
A guy showed up at the shop door today with a pick-up load of new
equipment to sell. It probably wasn't a scam as the truck was painted
with the same logo/brand as the equipment. Anyway, the story was that
the items were left from the trade show and they wanted to sell them
rather than return them to the head office or sit on them. Can't
remember the exact brand but it was familiar but not major label.

2 generators on rolling carts..didn't get the exact specs but one was
diesel and rated at 18 amps, 240 the other at 30 amps 240

1 gas powered air compressor. Twin "hot dog" tanks that appeared to add
up to about 15 gallons. I would guess it was about 6 HP

1 pressure washer...probably about 6 horse

1 trash pump which I couldn't see well due to the amount of shrink wrap.

All items were new and still in shrink wrap with warranties that were
also transferable.

book list was $18,000 which probably means that retail was about $ 8000-$
10000 (guess)

He wanted $ 4600 for the lot. I said all I could go was $ 2500 which he
passed on. Didn't need it and didn't have time to try and sell on e-bay.

What would you have done (and I know you can't see the stuff)? One
generator would have been nice but the rest was a little too much to take
on a whim.

That's the same guy and same truck that wanders around our area about twice
a year. (well... same scam, anyway).

They tout the goods as being 100% US-made and fully warranted by a company
out of North Carolina. But if you peek under certain edges, you see "made
in Taiwan" on a few items.

What they mean by "made in the USA" is, they buy the equipment _almost_
fully assembled. Then they drive in a few screws, put on castors, etc., and
post-lable the materials with their logo. Ta-DA! Made in the USA!

Yup.

(BTW... that same scam is used for much US-made clothing. They buy it from
the sweat-shop countries, sew on a button or logo, and call it US goods)

LLoyd