Beware FIREBURST

[Moveable Beast]

I've probably been screwed out of near $1K, so please watch out for yourselves if you're dealing with Fireburst from Germany.

I was doing a trade with him, my Triaxis for his 7-string (see here (http://acapella.harmony-central.com/showthread.php?t=2278728) for the original trade thread). I sent the Triaxis on May 26, 2009, and he apparently got it on June 8th, when he edited the thread. After I sent it, he ignored my e-mails and his PM box was full (or I was blocked), but he got very responsive after I started a thread in the Counterfeits section. He asked me to delete the thread and that I could start another one in a couple of week's time if I wasn't happy. Well, I gave him a month and a half before I took him up on his offer.

At that time, he reported that the Triaxis I traded him, and the guitar he was trading me were both stuck in Customs. On 7/15 he said that the guitar was clear of German Customs and that he would be sending along tracking information. He hasn't responded to e-mails since then, and it looks like he's abandoned his HC account and possibly his e-mail account.

I tried to put this in the Bad Deals forum, but I didn't get a response from the moderator after more than two weeks, so I've gone back to this forum which looks like the most appropriate place on the site.

[Optimusprime123]

Dang, thats horrible. I feel for you man

[Moveable Beast]

Thanks OP123. At this point, my hope is that he doesn't get a chance to rip off anybody else.

[Moveable Beast]

Apparently, this isn't the first time he's ripped people off on HC either. Here's (http://www.rig-talk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=19414&view=next) a post from 2007 on another board.

[Moveable Beast]

Well it looks like the thief got on his account long enough to threaten the mod despite the fact that the thief told me I could post his name if he didn't send the guitar within two weeks. I won't go against Anderton's wishes and repost his name, but the fact that he's abandoned his account and is probably going by another handle now makes this all pretty useless.

The name of the thief is in the link in the post above where someone warns about doing business with him after he ripped them off on HC in 2007. If you don't click through, I would just advise anyone to beware doing deals with anyone in Germany.

Edited to add another link showing that in addition to ripping people off on HC, he's a computer chess cheat too (http://www.stmintz.com/ccc/index.php?id=345226). He's not an honest guy.

[7sickstrings]

"Computer Chess Club"...



Is that like the geek version of the 72 virgins in paradise?

[SPONGEBOB]

Never do business overseas.. especially trades.

never do a trade deal without talking on the phone a few times to the person and getting a feel for what he's like... I usually try and get several phone #'s including a work #... If in doubt or are overly concerned it may be a scam,the best way is go to FEDEX with the guitar in the shipping box, and have them look up to see if the name and address are legit.They do it in seconds, and then you can rest assured. You need to be cautious, but I have done several trade deals that worked out great, because I was very diligent in making damn sure the trade partner was legit. If they really want to make the deal, the other person will be forthcoming in giving you lots of proof of who they are, lots of contact info etc.. Its MUCH harder if people are in other countries, so I avoid that sort of thing, as do the vast majority of ebayers,,On THIS forum, look for guys that have been here awhile, many [like me] are horse traders, want a good deal and want to give a good deal. I am SO sorry for you getting your guitar stolen by an asshole bastard. His day will come,,,bob