I think I have experienced my first bad transaction here. I will list timeline and see what you guys think. I read a post about a fellow wanting something that I had. I sent it to him without payment letting him to drive before buying. The timeline is as follows

3 Mar- Item sent
8 Mar- Item arrived
8 April- We discussed trades.
22 April- More discussion
4 May- $$ price agreed upon. I sent my address
16 May- He hasn't sent money. Had various reasons
24 May- PM'ed no reply
29 May- PM'ed no reply
31 May- Email sent no reply
This wasn't a bow but an accessory but it looks like I'm still out. I did offer to him that in lieu of the $$ he could return the accessory, to no avail.
I guess there is nothing I can do but thought someone might have an idea. Thanks Guys

Is that person a member of this forum?

Yes

Hhhm

TradGang publishes a list of known scammers, which is about halfway down the list of topics on the main page.  This would seem to qualify.  You might want to send a PM to Terry or Rob.

It's funny; try before you buy has never worked well for me.  I've never sent someone I don't know something in the mail to try, although everything I sell can be returned to me for a refund if it's in the same condition I sent it.  But I have let local guys I know take a bow or something to try and see if they like it.  They never seem to get around to giving it back.  I eventually have to ask for it back, which is an awkward thing for me to have to do.  So in the future I think the "try before you buy" will be limited to trying it while I'm there.  Maybe the feeling is that you don't really care about something if you're willing to let someone have it and decide if they want to pay later, and eventually you'll just forget about it.

I tend to agree with McDave. Almost all retail businesses require payment before or when the goods are delivered.

Contact Terry or Rob, see what they can dig up.  If they get back to you with no success, do us all a favor and publicly out him here, that way no one else gets burned.

Knock on wood, I've never been burned in a bow transaction yet (closest thing is two used ones I sold blew on the new owners after a few months to both our horrors)  I've made some great friends, repeat buyers and repeat sellers to me that have even let me pay for bows in multiple payments and already sent me the bow to shoot (we all understand each other's addiction!!)  These things are able to happen because of something called HONOR.  However there is no honor among thieves unfortunately.  This is why it's important to feel people out, check how much they post, see if they have other forum members in good standing who vouch for them etc.

You guys are correct. I should  have been smarter.

Among most folks here on the site doing what you did is fine and trusting.  But...there are a few everywhere who take advantage and think only of themselves...

Looks like you kept records.  I myself would give them maybe one more week then "out them".   They know from this post what is coming and have that week to make correction or at least contact.

Send Rob a pm.

Don't you just go ahead and post his name on this thread and see if he'll come defend himself

One thing we absolutely freaking hate is scammers on this site

Pay up sucka!

Absent some tragic life event, it sound like he may be on his way to being banned from TG.

Sorry you are getting jerked around on this deal. I hate it when people take advantage of a generous offer.

It makes me respect a certain Bowyer,(one of our sponsers) who sent me two of his bows to try before I ordered another. No down payment required.

To be fair, I had previously bought a bow from him so we had some history.

Yeah sounds like you got taken...it sucks for sure.

I don't understand how people like that can live with themselves.

One of his reasons was a family member had to have a bi-pass and the other was baseball had him swamped. That was mid May

Having had a transaction with him previously puts you instantly in a place of trust. Because all went well I can't say I wouldn't have done the same. There are definately people on here I would let "try before you buy" just by their reputation, who they are etc. others have done it for me and I have really appreciated it and it helped me out.  This doesn't make this situation right as this person appears to be avoiding you. I'd give him one last courtesy call/email or chance to defend himself. If still NO response Then call him out so we all know who it is and not to deal with him.

Personally, I panic if I can't live up to my end of a deal on the time frame agreed upon and keep communication as open as possible. Last year I arranged a trade that was to take place 8 week in the future. 7 days later I recieved notice that my item was available and being sent. I did not sleep well until I had held up my end.....which ended up being at the 8 week point, or a pinch later. But in the end, both parties happy!

Knock on wood no problems here. I have had lots of guys send me stuff prior to payment and I've done the same.

Terry even offered a bow one time, just to try out and we have never even spoke.

This place has a rare bread of gentlemen. My bet is he will still make good, just a bit of a nudge is all he needs.

I'm going to give him the weekend then I guess I'll go on offense. I appreciate all the insight guys