wrussell46
Humble Arrogance
The last three months have been a grueling, and here is why. It's also why I haven't been around. Not because I am unable, but because this situation has ruined the hobby of cigars for me. And that makes me very sad.
As you read this, red flags are going to pop up, which when it comes to these kinds of stories, hindsight is a faithful companion.
In October last year, I got a little big for my britches and purchased some very fancy cigars via a private sale with a "merchant" via Facebook.
I paid him money via PayPal F&F and after long arguments about scams, payment types, why I had to pay a "customs, stamps, and insurance" fee he told me the shipping company would be in touch. Then he blocked me.
*It's worth mentioning here that I have short term memory issues from a head injury suffered from a motorcycle crash on the race track back in July.
Long story short, the shipping company, Dynamic Package Distribution, kept sending me emails every 2-3 weeks about my customs fees to release the package and have it delivered.
Finally I bit, and asked "how much." $300, refundable upon delivery.
And then I was invested. One payment turned into a second for Delay and Holding fee, that turned into third and then another and another. Next thing I know, I was caught up in the whirlwind of wishful thinking, and a variety of other studied psychological situations where the person being scammed feels all sorts of different things.
Yes, I looked it up. And still no package delivered.
So now here I am, out a significant amount of money, that has necessitated me liquidating some valuables, specifically my professional race bike. It has strained my relationship with my wife, thank God for her and how much she loves me, and has destroyed my otherwise unflappable character.
All in the hopes that the package would be delivered and I could get even a portion of my money back. I don't even care about the cigars anymore.
I have submitted three FBI IC3 reports, and I am currently fighting with my bank over all of this.
Anyway, I thought you all should know where I have been and what's been going on. Some prayers for this to be resolved would be appreciated. I hope to find my love for cigars again and be back to sharing with you all this beautiful hobby.
As you read this, red flags are going to pop up, which when it comes to these kinds of stories, hindsight is a faithful companion.
In October last year, I got a little big for my britches and purchased some very fancy cigars via a private sale with a "merchant" via Facebook.
I paid him money via PayPal F&F and after long arguments about scams, payment types, why I had to pay a "customs, stamps, and insurance" fee he told me the shipping company would be in touch. Then he blocked me.
*It's worth mentioning here that I have short term memory issues from a head injury suffered from a motorcycle crash on the race track back in July.
Long story short, the shipping company, Dynamic Package Distribution, kept sending me emails every 2-3 weeks about my customs fees to release the package and have it delivered.
Finally I bit, and asked "how much." $300, refundable upon delivery.
And then I was invested. One payment turned into a second for Delay and Holding fee, that turned into third and then another and another. Next thing I know, I was caught up in the whirlwind of wishful thinking, and a variety of other studied psychological situations where the person being scammed feels all sorts of different things.
Yes, I looked it up. And still no package delivered.
So now here I am, out a significant amount of money, that has necessitated me liquidating some valuables, specifically my professional race bike. It has strained my relationship with my wife, thank God for her and how much she loves me, and has destroyed my otherwise unflappable character.
All in the hopes that the package would be delivered and I could get even a portion of my money back. I don't even care about the cigars anymore.
I have submitted three FBI IC3 reports, and I am currently fighting with my bank over all of this.
Anyway, I thought you all should know where I have been and what's been going on. Some prayers for this to be resolved would be appreciated. I hope to find my love for cigars again and be back to sharing with you all this beautiful hobby.
