Dear Mr Ordaz,
My request is a bit strange but, nethertheless, I would like to make you the following request :
I was surfing on the Internet when my eyes had been caught by your painting "Machado's pies apples" with a yellow old truck. This painting is very closed to what we are looking for, since a long time ago, to decorate the walls of our home. We are looking for a picture with an old pickup truck, like in some scenes shot on American countryside with rural people and places.
In addition to the old truck, the sign with apples is something very funny and particular for me, because Machado is also my family name...
All this make me think that this painting is the one we want.
In brief, are you selling some paintings, or are they only for your own gallery ?
I am aware that all the paintings I could see in the Internet are masterpieces, and probably priceless Paintings, but nethertheless, I have been so attracted to it, that's the reason why I want to try.
Meanwhile, I would like to salute your Art.
I am waiting to hearing from you soon.
Yours sincerely
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
(France)
99% of the time these are scams and this one sounds every bit like a rat. But maybe.......?
Here is a website that has good content on how to be on guard. ArtScam
Here's how I would play it to fish them out. ..... If you like this painting so much ... go through PayPal or Send me a package of my favorite Napa wine from my choosing and once I get the juice ... you then get the painting.
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Give 'em the PayPal option, and you'll never hear from them again--until the next attempt. Or save time, and hit "delete."
ReplyDeleteYeah, it's a scam -- you can tell by the cluelessness of the inquiry. They send you a check (oops, I overpaid by mistake! My bad, please send me back the difference to this address...) I actually got a UPS overnighted check for $500 OVER the amount of the painting they were supposed to be buying...I called the address on the check and they told me someone had stolen a stack of their checks and that it was bogus. Here's a red flag to watch for: when you start a dialog with them, they will answer at different times (notice the times on the return emails -- usually they will be around the clock as if they never sleep AND always a different salutation at the end, signifying there are probably a bullpen of scammers working several "accounts" all signing the same name...fun to play along for a little while, but a BIG waste of time in the end.
ReplyDeleteWhat makes you suspicious????
ReplyDeleteThey didn't seem to ask you for anything for free.. (or offer to exchange their Nigerian stock for a painting).
Ask them to Pay Pal... or to send a check and wait until it clears before mailing the painting out to them.
Anybody would be happy to own your paintings!!
You don't trust the French??? I say quote them exactly what you want plus enough to safely ship it over including insurance that doesn't rely on PayPal's promises.
ReplyDeleteUsually when I receive a request I google the name to see if something comes up. just a thought.
ReplyDeleteMarian and anyone else who thinks either a personal or a cashier's check is guaranteed to be good once it clears your bank: it's not. It can clear your bank and not be identified as fraudulent until a couple weeks later. Then you'd owe the bank the money back (including the overage the scammer has included) AND you've lost the painting. PayPal is safer; though a scammer could file a complaint saying they never received the painting; PayPal tends to favor the buyer and might refund them your money.
ReplyDeleteIf you're going to sell them that painting for the price of a case of wine, then I want it myself!
ReplyDeleteIt make me very happy and to hang on wall of house to decorate.
:-)
Deb ... you are on....! I was too curious and I sent them a high costs ... let's see what happens ... the cat is curious
ReplyDeletef
Frank, I agree with Mick. It could suffer in the translation. It pays to be careful too, but a colleague of mine was sure she had a scammer, who turned out to be a good client. Good idea to make an offer, and now I'm curious too. Thanks much for the Art Scam link!
ReplyDeleteFrank! That truck paining is a dream! : )
ReplyDeletewhat about the scam Bill ... Is it a scam?
ReplyDeleteI would like to salute all your insights ....
ReplyDeleteI can't say Frank. Some times I'm dead wrong
ReplyDeleteon this stuff.
I would "cut the cards" so to speak. If you use pay pal can you still get burned?
Bill ... Mick tell me you can still get scammed .... I emailed a price .... waiting for a response ....
ReplyDeleteYou know I seem to remember also receiving something similar to this in a spam email once...I remember the overpaying part...mist in the mind...can't remember the rest of the details. I personally wouldn't have seen it as a scam at first, but I would have done what you di and got them to apply through paypal. Or I get inquiries then once you tell them the price they're off. Some want a painting for nothing. I am always getting spam that worrying start off: Dear friend, dear lovely lady, dear sweetheart...
ReplyDeleteOn the outside chance it's genuine, you are wise to respond professionally. If it's a scam (still my bet) it's really cute of them to have personalized it so much, isn't it. For anyone who hasn't seen it, here's a link to Stapleton Kearns' recent post on these guys. (Were you the friend he mentioned, Frank?)
ReplyDeleteIn any event, it's entertaining fodder for the blog. Be sure to let us know what happens.
Yup, Stape just posted on a similar scam. I think your approach is right - only take PayPal.
ReplyDeleteHey Frank! Hi! I went to a car show yesterday
ReplyDeletein St.Paul!
It was raining and cold, but didn't dampen the spirit.
Lots of low riders, and hydrolic jumpers! Old classics and newer SUVs
anyway, I was thinking of you, hope your arm
is feeling/doing well!
I got skype! so if ya wanna connect, I'm no scam!
Take care friend!
back from a transformational conference in ashland ore ... by the way ... the email was not a scam it turns out .... they wanted a much larger painting .... look for the next post about the Masterpiece Christian Fine Art Conference
ReplyDelete