November 2, 2006 at 8:44 am · Filed under The scam
I am getting the sense that the scammer is more than one person. The message always follows a certain format but the spelling and grammar vary dramatically. I wonder if there is a sort of team out there (similar to a customer service phone bank) handling these inquiries in a team fashion. If so, this would certainly be worthy of Federal investigation since it would cross state lines and involve large sums of money in aggregate.
Today the scammer threatens us with the FBI and CIA. We’ve also gotten another new name in the game, “Johnson Cole”.
—–
Hello,
AM johnson cole..am the remitter to issued out payment for the items you want to sell for Dr williams…i really want to confirmed if payment have been recieve..and i want to know the update of this payment…if you have cash it …and send the remaining balance to the mover….who are to handle the pickup of the items am paying for..kindly please get me updated of the following listed below
[usual blah blah blah deleted here]
I would be glad to read from you ….cuz there is something going on in which am asking this…and this have been in care of the FBI and the CIA…in hwihc they as me to confirm this first from you before they start there own personal investigation..kindly give and update about this..
Regards
JOHNSON COLE…
Want to start your own business? Learn how on Yahoo! Small Business.
——
Note to scammers: It really doesn’t lend credibility (if you are pretending to be a shipping company) to have a Yahoo or Hotmail email address which puts a little ad line at the bottom of every email.
So much for Mr. Nice Guy of yesterday, who was so concerned about Ayres’ health. I think his bauxitis is about to take a massive turn for the worse. Our response:
This is Ayres’ aunt. My name is Abel Avion. Ayres is still in the hospital and very sick. We are worried about him. The doctors say he has more than Bauxitis, he has Monocoque too. They think he may be oxidizing. He will be in the hospital for a few more days at least while they treat him. He is on massive doses of nuvite but so far still feels dull and listless.
He told me he was expecting a check from you and asked me to watch for it, but I have not seen it yet. When it comes I will try to get it cashed for him and follow your instructions.
Abel Avion
November 1, 2006 at 12:35 pm · Filed under The scam
Our scammer is back, with a completely different attitude and some new information:
—–
hello,
how are you and your family?Hope cool?Sorry for the
long silence,it was due to my job type and i got a
message from my courier that the check was delayed for
security reasons.My accountant contacted me today with
the tracking number of the check sent via ups
(Tracking number#1Z224R840192210258)The check should
get to you today or tomorrow,so i urge that you get
check cash and send the overpayment of $2,000 via
western union money transfer as stated earlier to my
mover who will come for the shipping/moving of the
item as soon as he gets the money.This is the
information needed to send the money via western union
money transfer
John Kinsey
302 ash dr,
baxter,
TN 38544,
U.S.A .
Kindly get back to me with the senders full name and
address,MTCN#, and exact amount sent.
You are to send a Total sum of $1,800 and the $200
excess fund is to be used as western union charges
and you keep the change for the stress i mhave put you
through.
My mover/shipper will contact you as soon as
possible.Looking forward to doing more business with
you in the nearest future.
Thanks and have a wonderful day.
—–
“Have a wonderful day”? Concern for the family? “Keep the change for the stress …”? Wow, such a change from “I will invite the appropriate authorities” a couple of weeks ago. Is our scammer going soft on us?
But most interesting is that the latest UPS package is coming from Cookville, TN and the funds recipient has changed to John Kinsey, also of Tennessee. Unlike Velecia Farmer of Hampton, VA (our last funds recipient), Mr. John Kinsey appears to be a real person. He has a phone number in that name at that address. But I can’t say if he really sent this latest fake check or if he is just being used. I’m tempted to give him a call, but what would I say? “Are you a lying miserable scammer or just an innocent victim?”
Google Earth users can see his suburban location in Tennessee here, but unfortunately Google Earth doesn’t seem to have sufficient resolution in that area to actually see the house.
So we’ll wait for the latest fake check to show up, and scan it for your viewing pleasure. Then Ayres will have his chance to make mischief …
November 1, 2006 at 8:12 am · Filed under Uncategorized
On Monday we noticed a new arrival in the state park, right next to us: an Airstream Safari 25. After our sunset beach walk we dropped in to meet Steve, Misty, and their three-year-old daughter Brianna (and a cocker spaniel pup).
As is often the case when we meet Airstreamers, we found we had a lot in common, so they became instant friends and we made plans to take the girls into town for Halloween trick-or-treating together. Last night Emma and Brianna went out as the angel and the fairy through the old Spanish quarter of St. Augustine.
We wrapped up trick-or-treating by 7:15, so we hit a local seafood restaurant, and then ended up at our Airstream. Steve and Kristy have a terrific story about how they met — “mortuary telemarketer meets surfer airbrush artist during a sales call”. The next thing we knew it was well past 11 pm and we were still talking, and the girls (both night owls as it turned out) were still playing wildly on Emma’s bed.
So it was a successful evening and we’ve decided to spend yet another day in St. Augustine. The weather continues to be absolutely perfect and there are still more things we want to do. Fortunately, the state park is half empty during the weekdays, so there’s no problem with extending. But this will be our absolute last night here — we have reservations at Ft Wilderness in Disney World starting Thursday.
October 31, 2006 at 9:26 am · Filed under FAQs
After work on Monday, we walked over to the beach at sunset and helped Emma build a little sand castle while the clouds turned pink and deep blue. The temperature was about 70 degrees, there was a warm breeze off the water, and hardly a soul out there except us.
So we decided to stay one more night. This place is just too beautiful right now. I want to get out there tonight and see if I can capture some of it with my camera. And Emma wants a beach day today.
Here’s a panoramic shot of the St Augustine harbor from Sunday, showing (from left to right): the Santa Maria restaurant; cranes dismantling the old Bridge of Lions; the temporary bridge in the background with steel-framed drawbridge; sections of the old bridge still to be removed, to the right; and a sailboat motoring majestically in to pass under the drawvbridge and head out to the Atlantic.
Click for much larger image!
A few days ago I talked about my classification system for vintage trailer projects. Today I want to follow up with some thoughts on buying “restored” trailers. Here’s how I classify them:
“Polished Turd” restoration: These are really common on eBay. Typically the body has been polished, and some easy items like propane tanks may have been upgraded. The hallmark of these trailers is that many cosmetic repairs have been done, such as replacement floor covering (black-and-white vinyl peel-and-stick tiles are popular with eBay sellers).
Coca-Cola memorabilia, new curtains, upholstery, and countertops are common upgrades in these trailers — it makes them look good for the photos. But typically floor rot has not been appropriately fixed (many don’t know the right method, which is as bad as not fixing it at all!), household appliances have been substituted (especially electric refrigerators), non-period accessories and hardware are used, etc. Running gear is sometimes serviced, but not always. Serious structural problems may remain.
Polished turds go for big bucks on eBay, usually sold to people who don’t know what holds an Airstream together, or are who are buying their first vintage trailer. I hate to see this happen and I often get emails or calls from the regretful buyers, asking for help. Of course by then, it’s too late. eBay really means it when they say Caveat emptor.
“Amateur” restoration: Many people do their own restorations and learn as they go. This doesn’t make them bad but it does make it essential to review the work carefully. Many parts are typically replaced, including appliances, countertops, axles, upholstery, glass, subfloor, floor covering, windows, locks, propane bottles and regulator, brakes, etc. These restorations range from great bargains because the seller essentially is giving away his time and has done a good job — to great disasters, because the seller has done lousy work throughout and fixing everything the right way would cost more than just starting fresh with a new project.
If you are considering an amateur-restored trailer, get a second opinion from someone who knows vintage trailers, before you buy! Photos are not enough.
“Pro” restoration: A reputable professional shop has thoroughly refurbished the trailer. Typically such a restoration starts around $30k and goes up rapidly from there. If you are considering one of these, talk to the shop that did the work and find out what was done.
Reputable Airstream shops are not known by their pretty websites, but rather by their reputation in the community. Everyone knows the name of the owner(s) because the owner is proud of their reputation and is a public figure in the vintage trailer community. Examples include Craig Dorsey, Colin Hyde, Eric Drugge, Dave & Martha Makel, Ron & Linda Amme, and others. If they do good work, you’ll have no trouble finding plenty of people who have used the shop and recommend it. If the shop can’t point to a dozen satisfied past customers who you can readily interview, you have reason to be suspicious.
I’ve received plenty of emails about certain hacks out there who claim to be good trailer restorers but have a terrible reputation. All I can say is, ask around before you hire a restorer, or buy a trailer that was “professionally” restored.
“Show quality”: Once in a while a restoration goes over-the-top and comes out absolutely spectacular. No detail is overlooked. All components are original or much better than new. The trailer has not even a blemish. Special upgrades are often hidden in the original design, such as wi-fi, satellite TV, hidden A/C, extra refrigerators, etc. Such trailers typically cost in the six figures if professionally restored, and they don’t come up for sale often.
I’m putting all this forth in the hope that fewer people will get ripped off buying lousy trailers. If you’ve got a friend who is considering buying something without a proper inspection, tell ’em to read this blog entry before they blow their cash on what could be a nightmare.
October 30, 2006 at 12:28 pm · Filed under Uncategorized
It’s Monday for me too. There’s a pile of stuff to be done today, mostly related to the Spring 2007 issue of the magazine. Yes, we are already well into the Spring issue, and a lot more besides. I only mention this because I want you to know that if you are stuck behind a computer today, I can relate. The major difference is that my computer is sitting on my lap in the bedroom of a 2005 Airstream Safari 30, in a park in Florida. That helps me face a long day of administrative work.
Yesterday we explored downtown St Augustine. We’ve never walked the residential part of the “Old Spanish Quarter” before, and it was really beautiful. Most tourists never go there, which is a real loss for sure. It has the history and architecture of New Orleans’s French Quarter and Garden District, without the grime, sleaze, and criminality.
We broke two guidelines of our trip (diet and budget) by stopping into a French pastry shop on a narrow side street, and having pastry for lunch. But we also abided by another important guideline: be spontaneous and enjoy the little things. It was a good choice. I had a French cheesecake, Emma had an eclair, and Eleanor had a little almond pastry.
The Denoel Pastry Shop, recommended!
Thus sugared up, we met up with a few nice ghouls and rode the free St Augustine shuttle over to the other side of town, where a kids’ Halloween parade was getting geared up. They marched through St George street (the merchants’ row) and the parade culminated with a costume contest.
When I get on broadband next, I’ll upload a bunch of other St Augustine photos. It’s a very photogenic city.
While we were awaiting the costume judging, I spotted this “sign of the week” on someone’s t-shirt.
No One Cares About Your Blog
St. Augustine has a nice little community downtown and some very cool real estate in the Spanish Quarter, but nothing we could afford, so we’ll keep looking. We’ll be here two more days, and I’ll try to break away from the computer
October 29, 2006 at 9:17 am · Filed under Uncategorized
St. Augustine is a fascinating little old city. There are several historic sites worth visiting, an architecturally interesting and diverse downtown, great beaches, a lighthouse, a stone fortification, and much more. The famous “Bridge of Lions” is just one of the many unique things about this town, but it is currently being dismantled and rebuilt. We haven’t walked the town yet on this visit, but we may today.
Saturday afternoon we hit the beach. As I expected, it was nearly deserted. Floridians seem to think that the beach is too cold this time of year. For us northerners, an air temperature of 75 and even higher water temperature is summertime.
The beach at St. Augustine is shallow and hard-packed with sand so firm that you can ride a bicycle on it, or drive on it. Driving is not allowed along the state park seashore where we are, but it is a few miles down Rt A1A, and we took the opportunity to go a couple of miles in the Nissan along the one-way (southbound) “road” marked by cones on the beach.
Last time we were here, with our Argosy, we were very tempted to tow the Argosy along the beach road just to get some photos. We didn’t do it, but I think it would have been fine, given a 4-wheel drive tow vehicle for the soft spots. I wouldn’t attempt that with the Safari 30 we have now. It weighs nearly twice as much as the Argosy and distributes that weight over the same four wheels. The sand would have be very firm to avoid getting stuck. Perhaps someday after an exceptionally high tide packs the beach just right …
In the evening we took Emma to the state park’s Haunted Hayride. This was a real hoot. A local community group staged terrifying little scenes in the forest and got more than a few authentic screams from our wagon of kids and adults. Emma LOVED it. (In fact, Eleanor and I did too.) There’s nothing spookier than a dark forest with mangrove and oak draped with Spanish moss … a perfect setting for a creepies to come out waving machetes. Happy Halloween.
October 28, 2006 at 9:49 am · Filed under Maintenance, Places to go
Ahhhh…. Florida warmth. We zipped down I-95 yesterday and made superb time, arriving in St. Augustine early enough to buy a few necessary supplies at Camping World before arriving at the state park.
Florida greeted us the best way possible: with a warm front. In South Carolina and even half of Georgia, it was running about 66 degrees outside. But the frontal boundary was draped along Florida’s border, so as soon as we arrived the temperature became a balmy 80 degrees and the skies were clear blue. As Emma first stepped out of the car she inhaled deeply and said, “It smells like Florida!” And it felt like summer all over again.
Off with the blue jeans and on with the shorts! Tuck the shoes into the cubby and break out the sandals! Hide that fleece! We’re in Florida now! Let the weekend commence!
But first that stop at Camping World. Maybe you’re wondering what we bought. I bought a new sewer hose with a new fitting. The old one was beginning to leak a tiny bit at the fitting and my philosophy of sewer hoses is that you don’t mess around with marginal ones. Not worth it. I also bought another roll-up white water hose, 50 feet in length, because we’ve been courtesy parking so much lately. We’ve found that 35 feet of hose is not nearly enough to reach most people’s hose outlets.
We also got a new in-line water filter for the hose, since we accidentally left the last one in Jackson Center last August at the Terra Port. And, we shopped for a new shower head but didn’t find what we wanted. Our current shower head is plugging up due to hard water deposits in the jets and we have not been able to get it cleaned out despite several attempts.
Anastasia State Park is a really nice spot right along St Augustine Beach. The sand is white and the beach is broad and beautiful. (We were last here with our Argosy in March 2005.) The campsites are nicely secluded in among oak, palmetto, and mangrove, and very shady. No solar power here, but every state park in Florida has water and 30-amp electric at a minimum.
We were warned that the park was likely to be full this weekend. After all, this is peak camping season in Florida. But still we didn’t bother calling ahead for a reservation. There are multiple commercial campgrounds along Rt A1A that would have been suitable, and we’re happy to wing it. Sure enough, when we pulled in there was a prominent sign saying “CAMPGROUND IS FULL”.
We’ve learned not to take those signs entirely seriously. A big smile for the park ranger will often open up a site that was “taken”. This time, there had been a cancellation only a few minutes before we arrived, so we got that. Our record in this regard is just about perfect — I can’t recall a time we’ve been turned away from a full campground.
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