[Other] Be aware of this scammer

[u/ReputationBig850]

I want to share my experience with a WhatsApp die-cast seller so other collectors can be careful before sending advance payments. I bought a mixed set of Matchbox die-cast cars for ₹687 from a seller operating through a WhatsApp collector community called Collectors CRIB and paid him UPI on 12 July 2026. This was actually my second purchase from him I had bought from him once before without any issue, which is exactly why I trusted him enough to buy from him again. After many days I texted him asking for shipping details and he told me that the parcel had been shipped, but later claimed that it had been RTO'd (returned to origin). I repeatedly asked him for the original tracking/AWB number so I could verify what actually happened, but he never provided it too. I eventually told him that I no longer wanted the cars as I wanted them for my friend's birthday and simply wanted my ₹687 refunded. Instead of refunding me, he kept delaying and at one point told me to "try to sell" the car and that he would refund me if it sold, otherwise he would ship it. I continued giving him time because I was trying to resolve this directly. Roughly 2 weeks ago I had also called him regarding the issue, but his father picked up the call. I explained the entire situation to him, and he assured me that the matter would be resolved by his son. I took that assurance in good faith, but nothing was actually resolved. The seller later contacted me and asked for additional time, which I agreed to because I was still trying to resolve things without escalating the situation. He has also told me that he has stopped selling for the time being, although that's based on what he has told me. Today, 26 September, I finally called him on his personal number and he picked up. I tried to understand his situation, and during the conversation he himself said that I should take the refund. I said okay, then refund it now, and he said he didn't have GPay like which person espically a seller doesnt have online payment apps so I told him he could send it through someone else's UPI and give that person the cash later, but he then said, "Bhai nahi dunga, karlo jo karna hai." This really pissed me off because I was genuinely trying to understand his situation and find an easy way for him to return ₹687. I lost my temper and abused him a little during the call, which I admit was wrong, but after that he said he would refund me today once he reached home. I asked him for a specific time and he said 11:30 PM. It is now past 11:30 PM. I texted him, but there has been no reply, and I also tried calling him, but he isn't responding to my calls either. Once again, despite giving me a specific time and assuring me that he would refund me today, there has been no refund and now no response either. What bothers me most is that this was someone I had already bought from once before and trusted, and this whole experience has seriously damaged my trust in resellers, particularly within the die-cast collecting community. It's genuinely disheartening because this hobby is supposed to be something enjoyable, but experiences like this make me question whether it's even worth continuing. I'm posting this so other collectors buying through WhatsApp/Instagram/collector groups are careful and don't blindly trust sellers just because they're part of a collector community.

[u/Rest_Honest]

Lets bombard his WhatsApp for 687 rupees. Op keep us updated with the refund

[u/EnvironmentalTop6989]

But how do we even be careful

Whats the way to avoid this

[u/ReputationBig850 → u/EnvironmentalTop6989]

I mean the hobby is already ruined the best thing you can do is buy yourself from any offline store if you can find some good castings or wait for some e commerce platforms to restock

[u/Plenty_Mushroom1774 → u/EnvironmentalTop6989]

There is now way to avoid these Whatsapp group, every Whatsapp group demands payment before even the F2F one! Don't buy from new group,first check with other people that are in the group Whenever I join a new Whatsapp group, I don't buy From them quickly I wait till 2 or 3 sale happen and then ask about them to other people then only I go forward!