BigBlueDodge
11th of January 2008 (Fri), 15:41
Okay, I'm seeing a recurring pattern on this forum and it has convinced me that PEOPLE WANT TO BE SCAMMED. Almost like clockwork, you will get a posting in the SLR Camera, or Marketplace forum about once every two weeks, where a user (who normally has under 100 posts) has found an incredible deal on a brand new 40D ($500) or 5D ($1200) at some online retailer (normally bestpricecamara.com). This user immediately becomes excited, because he/she knows the normal price at reputable dealers such as B&H, Buydig, Adorama, and this is significantly cheaper. They think they may have uncovered a hidden jewel that no one else has seen.
However, despite the constant warning from members, ignoring sites like resellerratings.com, or even using the search, members come on here ask if it is legit. They are holding out that 1% of hope that this is a real deal, when common sense, and the obvious signals are telling them no.
I don't fault any of them. Camera gear is expensive, and we all want to find a deal that will make it possible to get that model of lens/camera that we've allways wanted, but couldn't afford. I think the excitment begins to override common sense, and we put ourselves in a vulerable position. In the end, it almost looks like we want to be scammed, because we are so willing to put ourselves in such vulnerable states. There's a reason why you get emails from a Nigerian king wanting to transfer $25 million to the US, and is willing to give you a $5M cut if you help him. They send these emails out because they work. Inevitably, someone will get so excited, and throw common sense out the window, and follow through with it, only to get extored, or even worse killed.
So, I stand by my statement, because I've seen it time and time again, that people want to be scammed. Individuals are willing to take a risk when 99% of their cognitive thinking is telling them that it is wrong, but upside looks so promising that they are willing to take that 1% chance.
However, despite the constant warning from members, ignoring sites like resellerratings.com, or even using the search, members come on here ask if it is legit. They are holding out that 1% of hope that this is a real deal, when common sense, and the obvious signals are telling them no.
I don't fault any of them. Camera gear is expensive, and we all want to find a deal that will make it possible to get that model of lens/camera that we've allways wanted, but couldn't afford. I think the excitment begins to override common sense, and we put ourselves in a vulerable position. In the end, it almost looks like we want to be scammed, because we are so willing to put ourselves in such vulnerable states. There's a reason why you get emails from a Nigerian king wanting to transfer $25 million to the US, and is willing to give you a $5M cut if you help him. They send these emails out because they work. Inevitably, someone will get so excited, and throw common sense out the window, and follow through with it, only to get extored, or even worse killed.
So, I stand by my statement, because I've seen it time and time again, that people want to be scammed. Individuals are willing to take a risk when 99% of their cognitive thinking is telling them that it is wrong, but upside looks so promising that they are willing to take that 1% chance.