Don't Accept Free Pianos from Scammers!

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  • Опубликовано: 6 фев 2025
  • I had a someone email me offering to donate a piano. It sounded too good to be true but I had to find out. I think you'll be pretty surprised by what I uncovered.
    Subscribe for more of my adventures uncovering scams. You can follow me on social media on Twitter: @pleasantgreen and on Instagram and Threads: @pleasantgrn

Комментарии • 1,6 тыс.

  • @smolexfundie6458
    @smolexfundie6458 Год назад +929

    Anytime ANY person who is selling goods asks for Friends and Family through PayPal it is a RED FLAG! Never do this ever! As a seller, they should factor fees into the cost, and they should want you and them to be protected. If you pay F&F you can't get a refund, keep that in mind, always! Thank you for this video! WHat a horrible scam!!

    • @adammonahan687
      @adammonahan687 Год назад +47

      Meh. Or just know who your doing business with. People sell stuff on Instagram and many other platforms and take friends and family PayPal all the time. Not everyone is a scammer

    • @betrix3000
      @betrix3000 Год назад +35

      Yeah, I know an artist who does commissions who charges through Friends & Family. Cause he had been burned too many times where he'd deliver the final product, then customers would file a complaint and get their money back. And there was nothing he could do about it. So you really gotta know your people on both sides.

    • @chriscab8333
      @chriscab8333 Год назад +11

      Unless you do it in person face to face and receive what ever you are buying there outright. Saves the 600.00 threshold

    • @teekue
      @teekue Год назад +13

      I have sold and bought around fifty items on vinted exclusively via PayPal friends and family and have never had a bad experience.

    • @Daniel-ox2zr
      @Daniel-ox2zr Год назад +8

      You would have thought he would jump at the chance to just ship it locally. Wonder what's wrong with him?

  • @the_Monkey_Wolf
    @the_Monkey_Wolf Год назад +32

    Getting the scammer to say "I leaned over?" Is just wonderful

    • @ONUCHEJAT
      @ONUCHEJAT 6 месяцев назад +2

      What's the meaning of I leaned over?

    • @anerdygoldenagesoprano
      @anerdygoldenagesoprano 3 месяца назад

      ​@@ONUCHEJAT I leaned over (I was bent over recieving intercourse)

  • @edhill8341
    @edhill8341 Год назад +57

    I LOVE when I see “kindly” in the email, message or text. It saves me time and I can play it out it little more.

  • @alanwheeler3309
    @alanwheeler3309 Год назад +466

    I am a piano technician and have warned people about this many times. Thanks for putting this on youtube! The last one I got a call about was a free Steinway.

    • @joshmallon5754
      @joshmallon5754 Год назад +18

      How often do people legitimately give away pianos? I see them all the time on Craigslist, Facebook etc. so was surprised to see it used as a scam.

    • @23Butanedione
      @23Butanedione Год назад +4

      ​@@joshmallon5754never

    • @schooltechnology
      @schooltechnology Год назад +16

      @@joshmallon5754 usually the legitimate free pianos are “come pick it up”. Unfortunately they also are worth every penny they are asking. If you are in need of a low cost piano for lessons or such, ask a local piano technician/mover or a local traditional church. Even for a free piano expect to invest in tuning costs plus repair if needed and moving (2-3 person at plumber hourly rates)

    • @RebeccaHetrick
      @RebeccaHetrick Год назад +6

      There are scams for EVERYTHING these days.... No matter what you're into, there are scammers trying to get your money...

    • @RebeccaHetrick
      @RebeccaHetrick Год назад +3

      ​@@joshmallon5754in my area, people give things away all the time... It really depends where you are

  • @kristirae858
    @kristirae858 Год назад +478

    This explains why I had a hard time getting rid of our piano when we were moving 😂 I had no idea it was a common scam tactic.

    • @averagejoe404
      @averagejoe404 Год назад +26

      So you are a scammer lol

    • @R3TR0R4V3
      @R3TR0R4V3 Год назад +91

      Nah not necessarily, it's just a big commitment.. People give away pianos all the time and believe it or not, they're difficult to pass on, even when they're free. They're big/take up a lot of space, heavy, require maintenance, etc.

    • @jwrightgardening
      @jwrightgardening Год назад +27

      I've moved cross country several times and the last time, I just gave my piano to a friend who needed one rather than move it cross country because I had another one waiting in my new state. They are SO annoying to move and not worth it if they are older, since pianos do not get better with age.

    • @keithbender2061
      @keithbender2061 Год назад +6

      These pop up on our community FB page about once a year, they are usually those 60 year old piano's that were in schools and look it. People plead for someone to pick them up.

    • @AJR-zg2py
      @AJR-zg2py Год назад +10

      The issue goes beyond space and weight in the moving processing - which are major factors in not being able to offload a piano. If you have a traditional piano with strings and hammers, it's getting MUCH harder to find someone who can repair and tune the damn thing. If I ever buy a piano, it will be an electronic keyboard. Smaller, easier to transport and it's always in tune.

  • @-Subtle-
    @-Subtle- Год назад +52

    Pianos are so ubiquitous that people will pay you to take them.
    I can't give mine away. And I've tried all the charities, including the ones that exclusively work with schools.

    • @nodsib
      @nodsib 9 месяцев назад +2

      Yeah, that’s true for many older pianos, but a more modern Yamaha in excellent shape will still bring decent money

    • @robertthomas5906
      @robertthomas5906 9 месяцев назад

      That could be the problem. Sell it for $100.

    • @catcadenza2493
      @catcadenza2493 Месяц назад +2

      I told a scammer that free pianos are a dime a dozen, he responded ‘good to know.’ Next email he was giving away a free cello

  • @XCHADHIGGINSX
    @XCHADHIGGINSX Год назад +271

    I just can't believe how much work these people will go through. Their customer service is actually pretty good. WHY NOT JUST HAVE AN HONEST BUSINESS WITH ALL OF THOSE SKILLS?

    • @somark28
      @somark28 Год назад +14

      It’s just like people who spend thousands on the lottery every year. They would have made infinitely more money if they had invested all that money but here they are chasing the dream

    • @RarebitFiends
      @RarebitFiends Год назад +21

      ​@AzureWolf168It's possible to buy pre-made themes for websites. Setting up a WordPress site (which this likely is) with a custom theme doesn't really require any knowledge of software development.

    • @blackqweenmars
      @blackqweenmars Год назад +9

      Fr like, instead of starting a business and get employees to scam people why not just start an actual legit business

    • @koonley
      @koonley Год назад

      Short answer: they're all lazy and want to live big!

    • @robinspanier7017
      @robinspanier7017 Год назад +8

      ​@AzureWolf168this is clearly a site from wordpress, can be done in no time

  • @channelthree9424
    @channelthree9424 Год назад +7

    Telling a scammer that they are a scammer or telling them to stop scamming is a waste of time. They are not going to stop.

  • @deflepprocks1
    @deflepprocks1 Год назад +13

    Well I responded to a Facebook ad about several free pianos that had been uncovered in an abandoned storage facility. It was legit! I fell in love with a player piano from the 1940s, complete with hundreds of music sheets! I picked it up with a truck, polished it up, and LOVE IT!

  • @KodyWebb
    @KodyWebb Год назад +16

    well played. I always get a bad vibe when someone types something like ' I hope my message finds you well" as well as "kindly"
    no one I know speaks that way.

    • @yarightpro
      @yarightpro Год назад +1

      I'm seriously in trouble. I say "trust this message finds you doing well, does it?" All the time.. eesshh. I also say "kindly confirm receipt".
      Wow. I guess now I know. Lol

  • @gregcctrn
    @gregcctrn Год назад +110

    I work in the world of insurance - the word "kindly" is used quite often with communications between brokers and underwriters - I find myself avoiding it now after watching your videos lol.....
    Kindly keep up the good work Ben!

    • @whattheflimflam
      @whattheflimflam Год назад +6

      I must have used this word 7 times today communicating with agents - it's definitely an "insurance" word!

    • @1988dgs
      @1988dgs Год назад +9

      Confirms my belief in insurance companies 😉

    • @gregcctrn
      @gregcctrn Год назад +1

      @@1988dgs yes!! We are very kind people!!

    • @alessandrobaggi6129
      @alessandrobaggi6129 Год назад +1

      "Would you kindly..."
      Andrew Ryan was a scammer then... 😏🤣

    • @CurlyChop
      @CurlyChop Год назад +2

      Yeah I work in insurance and I only realised how strange it was that we use kindly all the time after I started watching this channel lol

  • @matthewshippin8156
    @matthewshippin8156 Год назад +70

    "This piano will be cherished like a key to my heart, treasured and played with the utmost love and care. It's melodious motes will resonate through my soul, creating symphonies of gratitude that will echo through the years." Had me in tears lol

    • @Robert08010
      @Robert08010 Год назад +13

      "I will caress its keys in intimate ways an lavish all my affection upon it." Make it sound so intimate no husband would want you to have his dead wifes piano.

    • @pattido777
      @pattido777 Год назад +3

      😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

    • @tompiper9276
      @tompiper9276 Год назад +1

      ​@@Robert08010I don't even want to think about the action that piano's seen. 😳

    • @Robert08010
      @Robert08010 Год назад +1

      @@tompiper9276 All those musical interludes!!

    • @mh-tb9lu
      @mh-tb9lu 10 месяцев назад

      @@Robert08010this was hilarious to read lmao

  • @Puggalug
    @Puggalug Год назад +9

    What I absolutely love is that you come across as a nice guy and that you’ve actually befriended some ex-scammers, but that you also wouldn’t hesitate to give a scammer a hard time if they deserved it. Another great video.

  • @JKlein713
    @JKlein713 Год назад +89

    I made a living as a courier for 20 years. We never moved a piano, or any other furniture. I also worked part-time for a small, local moving company. One of the things they specialized in was piano moving.

    • @K.Miller5150
      @K.Miller5150 Год назад +4

      Sounds like this video lol

    • @JKlein713
      @JKlein713 Год назад +1

      @K.MONTANA then you missed my point. People that specialize in moving pianos know what they're doing, moving your piano isn't like moving your couch. Generally, couriers work alone, piano movers work in teams.

    • @K.Miller5150
      @K.Miller5150 Год назад

      @@JKlein713 I got your point and was agreeing with you but okay whatever, I was simply saying your story favored the video I think you missed my point

  • @TheBashfulScambaiter
    @TheBashfulScambaiter Год назад +24

    How could anyone not want to follow through with helping a sweet lady like Eileen? She only wants to provide good music for all those children 🤗 Good work as always Ben ❤

  • @NickCharles
    @NickCharles Год назад +73

    On a related note, any "free" or "cheap" piano, even ones that aren't "scams" per se, are often neglected or damaged, often beyond its value to repair. Be sure you understand the condition of the piano before you take it, otherwise you may not be able to get it properly tuned or repaired. I've had piano tuning technicians tell me a piano cannot be tuned because the tuning pins are damaged and do not properly hold tension. The cost to redo the pin block and then restring it is *thousands*. They tell me straight up it's better to buy something else than to try to fix the current one, unless it has any sort of significant sentimental value.

    • @TheFBl
      @TheFBl Год назад +6

      Pretty much every thrown out item ever

    • @JB-et7zs
      @JB-et7zs Год назад +2

      Maybe but I’ve found in Utah that so many families get pianos because it’s very common to have piano lessons for kids and also for church related things. It is hard to move pianos so if you don’t really need it anymore it’s common to just give it away if someone will pick it up. There are tons of good condition pianos being given away. There are just so many pianos out there and for sale and fairly cheaply that sometimes people just want to be rid of it before they have to move.

    • @sarahberkner
      @sarahberkner Год назад

      ​@@TheFBl They were talking about items people are wanting to give away not throw away, you know there is thrift stores that take free things from people all the time and they're able to sell a lot of them.

    • @jeannie7705
      @jeannie7705 Месяц назад

      The tuning pins don't get damaged. If the pin block that holds the pins has cracks in it the then the pins can't hold the tension of the strings. The iron frame and pin block can hold up to 20 tons of tension. A tuning pin can only hold the tension of the string if the pin block, which is wood has no cracks in it. I'm a retired Piano Technician.

  • @mtmadigan82
    @mtmadigan82 Год назад +51

    A month ago we were moving into a new place and there wasn't room for our piano. Nice, tuned, no roblems. We tried giving it away on line, schools locally etc and couldn't get anyone to take it. Even offered to bring it to them for no charge. Ended up having to pay a junk removal place to take it. This might explain my trouble getting rid of it😂

    • @kevinmach730
      @kevinmach730 Год назад +5

      It's clear from the comments here that a lot of people don't understand the work involved in moving a piano both out of and into a new place- so they assume no one would give something like that away and it's an obvious scam or is some major piece of crap- which isn't true. Unless it' a really high end or literally new, they've always been difficult to rid of.

    • @barbarabrown9269
      @barbarabrown9269 Год назад +1

      Yep. Same here. When dad died and we had to empty his house we couldn’t get rid of the baby grand. Our realtor tried, but those things are real bad - not only to move but where to????? We were told if it was a Yamaha MAYBE we could rid of it. I was in a pinch! The new house buyers sure didn’t want he hassle! It looked like we would have to hire a junk company to haul it to the dump!!! Luckily my niece took all of the stuff we didn’t want. Yay!! Never again!! No pianos !!

    • @tb12goat69
      @tb12goat69 Год назад +1

      Same thing happened to me ended up dropping ours off at a dump because we couldn't find a soul to take it, thing was in perfect condition

    • @NanaWilson-px9ij
      @NanaWilson-px9ij Год назад +1

      Any time you move a piano, it should be tuned again.

    • @NanaWilson-px9ij
      @NanaWilson-px9ij Год назад

      ....unless you moved it to the dump.

  • @iSneakzi
    @iSneakzi Год назад +75

    This scam is going on through Craigslist currently too. I've never seen so many free pianos in my life 😂

    • @johncameron4194
      @johncameron4194 Год назад +1

      Right 🤣😂🤣😂

    • @BalloonBugle88MC
      @BalloonBugle88MC 9 месяцев назад

      Most free pianos on Craigslist aren’t scams, it’s just people trying to get rid of them. I got a working player piano from Facebook marketplace for free

  • @karencloskey7147
    @karencloskey7147 14 дней назад

    I love how devoted you are to the mission of annoying these horrible scammers.

  • @stefanjohansson2373
    @stefanjohansson2373 Год назад +849

    100% of the viewers knew from start that it was just another Nigeria scam.

    • @NoraIconiq
      @NoraIconiq Год назад

      Well nigeria is known as the scam capital, like 80% of all internet scams are run through nigeria.

    • @opportunistictraveler4449
      @opportunistictraveler4449 Год назад +11

      Dude, how the crap will he please his sponsor then?😅

    • @flacko353
      @flacko353 Год назад +4

      nah i didnt

    • @Asif24960
      @Asif24960 Год назад +21

      Or India

    • @princeobia1537
      @princeobia1537 Год назад +30

      As a Nigerian watching this I’m laughing hard because it’s facts 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

  • @yarightpro
    @yarightpro Год назад +2

    Thanks for sharing this scam. I actually run a piano store and get these emails all the time. Have read some of the other comments. Sometimes people do give away free pianos. You'll just have to pay movers to pick it up. As mentioned, most of the time the pianos are worth exactly what you're paying. Occasionally people will give away a decent piano. Couple of things: always hire a certified piano technician to go inspect it first (use "piano technician guild" to find technician). Hire an actual piano moving company, not some random furniture moving company.
    It's always wonderful to have a piano in your home.

  • @kostyp5489
    @kostyp5489 Год назад +12

    I played with piano scammers for a long time now! It's fun! I make them create an invoice and then trek them that someone else is offering me a free piano, then come back in two day, tell them I never got the other piano and make them Photoshop another invoice. Their Photoshop skills are getting better thanks to me.

  • @AidenRKrone
    @AidenRKrone Год назад +2

    Hearing a grown man with an augmented old lady voice arguing with a Nigerian scammer about a nonexistent piano isn't something I thought I'd ever hear in my entire life.

  • @star-stonelegend
    @star-stonelegend Год назад +101

    thank you for teaching all of us how these scammers try to steal our money. And Thank you for teaching these scammers a lesson about stealing.

    • @harleyme3163
      @harleyme3163 Год назад +1

      obvious, if your have to pay anything for a free (anything) itas a lie simple because its no longer free

  • @MohaAsmr
    @MohaAsmr Год назад +5

    Love your videos! I enjoy scam baiting videos but you always seem to find scams I haven't heard of yet, and you're a great story teller!!

  • @loveistheanswer687
    @loveistheanswer687 Год назад +14

    So glad my wife told me no about a piano last year lol thanks for the video. Kindly keep making these kindly please

  • @Def1nitelyn0tac0p
    @Def1nitelyn0tac0p Год назад

    That's actually really enlightening! I have always seen the free piano ads and wondered why nobody wanted them!!!

  • @KudaXD
    @KudaXD Год назад +170

    What I find the most amusing is when they are on the phone they slightly struggle saying the company name they chose 😂

    • @clray123
      @clray123 Год назад +20

      Instead of Swiftship it came out as Shipshit

    • @ImperatorClass
      @ImperatorClass Год назад +23

      ​@@clray123not gonna lie, Ship Shit Couriers would be a really great courier company name

    • @rosaria8384
      @rosaria8384 Год назад +3

      Ship shit.

    • @temich1985
      @temich1985 Год назад

      Or it could be just Pajeet from the IRS😅

    • @dejangrozdanoski5456
      @dejangrozdanoski5456 Год назад

      He could barely string a sentence. No one falls for this

  • @kellywilliamson2187
    @kellywilliamson2187 Год назад

    I love that you do all this and post it for our entertainment and education. Thanks so much! Oh, and the old woman voice is very nice touch.

  • @lionelherselman84
    @lionelherselman84 Год назад +66

    Easiest way to piss off scamner tell them cash on delivery

  • @TuzoAnime
    @TuzoAnime Год назад

    Not sure why I don't get your channel recommended to me anymore. Every couple of months I came back and binge your latest videos.

  • @tiffanyhaynes3817
    @tiffanyhaynes3817 Год назад +153

    As soon as you see the word “kindly” you know for sure it’s a scam cause nobody uses that word hardly lol. Thank you for always keeping everyone up on all the diff scams ❤

    • @hiinsanity
      @hiinsanity Год назад +12

      HEY, i use that word

    • @ramonalvarez8559
      @ramonalvarez8559 Год назад +16

      Also two first names like Nicholas Xavier is a strong red flag of a scam.

    • @TorazChryx
      @TorazChryx Год назад +6

      * BIOSHOCK INTENSIFIES *

    • @cbeautifulworld11
      @cbeautifulworld11 Год назад +4

      I use that word too!
      Won't be doing so anymore after seeing this.

    • @Kings_leii
      @Kings_leii Год назад

      Ma’am with all fear of God I come with and respect, I no u are not a Good Samaritan I hope I get notice by someone before I commit suicide, I need help pls anyone who can here me out pls help

  • @jonathannerz1696
    @jonathannerz1696 Год назад +12

    Funny enough, there actually was a lady at my church who really was giving away an old piano she had, and all I had to do was pay for shipping. It just got delivered today.

    • @OgdenM
      @OgdenM 8 месяцев назад +1

      Make sure you get it tuned. Moving pianos always messes with the tune.

  • @_ed21
    @_ed21 Год назад +32

    Imagine if a genuine person who wanted to give away a piano was just very kind and said "kindly" alot just for people to think they are a scammer 😭

    • @almendratlilkouatl
      @almendratlilkouatl Год назад +5

      My friend learned English with some elderly fellas and he always says kindly, add a foreigner accent and watch him fail, he is super honest and hardworking tho, it’s the stereotypes and racism that matters in America

    • @-Subtle-
      @-Subtle- Год назад +1

      I can't give my piano away. No one will respond to my Facebook marketplace (except scammers), I've tried NextDoor.
      This sucks because I legitimately have a piano and everyone thinks it's a scam.

    • @lenitaa7938
      @lenitaa7938 Год назад

      @@almendratlilkouatlI doubt anyone would confuse ur Friend with the scammers! He sounds like a wonderful person and we wish him the best! ❤

  • @asiamcilwain1357
    @asiamcilwain1357 Год назад +1

    After a long day seeing you post a video is such a blessing. Thank you for all you do to help people. I love watching your videos.

  • @queeg6473
    @queeg6473 Год назад +39

    I'm a piano tuner, so as soon as I saw the title of this vid I clicked on it faster than a scammer in Nigeria can think of different ways to scam people out of their money ! People really do give away free pianos to churchs, unfortunatly they are nearly always a pile of cr@p......

    • @mason96575
      @mason96575 Год назад

      If they're giving them to churches they're aiding in the spread of hatred and bigotry.

  • @keezstmango1267
    @keezstmango1267 Год назад +2

    Ive seen this scam going on for a while now, I've even baited a few of em. Great job Ben!

  • @CaptainMarvelsSon
    @CaptainMarvelsSon Год назад +7

    "their CEO and co-founder Richard Hobbs apparently also works as a stock photo model."🤣🤣 Dead.

  • @pwnytale8799
    @pwnytale8799 Год назад +41

    A really good friend of mine had to move out of his house and had to give away a bunch of pianos and could barely even get people to take them free. It was so sad. He also converted a flop house homeless shelter into a place to get free help, make your life better get treatment, education, free concerts etc. It's still helping ppl.❤

    • @stanleyhape8427
      @stanleyhape8427 Год назад +2

      Yep, I've found a few free pianos. Most of the time, they are just junk that people want you to move out of their house for free . Up from the basement or down from up stairs and it's always narrow steps. The deal usually sours once I tell them they need to bring it outside, and I'll take it from there.

    • @ManuelRiccobono
      @ManuelRiccobono 3 месяца назад +1

      "Yes the piano is free. You just have to take it out of MY BASEMENT. From where nobody can hear you scream."
      I wonder why people dont want to take the pianos

  • @wtf1185
    @wtf1185 Год назад +216

    Man, they sure do play the sympathy card mentioning the late wife every chance they can. I loved the poetic way you assured the slimy weasel that you would take care of "his late wife's piano." 🤣🤣🤣

    • @zenithperigee7442
      @zenithperigee7442 Год назад +4

      @wtf1185, and Ben, I mean "I leaned over" lol, did it so sneakily too, because he didn't use the word "kindly" in his own response!😄

    • @psychotixxbeats3580
      @psychotixxbeats3580 Год назад +1

      Don't forget he was in the hospital the passed couples days before he could reply 😂

  • @rebeccaellis5892
    @rebeccaellis5892 Год назад +2

    I am grateful for your knowledge in how to get these scammers. The videos are learning resources and entertaining.

  • @Suebe1962
    @Suebe1962 Год назад +24

    Thanks Ben for helping us see through the scammers out there!!!

    • @Kings_leii
      @Kings_leii Год назад

      Mummy pls I no for real am a total stranger and moreover it’s risky to reply peoples messages on sites this days cause we don’t no who’s is real do to how corrupt the world is buh pls I come for peace, u just need to see me through, I have every evidence u want me to proof to you to show am a real human pls help me I need help ma’am

    • @HAAAAAAAAHHHHHH
      @HAAAAAAAAHHHHHH Год назад

      @@Kings_leii Are you good ?

    • @Kings_leii
      @Kings_leii Год назад

      @@HAAAAAAAAHHHHHH not really, I hope to be

    • @HAAAAAAAAHHHHHH
      @HAAAAAAAAHHHHHH Год назад

      @@Kings_leii What does this mean ?

    • @Kings_leii
      @Kings_leii Год назад

      @@HAAAAAAAAHHHHHH am in a terrible situation right now, be homeless for the past five years

  • @benjaminchoadez3112
    @benjaminchoadez3112 Год назад

    I got this exact same email. Baited them for a while, claiming I would drive to the "storage facility" and physically pick up the piano. They gave up after that. 🤣The Grabify tip to fake an email from PayPal and link from the button is brilliant! Another Grabify tip: When creating a link, you can change the URL to a number of innocuous domains they provide so the word "Grabify" doesn't spook the scammer when they hover over it. Keep up the great work, "Mr. Dover"!

  • @davidwootton683
    @davidwootton683 Год назад +14

    We had this done to us as well. My wife is a music teacher. We strung them on for a long time. We left them on the hook as we said we could not afford the exorbitant transport costs.

  • @bentv4895
    @bentv4895 Год назад +2

    I absolutely love your videos! Thank you for exposing scammers and for being so calm and amusing about it 😅

  • @arfriedman4577
    @arfriedman4577 Год назад +4

    Thank you for exposing these scams . I hope lots of people see this and can save people from getting scammed.

  • @bobs.381
    @bobs.381 3 месяца назад

    You sir, are a hero to me! I "kindly" subscribed to your channel! I just recently discovered you. Now I am going to "kindly" binge watch!

  • @cherish867
    @cherish867 Год назад +152

    Even without a scammer, a free piano usually just means they don’t want to pay the cost of getting it out of the house and it’s so old it’s not worth using. And if they want to donate of “free piano“ to a church or something, they usually just want the tax write off even though it is likely not working right, if they’re in the US.

    • @braydengaming6455
      @braydengaming6455 Год назад +1

      Mine does

    • @Gashnaw
      @Gashnaw Год назад +12

      Or you are my family who donated a Piano that belonged to my grandmother after her passing... Not a tax write-off, just no one wanted to keep it as none of us played the piano and it took up a lot of space,.

    • @notubercharged
      @notubercharged Год назад +2

      yea all the free ones on facebook and that are only worth preparing if you're wanting to experiment with John Cage's music imo

    • @goldeneagle256
      @goldeneagle256 Год назад +5

      in my country alot of pianos are beeing given away, like easily over 100 of them, and some of them looks really nice and are in quite good condition. the issue are people dont want them anymore, because they want small easily transported digital pianos instead, where the kids can use headphones wile practise playing them. theres so many of them given away, that when my parents tried to give one away little wile ago, noone wanted it, so it ended up as wood instead

    • @teekue
      @teekue Год назад +4

      If they want the tax write off the church would have to give him a donation receipt. You can't just make this up.

  • @Wizil808
    @Wizil808 Год назад

    Thanks for the video. I saw a free yamaha piano pop up in my area today, and initiated a conversation (but knew that it was probably a scam). The person referred my to her sister's email and said to contact her. I sent a message and she replied back with the long paragraph of text basically with the same story as yours. So at that point I bowed out of the deal and cut off the conversation. I had seen your video about a month ago so I knew what was up.. Thank you.

  • @noordinyusufaly8465
    @noordinyusufaly8465 Год назад +6

    Kudos to you and the time you spend exposing these scumbags. Keep up the good fight ❤👏

  • @dogdog4173
    @dogdog4173 Год назад +2

    A lot of scammers on Facebook groups claiming to be "On the road Mechanics" they ask for a "Pull up" fee and if you send them any money, they will not show up.

  • @zabooka
    @zabooka Год назад +69

    This is crazy. Thank you for bringing these scams to our attention, Eileen.

  • @DeadHorse666
    @DeadHorse666 2 месяца назад +1

    I found an ad for a free piano. It was a true period instrument that all the gatekeepers in the industry don't want me to have. It has 77 keys, two strings per note and it's strait strung and the person offered delivery completely for free.
    A few days later, my piano actually arrived and I'm planing on the restoration but it's playable so I practice most days of the week.
    I really hope these scams get stopped before they ruin it for honest people actually looking for and giving away pianos. Sure you can restrict yourself to people who you have to pick it up from yourself but scammers can ruin that to.

  • @dr.acula124
    @dr.acula124 Год назад +11

    Until they send that fake shipping company website I think I could've fallen for this too. Makes you think, nobody is immune to scams. Thank you Ben for your great job, as always

    • @thebasketballhistorian3291
      @thebasketballhistorian3291 Год назад +3

      At the $500 shipping cost, I would have had 2nd thoughts already. 😂
      Even if it's not a scam, that may be too much for me to spend to get a free item shipped.

    • @foreverpainful
      @foreverpainful 5 месяцев назад

      bruh i sell stuff online and on local sites all the time and i have seen so many variations of the "ill give you this but i need money for shipping/gas first" i could never fall for a scam where you have to pay to get something

  • @mendel5106
    @mendel5106 Год назад +1

    I like your presentation on this one that is full of humor and wit.
    Thanks!

  • @sueyuen6611
    @sueyuen6611 Год назад +5

    Thank you for exposing scams.
    You are doing a great service to prevent people from being scammed of their savings.

  • @tooflyedits21
    @tooflyedits21 Год назад +1

    They are running the same thing on FB market place. They are offering “free” MacBooks or “free” ps5. Their reasons are usually b/c they bought an “extra” one or something like that.

  • @ajbonu02
    @ajbonu02 Год назад +9

    I always love when Ben posts! Great work!!! ❤❤❤❤❤❤

  • @hugh-johnfleming289
    @hugh-johnfleming289 Год назад

    Funny. When we bought our home it came with an abandoned Wurlitzer organ down in the cellar. Cool, and it still works well. A few years ago my Beloved wanted to start at the piano. I fiddle on them, have an electric Yamaha and fool around on guitar/bass a bit.
    She found a Baldwin Grand for free, needed tuning bad and a couple repairs, on the net. These folks were moving a ways and didn't want to bother because nobody played it in their family. Borrowed a truck and some blankets, got my Step Son and a couple of his Church buddies and wee took it apart and VOILA... A beautiful old mahogany piano in the front room. My Grandson loves it to death and I fiddle around on it. Wifey never touched it but we love it.

  • @TheVHSReviver
    @TheVHSReviver Год назад +4

    Tickle the ivories made me smile. Thanks for that. Always enjoy your stuff PG.

  • @homey4523
    @homey4523 Год назад +2

    There's no such thing as a free piano unless you find it in a junkyard totally dilapidated, a sincere, donating person, from a friend or relative.. Scammers work hard to hook unsuspecting victims. It's like a chess game. They anticipate beforehand what scenarios to expect and apply resolutions. Like "what if ? " But some people are smarter than them. These scammers will meet their karma soon. They should burn in hell. It's good thing you brought up this piano scam. Thanks.

  • @ainanzahid4481
    @ainanzahid4481 Год назад +6

    Thank you for making us aware. Kindly keep making these videos.
    Fun fact: People in my country, Bangladesh, use kindly way too much too*

  • @LilT2o00
    @LilT2o00 Год назад +1

    My personal favorite is the facebook scammers who say if you send them 40 bucks, they'll send you 2000 and that the 40 is just a deposit. Doesn't work most of the time, but I'd say about 5% of the time, if you send a money request on cash app instead of a payment, that they're dumb enough to hit accept.
    I've pulled this off at least 5 times (out of about 100 attempts though)

  • @khunopie9159
    @khunopie9159 Год назад +8

    A "lady" on Facebook once offered me complementary tulips for my organ.
    Oh yes please!

    • @zscout1288
      @zscout1288 9 месяцев назад

      What organ did she want? Was it your heart?

  • @entertainment4kids1
    @entertainment4kids1 Год назад +1

    This IS the funniest Pleasant Green screwing around he has done!!
    “Don’t hang up in your elders, ya hear? I know where you are located.”

  • @isaromantiqueo
    @isaromantiqueo Год назад +25

    I was looking for a piano. And saw a free one on FB marketplace. As soon as they replied with "The scammer's favorite word" I KINDLY just stopped responding 😂

  • @barbarachambers7974
    @barbarachambers7974 8 месяцев назад +1

    I have Incogni and 80 of 149 are done. I am very happy with the service.

  • @JewishKeto
    @JewishKeto Год назад +43

    I feel horrible for these mules and it’s horrible the victim gets punished when the real criminals are left untouched

    • @Buzzseesbuzzwants
      @Buzzseesbuzzwants Год назад +1

      My sentiment is the same there should be law changes for that issue

    • @nickr3441
      @nickr3441 Год назад

      That's bc the police are stupid

    • @sakurakitana3087
      @sakurakitana3087 Год назад +6

      I don't think that person Ben was talking to was a Mule & Also it sounded like a Man!!🤔

    • @madizzle90
      @madizzle90 Год назад

      The biggest issue is that these scammers are almost impossible to find.

    • @eileencalder2804
      @eileencalder2804 11 месяцев назад

      That was a man with an African accent how the hell anyone could mistake that voice for an American woman beggars belief! Also as an “Eileen” I am not amused😂 But I forgot….Americans no longer know the difference anymore because their government is scamming them into believing that men with fetishes can actually become women.

  • @willowwren7752
    @willowwren7752 Год назад +2

    Thank you for all you go to keep us aware sincere appreciation❤

  • @klakatyklak6826
    @klakatyklak6826 Год назад +3

    "kindly"and "ok"are two words they never use correctly and too often

  • @Katesharpandvoice
    @Katesharpandvoice Год назад +2

    A real piano mover will ask how many stairs/landings and book a time first. They will charge you by the landing and stairs. They will also be bonded and insured. Seeing the inside of the piano first is a good idea, and not just in a photo. I always play the instrument before considering taking it whether it's a donation or not. Then you have to find a tuner...

  • @404-UsernameNotFound
    @404-UsernameNotFound Год назад +9

    0:30 Eileen Dover 😂

  • @TOTALCAMARO
    @TOTALCAMARO Год назад

    I have had emails where they say “ I hope this finds you well “ It’s like what? I had a call for my dad the other day on his answering machine telling him this guy was from Publishers Clearing House and it was very “urgent” for him to call about our prizes. And he ended the call with “god bless you” it’s like buddy you need the blessing. I got a good laugh out of that message. Keep up the good work dealing with these “scum of the earth” 😊

  • @dominiccarver7816
    @dominiccarver7816 Год назад +4

    I got this exact scam from a sweet old irish lady :D, one of the best ones I've seen tbf - because we heard about it from the church it felt more legitimate

  • @stephaniem87
    @stephaniem87 Год назад +3

    thankyou Mr Green , for all you do xoxo

  • @Elizebeth-g4t
    @Elizebeth-g4t 10 месяцев назад

    Thank you Lala_dispute1 for all you do please don't stop. You're so important to this country people like you. You're putting fear into literal countries. On a funny note your characters are legendary at this point::

  • @piikkiniska
    @piikkiniska Год назад +5

    Shipping is more expensive than a nice new plastic piano that never goes out of tune.

  • @andrewsawesome
    @andrewsawesome Год назад +1

    1:30 The music played in the background is Nocturnes Opus 9 Number 2 by Frédéric Chopin

  • @andyny29
    @andyny29 Год назад +5

    I guess I’ll stop using the word “kindly” when selling my piano! 😅😊🤣

    • @BoskiM
      @BoskiM Год назад +2

      Hey kindly stop laughing 🤣🤣🤣

  • @escaperoutebritish
    @escaperoutebritish Год назад +3

    Mr. Dover, it would be awesome if you have a video on Temu in the works. The site popped up out of nowhere and some things are 50-90% off, hell, shipping is free in the UK which is pretty suspicious. As a lover of all things sketchy or silly, I'd love to hear your thoughts on it. Seems like another Wish type thing.

    • @RichardWatt
      @RichardWatt Год назад

      The email scammers are already impersonating them.

  • @braveville
    @braveville Год назад

    Scammers' most popular word is "Kindly" 😂😂😂. After I started watching your videos, I always looked out for that word in emails as one of the first red flags. Respect to you mehn👌

  • @arcadiasarcade9902
    @arcadiasarcade9902 Год назад +3

    I stumbled upon your videos by accident but I gotta say you rule for all the things you are doing to these scammers.

  • @Drjaycomedy
    @Drjaycomedy Год назад

    I have been following u for 3years now, love ur content so much U are a God send to scam victims. pls live with caution ⚠️ and stay protected with security agency before scammer come for ur life.

  • @davidjonathan3312
    @davidjonathan3312 Год назад +10

    Watching these videos are hard as a Nigerian there are good people here 😢

    • @Kero7th
      @Kero7th Год назад +4

      Honestly it goes without saying. There are horrible people in all of society. It's crazy what desperation can do to people.

    • @suziemacdonald7220
      @suziemacdonald7220 Год назад +1

      We all know that every country has bad apples, so please don't be sad and hard on yourself. We know that there are more good people than bad out there. Hugs!

    • @davidjonathan3312
      @davidjonathan3312 Год назад

      @@suziemacdonald7220 thank you its appreciated 👍

    • @brokens1097
      @brokens1097 6 месяцев назад +1

      Having six "good people" doesn't balance the scale.

  • @ramlinman2004
    @ramlinman2004 Год назад

    Great video, love the pic of Batman and Robin! I watched it in primetime in 1966 when I was 10 years old every Weds and Thursday night. The Dynamic Duo couldn't be scammed either 🙂

  • @revaniz1465
    @revaniz1465 Год назад +2

    Ha... Eileen Dover... Glad no-one will see this post so they don't have to see how much of a child I am.

  • @JohnSmith-4U
    @JohnSmith-4U Год назад

    Came across this channel last week.....now I'm glued to this channel

  • @estezapatero2713
    @estezapatero2713 Год назад +5

    Ben and Eileen the most effective couple in the world

  • @ncross1857
    @ncross1857 Год назад +1

    Another great video Ben. Kindly make some more.

  • @DebitAdams
    @DebitAdams Год назад +4

    Great work as always Ben

  • @Groszozo
    @Groszozo Год назад +1

    There is a variation of this scam in Europe where scammers offer "free" dog.

  • @thetruth00
    @thetruth00 Год назад +3

    If you work in global trade, you will see the word "kindly" alot.

  • @iamagi
    @iamagi Год назад +1

    Free pianos is common here in Sweden, you just have to be able to pick it up. Cheaper than paying someone to take it to the dump.

  • @DavidBanjokoOfficial
    @DavidBanjokoOfficial Год назад +4

    I’m Nigerian but this is damn hilarious 😂

    • @nr289
      @nr289 Год назад

      mugu

  • @cynthialong4514
    @cynthialong4514 Год назад

    I saw a person on a private hospital group chat who was giving away a MacBook because she got a newer one. So I messaged her, and she claimed to have moved out of state, and I would have to pay $75 for shipping. They asked for me to pay via PayPal friends and family as you mentioned. That made me suspicious. Both of the PayPal accounts she wanted money sent to were in Nigeria, so I told them I knew they were scammers. They appeared to have made a fake Facebook account because the person in the photo was from this area. Scammers are evil!

  • @solivagant.desiderium
    @solivagant.desiderium Год назад +3

    The names he chooses are always hilarious.

  • @awesomeblossom2417
    @awesomeblossom2417 Год назад +2

    Nigeria, the home or scammers. I monitor scams for a Facebook group and almost all scammers show evidence they are from Cameroon or Nigeria.

    • @channelthree9424
      @channelthree9424 Год назад

      Different scams are conducted from different places throughout the world. Romance scams tend to come from Lagos Nigeria. Pig butchering or investment scams tend to come from China or other Asian countries. Tech-support, Amazon, Social Security and other certain scams tend to come from India. Various countries including the US have scammers conducting different types of scams. I just recently heard of a romance scam coming from Pakistan. No one country has a monopoly on scams.

  • @AdamSternberg
    @AdamSternberg Год назад +17

    It is absolutely amazing how gullible people can be to actually fall for these scams or be a mule for them.

    • @mason96575
      @mason96575 Год назад +3

      Look at how many people are religious... People will believe anything 😅

  • @peterbeers
    @peterbeers Год назад +1

    Because scams happen often and data breaches a lot of people are afraid to pay their bills online and will continue for years people paying bills by mail with a check.

  • @legitlama288
    @legitlama288 Год назад +5

    Nicholas: This piano belonged to my late wife
    Eileen: -proceeds to write a wholesome message-
    Nicholas: Nice, here are contact details (in a nutshell)
    Jesus Christ are these scammers lackluster 😂