The scam works pretty simply. A couple guys pulled up while I was walking out to Best Buy and they asked if I wanted some speakers. I assumed that they were giving them away. I continued to talk to them. The talker, Doug, claimed that he is a courier for Pacific Sound and sounded official. He showed me an invoice and proceeded to estimate the value of the speakers at $1300. He claims that he couldn't bring the speakers to back because the manager would just take them, and basically you'd be sharing in his profiting at the expense of the distributor. I bought this hook line and sinker and he accepted my offer of $300. On inspection, these speakers (AudioFile 830LRs) I'd estimate at around $50 for cost of components and construction. The quality is sub-standard. Ultimately, this scam is done by individuals as part of an apparently nationwide scam. The speakers are real speakers, but are hardly worth the estimate. However I don't know if it's possible to combat as all victims of the scam were willingly getting involved in the shady business. It's a clever way to run a scam, but nevertheless, it preys on those who really don't have that much to begin with. And though they may justify themselves by saying that those who are stupid enough to buy them deserve it, it nevertheless preys on people with fraudulant claims. My recommendation is to never purchase anything from someone you don't know AND can't track. I didn't realize it was a scam until slightly after when I came to my senses and realized that I mixed up the speaker name "AudioFile" with the audio magazine that I used to read. At any rate, avoid a silver SUV, a caucasian named Doug, who is about 5'8" with blond hair. His associate is taller. They had enough documentation to be convincing. Yeah, and obviously, never buy anything from a couple guys in a parking lot. As for Pacific Sound, they don't appear to exist. JcJohnPortland, Oregon
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