Was about to enter a Home Depot when an SUV pulled up with two fashionably dressed "Italian" guys inside. The driver was in his 30-40s and balding... The passenger was probably in his early 20s and about 5'7". Both spoke in broken English, but decently enough. Their story was that they were staying at the Bellagio on business related to a fashion show, and had to catch a flight back to Italy in 3 hours. They said that they had leftover Armani jackets used in the fashion show that they wanted to get rid of. They said if they brought the jackets back to Italy, they would have to pay a tax. They claimed the jackets were worth about $1000 each. They also showed me a passport, a plane ticket, and a rental car receipt, which on cursory inspection (albeit in a parking lot), appeared to be legit. They claimed to have run out of money, and would like help in paying for their 2 weeks car rental bill. They seemed quite sincere... As I have friends from Italy, I concluded that their accents were legit. Also, subconsciously I have a soft spot in my heart for Italian nationals. If they were French, I probably would have kept walking. They also worded their proposal as a "gift" of 4 jackets in a bag (3 leather, and 1 suede), and would accept a gift from me of whatever I could spare. So I agreed to try the jackets on. 3 fit me well, and were actually quite decent looking with tags of authenticity. Later on I realized that the English translation on the tags was butchered. Also, the Reportage Georgia Armani jackets came in a "Refortage" bag. So bottom line is, after a trip to the ATM, I gave these guys $500 for the 4 jackets... Partly because I believed their story, and partly because I liked the jackets, and in the back of my mind I figured $125/jacket wasn't too crazy. After the transaction, we lightheartedly chatted about Italy, and I told him that I had friends who live there. Then one says to the other in Italian... Something... The driver then comes out of the car and puts 3 more bags into my trunk. So now I have 16 jackets in my trunk. They offer them as a goodwill gift... And meekly ask for another $500... I said, what the hxxx am I gonna do with 16 jackets? Not sure what I was thinking, but I ended up giving them another $300. Then confused, although somewhat satisfied, I went to a buddies place and told him my story. He then told me that his Dad bought a bunch of jackets from some Italian guys in a parking lot a few months before. There went the bubble!...
I then went to complaint and read some of the other stories which confirmed the scam. The jackets are apparently polyester made in China... Like the other authors, I consider myself savvy with some decent instincts regarding people. I am rarely surprised. But they certainly fooled me. Maybe they should head to Hollywood and give it a go there?...
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