I was a victim of a common Facebook Marketplace Zelle scam involving a piano.

I was a victim of a common Facebook Marketplace Zelle scam involving a piano.

The Ill-Fated Quest for a Grand Piano: A Lesson in Scams and Redemption

I had a grand plan to welcome our new au pair, a talented classically trained pianist, with a stunning piano. The search for the perfect instrument took me on an unexpected journey, filled with excitement, disappointment, and ultimately, a valuable lesson in scams and redemption.

You see, aside from being a skilled babysitter, our au pair possessed a remarkable musical talent. His application video showcased his virtuosity on the piano, sweeping back the tails of his tuxedo while producing enchanting melodies. I couldn’t help but envision him teaching our children to play and entertaining our friends with impromptu performances.

Naturally, I wanted to gift him a piano, but our budget couldn’t accommodate a new one. Undeterred, I turned to the neighborhood networking site Nextdoor, hoping to find a secondhand piano. Unfortunately, the options presented to me were worn-out, unattractive instruments nearing the end of their lifespan. The exorbitant moving costs further dissuaded me from pursuing these models.

Just when I began to doubt my chances, luck smiled upon me. On Facebook Marketplace, I stumbled across a listing for a breathtaking baby grand piano, crafted by Steinway & Sons, an esteemed name synonymous with musical excellence. To my astonishment, it was offered for free!

Eager to secure this incredible find, I contacted the seller, who informed me that it belonged to Joyce Ehle, a recently widowed doctor downsizing her possessions. Mrs. Ehle desired to give the piano to a passionate lover of the instrument. Unbeknownst to me at the time, this encounter was the starting point of an elaborate scam.

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Blinded by my eagerness to acquire the piano, I neglected to notice the poor grammar in Mrs. Ehle’s email. She mentioned that the piano was en route with the movers she had employed. Oblivious to the warning signs, I offered to reroute the delivery to my address, believing it would incur minimal charges due to the short distance.

As if by magic, everything seemed to fall into place. Mrs. Ehle provided a link to the freight company’s website and her order number, instructing me to communicate with them through online chat. In the chat, a photograph of a disassembled piano inside a shipping container confirmed the authenticity of the deal. Overwhelmed with excitement, I willingly paid the agreed-upon $340 moving fee via PayPal.

Anticipation grew as the delivery date approached. I hadn’t yet figured out where to place the piano in our home, but I remained confident that I would make it fit. Then, just two days before the expected arrival, an email from the freight company shattered my dreams.

They claimed additional paperwork needed to be completed, resulting in an “interstate fee” of $370. Failure to pay would result in cancellation of the delivery. Initially, I contemplated reaching out to Mrs. Ehle, hoping she could resolve the situation. However, my conscience prevented me from burdening a grieving widow further. Besides, the revised total cost still seemed like a bargain.

That night, plagued by doubts, I decided to investigate further. In the wee hours, I discovered a wealth of information about the “grand piano scam.” Countless reports on media, consumer, and police websites exposed the intricate web of deception I had fallen into. My heart sank as I realized the extent of my naivety.

Reviewing my conversations with Mrs. Ehle and the freight company, I could no longer ignore the warning signs that had eluded me. It became clear that I had been manipulated by a sophisticated con, a scam that had ensnared others before me.

Accepting my foolishness and shame, I made the difficult journey of reporting the scam to PayPal. It took a month of their investigation before I was eventually reimbursed for my loss. Beyond the monetary setback, the experience taught me a valuable lesson about trusting my instincts and thoroughly researching potential transactions.

Undeterred by my unfortunate encounter, I resumed my search for a legitimate piano within my budget. Facebook Marketplace still displayed countless alluring Steinway and Yamaha pianos for free, their catalog-esque images baiting unsuspecting victims like myself. However, armed with newfound wisdom, I pressed on, determined to find an instrument that would elicit a heartfelt “Ta-da!” when our au pair arrived.

In the end, my ambitious plan to welcome our au pair with a grand piano may have been derailed, but the experience was not in vain. It served as a stark reminder to approach enticing deals with caution and skepticism. And while I continue my quest for a piano that isn’t a scam, I am grateful for the knowledge gained and the opportunity to share my cautionary tale.

The Ill-Fated Quest for a Grand Piano: A Lesson in Scams and Redemption

I had a grand plan to welcome our new au pair, a talented classically trained pianist, with a stunning piano. The search for the perfect instrument took me on an unexpected journey, filled with excitement, disappointment, and ultimately, a valuable lesson in scams and redemption.

You see, aside from being a skilled babysitter, our au pair possessed a remarkable musical talent. His application video showcased his virtuosity on the piano, sweeping back the tails of his tuxedo while producing enchanting melodies. I couldn’t help but envision him teaching our children to play and entertaining our friends with impromptu performances.

Naturally, I wanted to gift him a piano, but our budget couldn’t accommodate a new one. Undeterred, I turned to the neighborhood networking site Nextdoor, hoping to find a secondhand piano. Unfortunately, the options presented to me were worn-out, unattractive instruments nearing the end of their lifespan. The exorbitant moving costs further dissuaded me from pursuing these models.

Just when I began to doubt my chances, luck smiled upon me. On Facebook Marketplace, I stumbled across a listing for a breathtaking baby grand piano, crafted by Steinway & Sons, an esteemed name synonymous with musical excellence. To my astonishment, it was offered for free!

Eager to secure this incredible find, I contacted the seller, who informed me that it belonged to Joyce Ehle, a recently widowed doctor downsizing her possessions. Mrs. Ehle desired to give the piano to a passionate lover of the instrument. Unbeknownst to me at the time, this encounter was the starting point of an elaborate scam.

Blinded by my eagerness to acquire the piano, I neglected to notice the poor grammar in Mrs. Ehle’s email. She mentioned that the piano was en route with the movers she had employed. Oblivious to the warning signs, I offered to reroute the delivery to my address, believing it would incur minimal charges due to the short distance.

As if by magic, everything seemed to fall into place. Mrs. Ehle provided a link to the freight company’s website and her order number, instructing me to communicate with them through online chat. In the chat, a photograph of a disassembled piano inside a shipping container confirmed the authenticity of the deal. Overwhelmed with excitement, I willingly paid the agreed-upon $340 moving fee via PayPal.

Anticipation grew as the delivery date approached. I hadn’t yet figured out where to place the piano in our home, but I remained confident that I would make it fit. Then, just two days before the expected arrival, an email from the freight company shattered my dreams.

They claimed additional paperwork needed to be completed, resulting in an “interstate fee” of $370. Failure to pay would result in cancellation of the delivery. Initially, I contemplated reaching out to Mrs. Ehle, hoping she could resolve the situation. However, my conscience prevented me from burdening a grieving widow further. Besides, the revised total cost still seemed like a bargain.

That night, plagued by doubts, I decided to investigate further. In the wee hours, I discovered a wealth of information about the “grand piano scam.” Countless reports on media, consumer, and police websites exposed the intricate web of deception I had fallen into. My heart sank as I realized the extent of my naivety.

Reviewing my conversations with Mrs. Ehle and the freight company, I could no longer ignore the warning signs that had eluded me. It became clear that I had been manipulated by a sophisticated con, a scam that had ensnared others before me.

Accepting my foolishness and shame, I made the difficult journey of reporting the scam to PayPal. It took a month of their investigation before I was eventually reimbursed for my loss. Beyond the monetary setback, the experience taught me a valuable lesson about trusting my instincts and thoroughly researching potential transactions.

Undeterred by my unfortunate encounter, I resumed my search for a legitimate piano within my budget. Facebook Marketplace still displayed countless alluring Steinway and Yamaha pianos for free, their catalog-esque images baiting unsuspecting victims like myself. However, armed with newfound wisdom, I pressed on, determined to find an instrument that would elicit a heartfelt “Ta-da!” when our au pair arrived.

In the end, my ambitious plan to welcome our au pair with a grand piano may have been derailed, but the experience was not in vain. It served as a stark reminder to approach enticing deals with caution and skepticism. And while I continue my quest for a piano that isn’t a scam, I am grateful for the knowledge gained and the opportunity to share my cautionary tale.

• PayPal
• Scam
• Zelle