Warning: Re Property For Sale- Harrisni

[Psycho!]

Moderators might like to pin this post or contact me personally regarding the following to decide what they wish to do with this persons account.

Most people here will no doubt recall the recent threads by forum member Harrisni in recent weeks. The items on offer are high end speakers and Musical Fidelity components.

The original post on the cd player is here for you to peruse

As most of you will know the items were also advertised over on the SNA forums and them quickly pulled when some kind of arguments began with the seller re the equipment. People were asking for prices on each item etc and package deals and such and he seemed to get irritated by this and pulled the ads.

The equipment was then placed on ebay in multiple ads and mirrored here for members to go and join in the auctions. (Which I did placing an opening bid of $2k for the cd player!) The ebay ad is displayed in this thread. You will notice that some inconsistencies in the equipment is questioned by a few members in subsequent pages.

read from page 12 on wards here

On November 11th, shortly after the very first ad I contacted Harrisni via PM and asked some questions about the A5 CD player. He told me in that message that the item had been purchased by him from Len Wallis audio and was a month old. He had receipts and manual and remote. I advised that I was interested and was going to audition some 803d speakers as well and get back to him.

Unknown to him I contacted a few respected members regarding the equipment and considering that it appeared the fellow had fallen on hard times discussed what would be a fair cash price to offer him and not be seen to be taking advantage of his 'circumstances'. These members were, as usual helpful in their advice.

Since that point in time, and as requested by me and other members to perhaps combine all these 'FOR SALE' threads into one thread he did so, and actually advertised package prices for the items.

Musical Fidelity gear

Bowers and Wilkins speakers

You will note that in this Musical Fidelity thread I am the second poster and advise that I will take the CD player.

The next morning I got an email from him:

Hi,

The CD Player was purchased from Duratone Hi-Fi in November 2007.

So are you local? Do you want to pickup? Or do I need to organise shipping?

Regards,

Nicholas Harris

I replied with my postcode and such and so started the process, I thought of transactiing the purchase.

I emailed him back as I was interested in also buying the A5cr pre-amp he had for sale and asked where it was purchased from? He replied that:

Hi,

I was going to purchase the a5cr pre and power from Lee Wallis, but purchased it locally from Duratone too.

The a5cr pre and power was purchase 2 days before the A5 CD Player, so November 2007.

I don't have the box measurements on me, but I'll get them at lunch and ring up a few places for shipping costs.

At a guess I would say $30 to $50 per box.

My number is xxxx xxxx xxxxx [deleted as courtesy]

All three units are in excellent condition, seriously only used for about 5-6 hours at most.

I was struck by the conflict with the information he had previously given me on Nov 11th in our PM's that the CD player was purchased at Len Wallis? Now readers, this is where, alas I have to reveal my secret identity and tell all my fellow forum members that I am a retired police officer, having been Officer in Charge of a CSI unit for 18yrs and a service member for 30 years. Sometimes old habits are hard to break and y spider-senses were tingling.

(please don't hold the cop thing against me ok? hehe) I rang Duratone Imports in the ACT and spoke with one of the senior people there about what I could expect warranty wise if I was to purchase MF equipment second hand. He very kindly told me that warranty does not transfer but seeing as it was equipment they apparently sold they could, if need be process a warranty claim by getting the original owners details and such. Very kind I thought, but one doesn't expect MF gear to fail at all. The chap from Duratone inquired as to what the gear was and who bought it. Well when I described the items and the name, he did some checking and said they had no knowledge of the sale nor of the persons name? He told me you remember selling that much high end Musical Fidelity gear, especially in the last month or so as claimed. He advised me to get the receipts numbers from the seller and they could do a final check for me and confirm the legitimacy of the sales.

I emailed Nick HARRIS back with this request and all he sent in reply was a copy of the MF warranty statement from their web page?? I can read and fully understand that the warranty does not transfer, but what was his point? Was he telling me not to worry about the receipt because the warranty issue is a mute point?

So I ring him on his phone and he is slightly evasive asking me why was I querying warranty stuff. I told him what Duratone had said and he tells me that he will 'pull out the Duratone receipts tonight and flick them to me.' He assures me that the CD player was on one receipt and the pre-amp and power amp was on a second receipt as he bought them 2 days later. I said OK, I'll wait till I hear from you and get the receipts.

Lats night I PM'd him again asking for the receipt number from Duratone.

This morning I wake up to a personal message from him via the forum.

"Sorry mate, I have a sale pending on the A5CD player,

Regards,

Nick"

Now, to me this is not only a low act, especially as I was the first post in his sale thread accepting the offer of sale of the item. But it is obvious what it is, he is avoiding providing proof of purchase to me for some reason. He now wont take my calls. I have since been advised by another forum member that he had contacted him and told him, "the other guy looks like he is pulling out, you want to come a pick up the player?" I mean really, what sort of underhanded way is that of doing legitmate business? Looks to me like he is trying to 'move' this equipment very quickly.

I will post my reply for all to see.

I am very ticked off with this response and behaviour. You seem to be avoiding the issue of proof of purchase of the equipment. I have been referred to the thread where you state you got it from a 'friend of a friend, and not from a shop'. Yet on two occasions you have lied to me. Firstly on Nov 11 you tell me the item was purchased from Len Wallis. Then yesterday you tell me the items were purchased from Duratone Imports, who have no record of such purchases or any record of doing business with Nick Harris? I rang you and you assured me you could supply the receipt numbers once you got home yesterday. Today you try to flick me, telling me you have another buyer for the CD player? yet yesterday you were ringing round getting shipping cost for me. Oh, this was all before you discover I am a retired cop and I check the **** that I am buying. Now you wont take my calls. A few people were contacting me, great forum members who were genuinely concerned for another member about perhaps being ripped off, and I appreciate their concerns. I gave you the benefit of the doubt, gave you a chance so to speak and this is how you behave?

What conclusions can I draw? Well the old cop in me tells me the gear is either hot or compromised in some way. And to think I was going to make an offer on all the equipment today, speakers and all. No way in hell now.

I am deciding at the moment whether to elevate my concerns in this regard with the proper authorities in the ACT. The sale of compromised goods, stolen or otherwise unlawfully obtained is a criminal offence you know."

*Edit- he has responded to this by reply "Thanks for your concerns. The sale of the A5 CD player is pending"

Sorry for the long post everyone, but I feel that this is something very important and certainly throws serious doubt onto all the other equipment this person has for sale. I simply asked if he could prove the legitimacy of the equipment and I get this run around. I have again contacted Duratone Imports this morning and they have assured me that the equipment did not come out of their store. In fact the last items they themselves purchased from Musical Fideltiy in August 07, were still in their store! They have advised me to contact Audio Marketing re the matter as they might have a list of stock items that have gone missing in the past.

In fairnest (yet again) to him he has PM'd me this morning telling me that 'the property is not stolen or tainted in any way.' You make up your own mind whats happening here folks. I've run out of ideas as to why he is avoiding proof of purchase.

I urge one and all to tread very carefully if you are thinking of conducting any business with him.

This is his last reply.

"Once again, thank you for your interest in the A5 CD Player, but it is pending sale.

Don't waste more of my time and yours and I think you need a new hobby. You seem to have a lot of time on your hands."

I do have a lot of time on my hands, time enough to follow this up with Fedpol as well.

[AndrewW]

caveat emptor :ph34r:

Looks like you dodged a bullet mate, pity that someone else will probably not be so luck.

The sad thing is that I can see the day when for sale threads are banned on this forum

[com59841503560232]

psycho I don't think you were the only one that was suspiscious, there were a few others. I agree something fishy here

Cheers

Rob

[com59841503560232]

caveat emptor

The sad thing is that I can see the day when for sale threads are banned on this forum

Andrew it would be a shame if it came to that, there are many legitimate buyers and sellers on dtv and many bargains to be had.

[Kazz]

caveat emptor :ph34r:

Looks like you dodged a bullet mate, pity that someone else will probably not be so luck.

The sad thing is that I can see the day when for sale threads are banned on this forum

Why oh why do the few dishonest ones always have to spoil things for the rest .

I agree that the day will come sadly.

[aflman]

Psycho, I commend you on your thread here warning others about Harrisni's equipment sale. You were being thorough about a prospective purchase and nothing wrong with that. If anything, it emphasizes that not all is what it seems with people selling things when we attempt to buy in good faith. Your past occupation has taught you to be cautious and to cover your bases as much as possible in your dealings with others. Good on you for doing so and nothing wrong with that in my eyes, so no need to apologize.

It is obvious he is being evasive for some reason and his response to you was clearly inappropriate.

[Gutty]

Thought i recalled something fishy when he was looking at buying this stuff....

From this thread

1. MF A5CD with A5cr pre and A5cr pro $6k

where did you find the MF deal? $6k is very cheap considering the RRP is $12k.......

friend of a friend. Not from a shop.

There you have it Psycho!.... not from Duratone at all.

So come on Harrisini, you're online right now... how bout a response ?

Edited December 4, 2007 by Gutty

[betty boop]

good on you for doing the due dilligence and hopefully anyone else buying anything else either here or anywhere else would do the exact same as they should.

also good on you for posting for others awareness !

personaly I've never seen a for sale on this forum handled in this manner ever, and to see all the confusion with the on again off again, and all the ebay sales being put up and being pulled down and what not.

as andrew said with any sales its caveat emptor !

[Guest JohnA]

good on you for posting this Psycho.

His story had changed one too many times, and when you tell too many lies you eventualy get caught out.

The old saying buyer beware rings true, not just with newer members but sometimes even members that have been here a long time, look at what happened to Gino.

Do your homework, because i realy hate reading stories of people getting ripped off.

[Mr.Bitey]

:shakes head:

This is why you should buy from a genuine White Van dealer....

Seriously - I hope this is all a 'misunderstanding' Harrisni - How about you scan your receipt and post it up here and this'll all be squared away..

Bitey

[JAL]

It's something fishy.

According to his post on 23 June 2007, the speaker was ONLY 5 months old.

http://www.dtvforum.info/index.php?showtopic=51077&hl=

Then when I asked him on 30 Nov, he replied on 1 Dec saying he purchased NEW in June 07.

http://www.dtvforum.info/index.php?showtop...2560&st=244

So how can be NEW if originally he said 5 months old back in june 07?

But he might have some reasons which he can't tell us honestly probably due to his hard times. Anyway, good luck with the sales

[Gutty]

:shakes head:

This is why you should buy from a genuine White Van dealer....

Seriously - I hope this is all a 'misunderstanding' Harrisni - How about you scan your receipt and post it up here and this'll all be squared away..

Bitey

If you see my post ^^^ i think you'll find it didn't come from a shop at all. So highly doubt he'll be posting any receipt. Do most other white van services offer receipts ??

[Mr.Bitey]

Do most other white van services offer receipts ??

Yep - to distract you while the driver makes off in the van with your cash (and goods still, if your a bit slow)

Cheers,

Bitey

[Psycho!]

I've had interesting discussions with Audio Marketing and Miranda HiFi this morning as well.

[Mr.Bitey]

Well whats the story Psycho!? - no point holding back now

Cheers,

Bitey

[SDL]

All very strange the way it was done. I felt sorry for someone falling on hard times and wished him well selling the gear, but then it seemed like a John Farnham farewell concert the amount of times the thing was on again and off again. I note today he is looking to buy a HD TV so times aren't really too hard?

[Stephen Muir]

In this post http://www.dtvforum.info/index.php?showtopic=55875 he indicated that he had ordered the mf gear on the 22 October, not November, and that the CD player arrived on the 25 October. For someone who was gushing about his gear, he does not seem to follow up with the arrival of the other mf eq., and, as previously indicated this thread also indicates that it was from a friend of a friend for $6K for the lot (mf gear that is).

It is also interesting that in an earlier topic: http://www.dtvforum.info/index.php?showtopic=53476 on August 25 he came out of the blue with this question:

"Thanks.

And the MF are made with universal power supplies?"

To which Al responded "my mf a5 pwr amp has a little junction you can see through the top grill and you can jumper the supply from 110-220/240v. "

One could hypothesise that this was checking up that an import would run on Australian power supply

[wheelz]

I think i remember him selling his Aarons ages ago and getting this high end stuff,the funny thing was he was trying to sell it all not long after to upgrade to bigger stuff,sounds like it was a cover up all along.

Lets hope the good reputation this forum has between members for buying and selling with each other dosen't get ruined by the few bad apples that have occasionally spoilt things.

[brodricj]

I bid on eBay for these but the auction was pulled early twice for breach of rules. So I haven't bothered with it since.

[betty boop]

I've had interesting discussions with Audio Marketing and Miranda HiFi this morning as well.

the audio marketing rep we met up with at the ehome gtg was really nice, and even chipped in that he would check through on serial no's of any grey gear if people were concerned on its origins.

All very strange the way it was done. I felt sorry for someone falling on hard times and wished him well selling the gear, but then it seemed like a John Farnham farewell concert the amount of times the thing was on again and off again. I note today he is looking to buy a HD TV so times aren't really too hard?

same here sdl, frankly for me its jsut dissapointing to see this kind of thing go on.

[Chui2]

Damn, just when I was starting to think better of humanity (the election and all).

Not so long ago, I remember defending this guy when a blow-in was ragging him about the value of his cables.

[davidward]

It's certainly sad to see this sort of thing going on. I hope there's a genuine reason for whats happened with sale. I too felt sorry for Harrisni when he was forced to sell of his gear due to falling on hard times. Would be a good oppourtunity for him to post in this thread and set the record straight.

[Kazz]

I see Harrisini hasn't had the guts to come in here and face the music even though he was in the HDTV threads this morining asking about plasma prices

[pistol]

Yeah, pretty obvious there grey imports, just don't know why he wasn't up front about it still the same gear just no warranty, still worth something. Unless maybe they're hot as well!

[cwt]

Ide just like to thank Psycho; for being forthright about this. I feel like I dodged a bullet as was half considering the C5 cd player before psycho enquired In fact 2 cause harrisni asked questions about my DTR10.5 sale