Complaint Review: Daniel Mein

Still waiting for your text. When can we discuss the guitar?


then received the following text on January 26, 2017:

+19258992950 1/26/17 3:00 PM Hey James, my name is Dan. The stratocaster is still for sale, I can meet you on the 1st or 2nd

We then proceeded to discuss terms.

Me    1/26/17 3:00 PM    Yes.

Me    1/26/17 3:00 PM    I am in SF.

+19258992950    1/26/17 3:06 PM    Ok, could you come meet me in Berkeley

Me    1/26/17 4:26 PM    Shouldn't be a problem. I will let you know ahead when I get the money also.

+19258992950    1/26/17 4:35 PM    Sounds good

Me    1/26/17 5:12 PM    Thanks for being so accommodating.



On January 31, 2017, he contacted me again to confirm that I would meet him to close the
transaction.

+19258992950    1/31/17 12:44 PM    Hey , still want to meet for the guitar tommorow?

Me    1/31/17 1:19 PM    Yes. I will get a line on you soon as I get the money.

+19258992950    1/31/17 1:20 PM    Ok, thx

+19258992950    1/31/17 1:21 PM    I can meet you at Rick and Ann's restaurant in Berkeley right next to peets coffe

Me    1/31/17 1:27 PM    Cross street?

+19258992950    1/31/17 1:28 PM    Domingo Avenue and tunnel road

Me    1/31/17 1:32 PM    Thanks

The next day, I was set to meet him and close the deal according to the plan, but suddenly, he changed horses in midstream about it, as you can see below. You can also see that I didn't like that idea.

Me    2/1/17 12:22 PM    Making some rounds while the phone charges. Will text when I head over.

+19258992950    2/1/17 12:23 PM    I can meet u anytime between 3:15 - 4:15

Me    2/1/17 1:31 PM    Ok. Does it come with a case?

Me    2/1/17 1:42 PM    Please let me know soon so I know whether to bring one. It's threatening to rain.

+19258992950    2/1/17 1:57 PM    No case I'm sorry

Me    2/1/17 2:01 PM    That's fine. I have one. I just needed to know what to bring. You're good. Thanks.

+19258992950    2/1/17 2:07 PM    Hey I can't sell it for 90
+19258992950    2/1/17 2:11 PM    I got offers for 160 bucks

+19258992950    2/1/17 2:12 PM    The guitar is worth a lot more than that, idk why it was listed at 90

Me    2/1/17 2:13 PM    Well, who posted the ad?

+19258992950    2/1/17 2:14 PM    My assist, she messed up

+19258992950    2/1/17 2:14 PM    Assistant

Me    2/1/17 2:17 PM    That's not my responsibility

+19258992950    2/1/17 2:18 PM    Yea I'm sorry man, can't let it go for 90

Me    2/1/17 2:22 PM    So, why are you letting me know this at the last minute instead of when I first contacted you? Are you trying to chisel me?

Me    2/1/17 2:23 PM    Here's an idea. First, how much did you really plan to ask for it?

+19258992950    2/1/17 2:27 PM    Sorry for the mistake, not trying to chisel you, it's off of craigslist now anyways

Me    2/1/17 2:28 PM    Never mind that. Why did you not tell me this a week ago like you were supposed to?

Me    2/1/17 2:29 PM    That's very suspicious to me.

Me    2/1/17 2:33 PM    And as the consumer, I have the right to know why you are telling me this now when you would have done better to tell me earlier.

Me    2/1/17 2:36 PM    I don't like people playing bait-and-switch with me. It's dishonest.

Me    2/1/17 2:39 PM    And why are you avoiding giving me straight answers to my straight questions? That's also suspicious.

Me    2/1/17 2:43 PM    So, as soon as you make with an explanation, we might be able to work something out. Otherwise, I can post your information to Craigslist.org and spread the word that you're a scam artist.

Me    2/1/17 3:33 PM    I know you are Daniel Mein, and according to Facebook, you live in Orinda, California.

Me    2/1/17 3:39 PM    If you don't tell me what really is the deal, I will publicly denounce you on both Craigslist and Ripoff Report as a con artist.

Me    2/1/17 3:47 PM    It's a pity. We could have had over and done with this already if you hadn't decided to be all weaselly on me. I'd have much rather gone to get the guitar instead of going to talk to a lawyer to see what kind of trouble I can get you in. Oh well. The latter is a shorter distance and the commute is free.


Mr. Mein's actions constitute misrepresentation and a clear-cut "scheme or artifice to deprive another of the intangible right of honest services" as outlined in 18 U.S.C. § 1346.