Parking lot scam

[seamusTX]

I had put my groceries into the car at Kroger in Galveston around 3 p.m. today, got into the driver seat, locked the doors, buckled up, started the engine, and turned back to see if the way was clear.

A vehicle was blocking me, and the driver was waving at me.

I looked around for possible accomplices and didn't see any. Unfortunately, a large van was parked to my left.

I unbuckled, opened the door, and stood up with the door open.

The driver of the vehicle said, "Sorry, do you want to buy a home theater system?"

I grimaced and said No, and got back in the car and shut the door.

He went on his way.

I figured he was selling stolen or defective units or boxes of bricks, or running some other kind of scam.

BTW, I didn't register the make or model of the vehicle. It was neither new nor decrepit. The driver was a young (20-30) white guy with no particular distinguishing characteristics. He had "normal" hair, was clean-shaven, and had no visible tattoos.

Thoughts?

- Jim

[karl]

That would have scared the bajeezus out of me. I would have stayed in my car, hand on my gun with wide eyes.

[mikeintexas]

I had the same thing happen a couple years ago in a Tom Thumb parking lot here in town. The same question about a home stereo system, but this guy was in a van. I gave him a no answer, as well, and he drove off.

That was long before I seriously considered getting my CHL, and, until today, didn't even think about any "nothing good can come from this" attitude. I guess things change when you get a little older and realize you aren't "bullet proof!"

[gemini]

This "scam" is old as the hills. Usually 2 guys driving a van or panel truck, ask if you want to buy a stereo, speakers,
home theatre etc. They explain they ripped it off from their boss and will sell it cheap, or, some other such bull.
They pull up a stop lights and want you to roll down the window, or while you're getting gas....they're appealing to
one of the lowest human traits.....YOU benefitting from THEM obtaining merchandise with a five finger discount.
Passing that savings on to you...... The fact is, it's just a story. The "merchandise" is of poor quality, blemished etc.

What I get offered mostly, is obviously stolen tools. I've had tools and equipment stolen from me and I refuse to buy
anything out of the back of anyone's vehicle. I now etch EVERYTHING w/ my DL# in mutiple places. Hasn't helped so
far but I hope for the day.......

[seamusTX]

The part that bothered me was being blocked in.

I've been solicited for shady merchandise and illegal propositions more times than I can remember. My usual technique is to say No and continue on my way with forward momentum.

Sitting in a car that can't go anywhere is a difficult position to defend. Getting out seemed like the most assertive move that I could make, though I really didn't give it a lot of thought at the time.

- Jim

[jimlongley]

Saw something similar taking place in the parking lot where I work a couple of weeks ago, called a manager from the parking lot, and he came out while contacting the police. By the time the police got there the guy was gone, but the police had a license number and thorough description.

[ELB]

The part that bothered me was being blocked in.

...

Sitting in a car that can't go anywhere is a difficult position to defend. Getting out seemed like the most assertive move that I could make, though I really didn't give it a lot of thought at the time.

- Jim

I don't think there is a "good" answer to this. If someone gets aggressive short of a gun, (i.e. wants to thump on you) being in your car with doors locked and windows up is probably safest. If someone has a gun, I would want to be out of the car free to maneuver and put cars between me and the BG, not basically held in position by my car. But you may not know which scenario it is until it is too late to change or choose.

Upon reflection, if I couldn't just drive away, I'd probably get out to have the maneuver room...

Because I have a large pickup, I usually park at the very ends of the rows at my local HEB, where it's easiest to get in and out with the truck. This usually leaves me with a clear path ahead that I could simply drive away thru. Hadn't considered the tactical advantages of this (beyond "parking" tactics) but I can now see another advantage...

[RiverCity.45]

This happened to me a few months ago pulling out of the bank parking lot.

[seamusTX]

Because I have a large pickup, I usually park at the very ends of the rows at my local HEB, where it's easiest to get in and out with the truck. This usually leaves me with a clear path ahead that I could simply drive away thru. Hadn't considered the tactical advantages of this (beyond "parking" tactics) but I can now see another advantage...

Good point.

The downside is that you expose your vehicle to being clipped by drivers who will skip out.

- Jim

[stevie_d_64]

Makes you wonder why anyone would think a parking lot is a good place for a mark...(At least me!)

Wife-Unit and I were coming out from having breakfast at the City Cafe on Airport/College and Hwy 3 (this last Saturday)...We just got about halfway into that small parking lot and this guy came running directly at us from across the main street there, right for us at about as fast as it looked like he could run...I used periferal vision to see if any traffic was making him do this, and at the same time I stepped up ahead and in between him and Wife-Unit...

The guy was just about across when I basically had the cover shirt back and the hand just about ready to draw...The guy never took his eyes off us, and obviously since there waas no traffic coming down the street, it was looking worse and worse every half nanosecond from then on out...

I got set, hand came up and I said "STAY BACK!"...He hit the skids and the feet came out from under him and he hit the newly paved parking lot real hard...I thought for a second he was going for an open field tackle, but I guess my action helped change his mind...He got up and kinda trotted off down the sidewalk toward Hwy 3 after that...Never did explain himself...

It didn't look like he had a weapon, but I sure as heck did not want to be hit in the numbers by this knucklehead...

I guess what was dissapointing is that the Wife Unit didn't even see it coming till the guy was slipping as I yelled at him...

All in all it was a good lesson for her to get her head out of her purse, and up and about on a swivle...

I cannot be there all the time...

I guess it can happen anytime and anywhere...Just never ceases to amaze me...

[seamusTX]

Makes you wonder why anyone would think a parking lot is a good place for a mark...(At least me!)

People with money don't walk the streets much in Houston -- maybe in Rice Village or Montrose, but not generally. Bums and scammers have a better chance of catching them in parking lots.

Wife-Unit and I were coming out from having breakfast at the City Cafe on Airport/College and Hwy 3

Over the years, I've seen a lot of aggressive bums in that area, especially the intersections of Airport/College and Edgebrook with I-45.

- Jim

[pdubyoo]

Gemini is correct, these guys actually run a shady business with very poor quality goods. I remember this happening to me on Alpha Rd. in North Dallas almost 25 years ago. They pulled-up next to me when I was walking to my car. They said that they were system installers, and the warehouse inadvertently loaded and extra system in their van...oops. It's amazing how quick they take off when you ask them for their business ID.

I've been blocked-in by vehicles at the grocery store before, and if they aren't waiting on another vehicle to pull out, I just lay on the horn until they move-on. I'm not sure if they were the stereo system scammers or if they had something else in mind, but they don't like the attention a blaring horn gets. I also put my car in reverse to show my back-up lights, and start inching back to let them know they are blocking me. All the while, I have a hand on the grip of my gun...just in case.

[Dave01]

Same thing happened to me in Atlanta in the early 90's. These situations may be more dangerous than people realize.

I was leaving the bank (daytime), walking to my car when a white van (no windows in the back) rolled up on me. The passenger rolled his window down and asked me if I wanted some "big" speakers really cheap. I said no and continued to my car. The van pulled up and blocked my car in, while the passenger kept telling me how good of a deal I was gonna get. I got in my car, passenger shouted something at me and they left.

I told this story to a LEO friend of mine later that night. I had always assumed these guys were simply selling cheap and/or defective electronics. I was told that more than likely there was another person (or people) in the back of the van that I couldn't see. As soon as the back door opened, they would grab the "buyer", drag them in the van and rob them. I was told they had seen a rash of these types of robberies, mostly around banks where people are likely to have cash.

I just wish I was a better witness back then....didn't even think to get the plate number.

Dave

[lonewolf]

Same thing happened to me a few weeks ago in my bank parking lot. Almost exactly to the letter. I never approached their window, just said "no, thanks." got in my car, fired it up and put it in reverse so they could see by backup lights as I got the cell phone out. They boogeyed out of there pretty quick. And yes, a Cadillac is a deadly weapon if used properly.......Especially with Beretta in the console and me behind the wheel. Safety first, then plate numbers. I didn't have a chance to get theirs, either.

[Excaliber]

The part that bothered me was being blocked in.

I've been solicited for shady merchandise and illegal propositions more times than I can remember. My usual technique is to say No and continue on my way with forward momentum.

Sitting in a car that can't go anywhere is a difficult position to defend. Getting out seemed like the most assertive move that I could make, though I really didn't give it a lot of thought at the time.

- Jim

Jim,

I would agree that unbuckling the seat belt and opening the door are good moves to increase your options and prevent yourself from being in the even more vulnerable position of having someone run up and confront you at your driver's window. However, instead of getting out, I would favor a rear facing (left knee on the seat, right foot on the running board or ground) position with the vehicle still giving partial cover from the rear. Besides giving you some limited protection, it gives a potential bad buy a bit more to think about.