How I Discovered This Scam—And Why You Need to Be Careful
By Joe Lippeatt – CalidoGuitars.com
Aside from my duties here at Calido, I also manage a photography club called HoustonPhotowalks. About six months ago, our Facebook group was suddenly flooded with “Free Camera” listings—people claiming to give away expensive cameras “to a good home.” It was always accompanied by a sad story (owned by recently deceased grandmother, etc), and the person wanted to just get rid of the camera.
After digging deeper into the facebook profiles of these “members”, I discovered they were all scams. We started deleting them and banning the accounts. A few weeks later, the same scam resurfaced—this time with “I just upgraded my laptop and want to give away my old one for free.”
Now, they’re targeting musicians. Don’t fall for it. This post will break down how the scam works, the warning signs to watch for, and how to safely buy real second-hand guitars without getting ripped off.
How the “Free Guitar” Scam Works
Scammers are taking advantage of musicians—especially beginners—by offering high-quality guitars for “free” on platforms like Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and OfferUp. The ad will always appear “local”, and the pickup location will be near your area. But when you start the conversation, the person “recently moved away”. You can still have the item, but you have to pay for shipping upfront. You send them money for shipping, and the item never arrives.
Here’s how the scam unfolds:
Step 1: The Fake Listing
The scammer posts a “Free Guitar” listing with a high-quality photo, usually of a beginner-friendly brand like Yamaha, Fender, or Epiphone. The description is carefully crafted to gain trust, often including an emotional backstory, such as:
- “This was my brother’s guitar. He recently passed away from cancer, and I want it to go to someone who will cherish it.”
- “I played this guitar at church for years, but my church just bought me a new one. I want to bless someone who will use it for worship.”
- “I’m moving out of state and can’t take it with me. Free to a good home, just message me!”
Step 2: The Friendly, Reassuring Response
Once you message them, they act warm and trustworthy. They might even thank you for reaching out and ask about your experience with music. But soon, they drop the line:
“I just moved to Ohio/Texas/Florida, but I can ship the guitar to you if you cover the shipping cost.”
Step 3: The “Shipping Fee” Trap
They’ll say something like:
“I’ll gladly ship it to you! It’s totally free, I just need $50 (or more) for shipping. You can send the money through Venmo, Cash App, or PayPal Friends & Family!”
I messaged a few of them, and it’s always the same. Even though they listed the guitar for sale in Houston, and they really want me to have the guitar, unfortunately I waited too long and they have moved to … wherever. But they are happy to mail it to me if I just send them some cash. Here are some screenshots from two of the scammers:
These payment methods have no buyer protection, meaning once you send the money, it’s gone.
Step 4: Vanishing Act
Once they receive your payment, they either:
- Block you and disappear
- Delete their account
- Continue messaging you with excuses (e.g., “The package is delayed, I need another $20 for insurance.”)
Either way, you’re never getting a guitar (or camera, or laptop, or …).
Red Flags: How to Spot a “Free Guitar” Scam
1. The Emotional Backstory
Real sellers don’t need dramatic backstories to give away a guitar. If a listing tries to pull at your heartstrings, be cautious.
2. “I Just Moved Out of State”
Most real sellers giving away free items want local pickup. If they suddenly claim to have moved out of state and offer to ship, it’s a scam.
3. Upfront Payment Requests via Non-Refundable Methods
Scammers avoid PayPal “Goods & Services” (which offers buyer protection) and push for:
- Venmo, Cash App, or Zelle (no buyer protection)
- PayPal “Friends & Family” (no refunds allowed)
If they refuse PayPal Goods & Services, walk away.
4. The Guitar Looks Too Good to Be Free
Most free guitars have visible wear and tear. If the photos show a brand-new Fender Stratocaster or Gibson Les Paul for free, it’s likely a scam.
5. They Won’t Talk To You on Moderated Platforms
Scammers hate moderation and spotlight. If they refuse to talk to you on public platforms, and want you to communicate with them through text messages, whatsapp, etc, where they can’t be reported and banned, it’s a scam.
6. They Rush You to Pay
If they pressure you with lines like:
- “I have several people interested, so send the money ASAP.”
- “I just want to bless someone, but I can’t hold it for long!”
They’re trying to manipulate you into acting fast—before you realize it’s a scam. When I wouldn’t pay right away, my scammer friend got impatient.
Screenshot
7. Check What Else They’re Selling
One of the easiest ways to spot a scam is by looking at the seller’s other listings. On platforms like Facebook Marketplace, you can click on their profile and view their other items for sale.
For example, while “James” was pressuring me to send money for shipping, I checked their profile—James, who appears to be a very attractive young woman in the profile picture, is also selling a 2011 Ford F-150 for just $3,000.
James is selling more than one item, and this one is just as sketchy.
That price is ridiculously low for a truck like that, even if in a horrible wreck. But it gets even more suspicious—the listing says the truck is for sale in Houston, but it’s actually in Ottawa, you have to pay shipping to see it.
See the pattern? After you send money for the truck, they’ll ask for more money to cover shipping—just like with the guitar scam. Scammers often post multiple too-good-to-be-true deals at once to trick as many people as possible. If their listings don’t make sense, it’s a huge red flag.
How to Find Legitimate Free or Affordable Guitars (Without Getting Scammed!)
While some people look for free guitars to save money, you don’t always have to take a risk with online giveaways to find an affordable instrument. There are plenty of safe ways to get a quality guitar—whether it’s a used one from a trusted source or even a reasonably priced new guitar from reputable stores like CalidoGuitars.com, which offers options for players of all experience levels and budgets.
1. Local Facebook Groups and Buy/Sell Pages
- Join local musician groups instead of Marketplace.
- Meet in person at a public location for pickups.
- Pay with money that includes guarantees and safeguards (see section above about different PayPal payment methods).
- Bring a friend to help you check out an instrument before you buy.
2. Pawn Shops & Music Stores with Used Gear
- Pawn shops often have beginner guitars at steep discounts. Sometimes they are willing to negotiate prices, but be prepared. Most Pawn Shop owners are keen on someone trying to lowball or under value an item in their inventory. Respectful offers will result in positive responses.
- Local guitar stores may have trade-in deals or used inventory.
3. Legitimate Guitar Giveaways
- Follow reputable brands like Fender, Gibson, and Taylor for official contests.
- Beware of random “free guitar” giveaways on Facebook from unknown accounts.
- If a facebook post says you are entered into a contest if you add @followers (or anything similar), be aware that it could be a phishing scam.
4. Buy Refurbished or Trade-In Guitars
- Many online stores (like CalidoGuitars.com) sell occasionally have refurbished and lightly used guitars that may not be listed on their website. These are often available at discounted prices—with some reasonable buyer protection.
- Never feel uncomfortable asking a company if they have referbs, lightly used, or demo guitars. Or if they have discounts available (for example, if you are a teacher or student).
- Online retailers like Reverb allow you to make a reasonable offer on products. There is no harm in asking, they will say yes or no.
5. Check Community Programs
- Some schools, churches, and community centers donate instruments to students and musicians in need.
- Ask local music teachers—they often know where to find affordable used guitars.
Final Thoughts: Stay Safe & Trust Your Gut
Scammers rely on urgency, emotion, and trust to steal from people. To protect yourself:
- Never send money upfront for a “free” item.
- Only deal with local sellers who allow in-person pickup.
- Use payment methods with buyer protection (PayPal Goods & Services).
- Be skeptical of sob stories and pressure tactics.
If you’re looking for a safe, affordable way to buy a guitar, check out CalidoGuitars.com for trusted new guitars—without the scams!