So, I remember when I needed to buy an INU for an aircraft maintenance project. But, I had a problem…

The d!@$ supplier never answered my call, my email, or my threats. Go figure. It was after we wired them the money. 

He disappeared. Gone. Vanished. 

It was frustrating. $10,000 - - - POOF. To an aircraft part scammer. He robbed me of my time and my money. I’m sure you’ve run into this before, someone claims they have something and don’t. They’re just using you for your money. Your time. 

If You've Ever Lost Money Because Of A New Supplier, Read This...

Now, this could be a real scammer or someone who just over promises and under delivers. 

Of course, losing money hurts. And depending on your position, it could lead severe consequences. We had one operator who ordered $500,000 of the wrong dash number. Let’s just say the incurred a re-stocking charge. That hurts! He was fired. Not our choice of course. 

But above the money and the possible consequences, you feel taken advantage of. You feel robbed. You were robbed! Robbed of your time. Money can always come back. But your time. Never!

As the aftermarket matures, barriers to entry continue to get lower, if it’s a company whose strategy is to sell part-by-part. Companies claim they have or can do things they can’t. Avoid this. Run!

I want to share an easy tip to spot the fakes. To help you detect the aircraft part scammers. 

Here’s how you can do that…

Request detailed aircraft part pictures. Simple, but read on...

Let me be honest. Picture requests are a little annoying. Sorry. Honesty and transparency here. 

The reason being, some request pictures and never purchase. It’s a waste of time. Especially if you’ve proved yourself already. 

Now, that’s untrue for you as a purchaser working with someone new. You need to request detailed pictures. I mean, really detailed. 

When you request your pictures, ask for the following: 

1. Three pictures at various angles. 
2. One picture of the id plate. 
3. No blurry pictures. 
4. Bonus: Have them take a picture with the unit. Use this if you’re terrified. 

By doing this, you’ll spot a scam from a mile away. The supplier won’t send you a picture. Or if they do, which can happen - - - someone has sent me a brake ($50,000) picture before, but the paperwork didn’t match. And they never sent the picture of the id plate. No thanks!

If they do send the picture, if it’s a scam, you’ll notice the discrepancies. 

But be careful, don’t treat everyone as a scammer...

Not everything needs a picture

This would be a waste of you and your suppliers time. Some reputable people and companies don’t have the part on site. That’s okay!

Request pictures from new suppliers. Or, when the price is too good to be true. You don’t need to do this on everything. 

Just imagine, if by reading this you avoid one scam, one loss, how much it will save you? 

I hope it does. And if it does, please message me and tell me your story. 

Nate Anglin
CEO

P.S. Please share this post with your team. Help them avoid the costly scammers as well.