Teenager in need of a helping hand

Riaan-Combrink

Hi guys,

Found this ad in Cape Town Gumtree. Fifteen year old girl who desperately wants to play, but can't afford instrument. ☹ There's a phone number, so it may be legit (or just someguy with serious GAS (toxic stage) trying to score some gear? ?).

If anybody's got spare GAS-leftover, maybe check it out.

http://capetown.gumtree.co.za/c-Stuff-for-Sale-musical-instruments-I-NEED-YOUR-HELP-W0QQAdIdZ75075906

deanBailey

Hmm the number being there sounds legit buuut.

If you're crazy like me think analytically, you'd read a little more into the post.

What we know:
15 year old girl, made a post on a public internet ad site. these days 15 year olds are able to handle the internet so that cancels that out..If it was a scam you'd realise that the Pronouns have no capital first letters. The ellipses aren't consistant (some have 4 dots some have 3), to me this indicates a lack of grammer skills which the poster could have done purposefully to appear as student still in high school. (same goes for the multiple exclamation marks which is something quite popular amongst the youth on the internet)

The font was made bold and big as to appear desperate and once again young as most adults know better to use correct font size and format.

I can't be that outdated (as I'm not that old) but "this is however difficult as i am young and i cant afford to buy myself the equipment...." isn't something I've heard a 15 year old say. I'd expect something like "I can't afford to buy the equipment because I don't have money" or something a young kid would say.
Also the "please contact me..." I'd expect "you can call me on..."

The first half of the post was "help, desperate, need" then the age was given which could either indicate the poster being a little over eager to post it or perhaps the kid really, really wants to play.

The main thing besides the grammer, wording and appearance of the post that gave it away for me was "an electric guitar or drum kit or both"

Why would a desperate person in need dare ask for both?

Sorry if this post sounds harsh, but I struggle to trust people as it's quite easy for people to "pull a fast one" on you these days. plus I'll say it again lol I'm crazy.

BUT if it is a real person, then I'll eat my words and apologies to the person (if they see this post).

Vintage-Vibe

Or u could just phone her and find out ?! ?
Seems quicker than analysing ?
BTW: "to me this indicates a lack of grammer skills " -
wouldn't that be "GRAMMAR" ? (humblest apologies - just bored !)
?
It's like people that don't like metal - if u don't like it - don't buy it and listen to it !
Just ignore the ad - but I do agree on scams - discretion is your best friend ! ?

AlanRatcliffe

Sad. Terribly impoverished youth with home phone, cell phone and Internet access...

I'm just sayin' is all...

Jethro

15 year old girls... *shudder* Seems like something my sister would've done at that age...

(she -did- score a free guitar and lessons, but gave up because she didn't like the teacher...)

Riaan-Combrink

Point taken, guys ... :-[

I'll be more cynical in future ?

tubby

A cheap electric for a beginner aint that hard to come by.
A bit greedy asking for both dont you think? This is just my opinion but this looks like an attempt to merely get a free hand out. Being young aint a good enough reason to be asking for charity. Maybe at this age this girl should start learning how to save money and buy here own equipment. It will be a good life lesson to learn these skills now before she goes through life asking for handouts the whole time. If someone has any work this girl can help out with in return for an old axe then help here out. It will teach here the value of hard work!!!

Vintage-Vibe

Poor girl - now she has the wrath of the GFSA police on her back !!! ?
Of course, as a wise man once said,"If you don't ask, you won't get !"

Let's all prank call her and pretend to be gullable and set up "a meeting" (who knows, maybe she's cute ?) - Riaan - don't feel skaam - it is the job of experienced/better-off musos to empower people with the drive (but without the means) to the discover the joys of the 6-stringed noisemaker !

NorioDS

Vintage Vibe wrote:Let's all prank call her and pretend to be gullable and set up "a meeting" (who knows, maybe she's cute ?)

Dude, she's 15. That's dodgy.

Although, she could also be 35 and a he. Ya, I'll skip on the meeting either way!

deanBailey

Vintage Vibe wrote: Or u could just phone her and find out ?! ?
Seems quicker than analysing ?
BTW: "to me this indicates a lack of grammer skills " -
wouldn't that be "GRAMMAR" ? (humblest apologies - just bored !)
?
It's like people that don't like metal - if u don't like it - don't buy it and listen to it !
Just ignore the ad - but I do agree on scams - discretion is your best friend ! ?

haha it's all good It took me a while to type out that post going back and forth to analyze, I guess that proves my point too as I'm still only 21. Or maybe I'm not and I'm scamming you all right now 8)

Vintage-Vibe

2 Norio: All's fair in luv and porn

Dean: You're not an imortal with a large kitaa in your trnchcoat by any chance ? (who happens 2 listen 2 Slipknot ?) ?

Riaan-Combrink

I've gotta sms this girl, advise her to get a weekend job at Bothners (pay off the axe on terms with staff discount and acquire a work ethic in the process) and change her phone numbers to avoid the GFSA Police. On the double! ?

Lil-Bass-Goddess

Sad. Terribly impoverished youth with home phone, cell phone and Internet access...

I'm just sayin' is all...

I agree...

a new axe is not all that expensive (beginner one), plus she can always save up for one and get it dirt cheap on gumtree...

to learn the value of money she needs to save up (plus, buying your own guitars and equipment make em alot more personal and appreciated... they become your children... well, mine have anyway ? )

Wessel

Whe should show this girl this thread

http://www.guitarforum.co.za/your-gear/delta-blues-anyone/ Posted by atilla.

She could get a paper route ore something ? I hate how some people just want to sit badck and get everything.

AlanRatcliffe

Aside from my first classical guitar (which was stolen because I didn't look after it), I have worked and paid for (and looked after) every guitar I've ever owned. That's what drove me to my first after-school job (cashier at the Spar on CR Swart road in Roodepoort).

Here's another one, asking for a free guitar: http://capetown.gumtree.co.za./c-ViewAd?AdId=76226533 . Clicking on the link for "Poster's other ads" takes you to 13 other ads - one asking for free computer parts, the other 12 spam titled "Here is an extra couple of bucks - its truly worth it!"

I just thought to check the other ads from the original needy teen. Seems she has a self-steering kit for a boat up for sale too. Even if the seller (called Sven) is the dad of the poster, it seems to me that it's likely that the girl is a spoilt rich brat whose dad said no for once.

Riaan-Combrink

Alan Ratcliffe wrote: it seems to me that it's likely that the girl is a spoilt rich brat whose dad said no for once.

The little @#$%&&&!~! >☹

Alan Ratcliffe wrote: That's what drove me to my first after-school job (cashier at the Spar on CR Swart road in Roodepoort).

I was an usher at a cinema Std 8 - matric. Got to see movies for free AND streal popcorn and Coke. ?

Lil-Bass-Goddess

it seems to me that it's likely that the girl is a spoilt rich brat whose dad said no for once.

i also believe so... nothing worse than people who do stuff all and get everything! yes, i may spend lavishly on equipment and cd's etc. (which a lot of people make snotty remarks at me for), but its my hard work that got me the money (full time 8.30 to 4.30pm day job, 6.00 to 10pm twice a week at my part time job, public holidays and weekends 9-5pm) so as far as i am concerned i am allowed to get life's little extras cause I've earned it ? sitting back and expecting to get free stuff is laziness in its prime...

Riaan

I was an usher at a cinema Std 8 - matric. Got to see movies for free AND streal popcorn and Coke.

What we once did for money! At the end of high school I spent the December holidays as a shelf packer in Checkers. And during varsity, a summer holiday on the mines where one job included making up 5500 packets of peanuts and raisins. Ate so much of the stuff during the packing I was off sick for two days. And later on I worked in a pharmacy (girlfriend at the time's dad was the pharmacist) where I had to go and collect the bad debts...what an experience. I had dogs set on me, doors slammed in my face, etc. And I spent most of that money on...car audio equipment :-[...

AlanRatcliffe

Lil Bass Goddess wrote: yes, i may spend lavishly on equipment and cd's etc. (which a lot of people make snotty remarks at me for),

Go for it and enjoy it while it lasts! You are at the one stage of your life where you have few responsibilities and that any money not going to food and rent is truly disposable. Probably 50% of the CDs, all the LPs and tapes I own (thousands) as well as a large part of my early equipment "investments" happened at a similar stage in my life.

deanBailey

Alan Ratcliffe wrote: I just thought to check the other ads from the original needy teen. Seems she has a self-steering kit for a boat up for sale too. Even if the seller (called Sven) is the dad of the poster, it seems to me that it's likely that the girl is a spoilt rich brat whose dad said no for once.

Well done on the research lol I should have maybe done that before analyzing. It would have saved so much time.