Long time Wallingford residents and storekeepers may remember Big Hands Guy. From a 2010 Wallyhood post on him:
he usually has a NY accent, says he’s from Alaska (he’s real friendly, see), and his 8-month pregnant wife is sitting in a coffee shop down the street, and she has all the receipts in her purse. this is after he’s scouted the premises, found a high-ticket item, and brings it up to the counter to “return”.
He’s about 6’2″, about 210 lbs, has dark hair that’s short but curly and often a mustache. Oh yeah, and big hands.
Well, he’s back. Emily from Seattle Mosaic Arts writes:
…is back. I wasn’t sure who to inform, but figured the blog is a good forum. I’ve read about him on the blog in years past, and now I’ve been duped by him, unfortunately.
He came into our little mosaic studio last Wednesday, early afternoon, August 27. He fits the same description as before – about 200lbs, maybe 5’10”, dark short curly hair, very friendly-seeming, and the signature big hands. I was in the back room when he walked in, offered to answer any questions he might have, and went about my tasks. I had completely forgotten about the existence of this scammer, having been 3 or 4 years since hearing anything about him, and I wasn’t feeling well that day, so I didn’t have my radar in full tune.
He brought me a pair of glass cutters, saying his wife had bought the wrong tool, and could he return them. He put on a good show to make it seem as though he/his wife was interested in mosaics, glass cutting, etc. She was supposedly in a cab around the corner, too tired to come in and do the return herself. His story this time was that he was from Alaska, and was down here working on a large ship. He was super sweaty and went on about how hot it was working in the hull of the boat. He even mentioned something about his hands having swollen, telling me his next stop was the hospital. Had I been in top form, I may have remembered the previous stories from Wallyhood about him. Alas…
My biggest mistake was not asking for a receipt! Our little community is so wonderful and trustworthy, that I didn’t think twice. Silly me. I refunded him the money – the tool was worth about $40 – and he went on his way. My boss today put the pieces together that this was “Big Hands Guy”. I am infuriated and I am upset with myself for not having put it together that day. I feel very violated and duped.
Be warned, tell your employees, tell your neighbors, and be on the look out for this guy.
Updated 12:04 PM: Added photo of BHG from Dandelion Botanicals page. Thanks for the tip, missv!)
Dandelion Botanicals still has his photo posted here:
http://dandelionbotanical.com/scam.html
Number one sign his grifting days will come to an end soon: he’s so googlable.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rvratner/7834344052/in/photostream/
He’s become a veritable local web celebrity. 😀
Here’s my rule of thumb from my days in retail: the longer and more complicated the story, the more likely it is that it’s a scam. If someone tells you a lot more than you need to hear, especially if he’s squirrely-looking, it’s bogus.
It’s this kind of scam that makes it so retailers need to ask for receipts and/or ID on returns. I totally get it, and don’t mind at all when asked to present ID; I’m amazed (well, surprised… well, saddened) when I see online rants about having to present ID for returns. It doesn’t hurt me to do so, and I know it helps the shopkeepers.
Hey, and a reminder for you cash handlers. When someone asks for change for a twenty, put the bill on the counter in front of you and put something on it (a pen, a cup) so that when you look down to the till, they don’t switch it out for something smaller. And if they change their minds about what change they want, Just Stop There. “I can’t do that” is easy to say.
This also works if you are giving change for a purchase. Confusion is key for the small time thief.
Evon: Is this the guy?
DC: “Rule of thumb!” Ha! You’re killing me over here.
Evon: My link died. http://forums.crackberry.com/attachments/blackberry-passport-f434/290806d1408046316t-hands-passport-comparing-size-science-sleep-had-some-big-hands-30726-1237324696-15.jpg
Wow.
I remember this guy from the late 1990’s when I worked as a cashier at a convenience store on Cap Hill. Between 1994 – 1998.
I have seen him maybe once or twice since then. One time in particular at Starkbucks Westlake store downtown where he was in the process of stealing a container of juice; unfortunately the store manager caught him and told him to get out. I say unfortunately because I was waiting for him to exit the store with the stolen item so I could call SPD and get some payback for all the stress he caused me and my coworkers over the years that he frequented where I was working.
He has no problem walking into areas that are clearly marked as employees only and not open to the public. He did this at the store where I worked and walked out with a full case of cartons of cigarettes.
I don’t recommend anyone trying to physically detain him. I remember that he usually had a rather large screwdriver in his back pocket and he always was kind of sweaty even in cooler weather. I’m guessing meth.
I have seen him three times this morning cruising 45th. He’s doing a circuit between Domino’s and Bartell’s. He’s wearing a Geek Squad (from Best Buy) tee.