Prevention
How to Protect Yourself Before Entering a Transaction with a Powwow Vendor
1. Always Do Your Research Before Committing
Before agreeing to any transaction, it’s crucial to do your research. This includes checking reviews, asking for references, and verifying the legitimacy of the seller or vendor. In today’s connected world, social media is a powerful tool for gathering insights and feedback.
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What You Can Do:
Join groups like "The Powwow Trail - Bad Sellers" Facebook Group or other online community groups where people share their experiences This can give you valuable insight into whether others have had positive or negative experiences with the vendor. Facebook groups and public forums are excellent resources for gathering, real-time feedback.
2. Contact Powwow Committees from the Region the Vendor is from (Saskatchewan) and currently resides (eg. British Columbia).
The big powwow names are usually on Pow wow Posters. Word travels fast. This is an intractable feature of the powwow community. Everyone knows everyone. If the vendor has been active in your community or within the powwow circuit, reaching out to arena, MCs, powwow committees, or champion dancers can be very telling. These individuals often have direct knowledge about the vendor’s reputation and business practices, as they may have worked with them in the past.
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What You Can Do:
Contact individuals in the or region where the vendor previously lived (e.g., SK) and where they currently reside (e.g., BC). People who have grown up with the vendor or worked with them professionally can provide valuable context. Remember, this is about business practices and not personal references, so focus on experiences related to their work.
3. Review Their Social Media and Online Presence
In today’s digital age, a legitimate vendor will typically maintain a professional online presence. Review their social media accounts (like Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn) for signs of credibility, consistency, customer feedback.
What You Can Do: Is their content professional and aligned with they are selling or offering? Are there any red flags like negative reviews or unresolved complaints?
4. Check Community Groups and Public Pages for References
Reach out to First Nations’ public Powwow Listings or Powwow Regalia and Beadwork Facebook groups or local online groups where the vendor may have ties. These groups are often a great place to ask if others have worked with or know the vendor and whether they can provide credible references.
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What You Can Do:
Don’t hesitate to inquire openly in these groups—if the vendor has a reputation for good business practices, people will be happy to vouch for them.
5. Ask for Proof of Legitimacy
When in, ask for proof of legitimacy. Request verifiable documents such as business licenses, ID, proof of previous work, or customer testimonials. Ask if they collect taxes on products or services, what method of payment is expected, and request an invoice and itemized receipt. A legitimate vendor will not hesitate to provide this information to confirm their business practices.
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What You Can Do:
If a vendor is collecting GST and PST to report their income for tax purposes and is unwilling or unable to provide proof of legitimacy, this is a major red flag. If they cannot provide the documentation, it’s safer to walk away from the transaction. Report A Tip On Suspected Non-Compliance of BC Tax Laws:You can use the tip form to report concerns about individuals or businesses:- Only accepting cash for payment (for instance, they don’t take credit cards, checks, or e-transfers)- Not providing receipts or invoices when you pay- Not collecting tax on products or services that are taxable- Collecting tax but not reporting or paying it to the provincial government- Not reporting all sales or income
6. Trust Your Instincts and Prioritize Your Safety
In any business transaction, your safety and security should be your top priority. Scammers tend to ask for large deposits without any contract, proof of design, or offer of a refund if the timeline is not met. If something feels off or raises doubts, trust your instincts and take the necessary precautions. It’s better to miss out on a deal than to become the victim of a scam.
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What You Can Do:
If at any point you feel uncertain about the vendor’s credibility, it’s safer to walk away. Scammers rely on quick decisions and a lack of information—taking your time can help you avoid falling victim.
Red Flags
If you've ever felt uneasy about a transaction or suspected something wasn't right, it's important to be aware of common scam tactics. Scammers often use delays, manipulation, and vague excuses to create a sense of trust while taking advantage of unsuspecting buyers. Here’s a breakdown of the most common red flags to watch out for:
1. Payment Made, But No Progress Pics Shown After Reasonable Time Period and No Product
One of the most obvious signs of scam is when you’ve paid for a product or service, but never receive what you’ve paid for. Scammers keep asking for more or provide endless excuses, but in the end, you’re left with nothing.
Red Flag:
You’ve paid, but the progress pictures are not provided, no deadline is given, or it keeps changing, and ultimately the product never arrives, and the seller becomes unresponsive or stops entirely.
2. Failure to Meet Deadlines
If a seller consistently misses deadlines, avoids your messages, or provides no updates, it's a major warning sign. Scammers often ghost buyers (cut off communication entirely), block them, or provide vague, shifting timelines to keep the transaction in limbo.
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Red Flag:
Your agreed-upon timeline is repeatedly pushed back, and the seller fails to offer a clear new deadline or explanation.
3. No Written Agreement – Only a Verbal Agreement
A legitimate business or professional will always provide a formal written agreement outlining the terms of the transaction, payment, delivery timelines, and expectations. Verbal agreements leave you with no legal protection if things go wrong.
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Red Flag:
There’s no written contract or terms in writing. You’re told, “Don’t worry, we have an agreement,” but there’s nothing to back it up.
4. Lack of Progress Updates
A trustworthy vendor will keep you informed, especially for custom or special orders, by sending progress pictures or status updates. Scammers may offer no updates at all or send pictures of other people’s work that they already sold.
Red Flag:
No progress pictures are provided, or the pictures sent are of items that aren’t yours—often taken from previous projects or other buyers’ completed items.
5. Vague Excuses for Delays
When delays are blamed on vague reasons like " too busy," or "I'm behind on orders," it’s a red flag. Legitimate businesses will provide specific reasons for delays and offer a new, clear timeline for delivery. Scammers often make empty promises in hopes that you'll eventually give up.
Red Flag:
Excuses like "I’ve been really sick" or "I work full-time, so I only bead on weekends," without offering a concrete solution or new deadline.
6. Deceptive Behavior – Fake Excuses and Manipulation
Scammers often use emotional manipulation, trying to make you feel guilty for their supposed. Common excuses include “My equipment is broken,” “I’m dealing with a family emergency,” or “I’m overwhelmed with orders.” They might brag about completing work in unrealistic time, like finishing a complex beadwork project in 5 days for a special customer.
Red Flag:
Constant excuses like "my equipment is down (broken),"I was sick," or "I’m overwhelmed," especially without offering a new. Watch out for exaggerated claims about how quickly they can complete work (e.g., sewing for a fashion show, or finishing beadwork in an unrealistically short period) while also reporting sickness, injury, or equipment breakdown.
7. No Contact Information Provided
A legitimate business will provide full contact information, including a physical address, phone number, email, website, and proof of business credentials (e.g., business license or ID). If the seller is unwilling to share any of this or provides only vague details this is a major red flag. Scammers often operate anonymously, sometimes using fake addresses or social media accounts to lure in customers, only to when problems arise.
Red Flag:
The seller refuses to valid contact details, such as a business address, phone, or ID. If they give an address, you can cross-check it online to verify its legitimacy.
What to Do If You Suspect a Scam:
If you notice any of the red flags above or feel that something is off, it’s crucial to take immediate action. Here’s what you should do:
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Document Everything
Keep records of all communication with the seller, including emails, messages, and transaction details. Vendors can delete messages in platforms like Facebook Messenger or, so screenshot everything and save it as evidence in case you need it later
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Stop Communicating
Once you suspect that you’re being scammed, stop all communication. Scammers often try to drag out discussions or manipulate you emotionally. Continuing to engage may undermine your case and create a record of civil interaction, making it harder to prove criminal fraud.
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Dispute the Payment
If you made a payment using a credit card or secure payment platform (like PayPal), contact your bank or payment processor to dispute the charge. Many payment processors offer fraud protection and may be able to assist in getting
Seek legal advice and consider the available civil pathways.
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