06-11-2026, 08:21 AM
The THCa space moves fast and scammers love it because new buyers don't know what normal looks like yet. Here's what normal does NOT look like.
1. No COA, or excuses about the COA
"We're waiting on lab results" or "DM me for the COA" on a product that's actively for sale. Legit vendors post COAs publicly next to the product. See the COA reading guide pinned in this section.
2. The COA doesn't match the product
Different batch number, different product name, or one COA recycled across the entire menu. Technically a COA, practically worthless.
3. Prices that make no sense
If everyone sells ounces between $60 and $150 and someone's selling them at $25 shipped, you're paying $25 to learn a lesson. Budget vendors exist, but impossibly cheap usually means spray, mids, or nothing arriving at all.
4. Payment by gift card, Zelle, CashApp, or crypto only
No card option means no chargeback, which is exactly why scammers prefer it. Some legit small vendors do use these too, so this flag alone isn't fatal, but combined with any other flag on this list, run.
5. No footprint anywhere
Search the vendor name plus "review" and plus "scam." A real vendor has reviews on Reddit, forums like this one, or at minimum a social media history. A scammer has a website registered three weeks ago and nothing else.
6. Stolen product photos
Reverse image search their bud pics. If the same photo shows up on five other sites, they never had the product.
7. Pressure tactics in DMs
"Sale ends tonight," "only 2 left," sliding into your DMs after you posted in a forum looking for vendors. Real vendors don't need to chase individual buyers.
None of these alone is automatic proof of a scam (except the stolen photos, that one's pretty much over). It's about patterns. Two or more flags, find another vendor.
Been burned before? Post the story in this section. Naming and shaming with receipts is half the point of having a community.
1. No COA, or excuses about the COA
"We're waiting on lab results" or "DM me for the COA" on a product that's actively for sale. Legit vendors post COAs publicly next to the product. See the COA reading guide pinned in this section.
2. The COA doesn't match the product
Different batch number, different product name, or one COA recycled across the entire menu. Technically a COA, practically worthless.
3. Prices that make no sense
If everyone sells ounces between $60 and $150 and someone's selling them at $25 shipped, you're paying $25 to learn a lesson. Budget vendors exist, but impossibly cheap usually means spray, mids, or nothing arriving at all.
4. Payment by gift card, Zelle, CashApp, or crypto only
No card option means no chargeback, which is exactly why scammers prefer it. Some legit small vendors do use these too, so this flag alone isn't fatal, but combined with any other flag on this list, run.
5. No footprint anywhere
Search the vendor name plus "review" and plus "scam." A real vendor has reviews on Reddit, forums like this one, or at minimum a social media history. A scammer has a website registered three weeks ago and nothing else.
6. Stolen product photos
Reverse image search their bud pics. If the same photo shows up on five other sites, they never had the product.
7. Pressure tactics in DMs
"Sale ends tonight," "only 2 left," sliding into your DMs after you posted in a forum looking for vendors. Real vendors don't need to chase individual buyers.
None of these alone is automatic proof of a scam (except the stolen photos, that one's pretty much over). It's about patterns. Two or more flags, find another vendor.
Been burned before? Post the story in this section. Naming and shaming with receipts is half the point of having a community.