Stolen Powerbooks resold on eBay?
I don't know if I'm just paranoid but how can sellers offer a brand new unopened PowerBook G4 800 for $2200 US?
I mean it's $3199 on Apple's site.
My only thought was that it was a stolen and is now being resold on eBay. Any way of determining whether it's stolen or not? Will a serial number tell anything?
thanks
I mean it's $3199 on Apple's site.
My only thought was that it was a stolen and is now being resold on eBay. Any way of determining whether it's stolen or not? Will a serial number tell anything?
thanks
Comments
i've thought about doing then, i can pick them up for hundreds under retail.
guess you'd have to find a little more out, and check their feedback, and talk to people who've bought from them.
<strong>They aren't stolen, they do not exist. They will take your money and you will never hear from them again.</strong><hr></blockquote>
Wouldn't a serial number prove that one exists?
But I wonder if Apple has a hotline or a place where you can submit a serial number to check if it's stolen goods or not.
<a href="http://page.auctions.shopping.yahoo.com/auction/68067124?aucview=0x14"; target="_blank">http://page.auctions.shopping.yahoo.com/auction/68067124?aucview=0x14</a>;
I'm almost certain it's all the same guy, or a small group of related people, running all of these auctions. There was one point a couple of weeks ago when every auction running (12 of them) was a scam auction. All ads were extremely similar, and all 12 auctions were by different sellers, all of which had registered with eBay within the previous few days.
I'd email them, and get a variation of the same response, so I knew it was the same pricks. Sometimes they tell me their "Canadian agent" is on holidays, so I need to send the payment to Italy and they'll then have another agent in the US send me the PowerBook. Whatever the made up scenario, they always demand payment by Western Union - which leaves you basically no recourse to get your money back (and they know it).
It is actually quite fun. I've got some nice email here threatening me with death, decapitation, the ass-raping of me and my family. Pretty cool guys. I had one auction up to $10,000 for a PowerBook and it ended. The guy emailed me and said he was going to have "an associate" come for the $10,000, or take my head, so that "we could meet face to face".
For example, check <a href="http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2038349263"; target="_blank">this ad</a>. Oh, looks like he's buying cheap items to try and get feedback built up. I'll fix that...
Bid on it. Ask the seller about a Buy It Now price. It will be something ridiculous like $2000. Note that he's including an Apple Pro Keyboard, Apple Pro Mouse, Rechargeable Battery, AirPort Card, Power Adapter, iPod, and an AirPort Base Station with that price. I'd bet my left nut that this is the same guy I've been dealing with. He's got about 4 auctions running right now...
I've received email from a few people who actually sent this clown money, and of course, they're screwed. I've passed along emails to one guy in Edmonton who's trying to track the scammer down. He used the email headers to determine that he's in Romania, and is dealing with the police in his city. Not sure how much luck he'll have with someone that far away though...
I've had a few of his auctions end at $99,999,999. I don't know what his eBay fees would be, but I'd imagine quite high.
It's something to do during quiet mornings at work, and it stops people from getting scammed.
I should say that just because a seller has no feedback, it doesn't mean they're crooks... everyone starts out at 0 of course. But if they're selling you $6000 worth of hardware for $2000, and you have to Western Union the funds to Romania.... the common sense should kick in.
I have seen ads that seemed to be in this group, but after emailing the seller I've found them to be legit... always contact the seller and get some info.
[ 07-11-2002: Message edited by: murbot ]</p>
If I change my password or email address with eBay, I always get a confirmation email to see that it was indeed me who made the change... and it always includes the IP address of the computer the change was requested from.
You think they could use that themselves...
If they do come for your head make sure to have a sword handy, there can be only one <img src="graemlins/lol.gif" border="0" alt="[Laughing]" />
But on serious note, with people fvcking up eBay the way they are, how the hell does a legitimate seller manage to sell anything anymore?
Yes, I'll admit my motivation isn't solely based on helping the innocent... ol' murbot here might just want to sell something on eBay in the future. You know, maybe...
Someone has to deal with these crackers... eBay apparently isn't too concerned with it.
[ 07-11-2002: Message edited by: murbot ]</p>
This is the response I got when I inquired further as to what the "Buy it Now" price was.
"The product is brand new and very performant ,in unopened box,comes up with all accessories and the
machine has 1 year warranty.
Wait for your reply asap.
If you offer me $2200us we have a deal. "
It just sounded a bit too good to be true and thanks to you guys, I'll be sure not to bite.
As far as eBay, I've only had about 3 transactions and thankfully, it's been on the up and up. I've been lucky.
<a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1365962847"; target="_blank">#1</a>
<a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1366036136"; target="_blank">#2</a>
There were another 4 in the canon camera section, just like #2. And I saw another in the Powerbook section.
machine has 1 year warranty.
Wait for your reply asap.
If you offer me $2200us we have a deal. "<hr></blockquote>
That sounds word for word like the responses I've received from him in the past... don't have those exact emails, but it definitely smells like him.
I get email from a fair number of people who were going to send money, and didn't after I emailed them with an explanation of what's going on. Nice to have stopped a few scams.
There are actually other people out there doing the same thing, even more that I am. You'll see a username like "scrutinize" or something, and they'll have a "ME" logo near their name, which is a link to their About Me page. There are some with VERY detailed info on online fraud, resources available to buyers, things to look out for, etc.
How's this for timing, BTW... I just got an email from this clown. I'll keep the spelling as-is.
[quote]Subject: KNOW YOU ARE HAPPY
I WAIT FOR YOU AND IS MORE POSIBIL TO KEEP YOU .
AFTER THESE I **** YOU IN YOUR ASS.<hr></blockquote>
Surely this is a legitimate seller, eh?
Oh, and about that email after the $100 million dollar auction, I dug it up:
[quote]Dear Sir,
At least I have this ....
You ..... have just 99,999.999.
If you want it I am agree to give it to you and your all family but just in the ass.
Kindest regards!<hr></blockquote>
The "I have this..." was about a photo of a rather large penis attached to the email.
It was really funny, because he forgot about the fake name setup with the email address he used, it apparently came from a Karen Yost, who was their "sales manager".... they can't even keep their lies straight.
[ 07-11-2002: Message edited by: murbot ]</p>
Here's the specs:
Ti 500, 30 GB HD, DVD, 512 MB RAM, AirPort Card, AppleCare (expires Feb 2004). Also, I may be able to throw in some other extras too.
Any offers? and if so, how much?
<strong>
The "I have this..." was about a photo of a rather large penis attached to the email.
It was really funny, because he forgot about the fake name setup with the email address he used, it apparently came from a Karen Yost, who was their "sales manager".... they can't even keep their lies straight.
[ 07-11-2002: Message edited by: murbot ]</strong><hr></blockquote>
murbot, you are on hell of a funny mo'fo. That's some good stuff. <img src="graemlins/lol.gif" border="0" alt="[Laughing]" /> If you ever get anything like that again, post it here...it's made my day.
Hey, check out <a href="http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2038269194"; target="_blank">this auction</a>.
Hurry, that super cool username of mine won't be there for long - buddy is getting better at cancelling and blocking me...
I'll have to get a few more names made up.
<strong>Thanks!
Hey, check out <a href="http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2038269194"; target="_blank">this auction</a>.
Hurry, that super cool username of mine won't be there for long - buddy is getting better at cancelling and blocking me...
I'll have to get a few more names made up.
HAHA that is a good one.. LOL... Yahoo has a bunch to. I just post questions like why does this sound like a scam blah blah lol
<img src="graemlins/lol.gif" border="0" alt="[Laughing]" />
<strong>Thanks!
Hey, check out <a href="http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2038269194"; target="_blank">this auction</a>.
Hurry, that super cool username of mine won't be there for long - buddy is getting better at cancelling and blocking me...
I'll have to get a few more names made up.
<img src="graemlins/lol.gif" border="0" alt="[Laughing]" /> great, murbot.