ebay powerbook scams?
Hi... just wanted to know what you all thought about this.
So I was incredibly excited yesterday evening when a search on eBay for "G4 Powerbook" returned a Featured Plus! listing advertising a lot of 49 15.2" 1GHZ powerbooks for $1000 a pop (through Buy It Now!). Seemed too good to be true. I decided not to buy then and there, but waited to talk it over with the family, etc. I go back, credit card hot in my hand, and find that all 49 have sold. Not surprising, really. But what is funny is that when I decided to sift through the other listings, just to see if there was anything remotely like the windfall I'd just missed, I came across several ads for 17" powerbooks selling for ridiculously low prices - $940, $990, etc. All of these listings were restricted to pre-approved buyers, and so I sent a couple emails out to see how I might get on the approval list.
The replies I received were most illuminating.
One guy said that the listing was fraudulent, the goods imaginary, that his account had been used without his knowledge and that ebay was investigating it. Another gave me a lengthy response, claiming that he could only accept cash or wire transfers because he was located in Madrid, where he and his partner had bought out some bankrupt computer stores or something. Strange that an international businessman wouldn't have a single previous eBay sale to his name ("he" had been a buyer about 75 times before, however.) After the first message, it seemed clear to me that this was a scam as well. The third message came from "Jhon Doyle" (sounds like John Doe, no? or maybe that's just my newfound paranoia), and in replying to my request to be put on the approved bidders list, he gave me this lengthy story about how he was in Western Europe, starting a fledgling business with his family, and that he wanted $3300 for the machine he had advertised on eBay for a mere $990. When I emailed him back, asking what he expected to gain from advertising for a third of the price he actually wanted, the reply came from "Deborah Barsky," who said, somewhat cryptically, "because I ussually [sic] buy 30 units at once and they offer me great discounts. if you are interested.."
So.
This all seems pretty blatantly shady. The other thing is that all the other powerbooks are selling, through the standard bidding process, for something much closer to what seems to be their real market value, and I don't think that would be the case if all these amazing deals were legit... wouldn't people hold out for the windfalls and not pay full price?
Has anyone experienced something similar? Is this all old news? Should I even bother pursuing deals that seem way, way too good to be true?
Thanks,
Nick
So I was incredibly excited yesterday evening when a search on eBay for "G4 Powerbook" returned a Featured Plus! listing advertising a lot of 49 15.2" 1GHZ powerbooks for $1000 a pop (through Buy It Now!). Seemed too good to be true. I decided not to buy then and there, but waited to talk it over with the family, etc. I go back, credit card hot in my hand, and find that all 49 have sold. Not surprising, really. But what is funny is that when I decided to sift through the other listings, just to see if there was anything remotely like the windfall I'd just missed, I came across several ads for 17" powerbooks selling for ridiculously low prices - $940, $990, etc. All of these listings were restricted to pre-approved buyers, and so I sent a couple emails out to see how I might get on the approval list.
The replies I received were most illuminating.
One guy said that the listing was fraudulent, the goods imaginary, that his account had been used without his knowledge and that ebay was investigating it. Another gave me a lengthy response, claiming that he could only accept cash or wire transfers because he was located in Madrid, where he and his partner had bought out some bankrupt computer stores or something. Strange that an international businessman wouldn't have a single previous eBay sale to his name ("he" had been a buyer about 75 times before, however.) After the first message, it seemed clear to me that this was a scam as well. The third message came from "Jhon Doyle" (sounds like John Doe, no? or maybe that's just my newfound paranoia), and in replying to my request to be put on the approved bidders list, he gave me this lengthy story about how he was in Western Europe, starting a fledgling business with his family, and that he wanted $3300 for the machine he had advertised on eBay for a mere $990. When I emailed him back, asking what he expected to gain from advertising for a third of the price he actually wanted, the reply came from "Deborah Barsky," who said, somewhat cryptically, "because I ussually [sic] buy 30 units at once and they offer me great discounts. if you are interested.."
So.
This all seems pretty blatantly shady. The other thing is that all the other powerbooks are selling, through the standard bidding process, for something much closer to what seems to be their real market value, and I don't think that would be the case if all these amazing deals were legit... wouldn't people hold out for the windfalls and not pay full price?
Has anyone experienced something similar? Is this all old news? Should I even bother pursuing deals that seem way, way too good to be true?
Thanks,
Nick
Comments
Should I even bother pursuing deals that seem way, way too good to be true?
You honestly need this question answered?
Wow.
OK, my answer: No.
Just put that credit card back in your pocket.
However, I really want to hear from some of those other people who bid on the PBs for $1000, and see what happened. If there are any of those out there, speak up please to fulfill my curiousity.
Originally posted by murbot
You honestly need this question answered?
Wow.
OK, my answer: No.
Ok, notice I didn't ask "Should I blindly send my money to noncommunicative, potentially criminal people I have no reason to trust?"
I've heard plenty of first-hand stories about people getting excellent deals on eBay. The concept of obtaining some product in bulk and selling it at a big discount (especially given the decent chance that said product in this case won't be top of the line for long) isn't exactly a new one. All I was asking was whether it was worth investigating, and even that question (in my mind, anyway)was contingent on the previous questions. As the other replies in the thread so far demonstrate, it's not necessarily as naive a question as you seem to think.
There are no circumstances EVER that would make me buy a PowerBook from someone in freaking Madrid. I will pay for my OWN booze-laded holidays, not someone elses.
Originally posted by nickgb
Ok, notice I didn't ask "Should I blindly send my money to noncommunicative, potentially criminal people I have no reason to trust?"
I've heard plenty of first-hand stories about people getting excellent deals on eBay. The concept of obtaining some product in bulk and selling it at a big discount (especially given the decent chance that said product in this case won't be top of the line for long) isn't exactly a new one. All I was asking was whether it was worth investigating, and even that question (in my mind, anyway)was contingent on the previous questions. As the other replies in the thread so far demonstrate, it's not necessarily as naive a question as you seem to think.
The deal with eBay is that it's a haven for scammers(yes, there are bargains too). But since you're not able to inspect the merchandise or even know if it even exists, you're rolling the dice. You can win big time or crap out. I guess it boils down to how risk adverse you are.
Is this all old news?
Yes. Everyone else is (rightly) cynical/realistic about the validity of bargain auctions.
Originally posted by THE MAC GOD
Actually right now I am working with the Madrid guy... I put the money into a Westernunion account in my girlfriends name... So he can see that I have the money, but he can't pick it up until I change it to his name... (you HAVE to show a valid ID). SO we will see.
Dude. It's a scam. The guy is a criminal. Don't even bother, unless you like donating money to strangers, in which case you're welcome to send some to me. My email address for PayPal is in my profile, and i prefer non credit-card PayPal payments.
-robo
They are based in Europe or anywhere sufficiently out of reach for local US law enforcement. They operate by western union wire service, and generally employ a third party for 'pickup' - they are paid a cut for picking up and delivering the money.
A fake ID is naturally used. You think they'd use a real one?
This person, even if apprehended, can easily deny involvement in any scams, and has no damning evidence anywhere in their personal lives. Women are often used.
As shady as the whole scam is, the greedy are lured in by the prospect of easy gain, and ignore the warning signs because they want to believe it is true.
A fool and his money are soon parted.
And eBay claims there's only 2% of ads in the entire eBay community are fraud
Their (ebay) ass has been exposed in air way too long
Luckily, just before he sent the money, eBay sent him a notice that the User had been suspended for suspicious activity, and that the transaction was void if he wanted it to be.
And even then he asked me if he should still go through with it
Originally posted by bauman
My good friend (against my advice) ordered a TiBook 800 for one grand from a Hijacked User after only a few correspondences with the seller.
Luckily, just before he sent the money, eBay sent him a notice that the User had been suspended for suspicious activity, and that the transaction was void if he wanted it to be.
And even then he asked me if he should still go through with it
Take him to mental hospital
I propably will never buy a computer from e-bay. I just don't beleive there is any such thing as a good deal on a new model. Never worth the risk. I think the only trustworthy deal on an Apple is by student discount (not really a great deal in my state) or for refurbished goods (watch out for the warranty).
I've heard plenty of first-hand stories about people getting excellent deals on eBay. The concept of obtaining some product in bulk and selling it at a big discount (especially given the decent chance that said product in this case won't be top of the line for long) isn't exactly a new one. All I was asking was whether it was worth investigating, and even that question (in my mind, anyway)was contingent on the previous questions. As the other replies in the thread so far demonstrate, it's not necessarily as naive a question as you seem to think.
Although apparently some here on the the left think I'm not a very intelligent one, I am a US Attorney and work specifically with fraud and consumer protection issues. For what it's worth - I deal with close to close to 70 fraud cases a month, and at least half of those come from the internet and ebay.
It's not worth it.
Originally posted by OBJRA10
Although apparently some here on the the left think I'm not a very intelligent one, I am a US Attorney and work specifically with fraud and consumer protection issues. For what it's worth - I deal with close to close to 70 fraud cases a month, and at least half of those come from the internet and ebay.
It's not worth it.
Hi OBJRA10! In your experience are there certain commonalities or patterns that you see in your cases? All of my Ebay transcations have been smooth and sometimes it was the only way to obtain the product I wanted regardless of price. I have a formula ( sort of) in assessing auctions but some of your info and insight could be useful me thinks.