OT:Bogus Second Chance offers on Ebay

Timsplace · 15th October 2005

For the second time in a row, after bidding and losing an auction on Ebay, I've received another bogus Second chance offer! By all indications, someone hijacks the original seller's ebay account, sends the second chance offer through E-bay, but says to respond to the offer through another e-mail address. Is this happening to others here as well? It seems like a serious problem at E-bay if people can use others accounts at will.

Tim

max cooper · 15th October 2005

I think I've gotten one of these (at least) on every item I've bid on in the last couple of years.

Unless an auction is private, everyone can see the Ebay ID's of everyone who bid.

It's a simple matter to set up an Ebay account and initiate a "contact member" with the second or third place bidder through that account, saying that the winner of the auction for the Ronco Mr. Masticator flaked out, and now I'm offering it to you, but in order to avoid Ebay fees and what not, lets do this transaction outside of Ebay.

Alternatively, they'll just say "This guy doesn't want it now, so how about $150, and here's my paypal ID" and they won't even mention anything about going through Ebay or not, and you'll be so concerned about getting the item that you thought you had lost, that you won't think to make sure this guy's ebay ID matches that of the original sellers.

Since many people either don't exactly understand the mechanics of a Second Chance Offer, or the inner workings of Ebay in general, they'll think that the offer must be coming from the original seller, or they won't think at all.

But there's a specific Second Chance Offer that'll come from Ebay through the seller.

I've bought and sold a ton of stuff on Ebay over the years, and I've had one deadbeat seller who didn't send me a $20 item. It's important to understand how it all works, and to use common sense. Ebay will protect you up to a point; beyond that point, it's up to you.

Recently, I've been doing almost no buying, and all sellling; but mainly because the deals just haven't been there. Especially on gear; seems that most people will run a currently manufactured item in good shape up to within 10% or less of the street price. I'm just the kind of guy who'd rather pay a bit more and buy new. To each his own, I guess.

15th October 2005	#1
Timsplace Gear maniac Joined: May 2004 Location: Chicago Posts: 184 Thread Starter	OT:Bogus Second Chance offers on Ebay For the second time in a row, after bidding and losing an auction on Ebay, I've received another bogus Second chance offer! By all indications, someone hijacks the original seller's ebay account, sends the second chance offer through E-bay, but says to respond to the offer through another e-mail address. Is this happening to others here as well? It seems like a serious problem at E-bay if people can use others accounts at will. Tim __________________ Tim Reisig

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15th October 2005	#2
max cooper Lives for gear Joined: Aug 2004 Location: tx Posts: 8,802	I think I've gotten one of these (at least) on every item I've bid on in the last couple of years. Unless an auction is private, everyone can see the Ebay ID's of everyone who bid. It's a simple matter to set up an Ebay account and initiate a "contact member" with the second or third place bidder through that account, saying that the winner of the auction for the Ronco Mr. Masticator flaked out, and now I'm offering it to you, but in order to avoid Ebay fees and what not, lets do this transaction outside of Ebay. Alternatively, they'll just say "This guy doesn't want it now, so how about $150, and here's my paypal ID" and they won't even mention anything about going through Ebay or not, and you'll be so concerned about getting the item that you thought you had lost, that you won't think to make sure this guy's ebay ID matches that of the original sellers. Since many people either don't exactly understand the mechanics of a Second Chance Offer, or the inner workings of Ebay in general, they'll think that the offer must be coming from the original seller, or they won't think at all. But there's a specific Second Chance Offer that'll come from Ebay through the seller. I've bought and sold a ton of stuff on Ebay over the years, and I've had one deadbeat seller who didn't send me a $20 item. It's important to understand how it all works, and to use common sense. Ebay will protect you up to a point; beyond that point, it's up to you. Recently, I've been doing almost no buying, and all sellling; but mainly because the deals just haven't been there. Especially on gear; seems that most people will run a currently manufactured item in good shape up to within 10% or less of the street price. I'm just the kind of guy who'd rather pay a bit more and buy new. To each his own, I guess.