E49 at $8,000 with 18 bids on eBay...WHY???

[Geddyleewannabe]

There is a Soundelux E49 on eBay currently at $8,000 with 18 bids on it...WHY???
What am I missing? It's only for one and it's used. Is this a scam of some kind? Shilling?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Soundelux-e49-mu...QQcmdZViewItem

[TonyBelmont]

Somebody bumping up their own listing I presume. That's the only way one of those mics would ever be that absurd amount...

[Pohaku]

Go to the classifieds and check out the discussion there. It's a scam (the posting is ripped from a GS member) and some of our beloved members are dinking with the guy.

[Acoustic Cloud]

classifieds, where?

[Ziggy!!]

If people know it is a scam then someone might be bidding obscene amounts to stop others from getting burnt.

[zarembo]

get in on the fun!

if private auction listings have turned ebay "pro audio" into a nearly safe haven for scammers, then measures must be taken.

the mic in question was sold by me in January to a great guy for a fair price.

One instance where ebay worked as it should with mutual buyer and seller satisfaction.

if ebay doesn't seem to care it is hosting a bogus listing, then they also shouldn't care if certain members of its community are stepping up to poke holes in one of the sh*t-filled balloons they rent out.

Private auctions allow scammers the gas to float just out of reach...

I hope dude raises a stink when he isn't able to collect payment on a mic he doesn't even have.

Seems like ebay would have moderators who could RULE their appropriate sections and just not tolerate any of this kind of crap.

anyway, join in the fun, I think we have a wiener!

[warhead]

Originally Posted by Acoustic Cloud

classifieds, where?

When you're logged in, scroll down to the bottom of Gearslutz home page and you'll see in a tiny link "classifieds" with some other sections.

War

[cap217]

the seller hasent even done anything since 2000

[redddog]

Curious how you know this is bogus?

[not_so_new]

Originally Posted by redddog

Curious how you know this is bogus?

Welll.. here is a pretty good place to start....

Originally Posted by cap217

the seller hasent even done anything since 2000

Originally Posted by Pohaku

Go to the classifieds and check out the discussion there. It's a scam (the posting is ripped from a GS member) and some of our beloved members are dinking with the guy.

[danasti]

Originally Posted by redddog

Curious how you know this is bogus?

How could you drop that kind of money without bothering to type "soundelux e49" into google.??? First hit comes back ... sweetwater: Retail $3750. How easy is that to tell it's a scam?

mercanary's got a demo for $2600 (full waranty)

[blaugruen7]

wow. its at 15k$ now!

[Acoustic Cloud]

Ok, so forgive me here.... this person took the whole auction intact, from a dude here at GS???

Im understanding this right?

Description and html-pics and all?

[not_so_new]

private listing - bidders' identities protected US $14,999.00 Aug-08-06 08:15:50 PDT


private listing - bidders' identities protected US $14,900.00 Aug-08-06 10:05:25 PDT


private listing - bidders' identities protected US $13,700.00 Aug-08-06 10:05:10 PDT


private listing - bidders' identities protected US $13,000.00 Aug-08-06 10:04:18 PDT


private listing - bidders' identities protected US $12,000.00 Aug-08-06 10:04:01 PDT


private listing - bidders' identities protected US $10,000.00 Aug-08-06 10:03:31 PDT


private listing - bidders' identities protected US $9,000.00 Aug-07-06 16:35:43 PDT


private listing - bidders' identities protected US $8,900.00 Aug-08-06 08:10:32 PDT


private listing - bidders' identities protected US $8,500.00 Aug-08-06 01:34:41 PDT


private listing - bidders' identities protected US $8,000.00 Aug-07-06 17:14:30 PDT


private listing - bidders' identities protected US $7,000.00 Aug-07-06 17:14:05 PDT


private listing - bidders' identities protected US $6,000.00 Aug-07-06 17:13:50 PDT


private listing - bidders' identities protected US $5,000.00 Aug-07-06 15:13:17 PDT


private listing - bidders' identities protected US $950.00 Aug-07-06 15:49:29 PDT


private listing - bidders' identities protected US $800.00 Aug-07-06 07:43:45 PDT


private listing - bidders' identities protected US $777.77 Aug-06-06 21:35:11 PDT


private listing - bidders' identities protected US $750.00 Aug-06-06 14:41:29 PDT


private listing - bidders' identities protected US $550.00 Aug-06-06 14:40:30 PDT


private listing - bidders' identities protected US $500.01 Aug-06-06 12:09:47 PDT


private listing - bidders' identities protected US $500.00 Aug-06-06 14:40:21 PDT


private listing - bidders' identities protected US $300.00 Aug-06-06 14:40:15 PDT


private listing - bidders' identities protected US $200.00 Aug-06-06 14:40:08 PDT


private listing - bidders' identities protected US $105.00 Aug-06-06 14:40:02 PDT


private listing - bidders' identities protected US $75.00 Aug-06-06 14:39:56 PDT


private listing - bidders' identities protected US $47.00 Aug-06-06 14:39:49 PDT


private listing - bidders' identities protected US $45.00 Aug-06-06 10:15:37 PDT

dfegad

1 Million dollars (it works better if you think of Mike Myers with his pinky in the side of his mouth)

[zarembo]

Originally Posted by redddog

Curious how you know this is bogus?

because it's MY listing from a sale back in January.

this is a total scam.

go over to the classifieds where that thread is percolating along nicely.

[pan60]

why dose ebay let this crap go on.

[not_so_new]

Originally Posted by pan60

why dose ebay let this crap go on.

Well.... because at any one time they have a million plus active auctions perhaps?



I am not going to cut Ebay any slack, they should pull this acution. On the other hand their whole business premise is that you are reasonable for doing the research on the product and the seller yourself. That is the whole point of the feed back system right?

You can't blame EBay that some folks are going to try abusing the system, it happens with every system and you can't blame Ebay for not catching every scam out there. Trust me they do try VERY VERY hard because it hurts their business. Not only do they not want any scammers they actively pursue them as a mater of business survival.

[danasti]

Originally Posted by not_so_new

Well.... because at any one time they have a million plus active auctions perhaps?



I am not going to cut Ebay any slack, they should pull this acution. On the other hand their whole business premise is that you are reasonable for doing the research on the product and the seller yourself. That is the whole point of the feed back system right?

You can't blame EBay that some folks are going to try abusing the system, it happens with every system and you can't blame Ebay for not catching every scam out there. Trust me they do try VERY VERY hard because it hurts their business. Not only do they not want any scammers they actively pursue them as a mater of business survival.

Exactly -

It would be the same if you walked into an auction house and a painting went for $50,000 over it's original price. The market sets the value for an item and it is between the seller and bidders where the price is set.

They do pursue scammers - now scammers are inserting a link on photos of an item you are viewing (like a U47) which takes you to a page that looks EXACTLY like the ebay login page. Only it's not ebays page but when you log in and hit the button it sends your account information to the scammer. Now they have that ebay account to host these auctions.

When this first happened to me I almost typed in my info but the page looked a little funny and the font was different.

Type in "digi 002" ... you will a bunch listed for $100 and if you view it there is an email. These are the easiest scams to notice but ebay can't stop them because scammers are capable of getting ahold of account info. They will always find a new way.

Let's face it though. These jerks were around before ebay and no matter what ebay does, short of finding and killing them, they will still be here tomorrow.

Just be careful, PAY ATTENTION (see above scam) - trust your gut instinct and follow the rules.

[pan60]

it is just disappointing

[zarembo]

what do you guys think about ebay having moderators like on GS who take care of business, like lower tiered management but very accessible to the community.

[wayne mox]

Yeah Ebay has millions of auctions to keep and eye on, but only a few types that need to keep two eyes on. High end audio equipment is one of those types of auctions they need to pay more attention to. You can't give a $2.99 trinket auction the same policing as you do a $3000 microphone auction.

That's the real sad part, Ebay's priorities.

[not_so_new]

Originally Posted by wayne mox

Yeah Ebay has millions of auctions to keep and eye on, but only a few types that need to keep two eyes on. High end audio equipment is one of those types of auctions they need to pay more attention to. You can't give a $2.99 trinket auction the same policing as you do a $3000 microphone auction.

That's the real sad part, Ebay's priorities.

Well that is a good point I guess but.... I did a little looking and here is what I come up with.

I did a search for a few items over $500 currently on Ebay as of tonight. I would think that $500 is a good number that meets your idea of "important".. it does mine anyway.

14318 items found for "Antique"
46426 items found for "Car"
6612 items found for "Guitar"
7370 items found for "Camera"
16634 items found for "Computer"
1640 items found for "Receiver"
5792 items found for "Coin"

That is 98792 currently live auctions for 7 simple keywords. AND that is an intentionally low number. I didn't include other categories for each search, only the categories that are under the main heading for that item. Also remember that this is just tonight, that number will be about the same tomorrow night only with a substantial number of new auctions as well as the ending auctions today.

That is a HUGE number of active auctions. I think the whole scope of just how large Ebay actually is escapes people because they only go to the few places of interest to them. I have been using Ebay since 1999 or so and there are plenty of categories that I have never looked in one time.

People want to blame Ebay for everything under the sun but really they are an extremely large operation and with anything that large there are going to be things that slip under the security door.

Everyone needs to use their smarts when dealing with Ebay purchases and stop blaming Ebay for their own bad judgment.

[wayne mox]

Originally Posted by not_so_new

I did a search for a few items over $500 currently on Ebay as of tonight. I would think that $500 is a good number that meets your idea of "important".. it does mine anyway.

14318 items found for "Antique"
46426 items found for "Car"
6612 items found for "Guitar"
7370 items found for "Camera"
16634 items found for "Computer"
1640 items found for "Receiver"
5792 items found for "Coin"



People want to blame Ebay for everything under the sun but really they are an extremely large operation and with anything that large there are going to be things that slip under the security door.

I highlighted the quote there because it is incorrect thinking. If there are problems with Ebay's system of security, it is Ebay's problem, no one else and they are to blame. Period. They created this monster, they designed the system, it is their baby, they are responsible. They need to invest the money to restructure the entire security system. What they have now is a bunch of baffoons and automated email messages.

For now, they need to hire people of some intelligence who also have some experience and common sense in specific areas of concern.

I can guarantee you right now, little old me, with limited knowledge in audio equipment, could do a 30 minute scan of every high end audio equipment item, over $1000, WITH BIDS, ending within the next 2 hours, and come to a reasonable conclusion on whether it is a fake auction or genuine.

Not to mention, if I get an email from someone who says, hey item #4432342 is fake, I can look that up pretty quick and make a common sense determination.

And that's just ONE guy, me, not even getting paid. Employ 100 people doing this every 8 hours in 3 shifts, you may not kill all the bad auctions, but you will bring it's numbers down.

Would this cause complaints and likely civil suits against Ebay? Sure, but that is the monster they created.

Also, $1000 or more is my idea of important items of concern. Where most high end audio equipment starts.




ps. I just did a quick search in Musical Instruments (which covers all pro audio and most high end is listed), items with at least 1 bid, and sorted by ending the soonest. I didn't even specify a minimum dollar amount. How many auctions are ending within 2 hours at this moment???? NINE <-------- *9* That's out of over 162000 total auctions. But I only need to worry about 9.

NINE AUCTIONS. Took me 5 minutes to look them over. If I was employed by Ebay doing this full time, I'd be picking my nose right now waiting for something to do. Unbelievable.

AND.... the criteria used to determine a fake auction is so unbelievably simple, a ten year old can do it. Chances are, if the seller is a power seller with lots of recent feedback he is OK. A guy with 100% feedback rating of 55, hasn't had any activity for 3 years, AND does not take Paypal, that is likely the scam and would require further investigation. Took me all of 5 minutes to look at them. But Ebay? It's a crock.

[not_so_new]

Originally Posted by wayne mox

I highlighted the quote there because it is incorrect thinking. If there are problems with Ebay's system of security, it is Ebay's problem, no one else and they are to blame. Period. They created this monster, they designed the system, it is their baby, they are responsible. They need to invest the money to restructure the entire security system. What they have now is a bunch of baffoons and automated email messages.

Really? It sounds like something from personal experience for you, can you share the situation with us?

As I said I have been a happy Ebay member since 1999. Never had one problem or complaint... well exactly one problem. The pulled an auction of mine because I posted it wrong very clearly breaking the posting rules. Other than that I have bought and sold tens of thousands of dollars worth of goods on Ebay with 0 issues....

You know why? Because I assume that security is my responsibility at all times. The only thing out of my hands on Ebay is my account on their servers. If someone cracks their server security and steals my account then shame on them. Everything else is my responsibility... EVERYTHING.

If I pay $18,999 for a $2,500 microphone, my fault.

If I buy a $500 guitar from an account that has only sold DVD's for $4.50 each, my fault.

If I purchase something from a seller who has not been active for 5 years, my fault.

If I buy a $2,000 compressor from a person in China with a feedback rating of 1, my fault.

If I buy a $20,000 car from a seller and I never give them a call before I pay, my fault.

If I pay for a $1000 gold watch with a Western Union wire transfer, my fault.

If I sell my product to a bidder with a feedback rating of 0 and take a personal check then ship without waiting for it to clear, my fault.

If I let my computer get hacked because I did not follow proper security procedures, my fault.

If I open every email that comes into my Yahoo account and someone hijacks my Ebay user name and password, my fault.

Ebay's whole premise is to have the community police the community. That is what the rating system is for. It may not be the best system but if you are smart about your transactions then you will probably be fine.

Sorry we agree to disagree.

Also, $1000 or more is my idea of important items of concern. Where most high end audio equipment starts.

Well, $500 is a big deal to me but to each their own. Either way, I am sure there are hunderds of thousands of + $1000 auctions that go down each week, that is a huge number.

[not_so_new]

Originally Posted by wayne mox

AND.... the criteria used to determine a fake auction is so unbelievably simple, a ten year old can do it. Chances are, if the seller is a power seller with lots of recent feedback he is OK. A guy with 100% feedback rating of 55, hasn't had any activity for 3 years, AND does not take Paypal, that is likely the scam and would require further investigation. Took me all of 5 minutes to look at them. But Ebay? It's a crock.

I guess this is where the problem lies between us. I do not expect anyone else in the world to look out for my best interest.

So you say, "Chances are, if the seller is a power seller with lots of recent feedback he is OK. A guy with 100% feedback rating of 55, hasn't had any activity for 3 years, AND does not take Paypal, that is likely the scam and would require further investigation."

I say.. well HELL YEAH. The buyer should be smart enough to do the above, it's HIS or HER freak'n money on the line.

Too many people in today's society are looking for someone else to blame. The sidewalk was wet and I was not pyaing attention, sue the gas station. The coffee was hot and burned my lip, sue the donut shop. At some point the consumer has to take some responsibility for their actions.

No one is forcing you to purchase anything on Ebay (like a $2,500 microphone for $18,999 for instance). You purchase because you want to not because someone is twisting your arm. Take a little responsibility on your own for your own actions.

If the seller has a feedback rating of 55 but has not had any activity for 3 years HELL YES that should be a red flag............ TO YOU. You should not have a get out of jail free card because you are too foolish to use your own common sense.

Sorry, as I said I am a proud Ebay member for years.

It's all good. We just see things differently is all.

[wayne mox]

Originally Posted by not_so_new

You know why? Because I assume that security is my responsibility at all times. The only thing out of my hands on Ebay is my account on their servers. If someone cracks their server security and steals my account then shame on them.

If I pay $18,999 for a $2,500 microphone, my fault.

What if you pay $2000 for a $2000 mic, and find out the seller used a hijacked account? The current $15000 auction for a E49 mic is a joke, it's at $15000 because people here have pushed it up to mess with the seller. If you indeed buy a $2500 mic for $18,999, it most certainly is your choice, but your probably don't have all your marbles. Besides, paying too high for an item is not an Ebay security issue. That's a personal common sense issue.

If I buy a $500 guitar from an account that has only sold DVD's for $4.50 each, my fault.

Why is it a fault? What if I wanted to start selling guitars after selling DVD's for 3 years? No one is implying it's a scam, but it may be a likely scam that requires further scrutiny. Scrutiny as in an Ebay Policeman looking closely at the pics, the description, doing searches over the past year for the same item and wording, the seller's account.

See, we can only search for items sold in 30 days, but Ebay SHOULD have the power to search for item's over the past year or two years. Too much bandwidth and storage requirement to hold all that info? TOUGH! Ebay created this monster. Pay for the servers to hold the info, and all relevant details over the past 2 years worth of auctions.

That's what I'm talking about. Their infrastructure is CRAP.

If I buy a $20,000 car from a seller and I never give them a call before I pay, my fault.

Again, not an Ebay security issue. Not even a security issue at all. Most people will pay for cars by check when they go to pick up the car. Cars really shouldn't be on Ebay's security concern as most people won't pay until they've gone to inspect it at pickup.

If I pay for a $1000 gold watch with a Western Union wire transfer, my fault.

Once again, not a security issue. Many people use western union transactions.

If I sell my product to a bidder with a feedback rating of 0 and take a personal check then ship without waiting for it to clear, my fault.

Not a security issue.

If I let my computer get hacked because I did not follow proper security procedures, my fault.

Ebayer scammers don't hackcomputers, so this is a moot point.

If I open every email that comes into my Yahoo account and someone hijacks my Ebay user name and password, my fault.

This is the first item I agree with you on.

Ebay's whole premise is to have the community police the community. That is what the rating system is for. It may not be the best system but if you are smart about your transactions then you will probably be fine.

Ratings are a crock and are useless. All they do is show how many transactions went well, they don't show the ones that went bad. Why? Because 99% of the involved people do not leave negative feedback for fear of getting a retalitory negative. Further, feedback was never meant to "police" the community as you put it. Feedback is voluntary and again, pretty much useless.

Well, $500 is a big deal to me but to each their own. Either way, I am sure there are hunderds of thousands of + $1000 auctions that go down each week, that is a huge number.

Just in MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS last night when I did a search, there were NINE auctions that were ending within 2 hours, had at least one bid, and were at least $1000. Not all categories need policing. Auto Auctions need little policing as most people (unless your an imbecile), do not pay for a car before they go to inspect it upon pickup. So don't go throwing in all the categories.

Auctions like audio equipment are like an open back door at your house. Audio equipment is easily forged.

Oh, I've been a member on Ebay since 1998, so I got ya on that one by one year. I have 2 negatives.

Which department at Ebay do you work in?

[not_so_new]

Dude where are you coming from?

First I don't work for Ebay....

Originally Posted by wayne mox

What if you pay $2000 for a $2000 mic, and find out the seller used a hijacked account? The current $15000 auction for a E49 mic is a joke, it's at $15000 because people here have pushed it up to mess with the seller. If you indeed buy a $2500 mic for $18,999, it most certainly is your choice, but your probably don't have all your marbles. Besides, paying too high for an item is not an Ebay security issue. That's a personal common sense issue.

THAT IS MY POINT MAN!!! If the account is hijacked I should look into it BEFORE I pay $2000 for a microphone. Really anyone who pays $2000 for anything sight unseen without talking to the person you are giving money to is an idiot. Being an idiot is NOT Ebay's responsibility.

Originally Posted by me

If I buy a $500 guitar from an account that has only sold DVD's for $4.50 each, my fault.

Originally Posted by you

Why is it a fault? What if I wanted to start selling guitars after selling DVD's for 3 years? No one is implying it's a scam, but it may be a likely scam that requires further scrutiny. Scrutiny as in an Ebay Policeman looking closely at the pics, the description, doing searches over the past year for the same item and wording, the seller's account.

See, we can only search for items sold in 30 days, but Ebay SHOULD have the power to search for item's over the past year or two years. Too much bandwidth and storage requirement to hold all that info? TOUGH! Ebay created this monster. Pay for the servers to hold the info, and all relevant details over the past 2 years worth of auctions.

That's what I'm talking about. Their infrastructure is CRAP.

Why that is MY fault is because Ebay is not forcing me to buy a $500 guitar from someone who has only sold DVD's. As a consumer it is my responsibility (have you ever heard of the word RESPONSIBILITY) to investigate the transaction. Ebay is a meeting place for people who what to buy and sell stuff.. period. You have a responsibility in the transaction as well.

Originally Posted by me

If I buy a $20,000 car from a seller and I never give them a call before I pay, my fault.

Originally Posted by you

Again, not an Ebay security issue. Not even a security issue at all. Most people will pay for cars by check when they go to pick up the car. Cars really shouldn't be on Ebay's security concern as most people won't pay until they've gone to inspect it at pickup.

So in this case you are saying it is the responsibility of the buyer then? Why is that different than anything else on Ebay? Ohhh .. because you have been ripped off buying audio equipment but not a car?

Originally Posted by me

If I pay for a $1000 gold watch with a Western Union wire transfer, my fault.

Originally Posted by you

Once again, not a security issue. Many people use western union transactions.

And you are a fool if you do. Western Union payments are one of the biggest tip offs to Ebay scammers. OF COURSE this is a security issue FOR YOU. If you send a Western Union payment and the seller skips with your money you have ZERO recourse to the transaction.. The issue is not Ebay's fault, it is yours for using Western Union.

Originally Posted by me

If I sell my product to a bidder with a feedback rating of 0 and take a personal check then ship without waiting for it to clear, my fault.

Originally Posted by you

Not a security issue.

What do you mean not a security issue?!?!? If I take a $1000 check from a product and ship it to someone then find out it bounced that is a pretty big concern.. FOR ME. I don't are about Ebay's security AGAIN IT IS MY RESPONSIBILITY TO NOT BE AN IDIOT.

Originally Posted by me

If I let my computer get hacked because I did not follow proper security procedures, my fault.

Originally Posted by you

Ebayer scammers don't hackcomputers, so this is a moot point.

You are kidding right? You have got to be joking or you are a complete fool.

Originally Posted by me

If I open every email that comes into my Yahoo account and someone hijacks my Ebay user name and password, my fault.

Originally Posted by you

This is the first item I agree with you on.

Now why is that? As I see it what I open in my email account is my responsibility and it sounds like you agree then. Why is buying or selling anything on Ebay any different? It is something that I voluntarily do on my computer and I choose to follow good or bad security practices so what is the difference between opening up a potentially bad email and exchanging money with a potentially bad Ebay member?

By all of your arguments on this thread my ISP should block all spam, viruses, physing attacks and everything that could potentially cause my computer harm? I have no responsibility and I should just go open each and every email that I get and follow every link that I receive because my ISP should take care of my security. Because my ISP is watching out for me I automatically trust everything that comes in to my email account. I have zero responsibility for my computer's security and I am pissed off at my ISP because I got a virus. Crazy.

Originally Posted by me

Ebay's whole premise is to have the community police the community. That is what the rating system is for. It may not be the best system but if you are smart about your transactions then you will probably be fine.

Originally Posted by you

Ratings are a crock and are useless. All they do is show how many transactions went well, they don't show the ones that went bad. Why? Because 99% of the involved people do not leave negative feedback for fear of getting a retalitory negative. Further, feedback was never meant to "police" the community as you put it. Feedback is voluntary and again, pretty much useless.

That is not how Ebay sees it.. I know because I watched the security officer of Ebay on 60 Minutes saying that the feedback system is the one thing that sets their business apart from all others. It has become the model for internet sales activity, many other on line sites have followed Ebay's lead in this.

So if feedback is a crock would you purchase a $2,000 microphone from a seller with a feedback rating of 3 with 2 negatives? If you do then you are an idiot and if you don't you are proving 2 things, 1) the feedback system is worth something and 2) you took the responsibility as the buyer to investigate the product.

Originally Posted by me

Well, $500 is a big deal to me but to each their own. Either way, I am sure there are hunderds of thousands of + $1000 auctions that go down each week, that is a huge number.

Originally Posted by you

Just in MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS last night when I did a search, there were NINE auctions that were ending within 2 hours, had at least one bid, and were at least $1000. Not all categories need policing. Auto Auctions need little policing as most people (unless your an imbecile), do not pay for a car before they go to inspect it upon pickup. So don't go throwing in all the categories.

Auctions like audio equipment are like an open back door at your house. Audio equipment is easily forged.

Did you ever happen to think that maybe audio equipment is important to you because you are interested in it? I have friends who are very interested in the camera category that would beg to differ with you that Ebay only needs to police audio equipment.

The categories that I choose above (that was just a small sampling) were ones that I could see folks getting ruffled feathers about. You don't think there are potential scammers hanging out in the rare coins category? No forgeries in the Antique category? Come on.....

As you said, "most people (unless your an imbecile), do not pay for a car before they go to inspect it upon pickup." I feel pretty much the same way about a $2,000 microphone. I might not go pick it up but you better damn well believe I will inspecting it and the seller pretty thoroughly before I send any money, you would be an imbecile not to THAT is my point.

Oh, I've been a member on Ebay since 1998, so I got ya on that one by one year. I have 2 negatives.

Which department at Ebay do you work in?

As I said I don't work for Ebay.

Last thing for ya because this thread is pretty moronic... Why if you hate Ebay so much do you go there? Really is there someone standing behind you twisting your arm or threaten your family?

I don't get it.

My WHOLE point on this absurd thread is that the responsibility is yours as it should be! You can throw caution to the wind and get ripped off, you can practice good buying and selling tactics and still get ripped off but the odds are much better in your favor or you can choose to not go to Ebay at all.

The responsibility is yours NOT EBay's.

Have a good one.

[wayne mox]

Originally Posted by not_so_new

My WHOLE point on this absurd thread is that the responsibility is yours as it should be! You can throw caution to the wind and get ripped off, you can practice good buying and selling tactics and still get ripped off but the odds are much better in your favor or you can choose to not go to Ebay at all.

The responsibility is yours NOT EBay's.

Mmm... I think we may be misunderstanding our points being made. When I say it's not a security issue, what I mean is that Ebay cannot be held liable. I think we tend to agree on most points. Common internet misunderstanding the way I read it.

My entire point is that Ebay is responsible for many scams because they do not police the category of auctions that need policing more than others. Car auctions do not need policing as much as expensive jewelry auctions, audio auctions, etc... due to the NATURE of the auction.


Scenario #1:

I am using a hijacked account from a seller who sold audio equipment. The sellers last transaction was only 6 months ago. I use photos and description of a 3-year old audio auction. I take Paypal for payment. I am in the USA. I respond to your emails, and provide additional photos you requested. You still feel uneasy, so you ask for a phone number. You call me on my cellphone. We talk, I sound cool and informed about the item. You hang up the phone feeling comfortable. You buy the item, make payment via Paypal, and I run off to the bank laughing all the way.

What did you do wrong?

What did Ebay do wrong?


1) What did you do wrong?

You didn't drive 1000 miles and pick it up directly.



2) What did Ebay do wrong?

They failed to have a searchable database that only THEY are able to access. A database of previous auctions for the last 3 years. A database where they can cross-reference old auction listing with current auctions.

They failed to maintain a random contact verification check with current users.

They failed to respond to a couple of GS users who thought they recalled that auction from 3 years ago. They only responded with automated Safe Harbour emails.


So I guess, if you feel everyone purchasing a $1000 item should be required to drive and pickup locally, then I can't argue with you.

The point is, people who have used Ebay a loooong time, and who are very cautious, HAVE been burnt by scammers on Ebay.

Ebay's system sucks. It's total crap. And no, I have never been burnt on Ebay.

[pan60]

i had a friend who's info was 100% copied and listed under a different sellers name last year while his action was still going on.
he caught it and reported the issue to ebay, ebay refused to help because the email address on his account was different then the one he used to report the issue.
he responded and explained that that account was set up to only receive email and he could not send from the address.
still they refused help.
by the time the info was changed on his account both actions end.
a few week's later the copied info was yet again re-listed, the same info once again.
my friend once again reported the issue to ebay they still refused help claimed his account looked suspect.
i like ebay, i use it, some of the scams are so easy to spot but some are not.
i do feel ebay need's to step up the security a bit.
it is difficult to report suspect info.
they need a button that is labeled scam report!
i have tried to report suspect listing's and just have not been able to figure out how.
but then again i am not to computer savvy.
i feel their are a few things that could be done to make getting the scammers busted a bit smoother.

[not_so_new]

Originally Posted by wayne mox

Mmm... I think we may be misunderstanding our points being made. When I say it's not a security issue, what I mean is that Ebay cannot be held liable. I think we tend to agree on most points. Common internet misunderstanding the way I read it.

My entire point is that Ebay is responsible for many scams because they do not police the category of auctions that need policing more than others. Car auctions do not need policing as much as expensive jewelry auctions, audio auctions, etc... due to the NATURE of the auction.


Scenario #1:

I am using a hijacked account from a seller who sold audio equipment. The sellers last transaction was only 6 months ago. I use photos and description of a 3-year old audio auction. I take Paypal for payment. I am in the USA. I respond to your emails, and provide additional photos you requested. You still feel uneasy, so you ask for a phone number. You call me on my cellphone. We talk, I sound cool and informed about the item. You hang up the phone feeling comfortable. You buy the item, make payment via Paypal, and I run off to the bank laughing all the way.

What did you do wrong?

What did Ebay do wrong?


1) What did you do wrong?

You didn't drive 1000 miles and pick it up directly.



2) What did Ebay do wrong?

They failed to have a searchable database that only THEY are able to access. A database of previous auctions for the last 3 years. A database where they can cross-reference old auction listing with current auctions.

They failed to maintain a random contact verification check with current users.

They failed to respond to a couple of GS users who thought they recalled that auction from 3 years ago. They only responded with automated Safe Harbour emails.


So I guess, if you feel everyone purchasing a $1000 item should be required to drive and pickup locally, then I can't argue with you.

The point is, people who have used Ebay a loooong time, and who are very cautious, HAVE been burnt by scammers on Ebay.

Ebay's system sucks. It's total crap. And no, I have never been burnt on Ebay.

Again we agree to disagree (but it sounds like we are on part of the same page, the written word can suck for sure).

In the above scenario there are other options open to you to check out the seller and the item before you send the money.

Did you try cross referencing the phone number with the guy's address? Maybe ask him for a work number and then verify that he is really employed there? You can ask him some specific studio questions and see if the answers feel right. Did you open a case with PayPal? They are VERY forgiving on the side of the buyer and they will investigate the matter, you will probably get some or all of your money back. Did you use a personal credit card? Some credit card companies will let you make a claim against the purchase and open a fraud investigation. Did you call the police in his area? They have to investigate it and if it was for $1000 or $2000 they will be interested, so would the FBI.

Also your scenario is not 100% accurate. I have NEVER seen an Ebay scam that meets all your criteria. As a good example of this, the auction that started this thread at the top of the page here...

1) The microphone is WAY WAY over priced, current bid is $15099.00. 99 times out of 100 scammer auctions are very distorted in price, either way high or way low.

2) The seller will take "Payment via check, money order ONLY."

3) The sellers Ebay account has shown no activity since Apr-30-00, that is 6 years ago.

4) The "seller" in this case looks to only have a 28 feedback but all (or most, I did not look at the 2nd page) were for items he or she bought, they never once sold an item.

5) The seller's account name is "elarry46130s5a" That is a little strange in it's self but I would send a question about the mic to him and see if there is anything to do with the name "Larry" in the reply. If the original email account was hijacked then that might not help but I would also look up "Larry" in the cross reference to the phone number / address search from above.

6) The auction is a private listing. Not a dead giveaway but it is unusual and with all the above weirdness I would say that the private listing is very strange indeed.

All of this I was able to glean from the info that is provided on the Ebay listing. I did not have to dig too far to figure any of this out and, again as a buyer it is my responsibility to check into the auction. Buyer beware! The more money the auction the more weight I will put on the points above, over about $500 any one of these things feels strange to me and I will save my money, I have plenty of other things I can and need to buy.