Roman Conqueror for sale?

[evilgus]

Hey guys, I've seen this bass mentioned various times before on the forum, but is it really up for sale?
 
ALEMBIC Series II Custom 5 String Bass Guitar Coco Bolo
 
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=7341831460&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT

[David Houck]

Justin; your hunch is correct; see .

[longhorncat]

I warned the current bidder and invited him to visit the Alembic Club.

[petiteblonde]

Have you also noticed that there is no reserve price?  Would the real owner authorize such a risky venture on such an incredible and expensive bass?
 
If someone knows the real owner, could they please have him notify eBay of this scam, before vulnerable bidders overseas get taken for an ugly ride?
 
Thanks.  It's good to have such support for Alembic's good name and product.

[j_gary]

Hi Bill, I also sent Ross a heads up for which he replied thanks to all who have emailed him. Hats off to the members who provide the info to expose these miscreants. I also emailed the seller a little KMA love note.
 
Stay Low,
Gary

[pmoran]

if you go back to the original thread from the initial offering of this bass, you'll find the alleged seller, jeff, is listed on his forum profile as a deputy attorney general in new jersey.   the seller in this latest ad, as in the orginal ad which i think we all believe is fraudulent, is a zero seller/buyer named clara in florida. also, am i the only one who can see the bidding is in australian dollars?  ladies and gentlemen, in the midwest i believe this is known as a missouri boat ride.

[bassman10096]

I'm confused.  Are you doubtful that Jeff, a long-time club member did not sell this bass in the first place?  My understanding is that copycats have repeatedly hijacked the images, etc from Jeff's ad to list bogus auctions for the instrument.  But not that the initial sale was anything other than Jeff presented to us in his original post on June 30 ().  
 
I totally agree that the most recent auction is not even a good attempt to flim flam.  Australian $ auction for goods held in Miami (I used to be in banking in Miami.  It is the fraud capital of the universe.).  All that with a -0- feedback seller?  I can't believe anyone is actually foolish or naive enough to bid on this auction.  Both bids are by the same Australian party with only 6 feedbacks (and an Ebay  member only since February '05).  Sounds like it could be a compatriate.
Bill
 
(Message edited by bassman10096 on August 07, 2005)

[j_gary]

Hey Pat, I love the sound of a Missouri boat ride. Is that where they hit you in the head with a paddle? I hear Clara has a slightly used Russian sub for sale as well. I'm gonna bid with Confederate dollars. Maybe then I can meet her in Missouri and take her,him, it, whatever, for a ride. Man,these maroons really get my panties in a bunch. OOPS! did I print that out loud? OK, I'm gonna go carry an SVT up and down the stairs a couple times. That's how annoying this stuff is. Keep up the good work.
 
Mad in Michigan,
Gary

[petiteblonde]

The Conquerer is supposedly available worldwide.  Since the only current bidder is in Australia, could it be that eBay's system in Australia is assigning Australian currency demoninations to that bidder?
 
What's sad is that unsuspecting bidders could be giving this bogus seller their prequalifying financial information.  Could this be more about identity or account theft than scamming for the actual bid money?  Maybe both.  
 
This seller appears to be representing her/himself as the agent for the sale, using a legitimate eBay trading assistant logo.  Auction Cafe is located in New Jersey, not Miami.  Also, the auction was conveniently started just after LA's weekend started, giving the pseudo-seller a head start before businesses open Monday morning.

[David Houck]

Bill;
 
I think Patrick was only pointing out that while Jeff is from New Jersey, Clara is from Florida.
 
Also, I received an email from the bidder, that I posted to the original thread at his request, which indicates that he is an innocent victim.
 
Finally, I'm thinking the reason the bid is shown in Australian dollars is that perhaps the listing was made to Ebay Australia.  If you go to ebay.com.au and search for Alembic, this listing is the only one that comes up.  This would also explain why someone from Australia might bid on it.  If you live in Australia, you are more likely to search ebay.com.au, and Alembics are a bit rare on ebay.com.au; this bass is the only current listing.

[bassman10096]

Dave:  Thanks for the clarification.  And I suspect you are right about the seller selecting ebay.au as a good place to shop for victims.  If Ross is interested in an Alembic, it's a shame he got sucked into this mess.  If he cancels his bid using any of the reasons Ebay lets you give - I think he is reasonably assured the seller will not bother him about it.  Here's hoping he can find a legit Alembic for himself (Mr. Burgess:  Is this your cue?).
 
Patrick:  Sorry I jumped you on this.  I hadn't read the two threads as carefully as I thought.  As someone who relies on Ebay as a trading forum, this continuing trainwreck is frustrating to see.  Missouri boat ride puts it both colorfully and very well. I just hope nobody winds up getting mugged before this is over.  
 
I wish Ebay could do something to stop the continued listing of items that have proven to be questionable until a seller gives an adequate and verifiable account of their ownership.  
Bill

[dnburgess]

Bill, thanks - Ross has withdrawn his bid. I have offered assistance to find a legit Alembic.
 
David B.

[petiteblonde]

Just got an email back from the real Auction Cafe, who confirmed that this is indeed hijacked.  He had already informed eBay, and was surprised that it has taken eBay so long to pull the listing.  As of a few minutes ago, the Conqueror was still active on the US eBay site.

[keith_h]

Just looked at the listing and all of the pictures now have SCAM written all over them.
 
Keith

[David Houck]

Wow!  Now that's interesting!