Author Topic: Ebay scam almost caught out (Read 113 times)

jazzyvee · « **on:** July 03, 2007, 12:07:01 AM »

Just over a week ago I bid and lost out on an alembic Europa 4 bass from a seller in switzerland. Which unforunately I lost by a very small margin.

Anyway on Friday i got a second chance offer which I was considering. Anyway yesterday I re-read the email and noticed the second offer was a little strange. It referred to an alembic elan bass and not the Europa bass that I had bid on. So i decided to reply to the seller via the send message to seller option on the ebay site.

I got a reply from the seller saying that the bass has been sold and delivered to the winner but someone was operating a scam and ebay has been informed.

Just saying be careful.

I'm getting my new Elan 4 from a forum member.. I think thats more peace of mind when spending lots of money.

I know you guys have a keener nose on a scam than I do but it may be Alembic scam season and the seller had sold a number of alembics recently so that could be why he was targeted for the scam.

Jazzyvee

FC Bass · « **Reply #1 on:** July 03, 2007, 07:39:17 AM »

I bought my Elan on ebay. It was a 600 Km (and 600 km back) drive and well worth it, I had a very nice day with 2 of my friends in Germany :-)

If I ever buy a bass that has to shipped, I thought of this:
Send the seller an item of yourself (picture/CD or whatever) and let him take a picture with your item, him/herself and the bass/guitar or whatever. If anything goes wrong, you have at least an adress and a picture of the scammer
If the seller won't take a picture, back out and keep your money for the next lust object (which in time, will surely present itself)

(Message edited by fc_spoiler on July 04, 2007)

olieoliver · « **Reply #2 on:** July 03, 2007, 07:45:46 AM »

Thats a darn good idea Flip.

Olie

speicky · « **Reply #3 on:** July 03, 2007, 08:05:54 AM »

Yeah, Flip, good idea. And Jazzy, congrats to your new purple family member...

Christian

dannobasso · « **Reply #4 on:** July 03, 2007, 11:13:12 AM »

What about also asking them to hold a daily newspaper or a current issue of bass player?

speicky · « **Reply #5 on:** July 03, 2007, 02:42:17 PM »

Hi, Danno,

that's exactly what I did when I had Eva up for sale on eBay... one of the things I'm really sad about.

It will make a potential buyer feel more comfortable, but a personalized item is even better. However, it's up to each own's feeling if to proceed with a deal or not... I have also done stupid things in the past :-(

Christian

bsee · « **Reply #6 on:** July 03, 2007, 07:18:29 PM »

Well, I suppose the advantage of a personal item sent to the seller is that it validates that they received something you sent them at an address. Not exactly positive ID, but closer than not doing so. Of course, you better get the seller's approval of this before you win their item. I'd be pissed if someone blindsided me with this after bidding on an item I was selling.