another "too good to be true" ebay scam

another \"too good to be true\" ebay scam

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=72205&item=7962888661&rd=1
Why do these people bother? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Re: another \"too good to be true\" ebay scam

Sometimes it's not too good to be true, it's a rookie ebay-er at the wheel and they don't know how to set up the auction.

The user just signed up yesterday, there is no reserve and a weird starting bid. I can't explain it but I bet they didn't understand how to set up the auction properly.

On the buyer side, typically people looking for this stuff will lurk and not bid as well, then check and see what it's going for close to the end of the auction and then decide. This might actually be one of those cases where you get a screaming deal on something on ebay. But it'll take a leap of faith...

Might be legit. Tough to say.

Chris

Re: another \"too good to be true\" ebay scam

It's decidedly odd that no-one has made a bid, even at that low price? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Re: another \"too good to be true\" ebay scam

It's on Ebay UK but the engine is in Rome? HHHMMMMM I wouldn't pay a fiver to this guy.
Simon

Re: another \"too good to be true\" ebay scam

Well, you may have hit the nail on the head Simon, I mailed him several hours ago but there has been zero response. As I am currently in Rome, I thought I would just pop around and view the goods. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Re: another \"too good to be true\" ebay scam

The engine is in Primavera and he wants $3,000 for it (presumably, an ad hoc "buy it now" option as that's not mentioned on the listing). Sooo, I think it may be kosher, but still no-one has even made a single bid on it! (and why would they from the UK to Italy) Still, you could drive there and back for £1K inc ferry and fuel. Bargain! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Re: another \"too good to be true\" ebay scam

So with a little more homework it seems it may be legit. Here's the catch though: he has no reserve. He may want $3000 for it but guess what- if anyone bids, the highest bidder will take the cake.

You may have to crowbar it from him, but legally the highest bidder has rights to it for the closing auction price. This looks like the case of a rookie ebay-er.

I'd wager a fiver if I was ready... Just my two cents, er $5.

Chris

Re: another \"too good to be true\" ebay scam

Still no bids and 1 day to go! If I WAS in Italy I'd bid low bucks for this and see what happened. I'll bet a quid that he'll be a bit embarrassed if the winning bid was £500!! But, he would probably refuse to part with it and you would end up in a complicated wrangle. Oh well, pity we don't get these kind of deals in the UK. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Re: another \"too good to be true\" ebay scam

These are ALL scams, possibly by the same guy
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=72205&item=7963510850&rd=1
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=72205&item=7963492064&rd=1
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=9886&item=7963558472&rd=1
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=9886&item=7963890365&rd=1
Plus many more.
All placed within minutes of each other, two stated as "Rome/Italy" the rest London/london all zero feedback all (I'll bet) with the same story.
Everything's cut and pasted from the US ebay.
Ebays getting a BAD reputation, if they don't improve their security they'll suffer.
BUYER BEWARE /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif
Simon

ps, another thing, all are "private" auctions, so you can't email the bidder to warn them it's a scam.