[Steve Dodds]

I'm helping a friend with a new projector and had suggested a Sharp M10S. Then I saw a Philips UGO X-Lite (Plus U3-1080)on eBay with no reserve, and a buyer who took American Express I thought we might as well go for that.


Well, we won the auction for $1825, thinking that was a price almost too good to be true.


It turns out the seller is actually in London and wants us to send the money via Western Union, eliminating credit card protection.


So it's just another variation of the Romanian scam I posted about a while back. Maybe they made so much money from unfortunates that they could afford to relocate to the charms of London.


Anyways, I told him I'd get a friend to pick up the projector me in London. I'm not waiting with bated breath for a response.


I'm sure he will change his eBay ID next time, but be alert for 'auctionfinal'.


Cheers


Steve


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Steve's Stuff

 

[klutzo]

I've been pretty lucky so far, and so has my father. I think between the both of us we've racked in hundreds of small purchases.


So far most people seem to be honest, but there are others that prey upon greed, and the innocent.




------------------
Klutzo,

the newbie HT Boy.

BA mains, Energy surrounds and sub.

Proxima DX3 main FP

Sharpvision Backup FP

Sony Wega aux monitor

Dalite 2.8 Gain screen

Sega Dreamcast (various controllers)

www.klutzoplex.f2s.com

 

[Federico]

Last week I won this aution on ebay:

NEC MultiSync LT85 Projector

Item #1241274410


He sent me this email:


Hello Federico,

Congratulations for winning the auction!

The product you have both is in excellent condition and manufacturer guaranteed.About the trade and payment agreement,the acquittal will be made transferring the money trough Western Union Bank (Money Transfer) on my wife`s father name (who lives in Bulgaria)to the following address:

ADDRESS:31 HAN ASPARUH SRT.

CITY, ZIP: RUSSE, 7000

COUNTRY:BULGARIA

NAME:GABRIEL E. RUSU

After that you will have to e-mail me the # of the money's transfer(MTCN).I will make the assignation sending the item through FedEx with insurance

against all risks. I paid the auction fees and I will pay the shipping taxes and also the insurance.If the item does not correspond to my description I

accept to make the rescission of the agreement, to return the money and to have the item back. I need to have your full name and address in order for the arrangement of the shipping.

Respectfully.

Andrew


I wrote him back saying that my partner was going to pick it up in NJ, since then he never wrote back.


I think that eBay should require some ID like social security number or lisence number if it's an international buyer. If we have a lawyer in this forum, I would like to know what they think about this.

Federico

 

[Steve Dodds]

I've those before, same projector in fact. And I suspect the same guy as my London friend.


Hopefully no-one is ever dumb enough to fall for such an obvious scam. You do need a credit card to list something on eBay, but they are so unhelful when something does happen it is unbelievable.


Steve


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Steve's Stuff

 

[Federico]

Steve this projector is right now on ebay:

PLUS U3-880 DLP Video Projector-BRAND NEW!

Item #1603763254

I think this is similar to sharp and the philips. As you can see this is a NEW member but he say to accept any form of payment including escrow.

Be careful,

Federico

 

[Steve Dodds]

That one actually is legit. It is from a dealer in LA. Reserve is $2250 for anyone interested.


Steve


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Steve's Stuff

 

[thuan98]

Steve,

Did you leave the complain feed back on this guy?

I was on it too, and the guy try to sell me another unit off the ebay, here is his email:


Hello there...


We have 3 units right now in stock ready to ship , in factory sealed box with

one year warranty

at the buy price of $1500 , shipping 2 days UPS insured is also included in

price

Thank you

****************************


Anyone want to buy this unit brand new in sealed box for $1500 shipped just let me know http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/smile.gif

Thuan

 

[Steve Dodds]

I've sent him an email saying if he can't resolve my questions I'll complain and give bad feedback. Not that it will do much good as he'll just change his ID.


Steve


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Steve's Stuff

 

[DinoT]

Recently I had my credit card "compromised". I found out because Western Union called me to verify that I was wiring funds to Bulgaria. I, of course said no, and the nice lady on the phone said that's not a surprise and that I should call and cancel my card. She told me that ANY transfer of funds to Bulgaria sends up all sorts of red flags. She went on to say that up to 90% of all funds transfers to Bulgaria are some sort of scam and that Western Union was considering not allowing transfers to Bulgaria.


Dino

 

[Eirikur]

There is also a ebay, character that claims to be in

Hawaii.. When you win the auction, suddenly

he wants funds sent to Spain.. No escrow

is accepted..

 

[Digitalhorde]

I've been very lucky on Ebay, and made about 2000 dollars selling stuff for more than I paid for it on Ebay. I do purchase stuff occasionally, but only small stuff. I only got slightly burned one time when I bought a N64 Super Mario cart from a guy in Florida for 18 bucks and it arrived, but did not work. He even offered to refund the money after I emailed him, but I was too lazy to pack it up and mail it back to him. I just went and made an extra 20 dollar bet at the blackjack table that weekend and won it.

 

[schmidtdarren]

Hi all here is a good one!,


Today, I just won (Ha!) an auction on EBay for a Proxima DX2 projector. The item stated that VISA/MC was accepted.


It was Item: 1245694018


Here is the e-mail from the guy... looks familiar (check above):


Congratulations for winning the auction!

The projector you have both is an original, brand new, in excellent condition and manufacturer guaranteed.About the trade and payment agreement,the acquittal will be made transferring the money trough Western Union Bank to the following address:

NAME: DAVID STEAIN

ADDRESS:21-26 BROADWAY

CITY:LONG ISLAND CITY

STATE:NY

ZIP:11106

After that you will have to e-mail me the # of the money's transfer(MTCN).I will make the assignation sending the item through FedEx with insurance against all risks. I paid the auction fees and I will pay the shipping taxes and also the insurance.If the item does not correspond to my description I accept to make the rescission of the agreement, to return the money and to have the item back. I need to have your full name and address in order for the arrangement of the shipping.

Respectfully

Steain!


What do you guys think about this one?


Darren A. Schmidt


[This message has been edited by schmidtdarren (edited 06-14-2001).]


[This message has been edited by schmidtdarren (edited 06-14-2001).]

 

[amen17]

Boys , i'm desperate , David Steain is a thief , he stoled me 828$ by western union. Western Union is guilty in part , because they said me that without MTCN number (i didn't give him the number , i was waiting for a copy of his identity card) receiver couldn't pick up money , but this wasn't true.Now i will take legal actions against them.Please somebody tell what i can do.Do i have to warn police?

Someone has some notice about this smuggler , such has some ip address of his connection other identity he gave....everything which can be helpful.

Thanks and bye

Guido

 

[Steve Dodds]

Well, you can make a complaint to eBay and you'll get some of it back. And make a complaint to Western Union.


But to be honest, your chances of complete recovery aren't great.


Steve


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Steve's Stuff

 

[schmidtdarren]

Guido,


Sorry to hear about your dealings... As soon as this guy stated he wanted a Western Union transfer, I remembered this post. I wouldn't have done it anyway, with the availability of Paypal and all. Maybe that is even not 100% secure.


I had another person e-mail me about this exact projector for a deal outside of EBay. Hopefully this person took my warning. I immediately posted negative feedback, but what is stopping this David Steain (or whomever he is) from getting a new Id and scamming others.


At the same time of this auction, he was holding a few more with high ticket items. People are going to lose their hard-earned money to these losers/creep/(insert explative here).


Darren A. Schmidt

 

[Mark Hunter]

I'm sorry to hear about this scam. It truly makes me sad.


Just as a heads-up, I just read about a terrible one-two scam that you might want to be aware of as well.


It is set up in 2 parts. First they get you with the original scam where part of what they "scam" is personal information (an eBay auction scam, for example), and then once they have your personal info (e-mail, phone #, etc), part two begins.


Now, a partner steps in and telephones/e-mails you about your legal rights in the (part-one) scam and "what a shame it is that there are people out there that take advantage of honest citizens" and blah, blah, blah. Oh, and he represents a firm that can get your money back for you...guaranteed! Unfortunately, he then scams you AGAIN on the "legal" costs, and is never heard from again.


Wham, BAM! Thank you, maam.


Just thought I'd let you know...when it looks bad, keep your eyes open and your wits with you.

 

[RobertWood]

I feel your pain, Guido. It happened to me recently too

(although much less money was involved).


NEVER buy anything of significant value on eBay UNLESS

YOU CAN PAY FOR IT WITH A CREDIT CARD. If the seller

won't take credit card payment then run, don't walk,

away from that auction. And if you're using Paypal do not

pay for the item with funds already in your Paypal

account. Withdraw your Paypal balance and instruct Paypal to take the payment from your credit card.


I know this is no consolation to you, Guido, because

in your case the damage is done. But your letting others

know about your experience may prevent this from

happening to them.


Bob Wood


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~ The Sultan of Cheap ~




[This message has been edited by RobertWood (edited 06-20-2001).]

 

[Torre]

I too have had very good luck with eBay. Both buying and selling.

Just be smart about it (I can see that you guys are).

As Bob has stated, try and use a credit card for larger purchases. I'd go one better and say that with an expensive purchase, go pick it up yourself!


------------------

Mark A. Torre

NEC XG-8"CRT PJ, HTPC, HDTV and loving it! The Torre Home Theater

 

[JasonZ]

you guys think it's tough buying stuff on ebay, try selling!!!


i have sold hundreds of thousands of $$$ worth of stuff on ebay and at least once a week i get someone trying to pull some type of scam. the best defense is this (for buying and selling):

-carefully read your protection policies for credit cards and pay services and follow those rules to the letter

-DO NOT TRUST ANYONE WITH LESS THAN A 15 FEEDBACK RATING

-do not ever buy something off of the block (you are not high bidder so you have no recourse)

furthermore, i think it is safe to buy big ticket items on ebay but i would carefully scrutinize the sellers feedback page first. if someone has a 50 feedback and has been an ebay member for 2 years, it won't be a problem.

 

[Leroy_Haynes]

Also to chime off of Jason's tips. Just because they have a high feedback doesn't necessarily mean it will go over smoothly. Make sure that the feedback they have is for like items especially if you're talking about high ticket. I've seen some people with high feedback selling beanie babies and then they're selling plasma screens. Just a thought.


I've sold quite a bit on Ebay and let me tell that sellers have challenges also. Phantom bidders who never follow thru on their bid and you see them show up on other sellers bid page after you've given them negative ratings. I know that you cancel a bid but if you use the Buy-It-Now feature they get by you before you can do anything. There are some honest people out there but there will always be a few people who try to spoil the experience for everyone else. Just my opinion. http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/smile.gif


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To Infinity and Beyond!!!