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rlich8

rlich8

Jedi Trainee
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OK,

Back story:

I've purchased two (2) vehicle off eBay before. The first being my Jag E Type, the second, an Austin-Healey 3000. I had wonderful experiences with both sellers and they were dealerships with good history and feedback.

The Jag was checked out by a family friend whom I trust with my life - he knows plenty about Jags and knew what he was looking at.

The Healey was *so well* documented, and there were so many pictures (300+) that we purchased it sight unseen and it turned out to be better than the pictures. I know some may disagree with this and I share your sentiment but that's a different argument.

Both transactions were handled (roughly) on the simple terms as follows:
-$2000 deposit immediately
-Ability to come inspect the vehicle/have it inspected
-Balance within 72 hours
-Arrange your own shipping or pick it up and drive it home

The real story:

I found another vehicle that I wanted to purchase on eBay. It doesn't matter what kind. I bid what I was willing to pay, and I didn't win it. Someone else won it. So that was that. I thought I wasn't buying the car.

Today, I recieved an email from eBay saying that I have a second chance to purchase the vehicle at my price. So, cool. I liked that price. So I start talking to the person, and the terms of business seem quite different. I start thinking to myself SCAM!

The terms of business were basically:
- "pay $xx,xxx" for the vehicle (no deposit and balance later - full payment immediately)
-She ships it to me
-I get to "inspect it for 10 days" and if I am not happy I can "send it back at her cost"

She was not wiling to let me pay a $500-2000 deposit through PayPal and the balance in cash, money order, or cashiers check. She said that "the car will not be available for pickup until payment is fully recieved through eBay."

I replied that eBay is not a payment processing company rather an online auctioneer.

All in all, it just seems really fishy to me. The weird part is that if this is a scam, they somehow got my home address.

Any thoughts? Anyone purchased a vehicle this way? I'm not sending this woman any money unless I can do business in the "traditional" eBay motors fashion because it's just too buyer unfriendly.

I welcome your thoughts and please be nice, I realize how fishy it sounds. :smile:
 
Run and RUN FAST... I have heard of this scam before. Some how the original sellers account was hijacked and now they have your info.
Don't even think of doing it or me and BCF boys will come over and beat you
grin.gif

Really, I wound pass on this!
 
Wow, the actual seller's account was hacked. I didn't think of that part. I feel sorry for them.

I basically knew it was a scam but I didn't think that their account would actually be hacked. I thought maybe a troll person went through and saw who bid on the vehicle!

Oh well. No one's scammin' me :smile:

I suppose they just have my address? I hope...
 
I ran across this scam myself recently, it was for a motorhome. Slight variation in my case was that there was this "clearing house" where the money was supposed to be sent to. The motorhome, title, etc. was there - supposedly. And as above, send the money, they'll send the item, ten days to inspect, etc. I didn't need spidey sense on this one...ship me a 37.5 ft motorhome?? Yeah right....SURE.

Now, the website for this company has eBay references ALL over it - top eBay rated, #1 seller, etc., eBay logos and so on. But go to eBay and this company isn't mentioned ANYWHERE. I sent an email to eBay's fraud department, asking for validation of this provider if they were what they presented OR to let them know that there was a fraudulent company out there misrepresenting themselves AND eBay. The response back from eBay was that they essentially didn't care but thanks for the information. Those crazy eBay folks! :crazyeyes:

Generally speaking I have no complaints about eBay, purchased numerous items from there, and things like the above just remind me to have both eyes open and both feet on the ground when it comes to eBay.
 
I agree, definitely a scam. I use PayPal exclusively, however have received scam "We need to update your information..." on what appears to be PayPal documentation. Nowadays you really have to rethink anything you do even if it seems fairly aboveboard. First red flag for me is confirm your address, credit card info. Then for sure I know to STOP. Sad but true that there is always someone looking to get something for nothing.

Good for you to have a rethink on that 'ebay' transaction.
 
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