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Hey - did you know if you click on the title of a thread it will take you to the first unread post since you last visited that thread?
but were afraid to ask: 
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Pretty Please - add it to our Events forum(s) and add to the calendar! >> 
Scam?
- Thread starter GB1
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ronzet
Jedi Knight
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Might be. I assume this is on eBay? Just ask to come by and see the car regardless if you are in the area or not, and see if the story aobut the location changes.
I found an AH on ebay that said it was in a suburb of NY. I asked if I could have a freind come by and see it. THe story changed that it was actually in England and he would have it shipped to me, free of charge. This was a STUPID scammer. Unfortunately, they are not all this stupid...
Caveat emptor...
Ron
I found an AH on ebay that said it was in a suburb of NY. I asked if I could have a freind come by and see it. THe story changed that it was actually in England and he would have it shipped to me, free of charge. This was a STUPID scammer. Unfortunately, they are not all this stupid...
Caveat emptor...
Ron
JamesWilson
Yoda
Offline
A link would help a lot.
These aren't necessarily features of scams.
The full payment after 3 days is a warning flag.
But is the price unrealistically low and the auction only for a short time? Do buyers have to be "pre-approved"? Are there discrepancies in the descriptions and inconcistencies betweenwhat's said and the photos shown? Is the ad poorly written with grammatical errors and badly used English? If you e-mail do they ignore you, or do replies come from unexpected sources?
There was a series of postings a while back on the typical features of e-aby scams....
These aren't necessarily features of scams.
The full payment after 3 days is a warning flag.
But is the price unrealistically low and the auction only for a short time? Do buyers have to be "pre-approved"? Are there discrepancies in the descriptions and inconcistencies betweenwhat's said and the photos shown? Is the ad poorly written with grammatical errors and badly used English? If you e-mail do they ignore you, or do replies come from unexpected sources?
There was a series of postings a while back on the typical features of e-aby scams....
OP
GB1
Yoda
Offline
Sorry,
Thought I posted the link
https://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1954-MG-M...1QQcmdZViewItem
Patrick
Thought I posted the link
https://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1954-MG-M...1QQcmdZViewItem
Patrick
JamesWilson
Yoda
Offline
Its very odd to see this listed as an "Austin Healey" though the rest of the ad seems sensibly written, and the pattern of bidding doesn't seem to reveal a shill at work pushing bids up.
There are 3 days to run on the auction try asking a few questions and see what answers you get.
One thing I do to weed out real from fakes is to politely ask for a phone number and an appropriate day/time to call to discuss the car- fakes NEVER provide it while most legimate vendors are usually willing to discuss things.
The three days is tight for making payment and seems unduly so.
The lack of a selling history is a little peculiar- three purchases in 02-3 and nothing until Feb. this year and then one that wasn't paid. That's the sort of thing you might gently ask about, and see if they've any business references that would vouch for their bona-fides. The best for that might be whomever they've had service the car.
Good luck....
There are 3 days to run on the auction try asking a few questions and see what answers you get.
One thing I do to weed out real from fakes is to politely ask for a phone number and an appropriate day/time to call to discuss the car- fakes NEVER provide it while most legimate vendors are usually willing to discuss things.
The three days is tight for making payment and seems unduly so.
The lack of a selling history is a little peculiar- three purchases in 02-3 and nothing until Feb. this year and then one that wasn't paid. That's the sort of thing you might gently ask about, and see if they've any business references that would vouch for their bona-fides. The best for that might be whomever they've had service the car.
Good luck....
ronzet
Jedi Knight
Offline
GB1,
I agree with James. Thoroughly investigate this. The problem is that it 'looks' legit, but, as James mentioned, a few red flags just seem to pop out.
Just email the seller and ask to see the car. If there is not a response or if the location changes then I would be extremely leary of the transaction's validity.
And, as always, Caveat Emptor...
I agree with James. Thoroughly investigate this. The problem is that it 'looks' legit, but, as James mentioned, a few red flags just seem to pop out.
Just email the seller and ask to see the car. If there is not a response or if the location changes then I would be extremely leary of the transaction's validity.
And, as always, Caveat Emptor...