|   eBay scams getting out of control!!! | Slimboy
Mar 27, 2003 5:45 PM | | I live in Canada so I search for bikes located here to save on duties and shipping. Out of the 80 bikes that show up in a search, I swear at least 10 of them are scams!! The users are brand new, zero feedback, only accept MO, description doesn't match bike, only specs listed, pics directly from company websites, come in any size etc etc... And it's so hard to report something on eBay. I just want a new bike w/o going through this garbage!! On top of that, ppl are bidding... I want to warn them but that's going to take hours!! Solutions?? |
| RAAAAAAAAAAAAAA | Gorbachev
Mar 27, 2003 5:48 PM | | AHHHHHHHHH I feel the exact same way. Only thing I've found that works is telling eBay. Grrrr!
PEN15 |
| You must be new to ebay, its ALWAYS had scams...what's out of... | DeeEight
Mar 27, 2003 6:26 PM | | control is the people whining about it and posting thread after thread on the subject. Every sport/hobby I'm into that has an online
discussion forum/newsgroup has got people whining about it like its the latest ME TOO fad to post ebay auctions that are fake except to the totally moronic (which there are plenty of on ebay). |
| Possibly not a scam | Ratty Cakes
Mar 27, 2003 8:02 PM | | It may very well be a scam, but there are a lot of people out there that also work for local shops. They could just be acting as the middle man and making some cash. That could explain why you can get any size frame and the parts are exactly what it is on the companies website.
My advice is to call him up, ask some questions. If he works in a shop he will be able to answer all your questions and more! Don't bother with e-mail, ask for a phone number, if he refuses . . . don't bid! |
| There's also the assuming every zero feedback new account is... | DeeEight
Mar 27, 2003 10:12 PM | | a scam. WAKE UP MORONS! Every user on ebay has to start out at some point as a zero feedback sunglasses showing user. |
| Yebbutt................. | Mike T.
Mar 28, 2003 3:05 AM | | .....anyone's a bonehead if they start out the e-bay career by selling a multi thousand dollar bike. And ANYONE who "buys" that bike from them is a bonehead³.
Start by buying a few things that you can use and this gives you a profile of being a good and prompt payer and them sell some minor things. This gives a profile too for those smart enough to check.
THEN when you've got some credibility you've got more chance of selling something big.
Anyne with ½ a brain knows that it's risky giving cash money to a stranger ½ a world away for goods you haven't seen. E-bay works on the principle of -
1. Most people are honest.
2. Some people would shaft others given the chance.
3. E-bay has to have a good method of providing some insight into the character of the seller and buyer or they will not exist for long.
So the zero-feedbackers with shades need to do something quick to get the warm fuzzy feeling from others.
But you knew all this anyway Upie! I guess lots don't. |
| consider... | kevl
Mar 28, 2003 11:43 AM | | There was a posting a few days back linking to a news story on CNN.com about eBay scams and the trouble they're having with the security software. The couple detailed in the story did just that. They began by selling DVD's and CD's. After they sold enough and shipped the products correctly, they jumped into "selling" stereos and home theatre systems. The article said they ended up w/ $100,000+ before skipping town. What you've said is true for most, but then principle #2 steps in and rears its ugly head.
I'd add one more item to the list of principles: Everyone has their own comfort and trust level. I wouldn't feel comfortable bidding on and expensive item, but others do every day.
Caveat emptor.
kevin |
| You must be new to ebay, its ALWAYS had scams...what's out of... | Slimboy
Mar 27, 2003 8:03 PM | | Ok, it's obvious scams have always existed. I've been on eBay 5 years and it has never been this bad. Even MTBR Classifieds have put a notice on their page recently to address this issue. And you're right, maybe there's too much complaining about it, but if there's a problem it should be solved, not ignored. And not everyone is as observant or smart as you (I don't mean this sarcastically) because some ppl really are new to ebay and/or just don't see these things. |
| Good point, but... | Ricky Ricardo
Mar 27, 2003 11:02 PM | | I think it works as sarcastic as well, since DeeEight is the eBay queen (or so it seems by the haughty/condescending attitude presented). |
| You must be new to ebay, its ALWAYS had scams...what's out of... | GoldmanSachsBondGuy
Mar 28, 2003 9:24 AM | | If you're tired of the whining, quit looking at the forums in regards to this! Isn't this what a forum's all about? |
| re: eBay scams getting out of control!!! - a suggestion | dave66
Mar 28, 2003 9:18 AM | | i fyou are shopping for bikes in Canada and are looking used, the MEC.ca swap site is pretty good price wise and i have had no probs with deals on it personally |
| Blah, blah, blah ... | Philber
Mar 28, 2003 9:28 AM | | If you want a new bike, and you don't want to take any risks, then go to a bike shop or buy from a reputable online retailer. It's pretty simple really.
You want to get a brand new Blur for $1,800? Then you're gonna have to take some risks, aren't you? It's never been any different, ebay or no ebay. You buy off the back of a truck in an alley, you takes your chances. Stop whining about it. |
| re: eBay scams getting out of control!!! | thomaslane
Mar 30, 2003 7:47 AM | | If you're interested in a bike, email the seller and ask if they'll use an escrow service. Offer to pay the escrow fee. If they refuse, don't bid. Escrow will cost you a little bit, but for the peace of mine, it is probably worth it. |
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