Auction deal--or scam?

[katgut@earthlink.net]

Hi,
I've seen an M9 advertised on a major auction site, with an extremely low buy-it-now price. However, I had to contact the seller directly on his personal email, and he says in order to do the deal he has to set up some kind of "XXbay program which will protect both of us." Naturally I'm being careful and will not give any kind of important info about myself. Have you seen a situation where the seller had to set up some kind of special arrangements to do buy-it-now? I'm fully aware that sending payment to the seller directly will be illegal so I will only do it through the site itself.

thanks, and curious to see your answers--I'm not really expecting something this good to go through!

 

[Pickett Wilson]

There is no reason anyone would sell an extremely hard to get, brand new Leica M9 at anything below the retail price. It would be snapped up in a minute at full retail. Run, don't walk, in the other direction. It is a scam.

 

[George9]

Scam.



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[Rob-F]

If it sounds too good to be true . . .

Need I proceed?

 

[katgut@earthlink.net]

He's sent me an email saying he's initiated something called Purchase Protection from the auction site, and that an "invoice" will be coming from the site.

It will be curious to see how realistic this "invoice" will be. Maybe he will have done a great job and it will look just like something legit. Anyway, don't worry--my curiosity has limits!

 

[Gary E]

I would like to say it always amazes me that a sucker is born every minute or so the saying goes. 😕

Also, not to insult anyone one this forum, so don't take anything personal. If a person is ready to purchase something at this level $7K+, one should only look to reputable dealers that can assist in repairs or warranty work if one ever needs it. I understand about saving some money like anyone else, but it only costs more in the long run when you've found out it's defective or nonexistent. 😱

"Please choose wisely" - says Lancealot to Indy as he chooses the Holy Grail...

 

[skibeerr]

I think I have seen this before. Check if the seller isn't using someone elses Name.
Click other items and you might see a totally different line of bussines.

 

[dmr]

Uh, care to share the URL for that particular auction? (If E-gag has not killed it, that is.)

 

[Ezzie]

Purchase protection on ebay is perfectly normal, however only applies if payment handled through paypal, and only if seller subscribes to protection. If seller is trying to sell protection through other channels than paypal, then its a scam. Look to payment methods for item, should state paypal with buyer protection. Have never had cause to claim protection myself, so how it actually works out is still an unknown (to me at least)

 

[AnalogForever]

The fact that you're corresponding with him shows that you're harboring some hope that the deal is real, and therefore you're being set up as a sucker.

It is total nonsense. Just drop it and don't communicate with him anymore. Any advice you get from other posters about "testing" the seller to see if he's serious reveals complete ignorance about eBay.

This is a very common attempt to trap an idiot.

 

[zerobuttons]

Hi,
I've seen an M9 advertised on a major auction site, with an extremely low buy-it-now price. However, I had to contact the seller directly on his personal email........

As soon as an eBay seller tells you that communication outside of eBay is a prerequisite for further dealings, you should back away. This alone is a clear indication that the seller is a scammer.

 

[_goodtimez]

BIG SCAM ! I was confronted to the same problem here in France, where XXBay has introduced free ads now. A lot of scammers actually even steal other regular ads details and promote their own page. I did contact the web provider in question several times but it seems no change happened.

 

[katgut@earthlink.net]

Update:
the seller sent an official-looking link from "ebaytransactions.com" asking for Western Union payment to a different country. The listing is now gone, and i've reported it to ebay. I wasn't really expecting anything, but it was interesting to see how the scam was supposed to play out. It's too bad ebay can't have some sort of software to scan the ads and look for obvious phrases.

 

[srtiwari]

This is the same deal !

This is the same deal !

Just a few days ago...

http://rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=82980


Well folks, I decided to pursue this, and am now convinced this is a scam.

The "Seller" wrote back accepting my decision to buy, and said she needed my full name and contact details. She explained that the transaction would go through EBay, allowing me a 3 day examination period of the Goods, and an option to return the goods if I was not satisfied.

I sent her my name and address.

Well I just got an email, advising me that a "Transaction Agent" would be the Intermediary.
She advised I should send a "moneygram" (an emoney transfer) for $1500 to the Agent, a man's name and address in London, UK. The "Seller" noted is a woman's name, address in White Falls, MT, USA.
None of the EBay or other links on the email work, and one is invited to contact the seller with any questions.
_____