Stupidest Camera Scam you were targeted?

[Lear]

After reading a few threads about ebay scam, I remembered a truly unforgettable scam some one tried to pull on me.

About a year ago, I see an ad for a Nikon SP + 50/1.4 SC original condition, all boxes even for the shade and case. I don’t know where did this guy got the picture, but really looked great. Price 500€

I contact him via de web page, a Spaniard web classified newspaper, was strange enough that the ad was written in English. But it’s not the first time I see that kind of thing.

After some time I get a reply to contact him to another email. Never heard of him again until a few months ago:

“Hi
My name is Kevin Bailey and I live in London Uk. The item is new with 12 months international warranty( with all standard accessories ) . It is a unwated gift, usa model and I can't use it here!”

Following were the instructions to sending and payment, obviously open to various flanks for him to take my money.

I returned an email thanking him for the big laugh, and suggested him to consider something newer for his next scam, something like of this century. How stupid these guys can get? if you take the time to dig out an SP kit photo, one could imagine you know what hell it is.

Cheers

 

[bmattock]

I've gotten emails from people out of the blue who tell me that they have the exact same auction that I'm currently bidding on - only better, newer, etc - and they'll be happy to sell it to me directly. Not sure how they got my email address from my bid on an item, but whatever. And yes, they sometimes say they have it 'new' and 'under warranty' when the item hasn't been made in thirty years or so.

Also - dishonest sellers. Lots of sellers don't know what they have. But some lie about what they have, and figure you're too dumb to know the difference.

Case in point - lens listed on eBoy as "Canon 90mm FD EOS, MINT!"

I looked at the photo - it was an off-brand lens with a Canon FD mount, circa about 1970. I wrote him an email - will this fit on a Canon EOS? Oh, yes, he said. I had it on my Canon Digital Rebel last night; great photos. Oh really, I said. Did you need an adapter? No, no adapter required AF worked great. Hmm, very interesting. Is this actually a 'Canon' brand lens? It seems to say "Accura" on the lens itself. No, "Accura" is a model name that Canon uses for their high-end stuff. Wow. What a pack of self-serving lies!

Sometimes (rarely) dishonest buyers. I seldom sell on eBoy. But when I have, I invariably get emails from people asking me to end my auction early and sell it to them offline. I say no. They offer to show me how to report my item as having been damaged or lost so that I don't have to pay eBoy fees and then I can sell it to them offline. Wow. Total crooks. Like I want to deal with them. If they'll rip off eBoy, they'll rip off me.

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks