Beware for fake high-end offers from scammers

[hermanv]

I recently lost all my gear to a home fire. Naturally I wanted to replace it and being human looked for good used prices. I ran into an endless number of high end audio product scams.

All were easy to spot once you know to be suspicious:
1. Sellers E-Bay name and e-mail doesn't match the place your are asked to contact was the biggest giveaway.
2. Demands for wire transfer or cashiers check only.
3. Item shipped free by air no less form the other side of the planet. In many cases the shipping costs (as per the airline) exceeded the asking price.
4. Exact same photographs and pasted text from another ad.

An additional scam, after loosing a bid, suddenly second chance offers arrive in your inbox. Check those addresses, yep wrong! One offered to sell me an item "new in box" that had been out of production for over 10 years.

True audiophiles are easy to spot, send an email ask some specific questions about some sonic detail, an honest seller can't wait to share his experiences with a piece of equipment, this is his hobby. Ask for the units serial number.

I did buy some expensive stuff on E-bay even after these experiences, once you are alert it's just not that hard to spot the crooks.

I did contact e-bay and they tried to stay ahead of the worst scammers, but one gets the impression they are overwhelmed.

[Rick Vansloneker]

I'm very sorry for you you lost everything in the fire and I hope you are recovering good.

btw, here is what I think is another trick:

Please contact us first-otherwise your bid will be canceled:
alexandrumarius.safta@gmail.com

[hermanv]

I'm very sorry for you you lost everything in the fire and I hope you are recovering good.

Thank you for the nice thought, I would not wish this to happen to anyone.

Even 1 year later we still remember things we no longer have. Little stuff, a special tool, a piece of just the right cable, oh yeah that knob. Nothing compared to important papers and documents and of course the photographs.

We were insured, but you have to pry the money from their hands.

On the bright side; it is the best (read believable by wife) reason for a round of upgrades I've ever found .

ps: I was born in Enschede, moved to the US in 1955.

[slbenz]

Can't believe these scammers on eBay. This one used a stolen user ID and posted the same Magnepan 3.6 speakers 25 times!! What is more amazing is that there are gullible people (2) that have bidded on these speakers even though they can clearly see multiple auctions of the same thing and telling you to contact the seller directly via their "posted" e-mail or they won't accept your bid. Live and learn.

Slbenz


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Magnepan 3.6R Pristine
Item number: 290015504795

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Current bid: US $1.00
End time: 12 hours 35 mins (Aug-04-06 19:35:01 PDT)
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Item location: Lincolnton, North Carolina, United States
History: 2 bids
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Starting time: Aug-03-06 19:35:01 PDT
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WE WILL SHIP INTERNATIONALLY!
! NOTE: ! NOTE: Please contact us before bidding or buying. Any eBay action as bidding or buying made without contacting us will be cancelled, contact us directly at :

alexandrumarius.safta@gmail.com









Brand new unnopened in the box.

Speakers come complete with manual, fuses and the original boxes, though the boxes may be distressed from being in storage.


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Magnepan 3.6R Pristine
Item title: Magnepan 3.6R Pristine
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[E-Stat]

I recently lost all my gear to a home fire. Naturally I wanted to replace it and being human looked for good used prices.

That's terrible! I'm sure there were things lost that are virtually unreplaceable. I lot of my old vinyl is simply not available in CD.

Yes, used can be a great way to go with well built gear. I've purchased/sold stuff over at Audiogon as well.

Best of luck in your search.

rw

[Florian]

Very sorry to hear that Herman!

I could imagine ever loosing my gear in a fire, its unreplaceable.

Good luck

-Flo

[bobsticks]

I saw this guy all over e-bay today. He goes by the seller name of sannman99 or English philth(particularly appropriate) or hozvicka. In all cases buyers are directed to avoid the e-bay checkout and e-mail this schyster at sales@aol.com.

This guys not even very good, advertising MLs and McIntoshes for $399.00 regardless of make or model...

[squeegy200]

This is a new twist to eBay fraud. I guess its a good reminder to use the checkout feature.

Local Pickup and Cash Only
http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2-2006400144,00.html

[Rick Vansloneker]

Well first mistake was they did an off-Ebay deal what you never should do. Then buying a car from a stranger without even seeing it?
Going to a "meeting point" for the deal should make suspicious to.
Can't help thinking these people were pretty stupid.

[slbenz]

Well first mistake was they did an off-Ebay deal what you never should do. Then buying a car from a stranger without even seeing it?
Going to a "meeting point" for the deal should make suspicious to.
Can't help thinking these people were pretty stupid.

Couldn't agree with you more.

[Rick Vansloneker]

Here's a new one, a combination of scam and phising. If you click the link you are forwarded to a phising site. It is already removed by Ebay, I was just in time with the pics.






I also reported four cases of keyword spamming, suddenly becoming popular amongst sellers and scammers. Two were scams and are removed, two apparently not interesting for Ebay and still there. That disappoints me.