Wow, 
I just wrote that I would not write about eBay anymore and here I am, compelled to do so...
Fortunately, this is really not a story that will be seen as bashing eBay because it is just not something that the giant of over regulation and useless rules has any control over.
It seems con artists, inspired by eBay's (Good?) name have adopted a new tactic to scam people of hard earned money.
and here is the kicker....
Scammers are advertising on Craigslist and claiming to be connected with eBay!
Amazing as it sounds, it is true, the story goes something like this...
You (i.e. the aforementioned earner of difficult to gain money) see an auto for sale on Craigslist, posted in an advertisement in your local area. The car is the model you want, the price is unbelievable and you contact the seller to be first on the deal. - Normal life of a Craigslist buyer (I can attest to this as I am an active Craigslist buyer and seller).
The "seller" then replies to your email (you should set up a dummy email address for any dealings through Craigslist - by the way), and provides you with a very detailed story about how the car is not currently in your city, it is actually across the country (or in another Country) but it will be shipped to your city very soon. The seller is leaving the country, but , and here is the really stupid part of the scam...
Sample Reply email
Subject: Re: ford f-150 supercrew - $10200 (phoenix)
From: "Hickman Bobby, Tech Sgt." bbobby.hickman@gmail.comHello,
Thank you for your interest in my car.This is a 2005 FORD F150 SUPERCREW
4x4, 8 Cylinder 5.4 Liter, Gasoline engine,Automatic Transmission,Non-Smoker,clean title!! The car has only 24,000 miles on it,VIN# is : 1FTPW14515FB48400 .Here you can find more pictures of the car:
http://s597.photobucket.com/albums/t58/fordfordsalfo150/sample of photobucketlink
(if the above link does not work copy and paste it into a new web browser
window).The car has been well taken care of, always kept in the garage.Flawless exterior/interior condition,no scratches and no dents.It has never been involved in an accident.The engine starts and drives like new and the paint looks great.It comes with US clear title which will be signed and notorized in the buyer's name. Have all keys and manuals.
I'm an US Air Force Tech. Sgt. currently stationed in Germany.The car is here with me. It was bought in the US and shipped to Europe, but it was never permanently registered here, the car is still registered in the US. The car is for sale locally as well, but there are slim chances of this to happen. In order to be able to register this car here in Germany the buyer would have to pay very high import/custom taxes that will double the price. So I decided to sell the car back in the US.
The price is $10,200.00 including shipping from Germany to the US and delivery to your home address.
So if you decide to buy this car or need further information please get back to me as soon as possible.
Thank you
Tech.Sgt.Bobby Hickman
Somewhere along the line in the email exchange the seller will tell you that eBay Trust and Safety or eBay Buyer Protection will be holding your money for 30 days after you receive the car, to make sure that you are happy with the transaction and to protect you from a scam.
Hi,
The payment will be made through eBay. I'm under Contract with eBay which states that we can close the deal using their service.Very Important, Only after you will receive the car, eBay will release the money to me.The money will be sent per ebay instruction and you will give the payment details only to eBay. They will verify the payment and when the money are confirmed they will notify me to proceed with the shipping process. After you receive and see that the car is the one you want, you just notify eBay to give me the money.
In order to start the deal I need YOUR FULL NAME and SHIPPING ADDRESS so I can register the transaction with eBay. They will let you know what you have to do for the payment.
Thanks!
Ok kids - why would anyone consider this as a valid story? I certainly cannot say, but I have gotten several calls in the last week from potential buyers, asking me if they should send money to eBay?
NO - eBay is not an escrow service for Craigslist!
Lets all get our thinking caps on and reconsider the old addage....
If it seems too good to be true... Yes, it probably is not true!
Variations are certainly a part of the con such as:
- The seller is a US service person immediately shipping to Afghanistan or Iraq and they need to leave money for their family, the car will be shipped via the US Air Force to you for free.
- The seller needs money for emergency surgery, this is why the car is listed for less than half the price of any comparable car.
Of course you can be assured that if you do send your money to "eBay" (This will look like an eBay address, but will not be an eBay account or address) you will never ever see that money again, and you will never see the car you thought you bought.
People may be quick to say that eBay should do something about this, and maybe they could try, but really this is just a real buyer beware situation. At some point people must realize that scammers and thieves have been around much longer than Internet commerce. Craigslist and eBay are relative newcomers to the game and they can not be held responsible if some artful thief with a very incredible story convinces you that he/she is backed by either party, because they are certainly not.
This scam could also encompass more than automobiles, so keep your radar active! In all cases when dealing with Craigslist buying you must see the merchandise and/or be reasonably assured that you are dealing with a reputable company or party.
What to say about eBay? How about Goodbye…
Mar 4th, 2010 by Scott Pooler
Obviously I have been at a loss for words about eBay for some time. My passion for the platform has waned, I no longer follow what happens or what rules have changed or why the fee structure has gone here or there, on a day to day basis. It is just too time consuming and really the return for me is not equitable.
I ended my eBay oriented services about 6 months ago and I have turned away clients who only want help to start selling on eBay as a business.
I do this simply because it does not help me or my reputation to be associated with the name eBay. I know that is a strong statement, and that a lot of fine people make a good living by providing training and advise and third party tools to the eBay selling marketplace... I commend all of you who keep up the fight.
Unfortunately I have been put in the position of trying to rationalize irrational rules, ridiculous business practices and the odd behavior of a huge corporation who seems so out of touch with it's core customers, one time too many. In my mind, I do not need to be placed in the middle of good honest sellers and a company that acts as eBay does towards those sellers.
This is not a new development, obviously I have not spent much time here on the TAJ within the last 6 months writing or offering opinions about eBay. Of course I miss that challenge, but when you are frustrated with the subject matter, it is difficult to come up with commentary without sounding like the negative fool. Better to say nothing at all.... Right? I also have been deeply involved with other projects and really do not have the time for eBay commentary.
While, I still receive several calls per week from people wanting me to help them with eBay sales, I gently try to share with them other ways to approach online marketing and then I let them go on about their business.
My business is no longer involved with eBay other than to sell an odd item or two from time to time like any casual seller.
iBusinessLogic actually has never been better since I made this strategic change in my business plan. We have multiple projects working and I have a waiting list of clients for web development. I appreciate everything that the eBay community shared with me over the years and I cherish all of the real friendships I developed, including many within the eBay organization. But business is business and eBay does not need my help, conversely I find that I also do not need theirs.
I hope this is not the end of the Trading Assistant Journal, but as it was an eBay centered publication, the current environment is not primed for growth. I do enjoy Bonanzle, and I am still working on BonanzleStores.... But if you are looking for up to date eBay information, I am afraid you will need to go enjoy some of the other fine blogs and websites out there dedicated to such things.
For me, it has been a long and winding road, but my eBay life has ended. Good Bye.
Tags: Business Practices, Core Customers, eBay, eBay Business, eBay Community, ebay sales, ebay selling, Fee Structure, Fool, Friendships, Honest Sellers, Marketplace, Odd, Odd Behavior, Online Marketing, Oriented Services, Passion, People, Reputation, Ridiculous Business, Selling on eBay, Start Business, Subject Matter, Third Party Tools, Waiting List
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