CupraT

Ok, I'm looking to buy something from e-bay and the sellar states don't contact me through e-bay, e-mail any questions to me.

This sets alarm bells ringing as it sounds dodgy, but......

The guy has good feedback (nearly 500, almost all positive).
He sells and buys items so hasn't just clocked up good feedback to pull a scam.
He sells other high value (circa £500) items with no issues that I can see.
He has a picture of the item and it looks genuine.
He answers my questions via e-mail with all the right answers i.e. knows about the product.
The item is reasonably priced - cheap but not too cheap.

FWIW, he is based in Canada.

What's the scam here? I suspect I am being set up to get ripped off but can't see so!

Markus

Where in Canada is he based? If you have a name or other contact details you could try looking him up here

Dracoro

Could be someone who's hacked the Canadian guys account, hence the 'e-mail me' bit.

WHY doesn't he want to be contacted via ebay?

Freak

May be a hijacked account?

There are 12 listings in the US for pioneer cdj 1000s at the moment, for $1000 a pair (normal retail is $1000 each)...all have the same text, and all say 'dont contact me through ebay- mail me on XXX to contact me'. Sadly people are bidding on them- presumably because they were reputable accounts.

All are hijacked accounts sadly.

CupraT

Thanks Guys, hadn't thought about the hijacked accounts.

I always go by the motto, if it looks too good tio be true etc etc.

Another quick question......

The seller has the paypal protection symbol next to his name (where you get upto £500 protection). Assuming I paid through paypal having done the transcation through e-bay (and not offline), I assume I would be covered?

Cheers

pugoetru

probably not if the account is hijacked they will hijack the paypal account too
or send it to a different one

Spoon

With the hijacked account theory aside he could just be like myself and prefer to receive emails direct to his PHONE.

This eBay messages lark is all well and good if the buyer doesn't tick the 'hide email address' box because the message does get forwarded to your phone and you can then reply.

However if you have no address to reply to when you receive the message notification on your phone, you have to wait till you're back at your pc, which is a ball-ache if you are out and about.

CupraT

Thanks again....

The item number is 5813450682 if anyone wants to have a look.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/PIONEER-AVIC-X...QQcmdZViewItem

I have asked him how the buy it now works (as there is no buy it now price on ebay). I am expecting him to want me to deal outside of ebay.

I have noticed he has a website/shop for his usual jewelry (tat )with the paypal details on. It will be interestign to see where he wants me to make payment to.

Any more thoughts on this?

Dazza01

Make sure you can afford to lose the money before you send it as it sounds very iffy to me, advertieses on e-bay but says don't contact me through it ?????

"ding ding ding" alarm bells

but thats IMO, but good luck if you decide to chance it

CupraT

Fully agree with alarm bells Dazza01!

I have mailed the address on the jewelry website to ask if they are really selling the satnav....will see what comes back.

Warwick-hunt

yeah, i've been after one of the newest motorolas, every one for sale on ebay says this, "my mailbox is full, don't use ask seller" use email,
everyone has been taken off before the auction ends, don't pay any money

Spoon

He also has 10 for sale so if this one sells and 9 other people email him then he won't need to pay any fees on the other 9 sales.

I think that's his ploy to be honest.

At the end of the day every purchase is a risk.

CupraT

Guys, thanks for the continued replies on this. Does sound dodgy to me but I am curious.

Had a further reply from him....copied in full below. This reply was to e-mail address from my ebay contact with him and not from the website email.

I will shipp the pioneer via TNT from Spain.
TNT is a service that insures that the tranzactions made are sure for both of us.I will pick up the money after you will receive the package.I only know that the package will stay in their custody and will be insured.They keep it in their custody and they will release the pioneer to you after you confirm the payment to them.They will bring you the pioneer and release the payment information to me only if you are satiesfied by the pioneer.I will pay for the TNT fees and you will pay for the transfer fees.
I think this is safe for us.I need only your full name and address and I will go to the TNT to put the package.After that you will receive an email from TNT and they will let you know what you have to do.
Thank's

Does this confirm it as being iffy? Havn't heard of TNT before and though I can see them on google can't tell if what he says is actually what happens.

Spoon

You haven't heard of TNT before?? Shít, I am getting old!!

Here's the guys name and address. Singer Select LLC, c/o Danny Buckman , 102 Orchid Cay Dr., Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33418.

Why ship from Spain when he's in Florida is your next question.

CupraT

Cheers Spoon, I have heard of TNT but not the service where they deliver to me, I authorise payment on receipt of the goods and he then gets the money. If it worked like that (i.e. reputable 3rd party held the money I would feel more happy).

The Spanish thing puzzles me too - I assumed it would be due to the item being a European item and not a US product.

I guess I don't undertstand why he selling something different to his usual items and why from Spain.

Guess I will leave it.

CrisPDuk

I personally would contact the guy via 'Ask seller a question' at least then if it is a hijack, the legitimate seller has an opportunity to do something about it.

wwp8

that happened to me before it was a nokia phone,

the guy were selling every model that was out, and in bulk or in singles,

asked the guy a "question" via ebay

including can i pick it up, (as it advertised as in yorkshire)

his reply was
please send email to xxx@yahoo.com
and the item is located in the USA,

i thought yeah right "BYE"

ask to pay by cheque (that way you'll get a real address)

CupraT

Ok, now asked the sellar a question via ebay. If he is happy for payment to go via escrow.com with me making the arrangements I will go it...if not then I will walk away from it.

Cheers guys

^OPM^

How u get his pesonnal details may i ask?

chiark

OK, let's look at the evidence:

- it's a jewelry shop
- most other items in the shop are jewelry
- all jewelry items give the email address "msinger5@***.net"
- there's high value desirable electronics for sale by records00@aol.com.
- only the high value electricals mention records00@aol.com

Final nail in the coffin? search ebay "title and descriptions" for records00@aol.com

Oh look, a Korg synth for sale by "lifenajeep" says "email me at records00@aol.com". Oh look, other accounts have been hacked.

<B>IF IT'S TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE, IT BLOODY IS.</B>

But hey, don't let the thought of missing out on a bargain get in the way of losing your money .

chiark

Looks like ebay are working on it...
One of the items returned in the search for records00@aol.com has now been cancelled. If you're feeling public spirited, you might alert ebay to the others, too...

IPALMER

iTrader: (5)

do a search for samsung d600 mobile phone...

there's loads for sale with the " do not contact me thro' ebay - mail me at ....... "

all are high feedback accounts , which normally sell nothing like the item for sale - ie hijacked accounts !

B@stards - i quite fancy a new phone !

mart360

Or N91, just about every one is a contact me at yahoo or aol

ill just have to get one myself when i,m in HK...

M

Scoobychick

iTrader: (1)

It's been removed by Ebay.

MikeCardiff

iTrader: (2)

Seller lives in Canada, but doesnt really, he lives in Florida, and he'll send the item from Spain ???

AND YOU NEED TO ASK IF ITS DODGY !!!

One thing people need to ask themelves :

If item x is worth $2000, why is the seller selling it for $1000, when he could get twice as much money ?