posted on March 27, 2002 08:20:44 PM new
I don't think there is anything that ebay can really do here. I think the real solution is buyer education: Realize where is a good place to buy from, and where is not.
posted on March 27, 2002 10:31:19 PM new
Am I missing something here? Maybe as Tomwii pointed out, I've been living under a wallabee's butt for the last five years, but can someone tell me what a $400.00 Nokia does that a free one doesn't? Every cellular provider in my part of the country offers phones for free, or 99 cents at most when you subscribe. I just bought a box at auction last week for $4.00 that had 7 cell phones in it. I tested 3 of them so far and they all work. What sort of features were these phones supposed to have that would cause you to purchase them from a stranger half way around the world for $800.00?
The light at the end of the tunnel will turn out to be an oncoming train.
In this case, common sense still does apply. This is not a case of being internet savvy. It's a case of being common sense savvy.
You made a deal off site, with a person from another country, giving up any chance of buyer protection and any chance to take legal action against the individual. Ebay warns against this. It's even against the rules, supposedly.
Did you look at the person's feedback? I only purchase from someone with a proven track record. Sorry newbies.
The feedback system Ebay provides, though imperfect, still works enough to tell you if the person is a legit seller. Read between the lines....
Buyer beware! If you don't follow a few unbelievably simple rules when buying on the internet, you will get scammed. It's not just eBay. Fraud is everywhere.
Edited to add: I just checked. SellingPhones now NARU, has a feedback rating of 0. Some people are pretty darn trusting...
[ edited by outoftheblue on Mar 27, 2002 11:15 PM ]
posted on March 29, 2002 02:51:54 AM new
""""3/7/2002 I sent the money via Western Union.Unfortunately I was told by
the Western Union representative that he could only get the money out of
Western Union if I provided him with the MTCN"""
WAS The USA Western Union Representative, Whose Representations Were Of The Essence in you Evaluating The Suitability, or more Specifically, Security, Of This Payment Method-
A./
Implicitly Involved In the Scam??
B./
A Stupid Ignorant Pr!@&???
C./
Employed By An Entity That Had Not Invested Adequate Resources In Ensuring That Those That Make Representations on His/Her/Their/It’s Behalf Are Able to Do So At A Level Of Accuracy To Which A Reasonable Person May Reasonably Be Expected To Rely Upon?
OR
D./Please Give Another Possibility.
[ edited by austbounty on Mar 29, 2002 03:35 AM ]
posted on March 29, 2002 05:01:45 AM new
My take on all this is fairly simple. First off by now people should be aware of these scams heck we hear about them and read about them all the time in forums like AW but that isn’t even going to be my main point here.
I’ve said it before and will say it again, I just don’t understand why with all the companies out there right here in the good old USA anyone would even consider buying overseas especially an item that can be readily purchased in the US. I do comprehend greed and the lure of an unbelievable price on an item but gee whiz where is our common sense. What happens to that little inner voice of ours when you see a price on something that seems to good too be true that shouts out to us “STOP” this price doesn’t make sense. How is this seller able to offer this unbeatable price even with shipping to the US.
If the price was that good then its available elsewhere at that price. You may have to do a little research, find a wholesaler, discount house or something but if it can be had from someone overseas for that price it can be had right here in the US for the same deal.
My feeling is anything that can be bought right in your backyard so to speak should be. Not because we should be supportive of US commerce since most goods come from overseas but to insure accountability
In the event we have a problem with a product. Let’s face it if you bought two cellular phones from a large Vendor here in the US like AT&T, Voice Stream or Verison and had a problem they most likely would at least try and correct it. You could deal with them face to face and get some satisfaction. Why anyone would chance purchasing cameras, cell phones or other high dollar electronics overseas is just beyond my comprehension. If there was a problem and you needed service, a repair or possibly a return who the heck are you going to turn to. The faceless seller 5,000 miles away, I think not.
If the item you intend to purchase is not a collectable and it can be had at any retailer then buy it locally where you live or from a reputable retail or wholesale outlet or on-line source where you have some, even its just a little recourse. And remember what mom and dad, the BBB, the Attorney Generals Office, and many other agencies have advised us “If it sounds to good too be true, it most like is”.
posted on March 29, 2002 07:46:05 AM new
This is something I just received from Russia. It is an offer to sell caskets on my website. Here is part of the letter:
"But before that how to send on our addresses the table with information on the orders you should transfer money (US dollars) to our bank accounts, because if we do not have money we can not work, because we will need to buy, all that it is necessary for manufactures of caskets, and also we spoke about sending the orders on addresses for the people which have ordered these caskets in your virtual shop, we should pay for work to the that man which will do(make) only service on sending the orders on caskets, because this service gives you and us to do(make) only businesses.
And consequently you will need to open two bank accounts for us, why two bank accounts? Because money from a total cost should be divided(shared) on two accounts, first is for money for caskets, but second is what with what that the man could do(make) for us and you service on delivery of caskets which the people will order in your virtual shop, but the first bank account to you will need to be opened at once after you have received this letter, certainly if you want that we shall do(make) all this for you. These caskets will cost approximately 60-100
dollars.
The first bank account to you needs tobe opened on this name ( XXXXXXXXX my day of birth XXXXXXX. My address: XXXXXXXXX. For each bank account, it will be necessary plastic credit cards, because we shall take money from these bank accounts. You should send the documents for the bank account and plastic card on the address which we have written.
The second bank account you will need to open for other name, but this name we now do not know because we did not think of the one who will do(make) service on delivery of caskets which people will order in your virtual shop.
We want, what you will send the answer to our letter, we shall wait the answer only one week, but after one week we shall send this letter to other people, which have virtual shop too."
He also offered me the option of selling watches or crystal if I don't want the caskets.
posted on March 29, 2002 08:29:51 AM new
From the letter:
"About caskets !
I shall tell to you about as we do(make) caskets . Caskets we do(make) from wood
Wemake some different sizes of these caskets . On cover of each casket we do(make) reproductions of different pictures . On perimeter of each casket we drow a pattern A background of caskets we do(make) only black, and inside only red . And in end of work, on each casket we do(make) a varnish ."
posted on March 29, 2002 08:43:31 AM new
are these caskets=coffins??
the buyer said he was told by western union staff that seller cannot claim the money he sent unless he has the money control transfer number.
this is true in this country,so how can this rule be violated in romania??
posted on March 29, 2002 09:17:00 AM new
Casket could be a coffin or perhaps a jewel box? I always referred to it as a coffin so I was wondering about the shipping costs. Should I ask him?
posted on March 29, 2002 09:17:31 AM new
As far as the caskets go, sounds (as best I can interpret their broken english) like they want you to fund their working capital so they have money to make the caskets. Basically you are making an unsecured loan to an unknown person overseas. even if it isn't a scam, its way too risky. This wonderful company can't even afford wood and paint? hmmm..besides all that stuff about an unknown person doing service work from the second bank account. I'm voting "scam", but if not, its so unprofessional its not worth it. Better you should fly to russia, inspect their merchansise, and buy it outright for sale if its so cheap that you can make a handsome profit. I'd pass on coffins and watches, assuming they are at all legic, the crystal would be the only potential thing that might make sense.
Besides, I think (assuming you are in the US) there are actually regulations about selling coffins. I think in most states you have to be licensed. Its a nice scam the funeral homes have made, no "discount harry's cheap coffins" are for sale to undercut them.
PS - the "you only have one week to respond" is yet another indicator of scam by the way..."hurry, hurry, this deal is too good to pass up!"
[ edited by captainkirk on Mar 29, 2002 09:23 AM ]
posted on March 29, 2002 09:38:33 AM new
In a word, no.
RE: topic, I do feel sympathy but it's been said you can't cheat an honest man. Why send funds like this outside the eBay arena? There are plenty of reputable sellers offering the same item protected by eBay's insurance. I also believe that people are basically good, but philosophy needs to be mixed with a little bit of reality.
posted on March 29, 2002 09:43:09 AM new
Chances are if you have been on Ebay long enough to take thousands of pictures. Its going to be a little hard to just disappear.
Bottom line ~~NEVER EVER buy an expensive item from someone with no feedback history!
