bkkofaz
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posted on February 2, 2002 09:44:59 AM new
A friend just sent this to me. Check out auction #1509711004. Note the location. Very suspicious or am I just being paranoid? I did alert eBay but haven't heard back yet. Let me know your thoughts.
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kyms
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posted on February 2, 2002 09:59:39 AM new
I gotta admit this is a very wierd auction.. maybe it is a strange joke...??...
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holdenrex
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posted on February 2, 2002 10:22:54 AM new
I'm inclined to say it's somebody just posting a first-time "test" auction. I'm guessing an actual secret terrorist code would more likely be hidden within an otherwise unassuming auction. They'd probably also make their location somewhere in the US to not draw attention.
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blairwitch
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posted on February 2, 2002 10:47:18 AM new
Anything is possible these days. I have heard of people using secret codes in newspaper ads. eBay is one huge ad. 
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bidsbids
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posted on February 2, 2002 11:02:04 AM new
http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?MfcISAPICommand=ViewItem&item=1509711004
life made easier ...
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sulyn1950
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posted on February 2, 2002 11:15:39 AM new
Not to worry...they used AW to launch this auction, so if they are lurking here, maybe they'll explain what's going on.
I agree with holdenrex, they more than likely are testing the launch/template.
Then again, if it is a secret code and the FBI gets wind of it, we may all find ourselves on the FBI's "to watch" list because we all belong to AW. We better start thinking before we post. 
[ edited by sulyn1950 on Feb 2, 2002 11:23 AM ]
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dadofstickboy
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posted on February 2, 2002 11:32:27 AM new
Did you notice they also have an AW store?
And did you notice they show they ship through the USPS! But they show their location as Pakastan. Weird!
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bkkofaz
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posted on February 2, 2002 12:31:46 PM new
Ebay's response:
"Thank you for writing eBay regarding an auction you viewed. I
understand your concern.
I have read your email and researched item #1509711004. At this time I
am not qualified to address your concern. However, I am forwarding your
email to our Safe Harbor department. Please be assured that they will
look into this matter and take the appropriate action. Depending on
what they find out, they may or may not contact you for further
information, but they always appreciate reports of inappropriate
behavior on our site."
If it is just a test auction, then why not state it in the auction? Why even run a test auction since you can view a preview before you launch? Still seems fishy...
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toolhound
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posted on February 2, 2002 12:55:10 PM new
I emailed them to find out the cost of shipping. This will be the first fcbdfb in my new collection.
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holdenrex
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posted on February 2, 2002 12:56:12 PM new
Newbie sellers have been running this sort of test auction for years. Some state it's a test auction, others just type in any old mumbo-jumbo figuring that nobody's going to look at it anyway. As for the preview issue - I don't think some newbies trust ebay's preview screen so they have to see it for themselves - it's the easiest way to test whether the preview screen is accurate.
This looks like many other test auctions I've seen over the years, only this time the location is setting off alarm bells. If the terrorists are using Ebay to convey secret messages, the postings are probably for some nondescript item with all the code embedded in an innocent-looking auction description. Heck, they probably have the item on hand to ship just in case somebody actually bids in order to keep up the front.
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bkkofaz
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posted on February 2, 2002 01:06:41 PM new
"Heck, they probably have the item on hand to ship just in case somebody actually bids in order to keep up the front."
I don't know.... he looks pretty formidable to me. Or do you suppose fcbdfb is a Pakistani tree? Either way, the shipping via USPS First Class is gonna be pricey since I don't belive Pakairlines flies to Arizona.
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dadofstickboy
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posted on February 2, 2002 01:48:51 PM new
Do you think fcbdfb could be the tree? He states he sells tables, maybe they come in kit form. That would make sense!
F-irst C-ut B-ranches D-own F-or B-ase.
That could be it in a nut shell!
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tomwiii
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posted on February 2, 2002 04:13:56 PM new
I think this is where BLACK ASH TRAYS and SHAG-GLASS PITCHERS go in the afterlife!
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JBTS7
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posted on February 2, 2002 05:54:09 PM new
HAS ANY ONE NOTICED THAT THIS SELLER WILL ONLY SHIP TO THE USA? WEIRD?
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bkkofaz
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posted on February 2, 2002 07:01:32 PM new
Hey, it just got its' first bid. Strangely enough, it is another "0" feedback that signed up in June, 1 month after the seller. Someone reading this thread and bidding for kicks or.....?
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katmommy
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posted on February 2, 2002 07:15:37 PM new
I was thinking of bidding. I can use a bear attached to a tree. I was thinking $500 is a fair price???
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bkkofaz
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posted on February 2, 2002 07:18:12 PM new
Maybe there's a partridge in the bear tree
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sparkz
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posted on February 2, 2002 08:15:49 PM new
I'd like to be there with my camera when he tries to put bubble wrap on that bear.
The light at the end of the tunnel will turn out to be an oncoming train.
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revvassago
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posted on February 2, 2002 08:25:50 PM new
Could possibly be.
I know you can embed text into images, that only someone with the correct code can retrieve.
Notice that they list their address in their Andale profile.
I can't find any good maps of Lahore, Pakistan, even using Copernic.
However, I now have 2 addresses, 3 email addresses, 3 phone numbers, 2 ebay user ID's, and multiple business names for this user.
Don't know...........hmmmmmm.
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roadsmith
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posted on February 2, 2002 08:35:06 PM new
God, that is so weird and a bit scary. And 5 months ago we'd all have been laughing instead of wonnnnnnnnnnndering.
I think "fcdbfb" is just Bush's try at saying "fiscal responsibility."
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clarksville
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posted on February 3, 2002 12:01:00 PM new
That particular id user registered in May 2001 so they have been one eBay for awhile at least. Maybe they were liberated and are now is able to sell? They might sell computers and modems from the Taliban?
Since they have to file a cc with eBay AND Auction Watch, as well as a few other things, it wouldn't be all that hard to determine the id of the seller.
eBay will probably look at it tomorrow.
edited to say since it is an Auction Watch user this may be an attempt for everyone to notice their auctions. What better place to post than Auction Watch?
I wish I had 566 hits (last check) on my auctions.
[ edited by clarksville on Feb 3, 2002 12:06 PM ]
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jrb3
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posted on February 3, 2002 05:43:42 PM new
Ebay pulled the auction.
Darn I was the high bidder to.
Joe B
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ultimato
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posted on February 3, 2002 06:03:50 PM new
Now that it's gone can someone tell us what it was?
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