Advise Needed: Just won A TV 5x on Ebay

[netwolf]

Hi All,

I just won a TV 5x Powermate on Ebay for a bargain price approx $120. As this is my first win and first purchase am a bit concerned about sending a Money order for the item. And after winning it i am informed by the seller that i am to send to a PO Box in Katoomba NSW. What do you guys think?

I was hopping that it would at least be a street address that can be traced.

Regards
Netwolf

[avandonk]

Check his or her rating if it is zero only deal through paypal. Under no cicumstances send money through a bank or any other direct way. especially to a PO box.

By the way the better the 'bargain' the more it smells like scam.

Bert

[netwolf]

Bert, ya no rating for this person yet he had 3 items for sale ending today. The other item was a Meade Focal reducer and the other item was a Ford T oil gauge or some thing like that.

Regards
Netwolf

[33South]

NO!

I've done quite a few EBAY purchases with no problems but have never been asked to pay other than PayPal or direct deposit into a bank account, I wouldnt anyway.

[netwolf]

Direct deposit maybe an option but how is this safer?

[33South]

They have to provide a fair amount of identification to open an account, then they have to give you their bank BSB code, account number and name.

Any deposit is traceable and Im sure its no more risky than PayPal, probably less.

[iceman]

$120 is a bargain!

Sending money order is sometimes the only way people can accept payment, if they don't setup paypal or don't want to give bank account details.

I've done it before with no problems (sent money order).

[netwolf]

Its not to much to risk i guess for a bargain i really wanted to win that TV 5x and to win it 120bucks is damn lucky. So I think i will go ahead with it and see what happens. I have invited the chap to Iceinspace forums.

Regards

[casstony]

If you have a good ebay rating maybe the seller would send the item to you before payment. Then you could give the seller a glowing rating on ebay?

Tony

[netwolf]

I have no ratings double whammy my first and his first... So i am going on trust on this one.. lets see what happens.

[asimov]

I always like to verify their existence by giving 'em a quick phone call..

[RAJAH235]

Just make sure that his rating is GOOD. If any doubts, do not send money to anywhere. Usually, as Mike has pointed out, it's safe to send to a post box, (I have), as some suppliers do not like to have their personal home addresses known. (biff, thump, biff :poke:. :P). (If pick-up is available, they will give it out).
Check around the other dealers to give better idea on exactly how the rating system works.
Be careful, not paranoid.
HTH. :D L.

[netwolf]

Well neither the seller or me have any ratings, as its the first time i am buying and first time he is selling. No pickup available and does now wish to provide contact details but is messaging, maybe i can get him to call me for a chat.

Regards

[acropolite]

Saw that Item, I was going to bid at the last moment but HRH kept me too long at the shops and I missed the end. Hopefully it will turn out OK for you.

[netwolf]

my HRH had me out today to but got back just intime for the heart renching finish. I could not belive no one else was bidding on it. I was the 8th bidder on Tuesday i think it was put max of 150 and then on Friday i got little nervious and uped the anty to 200 max still no one bided on it. Its addictive thats for sure. But not much telescope/astronomy wise on ebay in aus. Unless you count all the 5 pages of junk people are trying to sell as telescopes. Maybe 3-4 items are no junk.

Ebay US seems to have a lot more "real" stuff. But then there i shipping. There is a celestron 8" SCT going cheap but it has a orange tinge on the miror i dont quiet like the look of.

Regards

[RAJAH235]

You get his number, not him get yours...:D L.
ps. You get more details, see....

[netwolf]

Yeah i know but my number is on my ebay profile so he sees it when i win the auction. But he is not willing to share his contact details. Oh well. I am going to send of my money on monday and see what happens.

[Astroman]

Good luck with it. hope it works out for you.

[RAJAH235]

Got everything XXXXX'd for you, Nettie.....:D L. :2thumbs:

[netwolf]

Yeah well i have sent via direct deposit now comes the nervious wait. Hopefully i will get it in the mail soon.
There have to be good people left in the world to trust otherwise whats the point of it all.
Regards

[gbeal]

A bit late to be making enquires though. What was the listing as far as payment was concerned? Anyone on this group in or near this place (Katoomba)?

[netwolf]

Well the listing said Money Order or Bank Cheque. Surprsing that ebay list Moeny Order as safe, when its not neccessary that money order go to a street address. Anyway have had few emails from the person post payment and seems genuine.

Regards

[dugnsuz]

Sorry to be pessimistic as I have sold many things on ebay with few problems, but if you have any dramas don't expect any satisfaction from ebay - their small print is large enough to make them exempt from any eventuality. For folks in your situation there used to be a third party service called tradesecure which mediated deals - but I believe they aren't around now. Perhaps not much money to be made in keeping the ******* honest!!
Cheers and good luck - I'm sure it will be cool, there's not too many crooked astronomers around:P :D :P :D
Cheeers
Doug :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[johnno]

I deal a lot on Ebay,and have a 100 per cent rating,with over 330 transactions.I am far from an expert,
But my understanding of using a P.O box,is mainly for your security, a lot of people only use a p.o box,myself included.

There are many reasons for this practice,but the main one is to keep the loonies away from your door.

Although,I must admit there are people who keep their address annyomous,
for other less than honest reasons.

By all means, send a money order,and THEN,
you have the persons Name,and town,you can just check the white pages online to get their phone number.

I have bought some Rough Opal,(1 of my other hobbies),from Lightning Ridge,and the seller only used Paypal,or Money order,
I sent a money order,Dont like Paypal,
And although postage was a little slow,the Opal arrived,Far better than What I expected.

Hope your transaction goes smoothly.

Regards.
John

[ving]

$120. bargain!
let us know how ya go netwolf! :)
i am guessing that things will be ok :)

worst case scenario is that you are down $120 in an experiment gone wrong. but i dont think it'll come to that. :) at least it wasnt full price.

[netwolf]

I just heard from the seller, money has gone in so he is posting it to me. Can not wait fo the 5x, now i really need tracking. I have asked the seller to check out this thread and forums. Sounds like he is a serious Astronomer with the scopes he has indicated he has. So I hope he signs up to the forums.

Regards

[Striker]

He sounds like a nice fellow...specialy if he has just left the country...lol

Hope it all works out for you.

[netwolf]

:D

Ok just got it via Registered post looks to be in good condition, some very minor marks on the barell (its been used no doubt). Japan is inscribed but its black text on black background near the setscrew so hard to see. There is on speck of something when i look with my eye through it at the lights. But if i shut one eye i can not see it. Should not affect performance i hope. Dont know if one can clean it any suggestions? I will post some photos of my new toy later.

Edit:
It was bubled wrapped inside original TV box (bought from Anacortes Telscope and Wild Birds www.buytelescopes.com). The box was buble wraped and cusioned with more buble wrap inside a Australia Post registered mak box. Excellent work by the seller.

Thanks to the seller oddthingsofintrest on ebay. I appreciate the bargain.

Regards

[ving]

just one thing left to do.... ---> :party:

good on ya! what a bargain!

[asimov]

Glad to see it worked out Wolfie. Camera blower brush to get that 'speck' off...otherwise just leave it. I have a few specks too but their not noticable in visual or photographic use.

Congrats!

[RAJAH235]

Good one nettie. Happy 4 u. :D L.
ps. Take asicleans 'advice', n buy yourself a good quality 'camera shop' blower brush to remove those spots.

[netwolf]

I will get one of those, i was to get one for my A610 camera, it has collected a bit of dust on it. I did not think that the same thing could be used. Wont the brushes scratch the optics. I think someone else mentioned a Lenspen in an earlier thread.

[RAJAH235]

Nettie. Quote/Won't the brushes scratch the optics?/end Quote. Answer = No. They are designed for cleaning lenses.
Lens pens are fine as well. I prefer the blower brush myself. Just use the blower a bit more often.
Only use it for your eyepieces...
HTH.... :D L.

[netwolf]

Thanks for the great advise guys. Appreciate it. I will be more carefull, i have opned a paypal account but was about to link it when i read some disturbing threads here about linking to direct debit, so i am rethinking what i should do. I dont want to get a credit card but perhaps its the safest option. If you use your own fund linked to a credit card do you get the same protection for reversing transactions etc when things go bad.

I have one complaint about ebay, you can not edit your feedback, i made a correction and it just put in my original line unedited.

Regards
Netwolf

[RAJAH235]

Nettie, I don't think you can edit your feedback. Just put in what you think is applicable. eg; Good service, goods arrived O.K. etc...
As for linking to direct debit, I would not. It gives 'them' free access to your account. Just use the normal Paypal/credit card system. One thing you can do, to limit any loses that may occur, is to open a 'special credit card' account, & only put money into it when needed.
:D L.