Another Ebay Scammer.

acropolite (Phil) · #1 21-02-2006, 06:56 PM

Just look at this one, this guy's got a hide. He has been advertising this ETX 90 for a while now, hoping to catch an unwary buyer. I emailed him and asked why he was asking $2750 for something that has an RRP new of around $1200, of course I got no reply. Unfortunately ebay doesn't have an option to report for unethical practices otherwise I would have reported the seller. http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Meade-ETX-90-...QQcmdZViewItem

Ziggy Stardust · #2 21-02-2006, 07:33 PM

maybe it's gold plated

or comes with a milllion pre-viewed deep sky images...

or maybe it a real bargin at Zimbabwe $2750.00

davidpretorius · #3 21-02-2006, 07:40 PM

who's going to bait him, portmac and i had a go last time.

Ziggy Stardust · #4 21-02-2006, 07:47 PM

I'll ask for an insurance value, for when I need to ship ack to south africa

Tony

Portmac · #5 21-02-2006, 07:53 PM

Hmmm...not really a scammer, but certainly trying to rip someone off.
I will email my contact at eBay and see what she has to say about it.

cjmarsh81 · #6 21-02-2006, 08:52 PM

It is strange that someone with a 100% positive feedback is selling something for such an unreasonable price. Perhaps he doesn't know what they are worth?

Portmac, you have a contact at Ebay? That must come in handy!

lost_in_space · #7 21-02-2006, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cjmarsh81

It is strange that someone with a 100% positive feedback is selling something for such an unreasonable price.

Not really, sellers have the ability to remove negative feedback.

cjmarsh81 · #8 21-02-2006, 09:00 PM

I don't think so will robinson. I thought that if a seller and buyer agree to remove a negative feedback, it does not count to their score but it is still there for people to read. It just states 'Seller and Buyer mutually agree to remove negative feedback" or something like that. I had a quick scan through his feedback and didn't see any negatives. Danger Danger. hehe.

Portmac · #9 21-02-2006, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cjmarsh81

Portmac, you have a contact at Ebay? That must come in handy!

Infact I have three ebay contacts one in Aus one in the U.K. and one in the U.S, all because of a major bout of piracy that I had to get stopped. I have had little contact with any of them in the last few months so not sure what will happen here.

lost_in_space · #10 21-02-2006, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cjmarsh81

I don't think so will robinson. I thought that if a seller and buyer agree to remove a negative feedback, it does not count to their score but it is still there for people to read. It just states 'Seller and Buyer mutually agree to remove negative feedback" or something like that. I had a quick scan through his feedback and didn't see any negatives. Danger Danger. hehe.

The rules may have changed since I looked at selling some stuff on there a few years ago, but I distinctly recall the option was there for sellers to remove negative feedback then.
Maybe I am just too cynical!

Edit:
OK, I have just checked it out, and it is only by mutual agreement that negative feedback can be removed. I stand (or sit) corrected. I thought I was wrong once, but I was mistaken!

cjmarsh81 · #11 21-02-2006, 09:13 PM

I'm envious Portmac. Whenever I have to contact ebay about an item that was not as desribed or whatever, I get the standard response 24 hours later from someone who didn't really read my complaint and doesn't give a damn either way.

For instance Just_Deals(AVOID AT ALL COSTS. NOT KIDDING YOU WILL REGRET BUYING SOMETHING FROM THEM). They sell binoculars that they don't have, have never seen and more likely do not exist. You recieve something that is so different from the description that it is ridiculous. Their standard response is you can send them back for a refund less the shipping fees of course, Or they will give you ten dollars as compensation. Ebay don't care as long as they get their cut from the sale, so any complaint to them falls on deaf ears. If anyone wants to buy something from a big seller on Ebay, make sure they are not drop-shippers.

Sorry to sound so negative towards Ebay, I have bought quite a lot of items that have turned out fine. But when something so ridiculously against Ebay policy like this goes on and they do nothing about it, you get very annoyed.

Portmac · #12 21-02-2006, 09:47 PM

Well I am with you regarding eBay, they seem to allow almost anything from big sellers and its really made eBay a bad place.
I will not buy anything from eBay anymore as it has really lost the plot, for example, you see an auction for a brand new item and in the description it has "12 month warranty" included. Thats great, but.....
In AUS anything sold at auction (live and eBay auctions) have NO warranty, if the item was to break/die/self destruct there is nothing you can do to have it repaired/replaced under the warranty.

I asked eBay about this and their reply was "Its up to the seller to ensure they dont make false/misleading claims", for them its just easier to ignore it than do something about it.

Sad really......

ACE · #13 21-02-2006, 10:10 PM

The way I see it, the whole feedback mechasim is floored anyway. When you purchase an item and pay for it one would expect the seller to leave you feedback, however many times this does not happen until you leave feedback after receiving your goods. Now here's the catch.

If you leave positive feedback more than likely you will be reciprocated with the same. However if you leave negative feedback and it is warranted, the seller will more than likely do the same just out of spite and it becomes a lose lose situation. So in short, why leave negative feedback when there is a good probability the same will happen.

For proof, you just need to see the thousands of tit for tats between buyers and sellers. Once the negative stamp is placed, thats it!!!

btw: if you've paid for your item and on time, then technically you've completed your contractual obligations and the seller has no reason to leave you negative feedback.

FWIW: I've purchased several things on ebay and 99% of things have been fine. But the odd item that I received that wasn't up to scratch I decided to turn a blind eye, moan for a few days and move on - and yes I ended up leaving an average 'good' feedback.

Moonshine · #14 21-02-2006, 10:11 PM

It's an extraordinary type of ETX90 - a "CELESTON" one

I guess that's why the postage of $175 is soo reasonable

cjmarsh81 · #15 22-02-2006, 09:08 AM

Your right ACE. A couple of times I have wanted to leave negative feedback, but have been reluctant as I know I will recieve the same for doing nothing wrong.

ving (David) · #16 22-02-2006, 09:36 AM

I have never seen so many post packs for sale!!!

lost_in_space · #17 22-02-2006, 10:32 PM

Just posted this on ebay forum.

"Someone with 100% +ve feedback (what a joke!) is listing a Meade ETX 90 telescope for $2750.00, which is more than 2x rrp of less than $1200.00, and won't respond to my query as to why.
There is no provision anywhere to report this or bring it to the attention of potential buyers.
Should he be allowed to get away with this, and if so, why?"

Couldn't help myself

It's cloudy outside and I need some entertainment

RAJAH235 · #18 22-02-2006, 10:54 PM

should cause a little stir.....then again......

L.

lost_in_space · #19 23-02-2006, 12:54 AM

Guess I have just been told to mind my own business

http://forums.ebay.com.au/thread.jsp...adID=500009478

Think I could have some fun with this if it stays cloudy!

Mr Bob · #20 23-02-2006, 04:57 AM

As long as there are dumb people the will always be rip off merchants.

Surely if someone is prepared to part with $2750 they would do some homework into the product. Wouldnt they?

If they dont, they deserved to be ripped off.