Opinions wanted, ebay Meade from CHINA

[mickkk]

NEW_MEADE_LX200R_14 for $533 aussie dollars including postage.

Here is the email I got back from them, I gather they have used an online translation service. Do you think its worth the risk?

Dear friend:
The item can deliver to arrive Australia.
We accept the bank ambulation to pay way.
The total price of the item:
The product price+deliver expenses=total price(include insurance expenses)
3000.00 + 1000.00
=4000.00(RMB)=533.33
Our usage aviation EMS deliver, you can receive item within 3-7 days.
If you want to purchase, please contact me.
Hope to cooperate delectation!
Thanks!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...p%3D%26fvi%3D1

[Astroman (Andrew Wall)]

ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

NO

[Striker (Tony)]

Mick,

These are advertised all the time.

Stay away from it unless you want to throw money away.

report him to ebay.

[janoskiss (Steve H)]

It's a scam.

[mickkk]

Yes I suspected it was too good to be true. He doesnt have a history on ebay, a couple of purchases probably to see how things work, but no items for sale, no details etc.

Having said that, there are some good deals from the US on used meade gear. But $3000 new going for $500 ish sounds good, but you never know if its been dropped. I tend to think people into astronomy look after things but lol who knows.

I will save and go for something new unless I find something really good used. I have a friend in "the club" and I read his crux and sometimes they have stuff for sale.

[casstony]

Ask that guy if he can loan you the money to buy his telescope? If he doesn't trust you ask why?

[matt]

That is surely waaaaaay too good to be true!

I can smell a big festering rat

[mickkk]

I tried to report it to ebay, but you try going through their reporting process. Things have clearly changed on ebay, its all care no responsibility to the max andf the simple "contact us" has been replaced with a multitude of choice boxes that all lead to dead ends.

To simplify, you cant email "hey heres a crook for ya" any more.

[acropolite (Phil)]

His feedback and transaction ratings say it all, IMO definitely a scammer.

[mickkk]

I contacted Berger Bros in the US, who the chinese man claims to be, a great legitimate company it seems. I leave it in their hands.

[nightsky]

G'Day, Did you check the bottom of the page?

Payment methods accepted
There are no available payment methods in your country. Please do not bid on this item.

also you should get your self a PayPal account before you buy anything on ebay,at least you will have some come back if anything goes wrong
Cheers

[Ric]

There is that old saying which comes to mind.

"If it's too good to be true, then it is"

cheers

[janoskiss (Steve H)]

This is a pretty common scam. See it quite often on ebay, usually involving a Meade Cassegrain.

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

US $379.55 for a NEW MEADE LX200R 14"

For a picture of one maybe

What a blatent Con Job!!!!

[davidpretorius]

I remember baiting one of these scammers a few months back, asked him if this telescope could split the constellation "cat's whiskers" and he assured me it could!! -

what is delectation???

[Lester]

I'd ask if he would take C O D will order a dozen of them..

[alan meehan (Alan)]

hi mick
maybe something is missing in the translation.sounds to good you could loose your money,or get something with a meade sticker on it.

[ving (David)]

fake fake fake!

[janoskiss (Steve H)]

Wasn't it Orion's two cats you wanted to see Davo?

[nightsky]

G'Day
Just checked that ebay page again and noticed that he/she has changed
from all in English to his/her native tongue all except the description of the scope which is still in English,also yesterday I clicked "watch this item" and I received a email from ebay and the postage to Australia has gone from free postage to $400 AU. seems a large amount for a Meade sticker

Item TitleCurrent Price/BidsPostage CostEnd Time
NEW MEADE LX200R 14" TELESCOPE NIB UHTC FREE SHIPPING!!
RMB 3,000.00 AU $400.00
45 07-Oct-06 20:06:20 AEST