Never send cash , money orders or Westerm Union to people you do not know.
One in particular has very bad English text and has had many nicknames deleted to date.
They usual scam is commercial embroidery machines and they end up in Europe or Asia despite advertised US locations.
Okay how do you know these people? How do you pay them? I have send checks and money orders with much luck.
-They do not stand up to their advertised shipping methods or locations.
-The serial number on the unit I was involved in was found in three different ads.
-The name I was given came up as a scammer on Usenet groups.
-I won the item and made a deal on the side and was given two different prices, locations and different bank accounts to send money to. One in France and one in Italy.
-The locations, despite advertised location, was always in Europe someplace.
-They tell you crazy things like "shipping and taxes will be paid for", when the shipping from france for a 300 lb machine is more than the selling price.
-They advertise COD from outside the country and it doesn't happen without business accounts with the shipping company. Then when asked, insist on money transfer (untraceable)
-Ebay will not respond to you or the many other complainant it discussed this with.
-PayPal offers ***NO*** protection unless $300 is enough and you are a long time user.
-Credit card Companies will only cover your PayPal purchase. What PayPal does with the money is none of their business. PayPal did not rip you off and the card company will not pay or investigate.
Listen to PayPal, eBay and Western Uni>
The obvious answer is only to deal with eBay vendors that have a very high positive feedback. I've never had any problems.
Don
The high volume people mostly sell junk that is overpriced and can be purchased elsewhere for less money and proper business methods. The only deals I have witnessed on eBay so far are the used goods people selling off garage sale type items for a few dollars or what they can get. This also applies to larger items people want out of their basements and attics and these types of sales are by people typically with less than 4 or 5 sales to their names.
The feedback on eBay is a total crock of shit too. These ratings cannot be trusted as the vendors can have any nasty remarks given to them almost anytime they want to make the effort. This renders them totally useless and mostly lies.
Example 1 One item was a total lie and I used negative feedback. I was contacted by a mediation party and I told them I was interested in resolution of the matter. If I didn't respond the negative feedback would be removed anyway. Before I could formulate or hear any arguments or offers the feedback disapeared with no explanations.
Example 2 One item I purchased, I asked the vendor what the shipping price would be. He had listed 3 different prices buried into his advert in different places. I got an answer back how his kid was dying of cancer and what was I trying to pull. 5 or 6 emails later and a couple of weeks I held the asshole off until I finally sent him the maximum shipping posted just to get the matter closed. He posted "fantastic eBayer, wonderful and quick payer, A++++++", eben though he banned me from bidding on his items again.
Buyer beware! The vendors take some risks too if they don't watch themselves. eBay is not for the unwary. It's only a matter of time. A few hundred bucks may hurt but purchases of $5000+ cut deep when ripped. I believe ebay and PayPal are both into massive laws suits ight now for their lies to their customers.
I just received a Hijack email to purchase an embroidery machine (that I already bought) as the second best bidder but to contact the seller at a different email address. (I made both bids) I guess they wait to see if the deal is marked paid and after a few days go to the second highest bidders bid and make them an offer. I guess anybody can figure out where that moeny would go then...LOL
Beware!
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