Ebay Scammers...on Boats

[Nautorius]

You have to laugh,

I saw This listing and guessed it might not be true...however last year I missed out on a real bargain so thought I would check it out.

He replied to my standard questions with this
"Hello,

I am selling this boat for £38000 including delivery anywhere in UK. I think this is a low price but i need cash for a family emergency. I have to tell you that I'm currently out of town with some major problems so pick up/view isn't an option. If you want to buy the boat email me back with your full name and address to start the official procedure through eBay. They will send you a notification with ALL the info regarding delivery, purchase protection and refund policy so please provide your details before more questions. I wont close the auction until you dont pay a down payment of 10% from the boat`s price. The down payment will be sent to an eBay agent so he will handle it until you recieve and check the car. The remaining balance will be sent after the car has arrived to your place.


Thanks,"

So...clearly a scam, I asked for a boat and got a car...maybe an Aquada car!. I then went searching and found her Here...

Oh well, keep looking..

Paul /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[Whitelighter]

Looks like you are stuck with your very nice current boat then Paul /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[lovezoo]

No its okay, ebay says says "Learn how you are protected" and "buy safely" so it can't be a con surely?

 

[Nautorius]

I know,

But I will keep looking!

Cheers

Paul /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[Dave_Snelson]

I've reported it to eBay security centre. These scammers make me sick. There were 13 bids on that boat. Someone could have lost their shirt.

 

[tigerfishonline]

I was selling a rib last year on ebay and it was won by a nigerian scammer who went to extraordinary lengths to get me to send the item to an address in London. Ebay wouldn't refund me my listing fee for ages even though it was clearly a scam. I can't beleieve they can't offer more protection, every time I list my authentic copy of Microsoft Office 2000 it gets withdrawn 'because microsoft thinks its a copy' one rule for one eh!

Having said all that there are some real boating bargains on ebay, I think it is most desperate sellers last port of call!

 

[lovezoo]

When I got ripped off on ebay they wouldn't refund my fees because the fraud had only come to light more than a month after the auction finished. According to ebay a month was plenty of time for me to have resolved the issue with the fraudster, so I had lost the item I had sold, lost the money I had been paid and had to pay ebay its fees. I am not sure who the bigger scam artist is? Ebay, PayPal or the fraudster?

 

[Gludy]

I had someone try the same out of town scam with an Argocat - I had Ebay cancel the item - its a non-stop barrage of attempts so sdometimes someone must fall for it. Ebay could do more.

 

[lovezoo]

Agreed ebay could and should do more to stop this kind of thing, but they make money from every single listing, so there is no financial incentive for them to make anything other than a token effort.

 

[AdeOlly]

Even when ebay say they will refund fees, they don't. I have had to chase for listing fee refunds after bidders using obviously stolen identiies won items I was selling.

 

[Renegade_Master]

buy on ebay erm.........I'd rather have all my teeth pulled

 

[Nautorius]

It has been pulled now, so no one will get ripped off this time!

Cheers

Paul /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Sneds]

Beat me to it!

Like the Fairline, but is it worth that much?

 

[Renegade_Master]

mine was a general comment

 

[PowerYachtBlog]

buying a Boat on ebay remains the worst of choices

you have no protection what so ever
I dont know why people ever thing about it!
there is some good normal deals around but I guess people are never happy and want more a

 

[AdeOlly]

I agree; I'd never dream of buying a boat on ebay, but from a seller perspective it can be a good and cheap way of getting interest, but probably a lot of dreamers and scammers too. If I were selling I couldn't be bothered dealing with that.

 

[Nautorius]

Ebay Scammers...I am having some fun!

Well I started talking to him!

From Myself "Hi Gary, It sounds like just what I want. Can you scan in the ownership documents to prove you own her, or give me details of where she is based so I can check to see if she is in good nick?

I have £3800 ready once you prove ownership. I am happy to talk to the Marina or broker that you bought her off if you can not scan in the docs. Thanks"

He Replied "I`m sorry but i cant provide you any documents before we have a deal, for security reasons!
If you are ready to proceed with this deal please forward me your full name and address so we can proceed with the transaction over eBay.

The down payment will be sent to an eBay agent that will handle it until you receive and check the boat.
Let me know if you are interested to proceed! THanks"

So I replied "Gary, I need some form of proof that the boat exists or that you own it! I am not going to give you £3800 speculatively am I??? "

And the latest response is "Hello,

The deal will go through eBay , you shall send the down payment to one of their agent...this is not enough for you? I have at eBay a 20.000 GBP account which is my return policy , is case something happens.

If you are ready to start the transaction please forward me your full name and address so we can get started.THank you."

Unbelievable, especially as all this has happened after the advert has gone!

Cheers

Paul /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[Renegade_Master]

Re: Ebay Scammers...I am having some fun!

You probably saw my earlier comment re purchasing on ebay. If this was a car or caravan or some other expensive item you were taking about, why would it be any safer to purchase via ebay than this boat?

 

[Nautorius]

Re: Ebay Scammers...I am having some fun!

It would not!

Ebay is simply a way of advertising as far as I am concerned. It has lead me to 3 possible boats that were genuine in the last 4 weeks alone. However, it is buyer beware so you have to have your witts about you.

Some are genuine, and the first thing I ask for is scanned documents and where the boat is. Secondly I ask if they are happy for it to be surveyed. Genuine sellers always reply possitively, dodgy ones (like above) come up with all mother of excuses!

But there are bargains out there!

Cheers

Paul /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Nautorius]

Yep,

A guy like this one Here seems pretty genuine. He has a boat and he needs to shift it. It is at a price that is attractive to Ebayers so he may get a sale. Mind you he has added a Reserve price which is the kiss of death for an actual sale to take place. I guess he is therefore trying to sell outside ebay and using it to raise interest.

Great boat for the Thames/Broads/windermere!

Cheers

Paul /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif