Huss Posted November 8, 2005 Report Share Posted November 8, 2005 I want to purchase a Bose System on ebay, but the announcment was that you had to be approved to bid if you had no history. As I've never bought before I duly sent a mail to the address shown only to receive the following. I personally think it looks dodgy (i've seen warnings on Western Union before) but I don't want to miss a bargain and it looks like he can't get the money until I've got and tested the goods. Any experienced ebayers' thoughts would be most appreciated, The response I got to my mail reads as follows... " I'm from Bari, Italy.We will use a safe way to be both sure and we will finish the deal in a secure way. Look what I can do for you: - you will make the transfer to my location but not to my name (you will use your best friends name and my address for example as receiver's name) so you can be sure that I will not pick up the money until you get the package; so you make a deposit at Western Union and you will give me the transfer's details (SENDER'S NAME AND ADDRESS, RECEIVER'S NAME, MTCN) so I can check that the deposit was made. After I verify it I will send you the package immediately. - only after you will receive the package and check it if it OK you will have to change the receiver's name of the transfer to my name so I can collect my money. So until you will have the package in your hands the money will be deposited on your best friend's name at Western Union Agency. I think it is better to not inform Western Union that you will change the receivers name in a few days because it is possible they ask you to pay the fees twice (fees that are quite big for such an amount), also when you go to an Western Union office to make the transfer, please don't tell there the reason for you send the money because here in this country I must pay some additional taxes when I receive the funds. Please say you send the money to your friends or to your partner. My old buyers of course make the transfer at Western Union direct to my name which is easier and I will be happy if you can trust in me but because it is our first deal I proposed you this very safe and efficient method so you can only deposit the money first and after you get the package to allowed me to cash it." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CraigR Posted November 8, 2005 Report Share Posted November 8, 2005 [ QUOTE ] I'm from Bari, Italy.We will use a safe way [/ QUOTE ] As soon as i read this bit, walk away its 100% a scam 's Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AntW Posted November 8, 2005 Report Share Posted November 8, 2005 that has got 'dodgy' written all over it... avoid! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TriGGa Posted November 8, 2005 Report Share Posted November 8, 2005 Scam Dodgy ... never use western union! no comebacks! if you must.. which you shouldnt .... use paypal ur gauranteed up2 £500 back.. no quiblles! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bazza_g Posted November 8, 2005 Report Share Posted November 8, 2005 ** AVOID AVOID SCAM ALERT SCAM ALERT AVOID AVOID ** you will never see your money again !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
syeldham Posted November 8, 2005 Report Share Posted November 8, 2005 I bet there is no option for paypal... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huss Posted November 8, 2005 Author Report Share Posted November 8, 2005 Thanks fellas You confirmed my fears. Not a good start to my life on ebay. Maybe I should just stick to Exchange & Mart!! Just how does one tell the real from the scams? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser647 Posted November 8, 2005 Report Share Posted November 8, 2005 Anybody that accepts Western Union - stay clear. Anybody based OUTSIDE of the UK - stay clear. Anybody selling something that is too cheap to be true - stay clear. Anybody with fancy bollo** payment terms (like that above) stay clear. Those who accept Paypal are usually OK. Check the feedback too (and sales) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allen Posted November 8, 2005 Report Share Posted November 8, 2005 make sure you read descriptions throughly, get reciept of any money/cheques posted, suspect everyone! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pincher Posted November 8, 2005 Report Share Posted November 8, 2005 [ QUOTE ] Anybody that accepts Western Union - stay clear. Anybody based OUTSIDE of the UK - stay clear. Anybody selling something that is too cheap to be true - stay clear. Anybody with fancy bollo** payment terms (like that above) stay clear. Those who accept Paypal are usually OK. Check the feedback too (and sales) [/ QUOTE ] I wouldn't necessarily agree with that - I've purchased several thing from Sellers based in HK and they have been amongst the quickest for delivery! Best advice is to check Sellers Feedback. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GTiMK5 Posted November 9, 2005 Report Share Posted November 9, 2005 [/ QUOTE ] I wouldn't necessarily agree with that - I've purchased several thing from Sellers based in HK and they have been amongst the quickest for delivery! Best advice is to check Sellers Feedback. [/ QUOTE ] Second that, have bought from outside the UK on a number of occasions and never expereinced a problem. Bought from the States and HK. As long as the feedback is good should be ok. It is also worth checking what items the feedback is for as some people actually sell worthless items to friends etc just to generate good feedback. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neo283 Posted November 9, 2005 Report Share Posted November 9, 2005 Have bought and sold to the US with no worries. There was a post on TSN the other week regarding a brand new A4 S Line advertised on Ebay for around 9k. Obviously too good to be true. One of the guys made an enquiry and got a VERY similarly worded email back. My guess it could even be the same guy! Feedback never lies. Also good to be extra nosey and check their what recent transactions were. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silentandy Posted November 9, 2005 Report Share Posted November 9, 2005 [ QUOTE ] Feedback never lies. Also good to be extra nosey and check their what recent transactions were. [/ QUOTE ] True, but you should still be wary in case that account has been hacked and being used by a scammer. Simple rule of thumb with ebay, if something seems too good to be true then it probably is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
syeldham Posted November 9, 2005 Report Share Posted November 9, 2005 [ QUOTE ] Simple rule of thumb with ebay, if something seems too good to be true then it probably is. [/ QUOTE ] That's a simple rule of life mate, not just ebay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pingpongpo Posted November 9, 2005 Report Share Posted November 9, 2005 If checking past sold items, feedback etc always check a few of the items randomly to check that it isn't the same item to the same person if you know what I mean. Some people may be selling items at £0.01 to themselves to gain a high rating just waiting to scam someone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser647 Posted November 10, 2005 Report Share Posted November 10, 2005 Was a bit harsh wasn't I??!!! I have bought and sold from non-UK based sellers. Just need to be extra wary! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drpellypo Posted November 19, 2005 Report Share Posted November 19, 2005 Avoid - although most of why I am saying this is because you want a Bose System. Don't you want a proper stereo? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dadwhitey Posted November 21, 2005 Report Share Posted November 21, 2005 ive bought out side the uk , always check there feed back and also contact some of there buyers via email asking about the item they bought. ie delivery and quality just mention the seller not the item good way of catching them out Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ari Posted November 21, 2005 Report Share Posted November 21, 2005 [ QUOTE ] if you must.. which you shouldnt .... use paypal ur gauranteed up2 £500 back.. no quiblles! [/ QUOTE ] Nope. It appears that way, but there's some weirdness whereby you can only get that money if it's in their Paypal account. And if they're pulling a scam, it won't be. I know someone who ordered a Camcorder via Ebay and Paypal and no camera, no money. So contacted Paypal who said "sorry, no money in his account to refund you with". Useless!! So he contacted his credit card company who refunded him! Guess the moral is, use a credit card (as well as all the checks above of course). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danksy Posted November 22, 2005 Report Share Posted November 22, 2005 Also I think the paypal guarantee only kicks in if the seller has a feedback rating of > 80% as well as at least 20 +ve feedbacks. I am always careful who I buy from on ebay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mu71rd Posted November 23, 2005 Report Share Posted November 23, 2005 I've bought from abroad before. Only use paypal IMHO. I thought ebay had banned Western Union as a recommended company to use. certainly, that advert is as dodgy as they come Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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