So, I'm writing a story on Internet car scams..

[Smack_talker]

Ebay should be boycotted until they clean up the scams and police their site better. I would not buy or sell on Ebay the way it is now....too big a risk.

[Beast2831]

I'm with you on that!

[James OLC]

The annoying thing is that it is not just scam cars any more. A couple of months ago I was bidding on a pair of NOS '67 Camaro RS fenders. I threw a bid in around $500 for fun - didn't hit reserve - and forgot about it. A day or so after the aution 'ended' I get an email from the guy who says that the winning bidder (at $1500 give or take) can't complete the deal and do I want them? for my original bid? We'll I'm spectical but what the heck, I may as well respond, they're in GA and they guy sounds legit maybe just a little down on his luck... So I email back ans ask about shipping. Now I am in Western Canada and from experieince I know that shipping will be "pricey" at best. He emails back and says not to worry, the $500 would include shipping...

When something looks like it is too good to be true, it's probably too good to be true.

Just one of many stories I am sure. Good luck with the story Steve.

[Steve1968LS2]

Update...

I got a second chance offer to buy the Fairlane.. So i send the scammer a note showing interest..

His reply:

Hi there,

Thank you for contacting me.

As you know item is in a perfect condition and It will be shipped from
London UK via Lufthansa Cargo Insured and It will take 5 days tops until you
will have it at your door.

The item is an US model with US specs, comes with all the documents you need
to register`it on your name. Item is in London becouse I just moved here
where I got a new job transfer.

I can't register`it here in London because it is an US model (which complies
with the US emission ) and Europe regulations are different from these ones.

The payment will be made through ebay and only after you will receive the
item i will receive the payment. I will sell the item to you exactly at the
price of your last bid.

If you agree with these terms, please email me your full name, address, eBay
ID and Item number so I can send all the info to eBay and start the
transaction with you.

Thanks a lot for understanding and have a nice day.

Only 5 days from London to California?? wow.. must be sending it on the Concord..

We had to give my scams story more space.. too much material.. lol

[jannes_z-28]

Did you try to track his IP-number from the email?

It often ends up in Romania or Russia.

Apparently this must be a lucrative business otherwise they should have ended by now. I beleive that this is ALL over eBay. The scammers probably scans eBay on anything over a certain value and try to scam everybody.


Jan

[MarkM66]

Ebay does seem to be getting out of hand with scammers.

Maybe Ebay needs to somehow approve people before they can post an ad or bid.

[mazspeed]

E-bay and craigslist is full of scammers. It's sad that these people can't get real work and not have to rip people of for a living. They should be shot on site.

[tyoneal]

Originally Posted by camcojb

At that price I can afford to buy it back! At the very least Ebay needs to make reporting easier, I always forget how I reported the last one!


Jody

Jody:

Email any suspicious emails or listings to:

[email protected]

They will send an email telling you it will be looked at, and you will be emailed again with their results. Usually takes about an hour.

Once ebay finds one, they cancel the listing and/or the contact the FTC. (Federal Trade Commission) They will also contact the ISP where this account originated from and file the appropiete documents so either the subscriber loses their account, or the ISP is charged and risk losing their license.

Further, if in the US, the AG of the particular state will be contacted and charges brought against the party doing this.

I think the best idea would be to not allow any postings from the countries where these originate from, or where there is no legal authority to prosecute these jerks.

Hope this helps.

tyoneal

[3kidsnotime]

Paypal is bad also, I sold a trans on there for 800 the guy payed with paypal on his credit card, I shipped the trans he left me positive feedback, two months later paypal took the money back the guy canceled payment on his creditcard. after researching it this is quite comon, and paypal will not stand up to it.