eBay: den of thieves or a brilliant auction site?

[temi]

I am not a fan of eBay or auctions generally particularly online action, however I made and exception when a very interesting website came up for auction on eBay, the auction finished this morning. The owner of the item was actually in this forum a few days ago and I have been in touch with her via PM. This what probably saved me from paying money to crocks who contacted me with official ebay PM saying he is the item owner, the person who actually won the item did not buy it however I can buy it for the amount I bided.

This sort of confirms my reservation about online auction, I probably would have fallen for it had I not been in touch with the item owner prior to the auction.

Just wondering what other members views are on this subject matter, are you a regular ebayer, do you think only gullible fools fall for such trick, don't you think ebay should have protected my contact details so that the crock is unable to contact me?

Thanks

[Jess]

I've only used ebay a few times and to be honest generally it has been good. However you hear of so many scams running it is indeed scary.

The problem being with ebay being a huge household name now, everyone is going to visit it so it makes it a very attractive advertising platform for both respected sellers and scam artists.

I heard that a group were arrested in the UK last month for selling items on ebay and never sending the product out. They made hundreds of thousands of pounds from the scam. Its good to know that the authorities are trying to crack down on it but at the end of the day I think ebay themselves need to take more control over their site and the scams.

For what its worth - I still havn't heard from the winner of my item just sold - I'd have expected immediate contact from them over such a big item, crazy....

[temi]

I have serious doubt about ebay, its usually full of crap, but now and again quality item like your site turns up. At least 3 people I know who bough from ebay complained that the dodgy or seem to have "fallen of the back of a lorry" one of the guys paid for concert tickets that never turned up. They guy who seem to win you bid seem to be a genuine buyer, he has loads of good feedback.

Not to say the people who set it up do not have good intentions, but like most hugely successful things, its always prone to abuse.

[Jess]

They guy who seem to win you bid seem to be a genuine buyer, he has loads of good feedback.

odd - it says he's a new user in the last 30 days to me with no feedback lol

[temi]

Your are righ Jess, I think I got the final winner mixed up with the guy who initially outbid me (jr4prezzident94kv) .
Yes, the final winner is completely new, is he a UK person? Perhaps he is having what the call "buyers remorse" . Its easy to get carried away when you are bidding, that is why I stopped bidding again jr4prezzident94kv . Anyway, if cuttmaster101 does not want it you can always sell it to jr4prezzident94kv and if he does not want it I do

[Jess]

Your first on my list to offer it to if I don't hear anything after 48 hours. Im going to stick to selling to people in the same country.

The winner is in Texas - Joy lol

[temi]

Nice to hear that Jess

[Jess]

I am not a fan of eBay or auctions generally particularly online action, however I made and exception when a very interesting website came up for auction on eBay, the auction finished this morning. The owner of the item was actually in this forum a few days ago and I have been in touch with her via PM. This what probably saved me from paying money to crocks who contacted me with official ebay PM saying he is the item owner, the person who actually won the item did not buy it however I can buy it for the amount I bided.
Thanks

I tracked the guy down who sent you the fake email, His reply -

I need money. I`m from Afganistan and I want to go away from here, i'm sorry I lied about your site but I am desperate.

HHmm hardly organized crime hey...

[dmscs]

Interesting post guys, I have used ebay a number of times and have found it quite a joy to use. I have got some questions though. What was the website that was up for sale with Jess? and isn't Old Welsh Guy posh with his Granite Worktops? I'd hate to pay the postage on that!

[OldWelshGuy]

No not posh, the wife has never really had anything nice, and we have refurbished this old house, putting it back to its original condition. The granite worktops will look fantastic, and that is what she wanted They are delivering them from Leeds for £150