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eBay semi-scammers???
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Michael Dunn
Is anyone else suspicious of some of the auctions on eBay. In one auction, the seller says he doesn't know how to use it, so therefore can't guarantee it (a 5L14 analyzer), yet has pictures of it in full operation. Another of his auctions for a storage mainframe - he says he doesn't know how to use the storage... Gimme a break.
I expect some people might do this to cover up a non-working function, instead of just coming out and saying (e.g.) "Storage doesn't work"! Comments? p.s., Are 5000 and 7000 plug ins compatible? For example, my 7S14 has a sticker on it that says 5S14 too. ----------------------------------------------------------------- Michael Dunn | Surround Sound Decoder & Stereo Enhancer Cantares | Self-Amplified Speakers, Test Equipment 74 George St. | Ambisonic Surround Sound CDs and Recording Waterloo, Ont. | (519) 744-9395 (fax: 744-7129) N2J 1K7 | mdunn@... Canada | ----------------------------------------------------------------- |
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Stan or Patricia Griffiths
Hi Michael,
I'm afraid you are right. There are scammers everywhere. When I see words like "I don't know how to use it", I assume its broken and bid accordingly. I sell a LOT of stuff on eBay, some of it I can't test and sell as is. Sometimes all I can do is plug it in and look for smoke and report that it did not smoke, if that is all I know about it . . . In the case of a recent CB radio I sold, I didn't even power it up . . . and said so. I did say that I had no reason to believe it did not work and that it came from an estate sale. I saw no obviously smoked or burned parts and described any physical damage and took several pictures. After that, it is buyer beware . . . I also priced it cheap . . . $4. In another case, I was selling an HP-01 1975 vintage digital calculator watch. This one worked great and had an extra watch band, the book, original box, etc. It went for $2300 . . . ! ! Before I put it up for sale, I looked at previous HP-01 auctions and noted one that eventually sold for about $400. The seller claimed he did not know if it worked or not and said the battery was dead so he could not test it . . . I investigated further and found that that very seller had just a few weeks before that purchased a known dead HP-01 for about $200. I further found out that he had purchased a couple of known working HP-01's for about $1200-$1500. I can't believe he could not install a battery and see if it worked or not . . . he had batteries in the other two HP-01's and they are available where ever watch batteries are sold . . . He certainly knew how much a "good" HP-01 was worth . . . My opinion: he was fraudulant in his presentation and knew EXACTLY what he was doing . . . The buyer was Japanese . . . with little or no recourse . . . I notified eBay of my observations and never heard a word about it from anyone . . . including eBay. Buyer beware . . . Stan w7ni@... More comments below . . . Michael Dunn wrote: Is anyone else suspicious of some of the auctions on eBay. In oneIn the case of the 5L14N, it is one of the hardest instruments to use that I have ever encountered . . . and I used to sell them as a Tektronix Sales Engineer from 1979-1989, specializing in Tek Spectrum Analyzers . . . I expect some people might do this to cover up a non-workingNO. For example, my 7S14I wonder what that is all about . . . ?? Just a quick look will tell you that a 5000 Series plugin will not fit a 7000 series mainframe and vice-versa and they are not electrically compatible, either. Stan w7ni@... |
Is anyone else suspicious of some of the auctions on eBay.Sure. On the other hand, there are dealers selling test equipment who are completely legitimate, but have no idea how to use or test it. Example: Outback Equipment In oneMaybe he lucked out and the switches were set properly to get a display. You are right though, it sounds fishy. Another of his auctions for a storage mainframe - he saysI find this fairly believable... analog storage scopes are tricky even if you know what you're doing... and the 7834 is pretty complicated. p.s., Are 5000 and 7000 plug ins compatible?No. For example, my 7S14For that plugin the guts are the same (originally a 5000 series plugin). Is there some kind of adapter board in the back that has the 7000 edge connectors on it? |
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Don Black
If I was buying an old radio I'd prefer it not to be switched on rather than risk the power transformer, rectifier, etc. going up in smoke.
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However I take your point, many sellers just don't want to know that it doesn't go, ignorance is bliss. don Black. Kevin Kibbe wrote: I can't help but shake my head and laugh when someone is selling some device and they don't even bother to switch it on. You see it all the time, a laptop computer, TV, anything really. Anyone who buys something like that is really taking a chance. |
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I think often, when the picture shows a unit obviously working, the
seller has "borrowed" ;) a picture from another seller. Fraudulant or lazy? A bit of both. - IMO quite a bit of both. Except in the rare instance when the seller discloses that a picture was taken from the manufacturer's literature. Then the picture is just nearly useless. I'm also suspicious when a seller posts multiple lots of identical items, all with obviously the same picture. I've seen about a dozen lots of snowflake obsidian cabochons in two different sizes and different counts with the same picture. This was especially egregious as every piece of snowflake obsidian is unique. -Howard --- In TekScopes@..., Michael Dunn <mdunn@c...> wrote: Is anyone else suspicious of some of the auctions on eBay. In one| (519) 744-9395 (fax: 744-7129) N2J 1K7 | mdunn@c... |
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Michael Dunn
That's hilarious!!!!!
Obviously, some people are in threaded mode, because the present subject was first used over three years ago! Hence, we're seeing new replies to three-year-old messages!!! You can see what I mean here: What's *really* sad though -- I still haven't restored my 7S14! Michael |
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Brian Goldsmith
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-----Original Message-----
From: Michael Dunn [mailto:mdunn@...] Sent: Monday, 8 November 2004 2:20 PM To: TekScopes@... Subject: [TekScopes] Re: eBay semi-scammers??? Actually, that still doesn't make sense...??? Howard, what were you replying to? md Er,just what are YOU replying to???? Brian Goldsmith. |
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Stefan Trethan
On Mon, 08 Nov 2004 01:16:48 -0000, Howard Matthews <hedgewarden@...> wrote:
I think often, when the picture shows a unit obviously working, theIt is really not that hard to identify fraud. Look at the feedback first. then look at the other items he offers. also look at the country, and when he joined. If in doubt write a mail, ask for shipping cost, payment, or further photos. If the seller doesn't answer you know he is no good. I the answer is dubious (like behaving like you already bought, very dubious western union "safe" money transfers etc.) you also know what to do. Be doubly careful with sellers from foreign countries. I do not think that with a little wit you will pay for a item and never get it. What can happen is that you buy a "functional" unit that is really defective. (happend to me, but much more often i bought faulty stuff that was 100% ok, and just declared faulty because the seller wasn't sure and was a honest person). ST |
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----- Original Message -----
From: "Howard Matthews" <hedgewarden@...> To: <TekScopes@...> Sent: Sunday, November 07, 2004 5:16 PM Subject: [TekScopes] Re: eBay semi-scammers??? I'm also suspicious when a seller posts multiple lots of identicalDoes price of that stuff justify taking picture of each piece? --- In TekScopes@..., Michael Dunn <mdunn@c...> wrote:I know a local guy, Orange County, CA, an ebay seller in these days, who canIs anyone else suspicious of some of the auctions on eBay. In one tweek knobs to get a picture on the screen, but he can not repeat it. His technical competence is questionable, but he can get something on the screen. That same guy is quite careless when posting pictures, too. He would have auctions for two different items and the same picture is posted. He obviously does not to check what is shown on listing. Few times I e mailed him and every time he would thank me and correct listing, but I do that only if I intend to bid and want to clarify what is listed. On couple of other auctions I have seen pictures mixed up, too, so that is not uncommon on ebay. Regards Miroslav Pokorni |
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Stefan Trethan
On Mon, 8 Nov 2004 21:28:00 +1100, John Crighton <john_c@...> wrote:
Nah, wouldn't want to say any bad 'bout anyone.. Just if the seller sits in Timbuktu you'll have a real hard time getting hold of him, or making ebay do something about it. Not to think of any legal steps you could take (or rather not take). Also i have the impression in some countries it is harder to get a fake ebay account than in others. Here you need to validate your postal address, and can only have one account. Also ebay starts to offer various trust services, where you give ebay the money, and they only forward it when the goods arrive. It seems there is also a new verify service which is meant to make sure the person exists and the address is real. Ebay is seeing the problem, and trying to do something about it. But it seems to me they try much harder to prevent you making ouside-ebay deals (like offering to buy after nobody bids etc.) ST |
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Ray Robinson
Hi John,
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We are getting a little off topic here, and to add to it....... Nigerian scam: Aussie jailed for net con A former financial adviser who swindled investors out of more than $1 million has been jailed for five years and three months. Nick Marinellis was on a disability pension, but that didn't stop him from conning people around the world into giving him $5 million. Regards Ray Sydney, Australia Be doubly careful with sellers from foreign countries. |
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Stan & Patricia Griffiths
Well . . . I bought an electronics estate that included a vintage Heathkit
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two meter transceiver, probably about 35 years old. Who knows when the last time it was turned on? If I were going to apply power to this antique, I would want to do it slowly and methodically and not just slam the juice to it. I might have "melt down" if I did that. On the other hand, my thing is Tek scopes . . . not old Heathkits . . . so I do not care to learn how to properly turn them on from scratch. There are many Heath collectors out there who know exactly how to bring these things back to life and I prefer to leave this part of the job to them. So I offered it on eBay "as is" and "untested". Actually TESTING it would be at least a two hour job and I simply do not have the two hours I care to spend doing it . . . so what are my alternatives? Selling it "untested" seems to me to be the best one . . . Stan w7ni@... PS Bottom line: I SOLD it untested so it was a successful selling technique . . . Take a look at how I made the offer and the result: eBay item #5731226484 ----- Original Message -----
From: "Kevin Kibbe" <kkibbe@...> To: <TekScopes@...> Sent: Sunday, November 07, 2004 6:22 PM Subject: Re: [TekScopes] Re: eBay semi-scammers???
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Hello Stan and Group:
On a related note of surprising things that can happen on ebay, was wondering if the gang would provide a "fairness opinion" on the following situation. I listed one of my spectrum analyzers on ebay, fully tested, with a satisfaction guarantee which required only that for any return the calibration seals remain intact and the item be returned in the same condition it was sent (which was perfect working condition). A guy bought it just about instantaneously using the "buy it now" option (instead of bidding), which was set to a price so high I didn't really think I'd get it on my best day (more than three times what I paid for it, and I thought I paid a pretty fair price). As soon as he got the item, he wanted to return it saying that it was not "flexible" enough for his needs. The whole thing seemed fishy, but my guarantee is my guarantee so I tell him to send it back, in same condition, properly packed, insured, etc. I get it back and the calibration seals are all breached, plus the input attenuator is loose, with the knob no longer operating it properly (I suspect the buyer at least swapped out the attenuator, but I don't want to open the unit yet in case something more comes of this -- like I need to show the guy's fingerprints inside or something). I can only imagine what else might have been done to it and it's tough for me to run a thorough set of meaningful tests on it, as I'm in the process of retiring and selling off equipment I don't really need any more (so my best signal sources sold too, the best I can do now is NIST traceable frequency to just shy of only 1GHz, but with uncalibrated levels anyway -- so I can't even tell if the upper frequency ranges on the SA still work at all). I don't want to screw the guy over, but on the other hand I think I have good reason to suspect that the guy paid the huge price to get his hands on it so he could open it up, plunder it, and then return it on a whim. What would you guys (and gals) do in this situation? Thanks for your collective input. --- In TekScopes@..., "Stan & Patricia Griffiths" <w7ni@e...> wrote: Well . . . I bought an electronics estate that included a vintageHeathkit two meter transceiver, probably about 35 years old. Who knowswhen the last time it was turned on? If I were going to apply power to thisantique, I would want to do it slowly and methodically and not just slam thejuice to it. I might have "melt down" if I did that. On the other hand,my thing is Tek scopes . . . not old Heathkits . . . so I do not care to learnhow to properly turn them on from scratch. There are many Heathcollectors out there who know exactly how to bring these things back to life andI prefer to leave this part of the job to them. So I offered it oneBay "as is" and "untested". Actually TESTING it would be at least a two hour joband I simply do not have the two hours I care to spend doing it . . . sowhat are my alternatives? Selling it "untested" seems to me to be the bestone . . . result: eBay item #5731226484 |
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Ashton Brown
Good thinking on calibration seals!
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Methinks it is time to preclude his doing likewise, first - and inform eBay of pretty much what you reported here. [Hah.. luck on getting through their filters] You have, as they say, 'prima facie' evidence of tampering and.. I believe any judge would agree: for nefarious purposes. Intent to defraud, by any measure. As to any negotiating (since you sought opinions) -- seems to me that a prior explanation to eBay of your position - might obviate any badness in the way of [-] blots on your feedback. You'd be entirely justified in calling this a done deal, upon your return of the unit, suitably photographed and witnessed. Unclear if such a return, without his agreement, would open any other can of worms. You'd need to consider his refusal; running up shipping, etc. Attorney time? Since there are so many shameless persons about - the fact that you have uncovered his scam may not prevent his dissembling; still - the seals were broken and THAT was your clealry stated *condition*, against this very prospect. Were it I, I'd take all actions on the assumption that - you will win anything before a judge. Think how you'll feel later, if you acquiesce? My 2 kopecks, Ashton phila_renewal wrote: Hello Stan and Group: |
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William H. Lagarde
I would not accept the return.
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-----Original Message-----
From: phila_renewal [mailto:phila.renewal@...] Sent: Wednesday, November 17, 2004 7:05 PM To: TekScopes@... Subject: [TekScopes] Re: eBay semi-scammers??? Hello Stan and Group: On a related note of surprising things that can happen on ebay, was wondering if the gang would provide a "fairness opinion" on the following situation. I listed one of my spectrum analyzers on ebay, fully tested, with a satisfaction guarantee which required only that for any return the calibration seals remain intact and the item be returned in the same condition it was sent (which was perfect working condition). A guy bought it just about instantaneously using the "buy it now" option (instead of bidding), which was set to a price so high I didn't really think I'd get it on my best day (more than three times what I paid for it, and I thought I paid a pretty fair price). As soon as he got the item, he wanted to return it saying that it was not "flexible" enough for his needs. The whole thing seemed fishy, but my guarantee is my guarantee so I tell him to send it back, in same condition, properly packed, insured, etc. I get it back and the calibration seals are all breached, plus the input attenuator is loose, with the knob no longer operating it properly (I suspect the buyer at least swapped out the attenuator, but I don't want to open the unit yet in case something more comes of this -- like I need to show the guy's fingerprints inside or something). I can only imagine what else might have been done to it and it's tough for me to run a thorough set of meaningful tests on it, as I'm in the process of retiring and selling off equipment I don't really need any more (so my best signal sources sold too, the best I can do now is NIST traceable frequency to just shy of only 1GHz, but with uncalibrated levels anyway -- so I can't even tell if the upper frequency ranges on the SA still work at all). I don't want to screw the guy over, but on the other hand I think I have good reason to suspect that the guy paid the huge price to get his hands on it so he could open it up, plunder it, and then return it on a whim. What would you guys (and gals) do in this situation? Thanks for your collective input. --- In TekScopes@..., "Stan & Patricia Griffiths" <w7ni@e...> wrote: Well . . . I bought an electronics estate that included a vintageHeathkit two meter transceiver, probably about 35 years old. Who knowswhen the last time it was turned on? If I were going to apply power to thisantique, I would want to do it slowly and methodically and not just slam thejuice to it. I might have "melt down" if I did that. On the other hand,my thing is Tek scopes . . . not old Heathkits . . . so I do not care to learnhow to properly turn them on from scratch. There are many Heathcollectors out there who know exactly how to bring these things back to life andI prefer to leave this part of the job to them. So I offered it oneBay "as is" and "untested". Actually TESTING it would be at least a two hour joband I simply do not have the two hours I care to spend doing it . . . sowhat are my alternatives? Selling it "untested" seems to me to be the bestone . . . result: eBay item #5731226484 Yahoo! Groups Sponsor ADVERTISEMENT < oups/S=1705083663:HM/EXP=1100822705/A=2434971/R=0/SIG=11eeoolb0/*http:/www.n etflix.com/Default?mqso=60185400> click here < :HM/A=2434971/rand=711891301> _____ Yahoo! Groups Links * To visit your group on the web, go to: * To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: TekScopes-unsubscribe@... <mailto:TekScopes-unsubscribe@...?subject=Unsubscribe> * Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of <> Service. |
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tech31yrs
I would send the buyer an EMail stating the returned item is not
acceptable, All refunds are null and void because of evidence of tampering and that they have 15 days to issue a call tag for pick-up. I would also inform them that a storage fee will be applied daily after the 15 day grace period. Inform EBay of this tampering before returning as well, they will check on these types fraud. Also if PayPal was used you will need to address this with them also. Mitch --- In TekScopes@..., "phila_renewal" <phila.renewal@c...> wrote:
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scoper796
I agree with this 100%. If he complains, mention that this is what
lawyers were created for. Take lots of pictures. Paypal should not force you to refund your money, as they normally will only do that if the goods were never sent. The guy tried to scam the wrong people, obviously. What an ass! Larry Christopher --- In TekScopes@..., "tech31yrs" <tech31yrs@y...> wrote: up. I would also inform them that a storage fee will be applied daily<phila.renewal@c...> wrote:was ebay,wondering if the gang would provide a "fairness opinion" on the thatfully tested, with a satisfaction guarantee which required only befor any return the calibration seals remain intact and the item toreturned in the same condition it was sent (which was perfect returna price so high I didn't really think I'd get it on my best day tellit saying that it was not "flexible" enough for his needs. The thehim to send it back, in same condition, properly packed, insured, attenuator,input attenuator is loose, with the knob no longer operating it comesbut I don't want to open the unit yet in case something more itof this -- like I need to show the guy's fingerprints inside or onand it's tough for me to run a thorough set of meaningful tests theit, as I'm in the process of retiring and selling off equipment I ifbest I can do now is NIST traceable frequency to just shy of only histhe upper frequency ranges on the SA still work at all). I don't ithands on it so he could open it up, plunder it, and then return vintageon a whim. What would you guys (and gals) do in this situation? theHeathkittwo meter transceiver, probably about 35 years old. Who knowswhen the lasttime it was turned on? If I were going to apply power to thisantique, Iwould want to do it slowly and methodically and not just slam hand,juice toit. I might have "melt down" if I did that. On the other learnmy thing isTek scopes . . . not old Heathkits . . . so I do not care to andhow toproperly turn them on from scratch. There are many Heathcollectors outthere who know exactly how to bring these things back to life jobI preferto leave this part of the job to them. So I offered it oneBay "as is" and"untested". Actually TESTING it would be at least a two hour soand Isimply do not have the two hours I care to spend doing it . . . bestwhat aremy alternatives? Selling it "untested" seems to me to be the sellingone . . . technique . . . Take a look at how I made the offer and theresult: eBayitem #5731226484 |
phila_renewal
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