Hello, sorry about your unfortunate experience with this scam. Up here in the "Great White North" we do not have a lot of oppourtunity to go to a lot of train shows and such. E-Bay has become a regular hobby shop for me and conveniently accessable. I can puchase items for US dollars and add shipping and still be ahead money wise.
I keep all transactions restricted to Pay-Pal and will not even look at sites not offering it. I will not even think of or look at Money Order Only or Cheque only transactions. I find that this does not restrict the variety of items available from legitimate dealers or individuals.
I almost got burned two different times but Pay-Pal and E-Bay were there for me because I kept a dated record of every memo and e-mail and receipt. I got refunds of these amounts and so was not out any money.
Most of my aquisitions came through E-Bay/Pay-Pal and I am happy with their service. It saves me the three to four hour drive each way to an O-Gauge hobby shop.
My advice to anyone using E-Bay/Pay-Pal is to deal ONLY through E-Bay My-Messages and send the seller e-mails to ask about services and payment and KEEP these records, print out everything, do not depend on it staying in your computer.
Don in Oshawa ON
(Where we build Chev/GMC Trucks, Impalas & MonteCarlos)
Safety Valve, I believe your comment that "PayPal is a complication best avoided" overlooks the fact that using PayPal for eBay purchases actually affords the buyer an extra level of protection with a dishonest seller. PayPal refunded me $800 when a seller misrepresented the warranty on a laptop computer I bought. And, if your PayPal account is linked to one of your credit cards, then you have a double layer of protection, because even if PayPal fails to remedy the situation, you just call your own credit card company and dispute the charge.
Anyone processing oxygen, a body temperature and carrying a blood pressure can open a account at a bank. Once they have that plus the routing number they can so-called verify themselves to Ebay.
If they had a credit card which might include a throw-away designed for one time use they can even become the so called verified user. Ebay then trumpets that this seller is all that to the buyer.
I think of ebay as a potential source of trouble. Recently I had a email arrive into my box saying that someone opened a dispute (non-paying item) and to click a link and resolve this. When I followed the link the sign-in page looked like that of ebay's account sign in but the header in the title bar was not https and carried a IP Address which was NOT ebay. Oh the item being disputed turned out to be a 1200 dollar guitar. I dont do guitars and only deal with one transaction (Selling or buying) per week.
Spoof@ebay got this email and returned with a message saying that they will take care of it and I need not worry about it.
I have no problems putting non-ebay emails not directly related into my current activity into a spam list. When I max out that current 500 allowed addresses to block I can then open up one of the 9 remaining email accounts for this ISP.
The stories with Paypal reinforces my firm determination that Pay pal is a complication best avoided. Western Union is another service I avoid. Sometimes a desired item was offered for sale that only takes western union as payment. Sorry, No thanks.
One other thing I hate about buying items on ebay is the use of Factory photos and a one sentence statement "The photo is representative of the item currently up for auction; but is not that of the actual item, appearences may vary." Those dont get consideration either. I might bid on a item and recieve a box of parts instead as happened once.
I just had a light bulb go on and realize I get boxes of parts all the time, they are known as KITS he he.
I take cars to auction block several times a month. The rattiest junker barely running while gassing all of the dealers trying to bid sometimes gets purchased because it has a part that is needed. I dont mind those sales because they can see what they are buying; even if they are only good for salvage.
Sorry for your bad luck with this creep on e-bay. That is why you should always pay with PayPal. I have bought quite a few things on Ebay, but if I see a seller who does not want to be paid with payPal, I will not bid on that item.
Also , there is a dispute mechanism on Ebay. You should go there. Chanses are this creep will not be able to sell on Ebay anymore if nothing else.
Good evening all,
Sorry to hear about the bad eBay experiences. I have never had a problem like that happen although one time I got an engine in "Mint" condition with a broken plastic truck piece. Egbert, what part of the Netherlands are you in? My Norwegian soccer friend is in Groningen, working on her physical therapy training. Is that any where near you? I hope everyone has a good day.
Keep on training,
Mike C. from Indiana
Dennis,
I am sorry to hear that you got e-robbed. I read through this thread and I must say that you take it very good. Nevertheless it still stinks. I hope that the officers can nail the thief. Over the national borders, hmmm, sounds a bit like Lagos to me. Ebay has some minor issues but still I agree with you that it is a great method to buy toy trains. Hopefully it gets sorted...
Greetings
Egbert
dwiemer wrote: I got off the phone with the secret service. They are getting swamped with this type of scandal and that I am lucky in such a small amount. They have one case open for over $40,000.00. in a very similar situation. They are very interested in looking into these cases, but you could imagine the odds of getting some of these people. At least in my case, they have a photo and name. If anyone ever has a situation like this, with international fraud, make sure you submit it to them. The more information they have, the better chance to connect the dots.DennisPS: when I am told I can release the information, I will share it with everyone to help avoid such issues. I have kept all the emails and I assure you, they do seem authentic. For now, I suggest that any email claiming to be ebay, check at the spoof@ebay.com site before continuing with transaction.
I got off the phone with the secret service. They are getting swamped with this type of scandal and that I am lucky in such a small amount. They have one case open for over $40,000.00. in a very similar situation. They are very interested in looking into these cases, but you could imagine the odds of getting some of these people. At least in my case, they have a photo and name. If anyone ever has a situation like this, with international fraud, make sure you submit it to them. The more information they have, the better chance to connect the dots.
Dennis
PS: when I am told I can release the information, I will share it with everyone to help avoid such issues. I have kept all the emails and I assure you, they do seem authentic. For now, I suggest that any email claiming to be ebay, check at the spoof@ebay.com site before continuing with transaction.
Dennis : you're doing a fine job so far & once you get this case CRACKED, we'll all get to see you on TV !! I am glad you didn't loose too much though !!
Thanks, John
TCA#09-63805
edw wrote: Another red flag to look for in any "second chance" offer is a change in the method of payment from from the original eBay listing. For example, if the original listing indicated that PayPal was accepted for payment, and the second chance offer required that you wire money out of the country, that would certainly appear to be somewhat fishy.
Another red flag to look for in any "second chance" offer is a change in the method of payment from from the original eBay listing. For example, if the original listing indicated that PayPal was accepted for payment, and the second chance offer required that you wire money out of the country, that would certainly appear to be somewhat fishy.
I agree that it was "fishy". The guy did sound credible in that he had the ebay "security check" posted and had a "verified bank account", lots of other items that linked directly to ebay and suggested that this was a secured transaction. The guys story about being out of the country and not using "paypal" was that he just left on business and paypal is not in Italy yet.
I believe the solution is simple. Communicate only through Ebay! Someone mentioned earlier of Craigs list. You can comunicate, but you do not have the other persons email. You must go through Craigs list. If Ebay did the same it would help.
I only contact buyers or sellers through Ebay. The benefit is my Email does not end up in someones spam file. It gets through to my customer or seller.
Ebay is a slice of the world. Don't blame them or any other auction site. If you walked down the streets of middle class America, you would find the same folks. Ebay just brings them to the surface, and shines a bright light on them.
We must always be aware. Dennis,thanks for sharing your experience.
Rod L.
Funny the timing of this post. I just had this exact thing happen to me on a non train related item.
PJ
Very Strong Passwords are good to have.
In Security class we used a program to brute force break a lab computer's ISP Password of "Apple" it took only 6 seconds. Once in, we needed another 30 minutes to find all of the other passwords written in simple words. This was known as a dictonary attack. It does not take long.
Some passwords mixed with numbers, characters and letters with about 16-32 pieces in a single password required about 25 years to break if ever. It is highly unlikely such a program will be online on a computer that will function that long to break it.
One time someone outside of the school called our head of security asking for a serial number that is physically on the box in the office. That person got laughed off the phone and then traced. We never heard no more of that.
Part of the problem is that these passwords are too tedious to remember and enter. So the workers leave it on stick it notes near thier computers to be scooped up by anyone inside the facility.
Biometrics are becoming useful in logging in. Kinda hard for someone in Hillsville 3000 miles away to use it to log into your account.
What is interesting is that I have been part of the Internet for about 12 years now and I wonder how many little places that I littered with passwords that will exist for as long as the Internet does. Things like email addresses I no longer use.
riverrailfan wrote: To make your account with ebay and paypal more safe, change your passwords once a month and you stop getting bogus ebay emails saying there is something wrong with your account. I also list these as spam with my email account and these go to the trash evertime and the real ebay emails come through.
To make your account with ebay and paypal more safe, change your passwords once a month and you stop getting bogus ebay emails saying there is something wrong with your account. I also list these as spam with my email account and these go to the trash evertime and the real ebay emails come through.
Always beware of second chance. Allways go to the original auction and email the seller to verify he sent you the email. To make it legelit the seller has to go through ebay to complete the transaction and the bogus seller knew this and sent the false ebay contact. Did you pay by credit card. You might be able to disput this with them and stop payment.
Got a little news that may have a silver lining to this dark cloud. According to the Attorney General's office, because this was a dealing across national boundries, it falls under the juris diction of the US Secret Service. I have a good friend who is upper level Secret Service in D.C. He also has lots of military connections, so perhaps we can get some investigation to rattle this guys cage a little bit.
As for Ebay, I have done many transactions and had little to no problems. Never had anything not delivered. I have great feedback (100%), and hold many sellers in high regard. I have filled much of my roster with purchases using Ebay, but now, my house is full and I really don't need anything else. For the money that can be saved using ebay, I will instead to direct purchases as I have very little I could buy. I would still like a Wabash Hudson, but will wait.
I know that many here will continue to use Ebay, but my reason for posting this was a caution, like the line from Hill Street Blues, "Let's be carefull out there".
Sorry you had a bad experience on Ebay, there are some scam artists there to be aware of.
I have been very lucky I have made over 125 Ebay purchases within the last say 2 years, Thousands of dollars mostly on hobby things, RC Nitro powered monster trucks and associated goodies, a ton of train goods, home theatre goods, kitchen appliances. I have never been burned or received products that where not as described.
Scams I have received, one thing to look for if you open one especially from PayPal if there is no LOCKED PADLOCK in the bottom right hand of your screen it is not PayPal. EBay ones as suggested check My Ebay see if the message is there, if you have doubts fire it off to spoof@ebay
Like everyone else, I'm sorry you got ripped off, but I appreciate the warning and I commend you on your attitude. It's hard to forgive when someone steals from you, but it's still the right thing to do.
Dave
It's a TOY, A child's PLAYTHING!!! (Woody from Toy Story)
genelbradleyjr, thanks. I doubt I will see the money again, but it really is not that much. For all the transactions I have done over the past few years, this is the first bad experience and fortunately, it happened at the end of my purchasing for the time being. I went into this last transaction with a bit of trepidation, and took a gamble. As for recourse, the state attorney general's office will be following up on this and perhaps local law enforcement. Western Union was very helpful and even has the guy's picture for law enforcement. Ebay's response so far was just to acknowledge that the emails were spoofs.
I was thinking, for me, this was a drop in the bucket for my train purchases, but for some, including young guys with a tight budget, this would be devastating. I will pursue this joker to the full extent, not for my money, but to stop what could be a very big scam artist. I have already forgiven him, but his actions need to stop.
I too am sorry for your loss. I have never had a problem with ebay. Like other people have said, there is stuff you have to watch out for with every thing. I have done well with the 2nd chance offerings but it was re-listed like a totally new item. I did recieve a phony phishing email but I immediately recognized it as a hoax. I also don't buy if the pictures are not very clear.... description not accurate etc. People trying to sell stuff that they know nothing about are easily spotted if it is a piece of equipment you are familiar with.....
Of all the pieces I have.... over 90% was bought from ebay with 100% success.
Is there any recourse that you have either through ebay fraud dept or W.U.
Thanks for the replies guys. I did check the guys feedback which was 100%, but alas, it was for the person actually selling the locomotive. This guy somehow used the whole link, and was also able to email me through ebay, but change the reply. I am not exactly sure how he did this, but it is obviously a flaw with ebay's system. I am thinking of emailing the original poster to let him know his account had been used.
A long time ago, I was warned about this second bidder scam from an eBay employee when I was trying to learn how to use eBay. I really look at the feedback and the time and amount they have been selling on eBay. I also try to check if they have been selling train related items. I have asked the sellers many questions, especially when the photo does not match the description.
Sorry that you got caught, Dennis.
I rarely buy anything on eBay. I think I have a total of 35 purchases in 7 years. I have shied away from purchasing locomotives. I just recently purchased six gondola covers for $12.00. I have purchased cars, especially NYC Pacemaker Scarlet and Gray Box Cars. My biggest purchase was for Garden RR Cars, and the seller was from Ohio and had a bricks and mortar store.
Maybe I'm just lucky, but so far I have had good success on eBay.
Celebrating 18 years on the CTT Forum.
Buckeye Riveter......... OTTS Charter Member, a Roseyville Raider and a member of the CTT Forum since 2004..
Jelloway Creek, OH - ELV 1,100 - Home of the Baltimore, Ohio & Wabash RR
TCA 09-64284
Modeling the Baltimore waterfront in HO scale
Sorry to hear that you had a bad ebay experiance! That is one of the reasons I don't deal with ebay, other reason is that people don't list things properly.
On another note hackers can make anything look legit! And like the guy safetyvalve mentioned be careful when replying to an email from the ebay site.
I use another site for train purchases that deals with trains only, I think it is Choo Choo Auctions and would recommend using that over ebay any day of the week.
Lee F.
Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.
Get the Classic Toy Trains newsletter delivered to your inbox twice a month