[R-390] auction scams

[Glen Galati]

I second the comments by Jim Shorney, Ed Tanton, and Scott.
Scammers can strike anywhere. Ads in QST, CQ, and the Old Yellow Sheets to
name a few.
I think that eBay is doing a good job considering the millions of
transactions that occur. In addition the FEEDBACK is something not found in
other areas. I been burned on Auctions many times. Primarily my
fault-because I DID NOT INSPECT CLOSE ENOUGH. ASK QUESTIONS, CONFER with
others when in doubt. EBAY can be a "BARGAIN BASEMENT" of real treasure that
you'd spend a lifetime trying to find otherwise.

73,
Glen Galati        KA7BOJ
----- Original Message -----
From: Ed Tanton <n4xy@earthlink.net>
To: Kenneth Crips <w7itc@hotmail.com>; <r-390@mailman.qth.net>;
<Bob.Sullivan@msnbc.com>
Sent: Tuesday, July 30, 2002 11:14 AM
Subject: Re: [R-390] auction scams


> Ken, the article simply isn't so-at least, not within the electronics
> components, baseball card (#2 son), and ham radio sections. The number
this
> 2nd "vigilante" quotes of "75% scams" is utterly UNTRUE. I have made
> HUNDREDS of purchases over the years through ebay, large and small, and
> have NEVER ONCE been cheated. This includes shipments from Hong Kong,
> Australia, and England. #2 son has made dozens with a similar success
rate.
>
> A "person of probable low character" did just show up as the seller of a
> $30 card for a 'winning' $15 recently. EBAY had, however, just canned the
> guy after too many violations. After some period of time, he can come back
> under another name-but I THINK that's like 6 months. That's ONE person
over
> whatever the number of years ebay has been around. One.
>
> Yes, I have had some "excellent condition"s arrive 1 level lower. But I've
> had some "very good"s arrive as "excellent"s also. Once again, the media
is
> looking to report a story. The fact that I have done well, or all right,
or
> whatever, is not news. Only that everybody is getting cheated left and
> right is "news". Only... if it isn't true... then is it "news" or an
> "outright lie" or just an "exaggeration"? Perhaps it's merely sloppy
> journalism?
>
> I think the truth lies a great deal closer to the occasional cheat, than
> with "75%" of all deals being "scams". Part of may stem from the amounts
> involved, and part of may stem from not using USPS MOs (I'd least rather
> have the Postal Inspectors after me than anybody-including the RCMP!) And
> part stems from not using the guy's feedback rating to decide whether to
> risk the deal (BEFORE bidding-not afterwards.)
>
> There are always going to be scam artists. I wouldn't hesitate to go after
> someone who cheated me. They have departments of Consumer Affairs and
> Attournies General in every state. The USPS Postal Inspectors really don't
> like "Mail Fraud" one bit. But for an MSNBC reporter to throw out numbers
> like this is "75% scams" irresponsible, and lazy journalism at best. To
> advocate what amounts to criminal fraud (in reverse) either is-or should
> be-illegal.
>
> Who are these "Consumer Vigilanties" that they presume to make outrageous
> bids on auctions THEY decide are frauds? The act itself, willfully bidding
> in that manner, to prevent me from using the good sense God gave me, to
> decide for myself what looks suspicious-and what is simply a good 'deal'
is
> FRAUD in itself. I have to wonder if some of them have either an ax to
> grind, or seek to manage an end-around, when auction(s) got to be more
than
> THEY wanted to pay.
>
> EBAY has been finally, begrudgingly accepted by most hams. I don't
> personally care whether anyone buys through it or not. I STILL like to see
> items of interest offered on the various reflectors available to us
> first-but with prices reaching a degree of parity, it doesn't matter
nearly
> as much any more. And I really HATE to see inaccurate reporting-and
whether
> or not the laptop / computer market has more than its share of fraud going
> on within EBAY, that's NOT what was represented here. EBAY as a whole has
> worked just fine for me.
>
> P.S. And for the record... while I have "hundreds" of purchases over the
> years, I have never sold one single thing via EBAY. I think #2 son has-but
> don't really know that for a fact.
>
> 73 Ed Tanton N4XY <n4xy@earthlink.net>
>
> Ed Tanton N4XY
> 189 Pioneer Trail
> Marietta, GA 30068-3466
>
> website: http://www.n4xy.com
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