vB Easy Archive - Fraud Warning: Buying a new VM Slider off eBay

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Fraud Warning: Buying a new VM Slider off eBay
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Posted by: johnnyf33

Hello all,

Twice within the last few months I was the high bidder on a "New/Sealed" VM Slider phone.

Bid #1: This was a few months back...$75 Buy it Now listing, with free Fedex shipping. The seller had a 100% feedback rating of 45 positives. This was too good to be true.
I did some poking around before paying, and found out that someone had "Hijacked" a legit eBay account by getting the persons password, and was listing items under the sellers name. They collect the cash and never ship an item.
I found this out be e-mailing a guy who bought a VM slider off this account 3 weeks prior...paid and never received his item. eBay contacted him (too late) saying the account was a hijack.

Bid #2: Just today.... $103 high bidder. The seller just joined eBay 3 days ago, and had about 50 different "Brand New" hi-tech gadgets listed - all with no "real" photo of the item. The listing said PayPal only...An hour after winning I get an e-mail from the seller saying she's changed her mind - and wants a Money Order only.
An hour after that I get an e-mail from eBay saying the seller is a fraud and all items have been pulled off eBay.

In both cases the seller did not have an actual photo of the item, and demanded a money order only for payment. They also both claimed to have several new/sealed VM sliders for sale....way below retail.

The moral of the story is - watch out on eBay - even if the seller account seems legit. It may be, but the account may be under seige.

JF

Posted by: snafu

sorry about your loss. nowadays can't you get a new slider at non-internet stores for 100$?

Posted by: johnnyf33

In both cases I never sent a payment - so I didn't have a loss (besides not getting the phone....)
I've been buying & selling on eBay long enough to be able to spot this fishy deals.

In bid #1 I was contacted by another buyer - who did get screwed - before I sent payment in.
In bid #2 I was contacted by eBay directly before sending payment in.

I've only seen the VM slider new for $150 (Best Buy, Target, etc.)
Of course Verizon sells it for a lot less - but only with a new or renewed contract. Mid-contract they want like $260 (ouch).

JF

Posted by: snafu

Quote:

Originally posted by johnnyf33
In both cases I never sent a payment - so I didn't have a loss (besides not getting the phone....)
I've been buying & selling on eBay long enough to be able to spot this fishy deals.

In bid #1 I was contacted by another buyer - who did get screwed - before I sent payment in.
In bid #2 I was contacted by eBay directly before sending payment in.

I've only seen the VM slider new for $150 (Best Buy, Target, etc.)
Of course Verizon sells it for a lot less - but only with a new or renewed contract. Mid-contract they want like $260 (ouch).

JF

i got mine for 140 and a free 20$ top up card in december... 120$ for me