BS: Too Good To Be True?

Subject: BS: Too Good To Be True?
From: bobad
Date: 12 Nov 06 - 11:18 AM

I'v been looking to buy a tractor and found this listing on Craig's list.

This model sells for $23,000. new and used one's go for around $15,000.

I emailed the lister and received this responce:

Hello,
Sorry for taking so long getting back to you.
I already have tons of emails so I hope you understand that
I need to sort them out. My name is Robert D Biggers and I am
glad you are interested in my tractor .
First, I want you to know that I live in USA, but for the moment I'm in
UK.Two months ago my cousin died in a tragic car accident.
My cousin family need money urgently and that's why i sell this tractor so
cheap,because i want to help them.
The tractor is in good condition .It has a title clear which you will
receive along with the tractor .
The buy it now price is $5,000.
I have chosen the eBay Shipping Center program to take care of
all the proceedings, so the tractor is right now in their possession
in a warehouse in San Jose, CA from where it will be shipped by
eBay as I had to go abroad with some important business and
I deposited it there to do this deal in the meantime.
Beside shipping the tractor , eBay will act as the middle man -
holding the payment until you receive and inspect the it.
You will have a week inspection period.
Regarding the payment method i would like to use eBay like a 3rd
part for the deposit because eBay will protect us.I am a seal member
and that's mean I am backed up for all my auctions on eBay.I pay them fees for that!
The tractor is already into eBay possession, they inspected and tested
the tractor to see if the description on eBay matches with the real condition.
Look how they work:
1.I will contact them , and I will send your shipping information to eBay.
2.They will send us mail forms (the forms will be from customer support
team) for you about payment .
3.Those forms must be filled by every part of this deal(me and you)
with infos that they required.
4.We must submit the forms.
This means a 3rd party.
After all that will be done, the tractor will be shipped from eBay,and
will arrive to your place in max. 5 days.
You will receive a tracking # in the same day that the tractor will be
shipped from eBay.
I forgot to tell you that the shipping is free if you pay $5,000 for my tractor .
If you want to go on with this deal , mail me asap because I have another
interested buyer and I need to sell this tractor fast.
Please note that the tractor was listed on Craigslist and not
on eBay! I am just using the eBay protection and shipping
program offered by eBay Shipping Center.
Best Regards!

My first reaction is that there are tons of red flags waving in that email but the eBay angle has me curious.

Do any of you have experience with using eBay as an intermediary?

What do you think of this deal in general?

I should add that I am in Ontario so the shipping charge would be substantial.

Subject: RE: BS: Too Good To Be True?
From: Rapparee
Date: 12 Nov 06 - 11:21 AM

If it sounds too good to be true, it is.

Subject: RE: BS: Too Good To Be True?
From: ard mhacha
Date: 12 Nov 06 - 11:25 AM

You would be better off with a horse.

Subject: RE: BS: Too Good To Be True?
From: Alice
Date: 12 Nov 06 - 11:30 AM

Very fishy. Can you check with Ebay about this person and claims?

Subject: RE: BS: Too Good To Be True?
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 12 Nov 06 - 11:52 AM

When I put eBay Shipping Center into Google, I get a site that offers information on methods of shipment, rates, insuarnce, and shippers; but I find no mention of any function of "holding the merchandise" or acting as a third party to "hold the money" to secure transactions.

These are NOT functions I would expect eBay to perform.

Look closely at the eBay Shipping Center offerings and see if you can find any such functions.

The letter is quite similar to replies we received when we advertised items in our local "free ad" section of the local newspaper. Our immediate "red flag" (after we stopped laughing) was that we received identical letters offering to buy our small loom, our bass, and our acoustic bass guitar and amp, all via "redirected" email with unidentifiable sender.

LA is an immense market all by itself. Anyone with a tractor worth $15,000 that they're willing to sell for $5,000 would have no problem driving the tractor to the nearest used machinery dealership who would sell it for what it's worth, on consignment, and would handle storage and shipping locally.

Google "tractor used +LA" for an idea of the market where the tractor is claimed to be "on the eBay lot."

eBay does not touch hardware in any was, so far as I've heard.

John

Subject: RE: BS: Too Good To Be True?
From: jeffp
Date: 12 Nov 06 - 12:06 PM

It's a scam.

Subject: RE: BS: Too Good To Be True?
From: Big Mick
Date: 12 Nov 06 - 12:09 PM

This is not in doubt. There is something very wrong here. When you see the amount of information this person posts, it is crystal clear that they know what this would be worth if all were as they purport it to be. Why then would they sell it at such a reduced rate? They could get 5000 more and still have it be a deal. They could list it in their local paper and get at least that from a local contractor.

There is no free lunch. I would be extremely sceptical of this.

Mick

Subject: RE: BS: Too Good To Be True?
From: Sorcha
Date: 12 Nov 06 - 12:15 PM

I am in US but am in UK now. Later...I'm in Ontario....doh?

Subject: RE: BS: Too Good To Be True?
From: jeffp
Date: 12 Nov 06 - 12:18 PM

Sorca, the poster is in Ontario. Of course, there is no mention of customs issues for importing merchandise.

Subject: RE: BS: Too Good To Be True?
From: Peace
Date: 12 Nov 06 - 12:31 PM

Must be this one's cousin.

Subject: RE: BS: Too Good To Be True?
From: Peace
Date: 12 Nov 06 - 12:37 PM

"I forgot to tell you that the shipping is free if you pay $5,000 for my tractor .
If you want to go on with this deal , mail me asap because I have another
interested buyer and I need to sell this tractor fast."

Like, he'd want YOU to have first dibs because you mean so much to him no doubt. The guys is fairly good with English, but it is NOT his first language (and before anyone gets huffy about that statement, there are many scams originating in SE Asia).

"I forgot to tell you that the shipping is free if you pay $5,000 for my tractor ."

Shipping costs from San Jose to you would be in the thousands. It would take a flatbed and two drivers and a shitload of gas. That is one friggin' beautiful sales thing and he "forgot to tell you that the shipping is free."

Subject: RE: BS: Too Good To Be True?
From: Peace
Date: 12 Nov 06 - 12:42 PM

Bobad, send the ad to these folks.

Subject: RE: BS: Too Good To Be True?
From: SINSULL
Date: 12 Nov 06 - 12:44 PM

Offer to have a friend with payment in hand pick up the tractor in San Jose.

Subject: RE: BS: Too Good To Be True?
From: pdq
Date: 12 Nov 06 - 12:52 PM

Judging from the type of vegetation, population density and building construction style, the picture is almost certainly not taken in San Jose, CA. Skip this one.

For someone who relly needs a small tractor, try a Bobcat. They will work harder than anything else their size. Also have more available attachments than a human being could ever use. They have been a very consistent product for many years with good parts availability.

Subject: RE: BS: Too Good To Be True?
From: bobad
Date: 12 Nov 06 - 01:26 PM

Thanks for your inputs.

I contacted eBay at the link Peace provided and had a chat with a nice eBay rep which established that the eBay protection and shipping program does not exist. This is, just as I expected, a scam.

Subject: RE: BS: Too Good To Be True?
From: jeffp
Date: 12 Nov 06 - 01:48 PM

You could contact the wonderful folks at www.419eater.com. They'll bait the guy and waste his time so he won't spend it scamming.

Subject: RE: BS: Too Good To Be True?
From: Rapparee
Date: 12 Nov 06 - 03:37 PM

Hey, listen. I got this really good deal for you. I have a little land, or rather my brother has a little land, up in the Yukon. Now, don't get all bent out of shape, 'cause this land is right outside Whitehorse! Yes! Road, river, air, and rail transportation just outside the city limits! There may even be a fortune in gold on the land!

It's been in the family for years, ever since the 1950s. And I can let you have it at a really good price, because my brother is sick and/or out of office and has to let this land go to pay his doctor bills and/or bail, whichever applies.

You're saying, "This must be a scam because it sounds so darned good!" Well, it's not. In fact, if you will contact Sergeant Preston of the RCMP he'll vouch for it since we orginally got the land from him.

All I'll need from you is a deposit in the form cashier's check for US $15,000, your bank name, identification numbers, and bank account number. The deposit is to hold the deal open for you and the rest is to show your good faith.

I'm offering you this chance because God revealed your name to me on the Internet as a decent, honourable person who knows a good deal when he or she sees one.

Subject: RE: BS: Too Good To Be True?
From: pdq
Date: 12 Nov 06 - 03:40 PM

Yucon is pronounced "you con".

Subject: RE: BS: Too Good To Be True?
From: Peace
Date: 12 Nov 06 - 03:43 PM

See that mountain in the background? Everything you can see from atop that is what Rapaire is selling.

Subject: RE: BS: Too Good To Be True?
From: bobad
Date: 12 Nov 06 - 04:19 PM

My cheque is in the mail.

Subject: RE: BS: Too Good To Be True?
From: Peace
Date: 12 Nov 06 - 04:24 PM

Get it back. Quick. Here's what it looks like the other 364 days of the year.

Subject: RE: BS: Too Good To Be True?
From: Rapparee
Date: 12 Nov 06 - 05:22 PM

Did I mention the excellent hunting opportunities, especially in the Spring?

Subject: RE: BS: Too Good To Be True?
From: GUEST
Date: 13 Nov 06 - 09:08 PM

I got the same exact reply from the same guy...

this really doesn't sound good !

Subject: RE: BS: Too Good To Be True?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 13 Nov 06 - 09:25 PM

This sounds like a Nigerian tractor to me...

Subject: RE: BS: Too Good To Be True?
From: Skivee
Date: 13 Nov 06 - 10:45 PM

So, Bobad, did you go for the $50.00 scam tractor or the $5,000.00 scam tractor? Just wondering.
The $50.00 scam tractor has some nice accessories.

Subject: RE: BS: Too Good To Be True?
From: bobad
Date: 13 Nov 06 - 11:01 PM

Neither actually as I'll be heading out to the Yukon just as soon as Rap cashes my cheque and diesels are hard to start when it's -40.

Subject: RE: BS: Too Good To Be True?
From: Rapparee
Date: 13 Nov 06 - 11:07 PM

They're not hard at all if you sleep curled up around the engine, fuel tank, etc. You'll have to sleep naked so that the maximum body heat is absorbed by the engine and so on. Maybe you can get a friend to help.

Subject: RE: BS: Too Good To Be True?
From: bobad
Date: 13 Nov 06 - 11:13 PM

I'm now looking for a deal on one of these, to transport my supply of mosquito repellant.

Subject: RE: BS: Too Good To Be True?
From: number 6
Date: 13 Nov 06 - 11:16 PM

Forget the Tractor ... old Maude here would be suffice

Maude


biLL

Subject: RE: BS: Too Good To Be True?
From: bobad
Date: 13 Nov 06 - 11:20 PM

I don't think you can grow oats in the Yukon.

Subject: RE: BS: Too Good To Be True?
From: bobad
Date: 13 Nov 06 - 11:26 PM

Well I've found that out to be wrong, it seems that one can grow oats and barley in the Yukon http://208.55.130.89/yourYukon/col380.html

Subject: RE: BS: Too Good To Be True?
From: catspaw49
Date: 13 Nov 06 - 11:51 PM

All that's missin is the word "Nigeria".................

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Too Good To Be True?
From: ard mhacha
Date: 14 Nov 06 - 06:02 AM

See Borat for one of his plough-pulling wives.

Subject: Lyr Add: STEP RIGHT UP (Tom Waits)
From: JennyO
Date: 14 Nov 06 - 07:23 AM

Step Right Up - Tom Waits

Step right up
step right up
step right up
Everyone's a winner, bargains galore
That's right, you too can be the proud owner
Of the quality goes in before the name goes on
One-tenth of a dollar
one-tenth of a dollar
we got service after sales
You need perfume? we got perfume
how 'bout an engagement ring?
Something for the little lady
something for the little lady
Something for the little lady, hmm
Three for a dollar
We got a year-end clearance, we got a white sale
And a smoke-damaged furniture
you can drive it away today
Act now, act now
and receive as our gift, our gift to you
They come in all colors, one size fits all
No muss, no fuss, no spills
you're tired of kitchen drudgery
Everything must go
going out of business
going out of business
Going out of business sale
Fifty percent off original retail price
skip the middle man
Don't settle for less
How do we do it?
how do we do it?
volume, volume, turn up the volume
Now you've heard it advertised, don't hesitate
Don't be caught with your drawers down
Don't be caught with your drawers down
You can step right up, step right up

That's right, it filets, it chops
It dices, slices, never stops
lasts a lifetime, mows your lawn
And it mows your lawn
and it picks up the kids from school
It gets rid of unwanted facial hair
it gets rid of embarrassing age spots
It delivers a pizza
and it lengthens, and it strengthens
And it finds that slipper that's been at large
under the chaise longe for several weeks
And it plays a mean Rhythm Master
It makes excuses for unwanted lipstick on your collar
And it's only a dollar, step right up
it's only a dollar, step right up

'Cause it forges your signature.
If not completely satisfied
mail back unused portion of product
For complete refund of price of purchase
Step right up
Please allow thirty days for delivery
don't be fooled by cheap imitations
You can live in it, live in it
laugh in it, love in it
Swim in it, sleep in it
Live in it, swim in it
laugh in it, love in it
Removes embarrassing stains from contour sheets
that's right
And it entertains visiting relatives
it turns a sandwich into a banquet
Tired of being the life of the party?
Change your shorts
change your life
change your life
Change into a nine-year-old Hindu boy
get rid of your wife
And it walks your dog, and it doubles on sax
Doubles on sax, you can jump back Jack
see you later alligator
See you later alligator
And it steals your car
It gets rid of your gambling debts, it quits smoking
It's a friend, and it's a companion
And it's the only product you will ever need
Follow these easy assembly instructions
it never needs ironing
Well it takes weights off hips, bust
thighs, chin, midriff
Gives you dandruff, and it finds you a job
it is a job
And it strips the phone company free
take ten for five exchange
And it gives you denture breath
And you know it's a friend, and it's a companion
And it gets rid of your traveler's checks
It's new, it's improved, it's old-fashioned
Well it takes care of business
never needs winding
Never needs winding
never needs winding
Gets rid of blackheads, the heartbreak of psoriasis
Christ, you don't know the meaning of heartbreak, buddy
C'mon, c'mon, c'mon, c'mon
'Cause it's effective, it's defective
it creates household odors
It disinfects, it sanitizes for your protection
It gives you an erection
it wins the election
Why put up with painful corns any longer?
It's a redeemable coupon, no obligation
no salesman will visit your home
We got a jackpot, jackpot, jackpot
prizes, prizes, prizes, all work guaranteed
How do we do it
how do we do it
how do we do it
how do we do it
We need your business
we're going out of business
We'll give you the business
Get on the business
end of our going-out-of-business sale
Receive our free brochure, free brochure
Read the easy-to-follow assembly instructions
batteries not included
Send before midnight tomorrow, terms available
Step right up
step right up
step right up
You got it buddy: the large print giveth
and the small print taketh away
Step right up
you can step right up
you can step right up
C'mon step right up
(Get away from me kid, you bother me...)
Step right up, step right up, step right up
c'mon, c'mon, c'mon, c'mon, c'mon
Step right up
you can step right up
c'mon and step right up
C'mon and step right up

Subject: RE: BS: Too Good To Be True?
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 14 Nov 06 - 07:58 AM

Why are mules, donkeys and horses all given old fashioned names? Why do we never see strings of donkeys on the beach sporting bling harness with 'Charrednee', 'Tiffnee' or 'Shrreeena' pyrographed onto the leather or picked out in fuschia pink diamante?

Maude nice, but I prefer Prince here...

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Too Good To Be True?
From: Rapparee
Date: 14 Nov 06 - 09:01 AM

I wanted to buy a stallion and name it "Ruffles" but the guys in the Legion wouldn't let me.

Subject: RE: BS: Too Good To Be True?
From: Bunnahabhain
Date: 14 Nov 06 - 12:34 PM

That's quite an excessive number of cat photos Liz. Crystal will definitely approve...

Subject: RE: BS: Too Good To Be True?
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 14 Nov 06 - 02:10 PM

Er... guilty as charged.. they're mostly the same kitty though, he does such cute things... like only this morning, he was sitting in the laundry basket, just his eyes peeping out through the handle hole....

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Too Good To Be True?
From: pdq
Date: 14 Nov 06 - 05:01 PM

I have to try this some where.

This looks like a good place. OK, here goes...

Bullshit!

I feel so much better now.

Subject: RE: BS: Too Good To Be True?
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 14 Nov 06 - 06:41 PM

Oh, and we did wash that bowl before we used it again.....






I think.....

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Too Good To Be True?
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 16 Nov 06 - 07:23 PM

I was about to post this yesterday before I was rudely interrupted by the latest crash:

You misunderstood the ad, all of you! This is what he's selling for $5000. This one also is on the table, so to speak.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Too Good To Be True?
From: Peace
Date: 16 Nov 06 - 07:25 PM

In that case, buy two, they're small.