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eBay Warning

20 Apr 02 - 01:58 PM (#694436)
Subject: Ebay Warning
From: oombanjo

Warning to all Mudcat members. A month or so ago I purchased a melodion (3 row)for a retired friend. The purchase started on Ebay, as the price did not reach the reserve. I contacted the dealer for the reserve price, a deal was struck,the item was listed (with photoes)as a perfect top class melodion with fine woods and inlays, no problems with bellows and reeds.I asked what keys it was in and received (dont know)As the person's I was dealing with were advertised as (TOM & JUDE EMANUELE) I should have enquired further,but unfortunatley did not. when the melodion arrived The fine wood was orange box covered with a transfere the inlays were transfere the reeds and bellows were stuffed. Although I have tryed to contact T& Jto get in touch with my friend all I get is a terse reply. SO MUTCATTERS BEWARE OF TOM &JUDE Ebay name judde


20 Apr 02 - 02:31 PM (#694448)
Subject: RE: Ebay Warning
From: katlaughing

Sorry to hear about that and thanks for the warning. I see that "judde" has no feedback points, at all. That's one thing I always check, buying and selling, on eBay. You could certainly be the first one to leave negative feedback about them, but if I understand you rightly, you bought this post-auction, so you mgiht not be able to.

I have a friend who makes a good share of his income on ebay. I sent him your warning and he sent the following advice:

The recourse that a lot of people don't think of is this. Go to the post office and inquire about filing a mail fraud charge. Anything transacted through the mail is open to this. Because of the nature of people having each other's address Postal Inspectors have the highest conviction rate of any federal law enforcement agency.

When I mentioned I thought this happened in the UK, he said you might have even sterner measures over there.

Good luck to you from my friend and me,

kat


20 Apr 02 - 08:31 PM (#694583)
Subject: RE: Ebay Warning
From: Lonesome EJ

Sorry to hear it, oombanjo. I have had good luck both with selling a Takamini electric and buying a Les Paul on E-bay, but feedback on both seller and buyer was positive in those cases.


20 Apr 02 - 08:43 PM (#694585)
Subject: RE: Ebay Warning
From: Amergin

I go with katdarling....inform your local post office...


20 Apr 02 - 10:27 PM (#694635)
Subject: RE: Ebay Warning
From: Troll

As a retired USPS employee, I agree with katherself. The Postal Inspectors do a real bang-up job on mail fraud. I am pretty sure that Her Majesties Mail operates in much the same fashion.
Sic 'em, boys!

troll


20 Apr 02 - 10:29 PM (#694636)
Subject: RE: Ebay Warning
From: 53

Hmmmmnnnn, I sure will keep my guard up, thanks for the warning> Bob


21 Apr 02 - 05:31 AM (#694760)
Subject: RE: Ebay Warning
From: oombanjo

Thanks for the replies and the advice I will talk to Eric and see if he wants to continue, or count it as a bad experience


21 Apr 02 - 07:10 AM (#694782)
Subject: RE: Ebay Warning
From: Les from Hull

We don't have mail fraud legislation (as far as I know) but you should certainly contact the Council's Consumer Protection people.


21 Apr 02 - 11:02 PM (#695298)
Subject: RE: Ebay Warning
From: GutBucketeer

Another caution. If the purchase is not the result of a final bid on e-bay, e-bay takes no responsibility. The threat of bringing in e-bay on a bait and switch for a banjo was what actually got my money back. However, it was due to a high bid on an e-bay auction. If that doesn't occur then as far as e-bay is concerned no transaction took place and all of their security measures and safegaurds do not apply.

The moral of the story is don't go outside of e-bay for any transactions without many many more ways to keep your money safe. This applies to both buyers and sellers.

JAB


22 Apr 02 - 07:04 PM (#696011)
Subject: RE: Ebay Warning
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull

oombanjo-The offence commited was deception, it may be worth involving the police, but going by Humberside Police clear up rates I would not hold your breath.
Let me know who did this (I know some very dangerous people).john


23 Apr 02 - 04:13 PM (#696776)
Subject: RE: Ebay Warning
From: oombanjo

Thanks John but America is a long way to go for a pound of flesh. I called on Eric today he is gutted but will not pursue the matter.


23 Apr 02 - 04:14 PM (#696777)
Subject: RE: Ebay Warning
From: oombanjo

Thanks John but America is a long way to go for a pound of flesh. I called on Eric today he is gutted but will not pursue the matter.