[BC] E-Bay tacticts...was FIM 41 still on eBay...

[Mike McCarthy]

When someone says money order or Western Union for big ticket items, that 
is an Alaska sized red flag to me.

I've been watching the auctions for 8753's (among other high dollar test 
gear).  Every once in a while there is a great deal which pops up.  Usually 
from Europe. every so often Canada. I'll offer to fly over and do the deal 
in local funds cash/certified local bank check or use a local traditional 
bank for escrow.  I'll offer to take care of the shipping and customs 
personally and not user their (certified) shipper. I get various comments, 
hesitations and protestations from the sellers. Most telling fact...not a 
single taker to date.

Within 24 hours, the items are usually delisted and the sellers no where to 
be located.  I've filed more than one suspicious auction claim based on our 
exchanges.

MM

At 08:46 AM 5/29/2005 -0700, you wrote:
>Consider how much the price has gone up in the past ten years for the 
>FIM-41.  It's a bit overwhelming.  I'm glad I got mine when I did.
>
>Just for the fun of it I wrote to the fellow who is presently selling the 
>one on eBay.  I asked if he would be willing to sell it through the eBay 
>recommended escrow.  He politely but bluntly refused to do that.
>
>One time there was a fellow selling a "Brand New" Tek 494AP on eBay.  I 
>asked about payment method and he said cash up front in the form of a 
>Western Union money transfer.  That was all he would accept.  I was a bit 
>uncomfortable so I passed on it.  I did however follow the auction and the 
>moment it closed, and it did sell, it disappeared off of eBay with no 
>trace of the auction or of the seller, even in the sellers list.
>
>So far I've never been burned off of eBay but I suppose I'm lucky or 
>overly cautious.
>
>Burt