Jump to content
🇩🇪 Neu: Leica SL3 Reporter ×
🇺🇸🇬🇧 New: Leica SL3 Reporter ×

Ebay Noctilux scam {MERGED}

zombii

By zombii
in Leica M Lenses

Recommended Posts

  • Replies 126
  • Created
  • Last Reply
zombii

zombii

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Yes, a forum member does own this lens. Ebay asked me to ask him to report it to Ebay which I did. I don't know if he ever reported it though. As for Ebay taking the listing down, they don't seem to be in any hurry to do that as long as there isn't something in the listing about performing the transaction outside of Ebay. Considering how much it costs them to refund the money and then try to go after the seller, you'd think they'd move more quickly. However, that's their problem. What is more disturbing to me is how many people have been scammed when it could have been so easily avoided by not releasing the funds until at least three days after the item was delivered.

Link to post
Share on other sites
wlaidlaw

wlaidlaw

Posted
Posted
Yes, a forum member does own this lens. Ebay asked me to ask him to report it to Ebay which I did. I don't know if he ever reported it though. As for Ebay taking the listing down, they don't seem to be in any hurry to do that as long as there isn't something in the listing about performing the transaction outside of Ebay. Considering how much it costs them to refund the money and then try to go after the seller, you'd think they'd move more quickly. However, that's their problem. What is more disturbing to me is how many people have been scammed when it could have been so easily avoided by not releasing the funds until at least three days after the item was delivered.

 

There used to be a system called Paypal cheque, where the funds were held until the goods had arrived and had been checked by the buyer. If there was a problem, it had to go to arbitration. I sold some expensive Dynaudio loudspeakers in France and the buyer used this system. It all worked perfectly in the end and the buyer and I have ended up becoming friends.

 

Wilson

Link to post
Share on other sites
wlaidlaw

wlaidlaw

Posted
Posted
The listing is still up. The fact that eBay have not yet responded to several reports is both amazing and enlightening.

 

Incredibly stupid, since eBay will be picking up the bill as well. Still they can afford it with the extent to which they have jacked up their fees. With Paypal and posting fees it now costs about 12% to sell a reasonably expensive item.

 

Wilson

Link to post
Share on other sites
  • 4 weeks later...
dlc43

dlc43

Posted
Posted

Suffering from GAS after receiving my new M 240, to complete the package, I sought to buy a Noctilux 0.95 on EBay. When I spied one at an attractive price on EBay, a Buy It Now for “only” $7,200, after quickly appraising the Seller, located in France, I jumped. Seller’s feedback was 100% positive, his write up convincing. After pressing the PayPal buttons, triumph!

 

Hours later, of course, I developed Buyer’s Remorse and second thoughts. I returned to the listing for further analysis. I discovered to my horror, that drilling deeper into the Seller’s previous sales that were all 100% positive, that of the 11 or so sales listed, well more than half were for items priced at about $1.50, and the rest were for “Private Sales,” whatever that means. I also noticed that the Seller had joined EBay just 2 days before the lens was first listed. Uh Oh! Now, I smelled a rat.

 

It was now in the wee hours of the morning, so I had to wait until later to attempt to cancel the sale for obvious reasons of major distrust. No sleep for me. I contacted EBay’s Resolution Center and sent emails to the Seller. The pressure appeared to work, and he fairly soon backed down and agreed to cancel the sale and refund the money. Relief!

 

However, as far as I know that has not yet happened, the funds did not clear his bank. I had to spend a lot of time with EBay, PayPal and American Express to unwind this thing. What a hassle! But I give credit to them all because the situation was accepted for what it was and resolved in my favor.

 

About a week later, I was notified of new listings for the Noctilux and lo and behold, basically the same listing was up, noted as Sold, but under another Seller’s name and location in FRANCE. I suspect another victim swallowed the same bait I fell for.

 

Beware of a cleverly priced listing that’s high enough to seem serious, low enough to be a bargain, for a high-priced niche item, a write up that’s a bit thin (in retrospect), and be sure to delve more deeply into the Seller’s details, though EBay doesn’t make that particularly easy to do.

 

I wish I could say I learned all the necessary lessons—but days later, I tried for another Noctilux, encountered a more credible listing—and that turned out to be a scam too! Don’t ask how that went (but I think I’m OK with that one too).

 

It ain’t safe out there in EBayland. These scammers don’t quit. They know their targets. They come back with new disguises. For now, watch out for French bearing gifts!

Link to post
Share on other sites
Bill W

Bill W

Posted
Posted
It's such an attractive price I might buy it twice. Just to stir the pot, I might ask if I can come and look at it :)

 

Wilson

Tell them you have the cash and would like to personally inspect it. It was rumored to have excellent autofocus...:confused:

Link to post
Share on other sites
wlaidlaw

wlaidlaw

Posted
Posted

Actually I just checked again just now and it's gone, either "sold" to some poor fool or taken down. It was certainly there again a couple of days ago, with a different French seller but the same serial number.

 

Wilson

Link to post
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...