shawn_low Posted January 17, 2013 Share Posted January 17, 2013 There have, and always will be, scammers out to get your money. It could be that cheap 10188 Death Star on eBay going for $199 BIN or a $500 10179 Falcon on Craigslist. Perhaps we could have a 'sticky' thread where we post scammer or suspicious listings so buyers and Brickpickers can be alerted? Also note that if you find a fraudulent listing on eBay, you can email ebay. There's a 'report seller' link on the Seller's bio page. Ebay are generally quick to respond to such emails and pulls down listings quick. Having said that, here's a story that I posted in another thread but thought it might be apt to post it here. And why do people do such things for a couple of hundred bucks?! Also, another recent scam I did't fall for via a FACE to FACE deal on Gumtree. Sometime late last year, a seller posted on Gumtree selling a couple of Lego sets. Death Star, Super Star Destroyer, Cars, City Mine. I emailed and seller (never gave me a name or a number) said he/she would only ship via courier COD. I asked for a pick-up and he/she said they work 80 hours a week and am not home for pick up. Prices were reasonable and it seemed safe enough via courier. After a few weeks, we finally arranged for a delivery. I ordered the Death Star 10188 for $420. Same price as Amazon shipped but figured it was local so... This morning, a guy turns up. Says he's from Couriers Plus and shows some dodgy paperwork (no seller name or address). The company delivery sheet had no contact number. Only a business name and address. So courier was paid and walks off. I lift the box and it feels too light. Opened it up and it was the Cars and City Mine set. Worth $150 but I gave the courier $420. Chased after the courier (he parked round the corner and drove a Holden not a van) and he umm and ahhed and said I already signed for it. I refused to let it go and said it labelled as Star Wars but I didn't receive it. He couldn't give me the sellers name for 'privacy reasons'. Fair enough. He tried to call the 'depot' but couldn't get through. Throughout, he said various things that contradicted each other (Oh I'm in a rush, have other deliveries to make. Then later on, he said, Oh, this is my last delivery for the morning). In the end, I refused the delivery and insisted on my money back. Courier gave it back and went off. I did a Google search on the company and found no telephone number and only an ABN and a business address (at a residence: 7 Lucerne St, Campbellfield, Vic 3061). I emailed the seller who said that it was a mix up and my Death Star was shipped to the wrong address and it was the courier's fault and the other receiving party doesn't want to own up etc. He/she was out of pocket. Despite me asking for him/her to call me throughout, there was no phone call. Haven't heard back from the seller since. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmpkcp Posted January 17, 2013 Share Posted January 17, 2013 If a thread like that is made, sooner or later someone will accuse a legitimate seller of being a scammer and the dookie will hit the fan. Not wise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shawn_low Posted January 17, 2013 Author Share Posted January 17, 2013 How about 'buyer beware' instead of 'scammer'? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmpkcp Posted January 17, 2013 Share Posted January 17, 2013 Anything that scared away a seller's business could spell trouble. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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