Let's get proactive about LEGO scams on eBay.

[DoNotInsertIntoMouth]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lego-Star-Wars-Jabbas-Palace-set-9516-/200946280699?pt=Building_Toys_US&hash=item2ec954e8fb

 

Another from the same seller.

 

And more:

 

http://www.ebay.com/sch/monteendunn_toy/m.html?item=200946285104&pt=Building_Toys_US&hash=item2ec954fa30&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2562

[SuperLegoTramp]

It makes no difference if it is a con, he wont get the money anyway since paypal/ebay hold the money till the buyer has left feedback.

[Quacs]

As long as you have a receipt you are fine.

 

PB - I agree that you will be protected from any legal issues, but that doesn't mean the authorities will not seize the merchandise you just bought (if there's ever a case opened which is unusual).  I get that you are likely covered through buyer protection on your credit card (assuming you paid for it this way), but that doesn't make it any less of a hassle if you get dragged through the mud because of someone else's greed.

 

I agree that calling out an alleged scammer may implicate a completely honest dropshipper.  I think that's why an e-mail is sent to the seller asking for an explanation of the listing.  If the listing is legitimate, the seller should be able to provide a reasonable explanation for it.

 

There are costs to dealing with a scam beyond the dollars you may be out, and the consumer eventually pays.  I applaud the efforts of anyone trying to end drop ship scamming, whether it's grass roots or through proper legal channels.  That said, I think PB's caution is logical and coming from a good place: you have to be careful not to turn this into a witch hunt and get legal drop shippers (and sellers for that matter) implicated.

[DoNotInsertIntoMouth]

It makes no difference if it is a con, he wont get the money anyway since paypal/ebay hold the money till the buyer has left feedback.

 

How exactly does it not matter? What if the person that buys it doesn't understand this scam? It always makes a difference.

[DoNotInsertIntoMouth]

PB - I agree that you will be protected from any legal issues, but that doesn't mean the authorities will not seize the merchandise you just bought (if there's ever a case opened which is unusual).  I get that you are likely covered through buyer protection on your credit card (assuming you paid for it this way), but that doesn't make it any less of a hassle if you get dragged through the mud because of someone else's greed.

 

I agree that calling out an alleged scammer may implicate a completely honest dropshipper.  I think that's why an e-mail is sent to the seller asking for an explanation of the listing.  If the listing is legitimate, the seller should be able to provide a reasonable explanation for it.

 

There are costs to dealing with a scam beyond the dollars you may be out, and the consumer eventually pays.  I applaud the efforts of anyone trying to end drop ship scamming, whether it's grass roots or through proper legal channels.  That said, I think PB's caution is logical and coming from a good place: you have to be careful not to turn this into a witch hunt and get legal drop shippers (and sellers for that matter) implicated.

 

I agree with this, which is why I was saying that we only do this for sellers that pretty much fit all the criteria. If their listing has all of these bad factors and I email him and he admits to drop-shipping - nail in the coffin.

 

If they have non of the other factors, I would never ask and never care one way or another. I don't ask everyone, I ask ones before I buy. If you look, I was saying if you are unsure, ask them. If they admit to drop-shipping it, you might want to not take the chance.

 

I wasn't saying that was an admission of a scam, but a helpful way for people to know how to know if its risky

[SuperLegoTramp]

All im saying is the buyer wont lose out, he will get refunded.

 

You have no basis with them listings to report him.

 

Not a crime to have a stock picture(infact ebay encourage this), not a crime to not have a proper discription.

 

I can gaurantee ebay wont pull any of them listing no matter how many reports they get

[stephen_rockefeller]

It makes no difference if it is a con, he wont get the money anyway since paypal/ebay hold the money till the buyer has left feedback.

not true.....if this was true how would anyone ever get paid from people who do not feel its important to leave feedback? Leaving feedback is not required by eBay.

[DoNotInsertIntoMouth]

All im saying is the buyer wont lose out, he will get refunded.

 

You have no basis with them listings to report him.

 

Not a crime to have a stock picture(infact ebay encourage this), not a crime to not have a proper discription.

 

I can gaurantee ebay wont pull any of them listing no matter how many reports they get

 

Have you read any of the stuff on Drop-shipping?

 

The police will see the buyers name on the invoice. It looks like the buyer bought it with the stolen credit card. They come to the buyer and say "we need the stolen merchandise", well after all the Ebay buyer protection and Paypal stuff has run out. They don't care that you lost money.

 

Have you had it happen? - Because I have and it was a pain. I was contacted by the Police and had to clear myself which took weeks. I was still out the money (20 bucks but still).

[DoNotInsertIntoMouth]

not true.....if this was true how would anyone ever get paid from people who do not feel its important to leave feedback? Leaving feedback is not required by eBay.

 

Don't you wish it was required as a seller though? Lol Hate when people don't leave feedback.

[SuperLegoTramp]

its 100% true, new ebayers with zero feedback have the funds holded untill the buyer leaves feedback, if not the funds release after 21 days. its called the "21 day hold" which is soon to be 30 days.

[DoNotInsertIntoMouth]

its 100% true, new ebayers with zero feedback have the funds holded untill the buyer leaves feedback, if not the funds release after 21 days. its called the "21 day hold" which is soon to be 30 days.

 

This actually may be true - I have seen something about this.

 

More importantly though - How does this not hurt you if you buy it, see its a scam, and have to wait to get your money back. You are ok with that?

[stephen_rockefeller]

its 100% true, new ebayers with zero feedback have the funds holded untill the buyer leaves feedback, if not the funds release after 21 days. its called the "21 day hold" which is soon to be 30 days.

so the seller gets his money eventually with no feedback left right? This doesn't matter anyway because most people don't care where the set came from or who paid for it.....they got a smoking deal on a Lego set so they leave positive feedback.

[DoNotInsertIntoMouth]

so the seller gets his money eventually with no feedback left right? This doesn't matter anyway because most people don't care where the set came from or who paid for it.....they got a smoking deal on a Lego set so they leave positive feedback.

 

Which in lies the real shame. I don't understand how people can feel ok with it. I asked my wife and she was like "it doesn't hurt me". Who did I marry? Lol

 

Seriously though, feelings like this are the reason people get away with it so much. If people actually only saw the big picture every once in a while.

[pickleboy]

Hmmm might buy one of those Helm's Deeps...good price.

[Quacs]

Hmmm might buy one of those Helm's Deeps...good price.

 

That's some serious trolling right there...

[pickleboy]

That's some serious trolling right there...

haha yes it is...but I wasn't lying either.

[SuperLegoTramp]

Have you read any of the stuff on Drop-shipping?

 

The police will see the buyers name on the invoice. It looks like the buyer bought it with the stolen credit card. They come to the buyer and say "we need the stolen merchandise", well after all the Ebay buyer protection and Paypal stuff has run out. They don't care that you lost money.

 

Have you had it happen? - Because I have and it was a pain. I was contacted by the Police and had to clear myself which took weeks. I was still out the money (20 bucks but still).

 

I havent been conned per say but i know a drop shipper(type) on ebay uk that lego are investigating right now.

 

He is selling New Lego with stock photos for around 20% less than retail

 

Thing is when i purchased them and i logged in to my Lego account i could see the items i got from the ebay seller. Lego dont know how he was doing it but to Lego it looked like i had purchased them direct from lego.

 

Lego made me a different account and said leave it with them.

 

Here he is

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/all_deal12/m.html?item=271243609750&pt=UK_Construction_Toys_Kits&hash=item3f27610696&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2562

[Fcbarcelona101]

The credit companies and banks don't pay for the money they have to refund the original card owners. We consumers as a whole get the bill in the form of higher fees or less benefits eventually even if you don't notice it.

[SuperLegoTramp]

Forgot to say the 3 sets i brought, a different credit card was used. the said they had banned all 3 cards.

 

The man still sells.

[DoNotInsertIntoMouth]

The credit companies and banks don't pay for the money they have to refund the original card owners. We consumers as a whole get the bill in the form of higher fees or less benefits eventually even if you don't notice it.

 

Absolutely. I don't get who people don't understand this.

[DoNotInsertIntoMouth]

haha yes it is...but I wasn't lying either.

 

If you want to be part of the problem instead of trying to be part of a solution.

[pickleboy]

If you want to be part of the problem instead of trying to be part of a solution.

In reference to the Helm's Deep I was looking at....

You guys have no idea where these sets are coming from...    Low feedback + cheap sets + stock pics do not always equal criminal even if you have NO DOUBT in your mind.   Go ahead and keep playing jr detective.  I've bought a ton of product from ads that look EXACTLY like these. As a matter of fact these looked just like the sellers I started helping.  (Speaking of making the world a better place.)

Maybe they are in a spot and need some $$$ for their sets...the fact of the matter is you have no idea.   Maybe they don't have a camera...maybe they thought by putting up a stock photo they were giving a better photo than they could take.   You might be right they might have stolen the sets or they might be using someone's card but they might just need the $$ and aren't very good with ebay.  You can't say for certain...even if you THINK you can. 

Are they doing it wrong, yeah.  Does that make them criminals, no.  Could they be a criminal, yes.  Could they just be someone who needs to unload their sets quickly and isn't ebay savy, yes. Does that mean you should report them, that's up to you.

I also had to charge less for my first few sales.

 

Edit  And I certainly wouldn't be part of the problem by buying from someone the BP community does not approve of.

[DoNotInsertIntoMouth]

In reference to the Helm's Deep I was looking at....

You guys have no idea where these sets are coming from...    Low feedback + cheap sets + stock pics do not always equal criminal even if you have NO DOUBT in your mind.   Go ahead and keep playing jr detective.  I've bought a ton of product from ads that look EXACTLY like these. As a matter of fact these looked just like the sellers I started helping.  (Speaking of making the world a better place.)

Maybe they are in a spot and need some $$$ for their sets...the fact of the matter is you have no idea.   Maybe they don't have a camera...maybe they thought by putting up a stock photo they were giving a better photo than they could take.   You might be right they might have stolen the sets or they might be using someone's card but they might just need the $$ and aren't very good with ebay.  You can't say for certain...even if you THINK you can. 

Are they doing it wrong, yeah.  Does that make them criminals, no.  Could they be a criminal, yes.  Could they just be someone who needs to unload their sets quickly and isn't ebay savy, yes. Does that mean you should report them, that's up to you.

I also had to charge less for my first few sales.

 

Edit  And I certainly wouldn't be part of the problem by buying from someone the BP community does not approve of.

 

 

We aren't playing Jr. detective, we are trying to help something. If you don't want to be a part of it, leave the thread. It wasn't called "let's argue over whether it will help anything".

 

Your views on this are why things have gotten this way. You think we are being immature by acting as "Jr. detectives"? You are being immature by acting as if this doesn't affect you.

[Fcbarcelona101]

Also, I believe reporting a listing only results in eBay taking a closer look, so it's not really hurting anybody unless eBay decides there is something wrong going on.

[DoNotInsertIntoMouth]

Also, I believe reporting a listing only results in eBay taking a closer look, so it's not really hurting anybody unless eBay decides there is something wrong going on.

Another plus 1. On a serious role my friend.