http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tem=1380214969

Now, at first glance it looks interesting, upon further examination it looks fraudulent. This morning I sent e-mail to both the seller and the one person who left feedback.
Here is what I got back from the feedback guy (he was bidding on one of the digital cameras being sold the same way):
"It was my mistake to buy it and he was very nice to let me back out of the auction without paying any auction fees. That's all."
On the one hand, I figure what do I have to lose? $30, on the other hand, the seller has had the ID for less than 30 days, has only one feedback and the deal seems too good to be true. Now, I can understand about loss leaders, about promotional giveaways etc., but one wonders why there is 93 available of so many of the items and why the auction only runs for 3 days and how this guy ended up with all this stuff that he can sell for $30 and he's making a profit and the parent companies are hoping to make a bigger profit by you buying other stuff. I don't know.

Anyway, any thoughts including that I'm an idiot are appretiated.

Dan

 

You're an idiot.















(just kidding )

 

That red portion is what I'd worry about. Those accessories might be the face for the stereo, or the plug for the wiring, or the power button. You know, something you need to make the unit work, and will cost you $100 or more to buy.

I don't know. I'd be very sceptical, but that's just me. I've been burnt MANY times from crap like this. Live and learn I guess.

 

if i remember correctly that model # for that alpine seems to be a very old model...like maybe 99 model( ill have to check it out and ill get back to you guys asap.. but im pretty sure it isnt brand new..it may even be a referb..

iroc2nv

 

Naw, the model is in the latest Crutchfield catalog. I may be an idiot but I'm withholding judgement until I either hear from the seller, or decide to throw caution to the wind and take a chance. EBAY fraud protection has a $25 processing fee, so I really only stand to lose that much. Yes, I noticed that part in #7 as well, though it does say that what you get is just like what you'd get at the store, and I don't think you can buy without a faceplate.

Dan

 

Dude, that sounds like a fraud to me....

Keep in mind......$30 for a BRAND NEW CD player???

As another memeber said those Required Accressories might be the face that will cost you $150-200, they can legally do that if they tell you before hand and you purchase it knowing it...

I would say let this one pass you until you learn more from other buyers........It's the smart thing to do.......

 

Now, I noticed that all the items were put up on the same day and come off on the same day, but he just added a thinkpad for $30.

Now, please don't misunderstand, I'm not cluelessly unaware of the relative pricing etc. What this sounds most like is the timeshare come-on. Namely, come listen to our pitch, stay at our place, and you could win a car, but at least you won a TV. Well the TV turns out to be a 9" BW Samsung and cost the place $5.
The page says "...BRAND NEW and in original packaging." and "The item(s) you receive will be exactly the same as what you would receive if you purchased them at a local store." I don't think you can purchase a CD player in the original packaging at a local store without a faceplate.

So, I appretiate all the input, and I'm taking a wait and see attitude. I might risk the $30, and I might not.

Dan

 

either way, let us know what happens.

Brian

 

I got ****ed out of 29 bucks on ebay and there fraud department wont do jack unless its over $75 or 100 or some stupid crap.
The only 'good' thing they do is give you all guys information phone address the whole deal. Wheather or not its his address phone name etc is another story.

 

Holy **** look at his "other auctions"
everythings $30 it seems like a big time fraud

LIMITED TIME OFFER EXTREMELY LIMITED SUPPLY
OF BRAND NEW PLAYSTATION 2s

THIS AUCTION ONLY $30.00 ONLY 93 AVAILABLE

I would contact ebay about this guy!

 

i think im gonna try it, i'll let you know how everything goes!

 

Yup that's a fraud.........

 

Lol - Ebay sure has its fair share.
Some time ago there was a seller selling amps for $50 - and charging $500 for shipping. I guess he was trying to avoid the charges ebay would impose on sale with higher $ value.
Lol - is all i can do!!!

 

ya its a fraud, my friend bought one, then requested the user info right away and tried to call the guy, but it was a dead number, but if you go check his feedback it shoes he's ID verified

 

Well, I jumped in with both feet there are three different names involved two with the same last name. The only address is outdated and when I got called the number, the guy who answered said that person number 1 no longer lived there and that he'd been getting a lot of ebay calls. The person who grabbed the paypal funds was name number 3. However he did answer my negative feedback with a restatement that it isn't a scam and that there is more than one person involved and everything is done via e-mail (AOL acct) which I've had no success using to contact him. He's got my name address and number if he wants to get in touch with me. I'm disputing with paypal, ebay and my CC company. I don't care if I get my money back or the stuff he's selling, just as long as I get one or the other. I WAS STUPID AND GREEDY. Let that be a lesson to ya. I did talk to someone else who said that they got an invoice from them. So, we'll see.

Dan

 

I don't know whether it's a scam or not, but I got my money back from Paypal so I'm happy and now I'll just save up and buy a nice Alpine CD player from someone reputable. Homer, I done think I learnt my lesson.

Dan

 

looks like he's not a registered user anymore....

 

Ebay is evil dude. Unless someone had alot of positive feedback and the product comes unopened with a warranty, dont do it. I bought a clarion deck once for $50 (****s and giggles) that was in 'perfect working condition' and it arrived broken. I assumed it would be messed up, but hopefully still better than the POS alpine from 1985 that was in my 90RS at the time. After I fixed it, it worked for about 3 months but then it started crapping out on me. I punched it a couple times and then it started to work again but I had punched some of the buttons into the deck and they no longer worked. Hehehhehe

 

definatly dont trust ebay sellers unless they have a good history, i was looking around for a nice orion competition amp, i found one at 30 bucks less than they usually go for on ebay (i looked for about 2 months) so i figured go with it, 380 bucks for an amazing amp that usually sold for 400-450, didnt sound like a scam or anyhing, so mailed him 400 bucks, 20 for shipping, waited... waited... check the aucion, his raiting went from 0 to -2... he ripped me and about 5 other people off in the same week... then i spent the next 90 days running to the post office, getting the copy of the money order and all that, mailed it to ebay.... i missed the 90 day cut off by 2 days.... so there was 400 down the drain... i knew i shouda spent that 400 on engine parts....

 

I got an e-mail late last night from PutAnything101 telling me it was a legitimate offer and that I ruined it and that I'm an idiot. !@$%@& but I wanted it to be true. I'd have had about $4000-$5000 worth of stuff for $120 Now, I do see some folks that sell stereo equip with thousands of positive feedbacks giving a little better deal than someplace like mmxpress or bsless, who knows I may try again some day.

Dan

 

My brother has bought a lot of stuff off of ebay. Anytime I buy something off of there I find myself starting to hold my breath. I will only buy from sellers with a whole bunch of positive feedback. I'm through buying audio equipment off of ebay though after hearing stories like this. It is always tempting though when you see stuff for half the price of a local shop.

 

[I don't think you can purchase a CD player in the original packaging at a local store without a faceplate.



[/B][/QUOTE]

Actually, Autozone had a line of car stereo's for awhile that you had to purchase the faceplate seperately because the plates came in different colors, and you could pick and choose.

 

Here's a nice story some of you might be interested in.

http://www.msnbc.com/news/790212.asp?cp1=1

It's about a 15 yr. old kid that made $5000 scamming people on Ebay and Yahoo.com

 

I would never buy possibly used car equipment online... how hard would it be for some loser to blow his subs or speakers right after installing them and then go sell them as new... Theres so many ways to get screwed and not to many ways to make buying possibly used stuff online worth it IMO.

 

Well, buying used is definately rolling the dice. I've done it about six times and twice it's been sketchy. I've walked away with a great amp, a sweet set of components, and a couple of expensive paperweights. Sometimes it's hard to say no to the chance of a great deal, and what can I say? I'm a gambling man

But buying from onlines stores, so far the success rate has been perfect in about eight auctions, twice with one store. That's not to say that they're entirely honest all of the time, but condition and functionality has been impeccable.

So I wouldn't rule out Ebay as a place to pick up some decent stuff. I will say this, though: Know your enemy

 

Ive bought a lot of stuff on ebay you just have to use your head when your buying stuff. Check there feedback,If they dont have alot i kind of get worried also email them i get alot of stupid answer form sellers and the last if the deal is TO GOOD its most likely not a good deal.

 

Ebay isn't all bad, and I think I learned something in the process. Now, I've bought a used Pioneer cd player $41 including shipping from someone with 700+ positives. Should have it before the end of the week.

Dan