Misleading eBay auctions

btw1217

btw1217

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http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=4602&item=5143349713&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

I've seen this guy sell these for hundreds of dollars and then make a new account three times because of the bad feedback he recieved. I feel bad for the people that fall for this, but at the same time I don't, because they're stupid enough to not read the description. I can see both sides of the argument. Sure, the seller says that the auction is for "information" (It's just a link. He changed it because eBay has a no link selling policy.) to buy an iBook, but everything else is intentionally put to mislead the buyer. Even the item description is misleading. His "this is information for an iBook" section is even a slightly smaller font. I dunno... Technically it's legal I suppose, other than the misleading title which is against eBay policy, but it just seems unethical. I couldn't find it in myself to rip people off like that. What do you guys think?
 
What an ass! He goes on and on about how you will get the ibook than in small print says the auction is just for info. Even the subject line is misleading. He neds to be socked.
 
[quote name='basketkase543']Is there any way to screw this guy over?[/quote]

Use another account, and bid it up to $1000 and then leave negative feedback right away.
 
Clearly this is misleading. EBay should make a separate category for information, and not allow information sellers to post in the item's category. Reminds me of the DS guys - one who sold info. for $230+ by misleading, and another guy who did not mislead, and clearly stated he could send you info. to get a DS for the bargain price of $150. He got over $20 for that.
 
[quote name='rebenns']Clearly this is misleading. EBay should make a separate category for information, and not allow information sellers to post in the item's category. Reminds me of the DS guys - one who sold info. for $230+ by misleading, and another guy who did not mislead, and clearly stated he could send you info. to get a DS for the bargain price of $150. He got over $20 for that.[/quote]

ha ha ha a DS for $150!!!

He probaly sent them a link to BB or CC.
 
I've already reported him to eBay, but they're so slow with these things that I don't know if they'll shut it down in time to prevent him from getting any money.
 
So this is the same old how to get a PS2, Xbox or some game for peanuts scam and again ebay hasn't done much about it. I wonder if its true that a sucker is born every minute or if one day ebay will run out of them.
 
Someone posted on a similar thread to this that there is a category for informational auctions. I'd think that, plus the obvious intent to mislead in this aucion, would be enough for a PayPal chargeback, but I've heard they are tough to deal with on 'quality of goods' disputes. If the payment is funded by CC it would certainly be enough to do the CC chargeback.

I'm guessing there are a portion of his victims that are either too stupid or timid to do a chargeback and it makes it a worthwhile thing for this asshat to pull.

I just asked him "Will I be receiving the iBook pictured in your auction?" Just for grins and to see how he replies.
 
[quote name='zionoverfire']So this is the same old how to get a PS2, Xbox or some game for peanuts scam and again ebay hasn't done much about it. I wonder if its true that a sucker is born every minute or if one day ebay will run out of them.[/quote]

Man, it's the same old crap! :evil: I'd like to flog every frauding seller with a rubber hose.

It's true, a sucker is born every minute, and eventually they find their way to eBay! Must... read... auctions... close..ly.
 
[quote name='crickett003'][quote name='zionoverfire']So this is the same old how to get a PS2, Xbox or some game for peanuts scam and again ebay hasn't done much about it. I wonder if its true that a sucker is born every minute or if one day ebay will run out of them.[/quote]

Man, it's the same old crap! :evil: I'd like to flog every frauding seller with a rubber hose.

It's true, a sucker is born every minute, and eventually they find their way to eBay! Must... read... auctions... close..ly.[/quote]

My favorite is GTA SA right now, I've got a copy up on ebay and there are like 20 GTA SA auctions that are the cheat codes all right in a row and the scarry thing is that people bid those up to $15. :roll:
 
Cool, the dude got back to me. Said that yes I would receive the same iBook pictured in the auction but to keep in mind I am bidding on a link where I can buy it for 20 pounds.

So I responded with "So you are selling that exact iBook on another site for 20 pounds? Why don't you just add 20 pounds to the shipping cost and cut out the middle step?"

Hmm, I should have asked him if the 20 pounds on the other site includes the S&H or if he has a jacked up shipping cost on this other site, as I don't want to be scammed ;)
 
What an asshole. If he worded it differently I wouldn't have a problem with what he was doing but this is crazy. Also, those are some dumbass bidders because (1) all you really have to do is read the auction and you will know not to bid and (2) a new iBook for $60 is too good to be true.
 
I don't know...maybe I just don't get it but something about these words tips me off that I am buying information only:

"However always be aware that you are not bidding on the actual iBook in this auction, but information to obtain your iBook for a small insertion fee of £20. No refunds will be given once information has been sent, and no refunds will be given for any mis understanding arising from this auction."

The print isn't all that small either, just smaller than the rest of it. Besides the title, I don't think this auction is all that misleading. It's your own dumbass fault if you don't read the auction description. Did he change the description since this was posted. If not, I don't see what the problem is.
 
[quote name='chickenhawk']I don't know...maybe I just don't get it but something about these words tips me off that I am buying information only:

"However always be aware that you are not bidding on the actual iBook in this auction, but information to obtain your iBook for a small insertion fee of £20. No refunds will be given once information has been sent, and no refunds will be given for any mis understanding arising from this auction."

The print isn't all that small either, just smaller than the rest of it. Besides the title, I don't think this auction is all that misleading. It's your own dumbass fault if you don't read the auction description. Did he change the description since this was posted. If not, I don't see what the problem is.[/quote]

I think the problem comes in the fact that he doesn't explicity mention that you are purchasing info until the middle of the page, AFTER he has talked about how great it is and how you will get the one pictured. That definately sounds misleading to me.
 
The problem I have with it is the fact that the seller is definitely trying to scam someone. Even though he states (in a non-obvious place) that it is for info, taking the listing as a whole it is materially misleading. A reasonable buyer would want to know that he is bidding on information and not the actual item pictured.
 
Part of the problem is the folks that are gullible as well. Ebay could help by sending out an email talking about these auctions to alert people or maybe requiring all new members to complete a tutorial that has examples of these and other scams. But I don't see them doing that.
 
Or maybe Ebay should require account holders to have ISP mail addresses. Anybody who sends money to or deals with someone with only a Hotmail address is an idiot.
 
Bottom line is that it's a rip off and gives us positive "Ebayers" a bad name. I emailed him about 25 times asking him if he knew he was ripping people off.
 
[quote name='javeryh']The problem I have with it is the fact that the seller is definitely trying to scam someone. Even though he states (in a non-obvious place) that it is for info, taking the listing as a whole it is materially misleading. A reasonable buyer would want to know that he is bidding on information and not the actual item pictured.[/quote]

If a semi-intelligent person were to read that auction in full, they would not bid on it (unless they wanted just the information). I'm not going to suggest that the auction isn't trying to scam people or is done with 100%integrity, I just don't see how people can't figure out that they are bidding on information. This guy is feeding on people who don't take the time to inform themselves on what they are buying. I think it's stated quite clearly that it is information only and a reasonable buyer would figure that out. If you read the auction in full you get all the information. If you get all excited after reading 1 sentence and bid without reading the rest, it's your own damn fault.
 
[quote name='mmercer131']Bottom line is that it's a rip off and gives us positive "Ebayers" a bad name. I emailed him about 25 times asking him if he knew he was ripping people off.[/quote]

Exactly. I think most of your peoople falling for this junk are going to be first time eBayers. Guess what, they just became one time only eBayers. Hurts all honest sellers.
 
[quote name='wubb'][quote name='mmercer131']Bottom line is that it's a rip off and gives us positive "Ebayers" a bad name. I emailed him about 25 times asking him if he knew he was ripping people off.[/quote]

Exactly. I think most of your peoople falling for this junk are going to be first time eBayers. Guess what, they just became one time only eBayers. Hurts all honest sellers.[/quote]

Or even worse makes these buyers feel that EBAY owes them one and tries to scam the seller of the next auction they win, by pulling an old favorite like the box came but it was empty trick.
 
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