Hmmm... suspicious Ebay auctions

Tornadoboy

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Recently there's been a flood of cheap and supposedly untested PCB boards posted on Ebay by two different but suspiciously simular user accounts, here's some examples:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260647353183&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110569714552&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

Coincidentally they're both from the same town, Waxhaw NC, both have little to no history, are asking for the same opening bids and shipping costs. Why open two different accounts? Think somebody is setting people up to be ripped off here?
 
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Damn, that is suspicious. And double damn, I'm the high bidder on the Omega board. Well, if I win, we shall see if it's a scam. :D
 
Damn, that is suspicious. And double damn, I'm the high bidder on the Omega board. Well, if I win, we shall see if it's a scam. :D

Yeah I've got my eyes on a couple of boards too, but I'm reluctant to bid. I don't have links but it seems to me both accounts posted simularly mis-spelled Lethal Enforers PCB ads, like "Leathal Enforcers" or something.
 
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both plausible stories. scenario: uncle had the business but got foreclosed (maybe he passed away) and left a s*&^load of stuff in a warehouse, and stuff at home as well. nephew cleans up the garage, maybe the executor is cleaning up the warehouse before the mortgagee sells the warehouse buildings. nephew, executor may or may not be one and the same person.

if a klover lives nearby, maybe they could check out the location see if it really had a local operator!
 
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Suspicious, perhaps. But ripoff artists usually play on greed and try to make you think you're getting a steal or that that they are ignorant of value. These started at $1 and contained a pretty clear disclaimer;

" all items are sold as is untested, buyer agrees no returns and no refunds period! all items are wrapped already please dont ask for more pictures, i dont know what works or not or if parts are missing this is a AS IS auctions!"
 
Suspicious, perhaps. But ripoff artists usually play on greed and try to make you think you're getting a steal or that that they are ignorant of value. These started at $1 and contained a pretty clear disclaimer;

" all items are sold as is untested, buyer agrees no returns and no refunds period! all items are wrapped already please dont ask for more pictures, i dont know what works or not or if parts are missing this is a AS IS auctions!"

True, it may be as simple as he/she is afraid someone like an ex-spouse might find out about the extra cash but otherwise has every intention of being honest with the buyers, I may chance a bid. But why TWO accounts? Doesn't make sense either way to me unless it's simple coincidence by two different people whom happened upon the same pile simutaniously, or something crooked of which purpose I simply haven't thought of yet.
 
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But why TWO accounts? Doesn't make sense either way to me unless it's simple coincidence by two different people whom happened upon the same pile simutaniously, or something crooked of which purpose I simply haven't thought of yet.

Both share very similar descriptions and shipping rates, clearly the same author. But one refers to his uncle that was an op, the other simply an operator. The have very similar offerings, but different boards selections. Quite different in style (mostly 80s vs mostly 90's), and one has many unknown boards, the other has almost none. I'm betting they split the find (based on familiarity would be my guess) and are working in tandem to get 'em sold off.

But, take my advice and put 50c with it and you'll have 50c....
 
Both share very similar descriptions and shipping rates, clearly the same author. But one refers to his uncle that was an op, the other simply an operator. The have very similar offerings, but different boards selections. Quite different in style (mostly 80s vs mostly 90's), and one has many unknown boards, the other has almost none. I'm betting they split the find (based on familiarity would be my guess) and are working in tandem to get 'em sold off.

But, take my advice and put 50c with it and you'll have 50c....

I'm guessing shenanigans!
 
You know what? upon looking at the pics and zooming in a bit,it is the same guy. What are the odds that the floor he is taking the pics on are exactly the same?
 
Ok, here is the reason for 2 accounts. Notice that all opening bids are for .99 cents?
eBay now allows you to list 100 auctions free (no listing fee) each month as long as the opening bid is under a dollar. Hes using 2 accounts to keep from paying listing fees on half of them
 
Ok, here is the reason for 2 accounts. Notice that all opening bids are for .99 cents?
eBay now allows you to list 100 auctions free (no listing fee) each month as long as the opening bid is under a dollar. Hes using 2 accounts to keep from paying listing fees on half of them

Aaahhh, now it seems to make a bit more sense!
 
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Damn, that is suspicious. And double damn, I'm the high bidder on the Omega board. Well, if I win, we shall see if it's a scam. :D

You did see the OR daughterboard right? Just thought it was odd than the main board had more bidders than the daughter card.
 
You did see the OR daughterboard right? Just thought it was odd than the main board had more bidders than the daughter card.

Yeah, but anyone that fixes OR boards, has a metric shit load of working daughter boards. Those are almost always good, even when the main board is trashed. :D
 
I learn something here every day! Just making sure in case the bidder was as green as myself.
 
Thought I would update this thread;

I received my 99c Golden Tee board via Priority Mail, and in a timely fashion. The packing left a bit to be desired as they only used a few wraps of bubble around the board and some newspaper for end cushioning before putting it into a PM flat box. It arrived with only a few bent jumper pins that could have been bent before it shipped. To be fair I only paid 99c for the board and I'm pretty anal about packing my stuff.

The board itself was advertised as an untested Golden Tee 98 with a disclaimer in the body that said basically; "You are getting what's in the picture, so look at it before you bid". What arrived was a Golden Tee 3D board (1995) with a tag attached that said "Golden Tee 98-?" on it. Despite the incorrect listing title, the attached tag was pictured in the auction, with the marking "Golden Tee 98-?" clearly visible.

The board itself powered up with no picture/video garbage. That was corrected with a few dip switch settings and it booted into the operator menu. There are some glitches that I will have to work out, but it's a pleasant surprise for an untested board. Bottom line, the seller is actually shipping untested merchandise and not known dead junk labeled as "untested".

All in all, I would say that my experience with the seller was good. Despite only getting 99c for the board, he honored the auction and shipped a product that was described accurately based on his information. I would use him again without hesitation, but if the board were expensive or rare I would discuss packing before bidding/shipping.

HTH
 
I'll chime in here, I received my sega turbo board today in the mail, and it was packed pretty well, bubble wrap, newspaper, and packing peanuts. Havent had a chance to fire it up yet, but I will try tomorrow. Im pretty pleased with the overall transaction.
 
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