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Posted: Sun Oct 02, 2005 4:40 pm
by jps
I hope it's not a case of too good to be true, I kind of wondered also about the one small pic in the auction. Keep me up to date on this one!

Posted: Sun Oct 02, 2005 5:05 pm
by incubus2432
"Time for bed" update....

Still no pics or info on location and I just received an email from Ebay requesting payment again....not sure if those are automated or triggered by the seller.

Not very good communication for someone anxious to sell a bass. A few things are giving me a bad vibe about this one now but it could just be my pessimistic nature and my tendency to always smell a scam (whether it is or not).

Maybe I'll be proven wrong and feel like an idiot later but unless I get some good info tomorrow I'm out regardless. I'd rather take a feedback hit on Ebay than send off $3K on a deal I am less than comfortable with.

I'll keep ya'll posted!

Posted: Sun Oct 02, 2005 5:36 pm
by gearhed289
"Few insignificant belt buckle scratches on the back."

ANY scratch on an investment piece like this is significant. That and no certificate would have me worried. Wait for pics! Good luck.

Posted: Mon Oct 03, 2005 12:26 am
by marc61
Brian, the guys in Montana. Go to advanced search and get his contact info. I would call him. He may have doubts about you. Looks like the biggest transaction he's ever done and he's not a seller.

Posted: Mon Oct 03, 2005 5:03 am
by incubus2432
Actually I am not waiting for pics to see the condition....simply to prove that it exists and that it is in the possession of the seller. That one pic could easily be lifted from elsewhere so I asked for something specific. I agreed to purchase it based on the auction description/pic so I am willing to live with my impulse buy if the scratches are worse than described....that is the price of jumping on a BIN. Not having a certificate doesn't worry me at all.....it would be nice but for $3k not essential.

I'm not so worried about where he lives as much as why he is evading the question....I'm not asking for a specific address......just a town or state (which isn't mentioned on the actual auction).

I understand that he may have doubts about me too and that is fine.....I'm not asking for much.......2 specific pics and I send the $$$$.$$. It is, I think, reasonable to ask for a specific pic or two before sending off a decent chunk of cash considering the short auction description and one pic. Talking to him on the phone won't give me that. I was also assured that it wouldn't be an issue and that I would get the pics yesterday. I still haven't gotten them.....

Posted: Mon Oct 03, 2005 5:12 am
by ken_swearingen
I hate to say it but the pickup surround looks like a early 90s model not a late 90s.

Posted: Mon Oct 03, 2005 6:29 am
by incubus2432
Yet another update.....

I received another urgent request for payment with no aknowledgement of my previous requests. I think that is it for me.

Am I way out of line, have I been unreasonable from what I have said has happened? I know it is only my side of the story....

Here's a copy of my response and his last email......

"Well......I asked for a few pics that I didn't receive
just as a confirmation that the bass is in your
possession....again, there are plenty of scams going
around so I am just being careful. I can pay you
instantly when I receive those pics.

I just assumed someone with 440 feedbacks on Ebay
would have a digital camera. I'm sorry if you
don't....and I'm sorry for the trouble. You said you
were getting pics developed to scan and send to me and
I never received them. I also asked several times for
your general location so I can see if I could just pay
you cash in person and pick it up and you did not
respond. What am I to think?

I hit the BIN and am VERY willing and anxious to pay
for it from the brief description and single pic. My
request for specific pics was solely to establish that
the 4001CS is in your possession and that the Ebay pic
wasn't lifted from elsewhere.

The repeated requests for me to just send the money
without answering my simple question or forwarding
requested pics makes me nervous. At this point I don't
feel comfortable with sending the funds. I don't want
a black mark on my Ebay rating but I would rather have
that than be out $3k. So since you seem unwilling or
are unable to honor my requests than I'll suffer the
consequences.......

Brian"

--- stts64 <[email protected]> wrote:

> Hi Brian,
> Sorry to bug you this much, but my time is running
> out. I have to ship the
> bass to you this afternoon between 4:00 and 5:30. I
> will need your payment
> before that time.
>
> Kris.
>

Posted: Mon Oct 03, 2005 6:38 am
by ken_swearingen
A couple things here brian,I would get his phone # through ebay ive done it a # of times,call him.by the contact info they provide it will have the town he lives in.Push help and look for sellers contact info.

Posted: Mon Oct 03, 2005 6:46 am
by atomic_punk
His time is running out? Is he dying? What "time" is he referring to? He is going to ship it without payment, no matter what? Wow, Brian, that sounds bizarre, you're right. Yes, call and find out what the problem is, you are right by being suspicious on this one.

Posted: Mon Oct 03, 2005 6:55 am
by incubus2432
I really see no reason to call him since that won't provide me with what I want before I send the $$$$. I have been pretty clear in my emails. Also my concern isn't where he lives as much as why he won't just tell me. Who wouldn't want someone to pay in cash or Paypal and then pick up the item in person?.....a person without what they are trying to sell. I realize people may not want to do a transaction in person for fear of being robbed but there are ways around this. To just totally ignore a question/request is what is most troubling to me.

Posted: Mon Oct 03, 2005 8:12 am
by wints
That's a big red flag....Don't send a penny Brian. Any normal seller would pick up the phone and call, or reply to mail.

Posted: Mon Oct 03, 2005 8:12 am
by jeff_ulmer
It sounds like a scam to me. If the pics are a problem, he could just say so, with an explanation. The "time is running out" issue is also suspect. I would walk if I were you, better a neg (which you can explain) than being out $3K.

Posted: Mon Oct 03, 2005 8:48 am
by jnbass
fishy-very fishy...

"time is running out..."

Rock out like Motorhead!

Posted: Mon Oct 03, 2005 9:18 am
by david_schwab
Well he certainly seems in a hurry... he said on the auction page:

"ONLY 3 DAYS AUCTION!!!

Have to sell fast. Paypal only please."

Maybe he's on the lam?

Posted: Mon Oct 03, 2005 9:56 am
by dswp
For what it’s worth;

“IF IT WAS ME”

I would send the money via Paypal.

I was ripped off only once on Ebay.

My red flag is (other than a low feedback rating), when someone who only gains a positive feedback accumulation by buying only, and no selling at all. A person will buy a bunch of small ****, and then try to sell a big ticket item.

This seller has done a fair amount of selling. You are somewhat protected by Paypal. The seller has 100% approval rating.

However Brian, you have to be comfortable. It’s your hard earned money.