Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Guys,

Thought I'd share this one with you.

I'm sure we've all seen the phoney second chance offer scam. Well, I just got a real, ebay initiated second chance offer from an auction I'd missed out on by $50 - a nice looking 1966 Gibson J-45. I snapped it up, but because of the timing thought it was probably a schill bidder arrangement, but was happy to pay my top bid. Asked the seller for a "proof of life" photo - a newspaper bannerhead against the guitar. Had no answer, so held up paying until I got it.

Well...it was a hacked account. I don't have my J-45 but I still have my wedge of virtual cash

Andrew, that "proof of life" is a wonderful little safeguard! Glad you didn't get "took"!
These ebay hackers really s##t me!

I've offered POL photos with my eBay sales - I think it's a culture that eBay needs to encourage.

I've offered POL photos with my eBay sales - I think it's a culture that eBay needs to encourage.

Couldn't agree more, Andrew, but ebay are very slow on the uptake on these 'buyer protection' things. Of course if they can make a quid out of it they'd be in there in a flash! They push the hell out of Paypal as a means of payment with all sorts of cover and buyer protection and then rip your butt off twice..... ebay commission and Paypal on top of it.

It's a license to print money!

Glad that you avoided this Andrew...very good move. In my attempt to purchase my first Ric bass some years back I got taken by a second chance scam. My good sense was clouded by the excitment of getting a bass that I missed the bidding on by $50. Ebay was of no help since I supposedly competed the transaction "off the site". The emails all appeared to be valid ebay.....anyway, you know the story.

Good news is that about a week later I went into the local brick and mortar Ric dealer....they had gotten a 4003 Jetglo in that day.......it became my first Ric.

It was an expensive lesson that I'll never forget.

Hey Mark,

I feel your pain on this one. This one was even harder to pick as it came from eBay as an official second chance offer. A mate of mine recently got done on a second chance offer such as yours - I normally do his eBaying - he's a touring musician, so I'm glad it wasn't me.

I know exactly how you feel - I got the email from the "seller" and asked for a POL straight away before I'd buy...didn't stop me hitting the BIN button....thankfully not the "pay now" button.

Aitch, mate...don't start me on paypal. I keep telling my boys that hate is such a strong word and to not use it...unless they're talking about paypal