Ebay, almost got scammed.
 

I am an avid e-bay'er. I buy fabric, notions, tools, and other gizmos from ebay for quilting. I am in the market for a newer machine than I am currently using. Last night I saw a "new" embroidery machine posted online. I never looked at the sellers record (there was not one, he had zero feedback). I placed a low bid for this machine.

I got an email this morning from EBay Customer Support letting me know that the listing was taken down. I called EBay, and the rep let me know that this was a scammer, his post was taken down because he had other contact information and wants people to purchase the machine w/out using EBAY.

Be careful in purchasing. I am very grateful this was pointed out to me by EBay.

Wow, that is scary!!! Thanks for the info!!!

I always look for the sellers info. I have bookmarked sellers I have used and know they are good. On the other hand we all do take our chances even if the seller shows good reviews. Part of dealing online, I guess. Glad eBay caught yours! :)

So was EBay saying the seller was scamming EBay, or scamming the customers because the seller wanted people to buy from his/her other source? I'm not sure what EBay was actually saying, but it sounds like EBay was the one the seller was trying to scam. The seller's other source might be a legitimate business and thought they could drum up more customers by using EBay. Not good for EBay but it wouldn't be a scam to the buyers.

I agree..it sounded to me like ebay was being"scammed" in that if the seller has other contact info posted, he wants to sell direct and avoid paying ebay the selling fees. Both buyer and seller could have their accts canceled if ebay caught on. It is a terrific service they offer, with reasonable fees - when you consider how much "traffic" views your product. I love having my acct with the site, and just so I can shop from my home.

My take also on this. In actuality, Ebay was protecting their pocketbook, not yours.

probably if the seller had gotten a buyer to agree to buy it "off" ebay, they would have asked for a wire transfer and never delivered. They were attempting to get around the buyer protection that is offered by ebay and paypal.

Never participate in an "off ebay" deal, you lose all your protections! Ebay is one of the safest marketplaces for a buyer (not so much for a seller!)

The buyers protection is important when purchasing at EBay. Going outside the buying procedures really puts the buyer at risk. I know someone who was talked into buying direct from seller...let's just say it was costly and she had "no recourse". I never understand why folks can be lured into trying to outsmart themselves. About EBay, I have been notified about misrepresented auctions by EBay and was quite thankful. Their business depends on buyers being treated honestly. I've also been misled on an item and found EBay to be very helpful when getting resolution.

I love ebay, couldn't live without all my book purchases LOL, last week I got an email telling me "sorry you didn't win this series of books but check these out"...???? I never bid on these books, checked "my ebay" and no bid was made, reported them but don't know what caused the screw up...have had no problem with purchases tho...

Thanks for sharing.

I have noticed several listings with a instruction to contact the seller at a off e-Bay e-mail BEFORE bidding. It is a scam, in fact, I have contacted e-Bay to inform them of the problem. The listing is always deleted. If a seller want a bidder to contact the seller,but not through the e-Bay system, beware.

You have to be so careful. I feel relatively comfortable with e-bay, but there are "bad guys" out there and they will try to get you every chance they get. Thanks for sharing and I'm glad you didn't get hurt.

They're everywhere. Always have to be careful.

Ebay doesn't always protect the buyer. I purchased magazines through a subscription seller. Paid for them,waited several weeks; and the subscription never started. Contacted ebay. Nothing! No records of that seller, must have quit selling on ebay. No re-embersment of monies spent.

I purchase through ebay once in a while...but several years ago we put our motor home up for sale. There were no bid to reach our reserve. About a week later, a gentleman contacted us about buying the unit. Offered us above the reserve price (the reserve price is never revealed through eBay). The transaction went very well.
within weeks, we found a new motor home on eBay. Our bank became involved as we had to finance it. They were not agreeable with the sellers terms, so we backed off. About 20 minutes after the auction finished, the seller contacted us, with an offer...they did not get their reserve price and were willing to work with our bank. I would not recommend this, but we had banks and their appraisers to deal with, so we felt safe. Our bank was contacted by eBay who asked financial questions, to which their lawyers told them was privileged and private information.
We were not in trouble, but the seller was questioned. They told them, because I asked a few question, they had my email...they had the right to contact us after the auction was over. Neither party was contacted again by eBay concerning the matter.
I always follow the rules with eBay, just that time was a little different...LOTS of money and bankers involved... I don't think eBay wanted to get their noses in the middle. It was, in fact, a private sale. I found the original sales ad for this motor home in an RV magazine.

Wow, I will be careful when buying on ebay...Thanks...