Probably a similar story
 

The seller is world.seller and he just joined on December 19, 2006. I have been doing research, unfortunately after winning not one but TWO of these auctions. Before I found out about the scams, I tried to pay this seller, but the paypal message I got back was "This seller cannot receive payments" and it said "Transcation cancelled". I know it was a STUPID move on my behalf to bid without really looking into the feedback (I did look at the feedback but figured because everything looked so good that basically it was okay)...but now I am really concerned that this guy is a fake.

I shot an email off to eBay about this and explained to them as well that I have not been able to pay this guy because paypal cancels the transcations.

Here is his profile on eBay: feedback.

And here are the items I won:

• NEW 4GB MP4 MP3 FM REC PMP VIDEO USB FREE Gift SB
  
• NEW 4GB MP4 MP3 FM REC PMP VIDEO USB FREE Gift SW

What do you think? Is he a fake/phony? What should my next step be??

Thanks!
jennifer

Re: Probably a similar story
 

I saw one of this feedback which mentions "scam" -> here.

He lists a lot f 4GB MP4 players. Up until about a month ago, there was no TRUE 4GB players. It's only been recently that true 4GB players are coming out.

I would say he looks dodgy and not a legit 4GB player to be honest.

I pointed that out to eBay along with the fact that he's only been registered since December 19, 2006. Something is VERY fishy here.

I don't want to marr my reputation on eBay, I've been working on it for 6+ years and never received a negative. Of course I can't pay the dude right now as it is (considering paypal won't allow me! That has to be a bad sign right there, no?), but I want out of this auction now.

It makes it more difficult that eBay OWNS PayPal as well!

A lot of other members have mentioned the point, "why would eBay want to shut down these scammers selling hacked players when every sale is making money for eBay?". Also, it makes money for PayPal as well.

It seems there is very little buyers protection. I mean, if you complain (and a lot of other members have) about the seller possibly selling hacked players, a lot of the time, it goes un-noticed or ignored by eBay and PayPal.

But as you haven't paid the seller yet, you're in a better situation in that you haven't lost any money yet.

Try asking PayPal and eBay and see what happens. Keep us updated and GOOD LUCK :).

Contact ePray/Payscumpal, but I think I know already what they're going to say. Probably encourage you to pay the seller, since they generally default to either their side or the seller's in any transaction.

I'd advise to just pretend you never bid, leave it at that. The seller does have the option to neg you, but so do you against him. I think most sellers wont do that on their own without "feedback provocation". He might stand to lose more than you with another red mark on his record. Even if he does, you neg him worse, and then you offer to "mutually withdraw feedback". Then, unless he's a pure nutcase, he may agree to a mutual cleansing of the record. That means you get some bad remarks (feedback stains) but no red marks and maintain the 100% percent rating.

I'm currently in a similar situation with a Chinese seller on a pair of Sennheiser PX100 headphones. He decides to tell me only after the auction he's charging an obligatory 3GBP insurance charge (he probably won't even insure the damn thing). I can either ignore him and buy the cans from someone else, or curse his name and pay for it. If I bail on him, I risk spotting my 100% feedback record, which I took years to build. But he's got a 100% pos record too, and I can mess his up, and I'm not a seller so I dont need to rely on good feedback.

As a "trickman" I keep my feedback record clean in a very simple way. I have two Ebay accounts. The first one is for buying, the second one is for selling. In the "buying" account I have set my feedback private. So even if I would have a negative feedback, I don't mind.

This trick gives me the opportunity to buy and sell on Ebay, but my "customers" will never know where I bought everything.

missjennifer1978 , as michiganjfrog mentioned, leave it as it is. Don't pay a cent to him. 2 negative feedbacks is better than losing $67 (including postage) on god knows what memory chip is installed.

Thank you all for the advice! I am definitely NOT paying this dude, my husband is ticked off about it and said not to pay him. We bought a small 1 GB mp3 player (like one of those flash memory sticks?) last year sometime for him and haven't had any trouble at all, but I believe the guy we bought it from was here in the states and we bought a protection policy on it. It was bought on eBay.

I cannot believe what some of you guys have gone through- my condolences.

Hotboxx, I like your idea! (two different accounts.)

I can't believe eBay and Paypal are related and they haven't done anything about this problem. Lovely.

I'll keep you posted on what I hear from eBay and if I hear from that seller as well. If I hear from him what should I do?? Email him and tell him to bite me? LOL. Or just tell him I am not paying for a scam? Ignore it?

Thanks again!

Editing to add: Michiganfrog, your guide is what lead me to this board!!! Awesome guide, by the way!

<ahem> Thank you. You may note that in my guide, I mention having bought my 2GB player from ELLIESHANG, and he is the only seller on eBay currently known and verified to be selling true 4GB nano clones. So now, you do have a choice about getting ripped off, and can avoid doing so.

....I'm curious to know, what do you mean you bought a "protection policy" on your player? Whom did you buy it from and how does it protect you? BTW, if eBay threatens to put an uppaid item strike on your record, I would email them and tell them that the reason you're not buying, is because them and their Paypal co. will only pay lip service to the idea of buyer protection, they WONT protect you.

I just saw a really eye openining video on youtube on what scammers Paypal are. It was about a guy who sold a high end Macintosh amp. He sent it registered, signed for. Buyer paid by Paypal, signed, then painted the amp. Then when he hooked it up, he simply didn't care for the sound of it, so demanded a refund. This was after he painted the amplifier. Seller refused of course, buyer complained to Paypal. Seller had the receipt for shipping and went thru all the proper channels, seller won the dispute. Buyer then does a chargeback thru his credit card co. Paypal charges the seller $20 to dispute the chargeback on his behalf (whether the seller wants them to or not). Credit card company reverses the charges, now the seller is out his amplifier and $1200 dollars. Seller complains about it to ic3.gov and the buyer's local police. (Buyer is not legally supposed to do chargebacks while he has the item in his posession!). Buyer ships the amp to Paypal. Now Paypal goes after the seller demanding $1200. Buyer keeps both the amp and gets his money back from the cc co. Seller is not only out $1200, and his amplifer, but Paypal goes after him for $1200 (plus $20 chargeback fee of course), and doesn't even give him the option as to whether he wants to buy his amp back. Seller has collection agency calling him everyday.

Folks, Paypal is NOT your Pal!

Okay I am digging through my emails and found this...

I bought the protection plan on SquareTrade.

Here is what it was:

Item: eBay item # 9725986269 - Mp3 Player 1GB FM Voice Rec 1 GB USB New In Box WMA !

It was purchased on 5/16/2006 and has a three year warranty protection. So far no problems.

That's all I could find on it. No name of the seller or anything. EDITED TO ADD: Nevermind, I found it here: Juice_kiss was the seller and has a 99.9% rating. Third edit: This is very much like what I bought for my husband that works well.

Also, I am concerned about this unpaid strike and the fact that I haven't tried to email the buyer will look bad on my behalf. Can I really say I want out of a contract because I felt it was fraudulent?? Would they allow me to do that?? I'm really unfamiliar with this, so any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Re: Probably a similar story
 

damn, I thought I am smart, but I am not. I too bought the player from world.seller and paid, and then I contacted other people who bought it and surprise surprise, atleast 2 of 6 people I contacted now know they have 1GB player not 4GB and another one was advised to leave a positive feedback in exchange of a positive feedback. (no exchange of money or goods coz the seller couldnot accept money)

That is WRONG!!!! I won't leave him positive feedback. Shall we start a countdown til this moron is banned from eBay??

Did you contact eBay about it?? Let's work to get this jerk removed!!!

Just noticed another post about world.seller here:
http://www.mympxplayer.org/worldsell...er-vt4259.html.

Wow.

I sent that idiot an email and told him I am not paying for what is a hoax. We'll see what he says tomorrow.

Re: Probably a similar story
 

aha !!
it appears that he has pulled out his MP4 players, as this morning he only had 3 or 4 of those (instead of 100s that he had before) and now is mostly selling screen protectors !!!
thank you to everyone who supported, and thank you to mympxplayer.org
I hope eBay soon changes it policies.

I guess that is why he emailed me to

hi,
ok, just cancel the deal,thanks

If eBay gets on me about this I will email them this email!!!

Ebay emailed me with this:

Dear Jennifer,

Thank you for writing eBay in regard to your concern with the items you
no longer want.

I understand your concern that you no longer want to purchase the item.
In this situation, I'd like to remind you that a bid in an eBay auction
is a binding contract. When you place a bid, you enter into a contract
with the seller to purchase the item if you win the auction. Similarly,
if you use the Buy It Now button to purchase the item instantly, you
have made a contract to pay for the item. With this in mind, we advise
all members to use their best judgment when bidding or using the Buy It
Now feature.

What can you do next?

Often you can resolve this type of situation through open and honest
communication with the seller. If you have not done so already, we
recommend calling the seller to explain your concern. You can explain to
the seller that you changed your mind and no longer want the item.
Sometimes the seller will be understanding and might offer to give you a
break, but this is entirely up to the seller.

To request your seller's contact information, follow these steps:

1. Click the "Advanced Search" link, located under the "Search" button
in the top right corner of most eBay pages.
2. Under the "Members" section on the left side of the page, click the
"Find Contact Information" link.
3. Type the User ID of the member and the Item number of the
transaction.
4. Click the "Search" button.

What happens if you cannot resolve the situation with the seller?

Please keep in mind that if you decide not to purchase the item, the
seller may leave negative Feedback on your Member Profile page. In
addition, you may receive an Unpaid Item strike on your account if the
seller files an Unpaid Item dispute. We encourage you to consider the
possible consequences as you work to resolve this matter.

***Important***
In the future, be sure to contact the seller and resolve any questions
or concerns before you enter a contract by placing a bid or purchasing
the item instantly. To ask the seller a question, click the "Ask seller
a question" link on the Item page.

If you need further assistance, please don't hesitate to reply to this
email and let us know.

Sincerely,
Kendra

eBay Customer Support

Customer support, my ass. They did NOTHING!!!! that is so wrong.

kay this guy is still trying to get me either to pay or leave his ass some positive feedback. WHATEVER! I am not leaving him ANY pos feedback and told him he's selling fraudulent shit and I am not going to pay for a hoax.

Here's the email:

From : ebay seller 'world.seller' <hk>
Sent : Thursday, February 15, 2007 6:44 AM
To : Girl Wonder <com>
Subject : 回覆： RE: Payment reminder for eBay item #170079441199 BID! NEW 4GB MP4 MP3 FM REC PMP


Go to previous message | Go to next message | Delete | Inbox

Ok, when you leave me a positive feedback, then we cancel the deal, and leave positive to you also, thanks ,and hope to do business with you in the early future, and sorry for any incontinence.



Girl Wonder <com> 說：

We cancelled the transaction, you already emailed me about that.

What should I do?? I told him I won't leave feedback period but if he leaves me negative feedback I will leave him negative feeedback.

Don't react anymore, and wait what will happen.

Re: Probably a similar story
 

Well... I did say that eBay was going to encourage you to pay the seller. Thats how they make their profit. If you dont pay the seller, they dont get as much profit, because he files for a FVF credit.

Hotboxx is probably right, just ignore it if youre afraid of getting negged. The seller seems to care about neg feedback so probably wont give you one, knowing he'll get one in return. Then wait 89 days and 23 1/2 hours after the end of auction, leave him a scathing neg, and he wont have time to return the volley. Let him piss in hell, with his feedback blackmail.

Of course, you will get an unpaid item strike, because he needs to get his credit back. I think you can have 3 of those before being suspended. Maybe someone can confirm, I forget if its within a certain period that you get suspended for 3 strikes (and after that period, it resets to zero?).

And that is my problem. I don't want to have that on my account...ugh. I wonder if there is anyway I can get him to mutually agree that I don't have to pay for it so he doesn't incur charges and I don't end up with an unpaid item strike. Know what I mean?

Say that you will cancel the dead first and then that you will leave good feedback, and then leave neg :D

If he says that he doesnt want to, tell him that you'll leave neg :)

If you're that concerned, then you're better off finding out thru ebay what the rules are about UIS (unpaid item strikes). Specifically, if they get reset after a period of time, or if the strikes last for the life of your account. If so, then so long as you dont rack up two more strikes, its okay. Secondly, does the seller put the strike on or eBay? I think it may be eBay, in which case, you cant negotiate the UIS, if the seller informs eBay you havent paid (which he will to get his insertion fee back). If you're -really- that concerned and the seller has control over the UIS, you may try to negotiate an agreement whereby you pay his insertion fee on promise that he does not inform eBay of an unpaid item, and you dont get a strike.

But that to me is caving in for nothing. Worst case scenario, if this isn't a seller's account, it really doesnt matter much, you open a new one. Seller's dont look at buyer's feedback anyway.

missjennifer1978 , regarding the Unpaid Item Strike, eBay can remove it if you can prove that the seller has excused you from buying it.
http://pages.ebay.com/help/tp/appeal-upi.html

Have a look in this page, the point i mentioned is the 2nd point.

So basically, since he already replied you saying that it is ok not to complete the purchase, you are able to request ebay to remove the strike should he file for one.

Excellent. He won't stop hounding me about leaving positive feedback, I emailed him once more telling him I was NOT leaving him positive feedback and he already cancelled the transaction and to leave me alone.

If he continues down this road and I end up with an unpaid item strike, I will contact eBay about this and give them his emails.

What an ass. He needs to leave me the hell alone.

ETA: here is what I emailed to him:

No, I already told you, I am NOT LEAVING YOU POSITIVE FEEDBACK SO STOP TELLING ME WHAT TO DO.

Furthermore you already stated that we were cancelling the deal in a previous email.

It's done with. You're selling COUNTERFEIT mp3 players and you're advertising them FRAUDULENTLY.

Now leave me ALONE.

After he sent THIS yet again:

Ok, when you leave me a positive feedback, then we cancel the deal, and leave positive to you also, thanks ,and hope to do business with you in the early future, and sorry for any incontinence.



Dumbass. It's inconvenience. Incontinence is going pee. Dumbass.

missjennifer1978,

That seller just doesn't get the hint does he? There's little room for subtility in your email to him that's for sure!

Re: Probably a similar story
 

It seems that this seller world.seller has other alias names on ebay.

It certainly looks like the same ad as the scammer I had - buy_lowest. Also known as come_bid.

buy_lowest auction: ebay link

world.seller auction: ebay link

come_bid auction: ebay link


Seems to be the same scammer. I would bet that these are not the only 3 names used.
Ebay and Paypal won't do anything. These scammers generate revenue for them.

I guess it are all Ebay usernames from the same company: Tronfy Tech ltd.