Paul Read Posted January 15, 2004 Posted January 15, 2004 I thought I'd just post a cautionary note for those who sometimes bid on EBay. After bidding on a very nice Lachenal needing quite a lot of restoration, I received an e-mail from a character with a UK e-mail number but claiming to be domiciled in Italy. He offered to sell me a concertina with the same description for US$600. I looked him up on EBay and he'd signed on that day (no feedback) and claimed to be based in France! His English was bad (in fact, I suspect it was faked to be bad). Intrigued, I asked if he would take US$100 less. Immediate answer of yes - hmmm curious. I asked for photos and received a picture of an immaculate old instrument with new 6-fold bellows (suspiciously similar to a photo from Concertina Connection). Even more suspicious, yet intrigued, I asked for more photos (action, bellows, other end). As I had suspected, there were no more pictures of this instrument. What I got was one of the photos of the instrument I had bid on - a very different concertina. This person doesn't seem to be too sophisticated, but I would caution anyone who is contacted in this way to proceed very cautiously. I have advised EBay who are following up (I assume). There are many honest dealers on EBay, some who know concertinas and some who don't. It is essential to check feedback if you decide to buy through this medium.
Paul Read Posted January 15, 2004 Author Posted January 15, 2004 (edited) Guess what! I think I just got another offering to sell me two brand new Edeophones - unused! Bought as presents but he has to sell as he's getting divorced. My typo not his! Sorry: edeophone! Edited January 15, 2004 by Paul Read
Dave Prebble Posted January 15, 2004 Posted January 15, 2004 Hi Signor Read, I could do with a new pair of 'eophones'.....are they 3mm or 5mm stereo jack plugs? I'm a bit hard up at the moment as I've just had to pay off the mafia so would you take a Jeffries and 200 Lire in exchange? 'Honest' Dave
Stephen Chambers Posted January 15, 2004 Posted January 15, 2004 I would caution anyone who is contacted in this way to proceed very cautiously.There are many honest dealers on EBay, some who know concertinas and some who don't. It is essential to check feedback if you decide to buy through this medium. An additional word of warning there : I have had a similar offer where the identity of a genuine seller had been stolen, and the fraudulent "seller" even went so far as to say "check my feedback", to try to gain my confidence. So don't even trust the feedback, unless the item is actually being sold on eBay. I reported the offer to *spam@ebay.com* instead.
tomlaw90 Posted January 16, 2004 Posted January 16, 2004 So don't even trust the feedback, unless the item is actually being sold on eBay. Be aware that EBay's official policy is that any and all transactions completed or merely even offered outside of the EBay system are violations of the terms of use and very likely to be fraudulent. Never accept such an offer.
Pete Dickey Posted January 16, 2004 Posted January 16, 2004 I've had one or two of these over the last few months, all offering what seems to be a very good deal. I've reported them all to ebay who reported back that one was a stolen identity as Stephen has noted. The last couple of times I have been offered instruments I've played along with them and asked further questions and requested photos. What quickly becomes very clear is that the person offering the instrument knows nothing about it. Photos are copied from elsewhere and are sometimes familiar. One boldly stated that a Crabb serial number was over 39000 although they never reached that number. Don't touch these guys with a bargepole. Pete
Paul Read Posted January 16, 2004 Author Posted January 16, 2004 I believe that my Edeophone man also stole the identity of a good EBayer. It is fun playing along with them though.
JimLucas Posted January 16, 2004 Posted January 16, 2004 Makes me wonder... all those spams I've avoided reading, that claim they'll show me how to make a guaranteed fortune on eBay... do they teach how to be a fraudulent "seller"?
Erik Murray Posted January 17, 2004 Posted January 17, 2004 Dear Sir, I have a great piano for sale, that i have it from my grandfather. I saw you bid on ebay and i have one like this too, If you are interested e-mail me. Beautiful Wheatstone Anglo Concertina 30 key C/G. Sounds Awesome, very loud, but with that true sweet concertina steel reed quality. No worm damage on the inside, buttons all work smoothly, no leaks, tight bellows. The price for this piano is 1700$US. The above is the fourth since bidding on the Wheatstone Anglo. Calling it a piano sure makes the offer irresistible. Maybe this is the work of someone hoping to scare us all off Ebay concertinas. It all seems bizarre and senseless. I haven't noticed that people interested in concertinas are particularly stupid.
Perry Werner Posted January 17, 2004 Posted January 17, 2004 I'm guessing that the piano guy must have gotten his concertina degree from the guy selling Ebay Item number: 2374016356 which is listed as: Unique~Dr of Concertinas ~ Concertina Diploma at http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...bayphotohosting Be careful. Perry Werner
Pam B Posted January 17, 2004 Posted January 17, 2004 Ebay Item number: 2374016356 which is listed as: Unique~Dr of Concertinas ~ Concertina Diploma Sorry, I know I'm changing the thread a bit, but.... The Concertina Dipolma could have been fun if it had a better concertina on it! Oh well, will just have to make my own.
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