Korg Forums

cello · Posted: Fri Mar 09, 2012 8:05 pm Post subject: eBay scam?

It is used to be the OASYS that got this kind of activity... looks to me like someone has hacked this guy's account to promote a non-existent Kronos -

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/KORG-KRONOS-61-MUSIC-WORKSTATION-KEYBOARD-SYNTHESISER-BRAND-NEW-/330699352578?pt=UK_MusicalInstr_Keyboard_RL&hash=item4cff37aa02#ht_685wt_1139

Proceed with caution! Evil or Very Mad

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evhwolfy · Joined: 08 Jan 2012 Posts: 27 Location: Michigan

Almost certainly a scam. I've reported the item to eBay. In the interim, I've sent him an email asking his terms for the buy it now. I will be curious to see if/how he responds.

cello · Posted: Fri Mar 09, 2012 8:26 pm Post subject:

I should've thought of that (contacting him)!

Both of us have reported it now so will probably be removed before long... But we have to be careful and look after the KF community from these nasty scams.
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evhwolfy · Joined: 08 Jan 2012 Posts: 27 Location: Michigan

For what it's worth, he responded almost immediately and it appears it may be legit on the surface. He is willing to consumate the transaction through eBay, which is unlikely if it is a hacker. Here is the email chain:

"Do you offer shipping to the US? If so, how much? Are you able to provide a photo of the actual keyboard for sale, rather than the stock photo in the listing?

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From: Andrew Taylor [andrewtaylor1966@hotmail.com]
Sent: Friday, March 09, 2012 3:20 PM
To: Rick
Subject: RE: Korg Kronos

Hi and thanks for the email.The Korg is brand new in original box. The buy it now price including shipping is £1,500 (delivered anywhere in the UK). I will get somebody to bring it to you if you decide to buy it but we have to close the deal through eBay, inspection period prior buying it along with a refund policy will be included in the sale terms. Let me know if you want details on how to complete the sale. It's located in Aberdeen

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To: andrewtaylor1966@hotmail.com
Date: Fri, 9 Mar 2012 15:19:02 -0500
Subject: Korg Kronos

What are your buy it now terms?"

evhwolfy · Joined: 08 Jan 2012 Posts: 27 Location: Michigan

Even if it is legit, he is still circumventing eBay's policy by establishing contact outside of eBay's messaging service and for providing an email contact in his listing.

evhwolfy · Joined: 08 Jan 2012 Posts: 27 Location: Michigan

Most recent reply to my "do you ship to the US?" inquiry:

"Yes I offer shipping to US,it is around 50pounds
I don't have a photo of the keyboard,anyway the box is sealed I can't take a photo of the keyboard

Cheers"

PianoManChuck · Posted: Fri Mar 09, 2012 8:35 pm Post subject:

Definitely a scam. If you look at his/her previous selling history, its all low-price items (builds up a reputation that way so that people feel more comfortable when a high-price item gets listed). But the "contact me first before bidding" is a major red flag!
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evhwolfy · Joined: 08 Jan 2012 Posts: 27 Location: Michigan

Funny you said that Chuck, I just sent him this: (and I will be sure to post his reply if/when I receive it)

"So, out of curiousity, why isn't there a buy-it-now option listed in the listing? What is the purpose of having contact outside of eBay? As I'm sure you understand, anytime a seller asks to be contacted outside of eBay, it is a HUGE red flag to a buyer. (and a violation of eBay terms) I am interested but very cautious about this approach."

cello · Posted: Fri Mar 09, 2012 8:55 pm Post subject:

Great work guys!

Can't believe someone has a Kronos in a sealed box and 'can't' take a photo of it - even just to open the top and show it untouched inside.

Also, he says the item is in Aberdeen, but the listing says it is in Ayr (both in Scotland - but about 150 miles apart!). I guess it could be possible.

The plot thickens...
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michelkeijzers · Posted: Fri Mar 09, 2012 10:51 pm Post subject:

About a year ago I also had someone from England selling Kronos 88 for about Euro 1400 and a 61 was even a bit more expensive. All new.

The most interesting things was that the 88 was not even delivered anywhere in the world and the 61 nowhere in Europe.

I asked him to let somebody pick it up personally but he only did sending posts after payment.

After a few mails, never heard of him again.
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PianoManChuck · Posted: Fri Mar 09, 2012 11:00 pm Post subject:

Hate to say it, but in some ways Craigslist is better than eBay! Usually its a seller local to you where you can go to their location and physically see and try it! If the seller won't let you do that, its a scam - pure & simple. I use Craigslist more than FeeBay these days both as a seller (no fees) and as a buyer for the simple reason that I can see & try before I buy. I realize that because I'm in a major metropolis (Los Angeles) there's a lot of everything here - both buyers & sellers, as well as just about anything you want. For those in smaller areas, you're limited to eBay and probably Craigslist listings for the biggest city closest to you.
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cello · Posted: Sat Mar 10, 2012 9:35 am Post subject:

I see the listing has been removed now...
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bt2012 · Joined: 19 Mar 2012 Posts: 1

Hi...

Think I have just been in communication with the exact same person regarding this listing....http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Nikon-Nikkor-500mm-AF-S-DII-IF-ED-F4-0-Lens-/180845556657?pt=UK_Lenses_Filters_Lenses&hash=item2a1b3c33b1#ht_1109wt_1253

I had the same emails as you had such as....

Hi and thanks for the email. The lens is brand new. The buy it now price including shipping is £2,000 (delivered anywhere in the UK). I will get somebody to bring it to you if you decide to buy it but we have to close the deal through eBay, inspection period prior buying it along with a refund policy will be included in the sale terms. Let me know if you want details on how to complete the sale. It's located in Aberdeen

and then he wanted loads of my details.

jimiki · Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2012 12:44 am Post subject:

all his ads seem to be removed ?? Shocked

GregC · Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2012 12:58 am Post subject:

ebay should be able to automatically control this type of ' big ticket scam '.

Amazon for several years has this under control ( yes, I know you won't find numerous used synths, there. ) as they have numerous offers for big ticket electronics from low volume newbies.

Amazon automatically freezes the disbursement to the seller on this type of big ticket scam for 30 or 60 days until there are no claims from the buyer.
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