Not everything is on the up and up; there are a few Scam Artists out there.
For legal purposes, I want to make it clear, "I" AM NOT CLAIMING this guy
mentioned (XE2FLR) as being one or guilty in any way as another has
alleged - as I'm not aware of the whole case. If you read the groups enough,
you'll hear of many who are ripped off. You can't blame E-Bay - least not
entirely, though the system could be made a bit better. But then again, it's
no worse there, than buying a used car with no warranty when it's said to
run and dies pulling it off the lot. My opinion, no one puts a gun to one's
head to make them bid/buy. So, if you're taken in bidding/buying, especially
if the seller had many bad feedbacks posted, you're partially the blame for
falling for it. As for sellers, if they're taken, then shame on them for
sending items out before being paid. There is no 100% safe way to deal with
anyone anywhere, even locally. You can arm yourself by doing any homework
that can be done about the item, individual and so on. ANY gut instinct that
says NO, should mean NO. You're getting it for a reason. READ the feed
backs of both any buyers and sellers. READ ALL Neutrals as well as Negatives
of both parties. You can often see or get a feel for who is right or wrong.
If you're still not sure, DO NOT BID/BUY OR SELL then ship without bonafied
funds being received.
Demand some sort of certified payment, U.S. Postal MOs or some Bank drafts
of sorts, Pay pal, which affords "some" sort of protection. Make the
statement that if they have negative feedback, you insist on certified funds
if you're the seller or a paid by date or plain refuse to sell to them. IF
they want it bad enough, they'll jump through the hoops.

Again, I'm not referencing in any way, the below captioned case as I know
nothing of it. But the above notes are my own and I go by them when dealing.
I've not been taken yet, buying or selling and if I ever am, then shame on
me for letting my guard down. I "try" to watch for all the red flags. I read
and reread the ads several times. I look at the pictures a couple of times.
I try to find things wrong. Some are honest in their reporting of a
condition of a unit, some are outright liars, or to be polite, their system
isn't as accurate as the one most use. I've seen radios listed as in
excellent condition, when the picture showed out right garbage. Maybe it was
"excellent" - for throwing into the trash barrel.

There ARE a lot of gullible people out there. It is a shame they are taken,
but it happens every day. Some shyster is just a cut above in smarts to pull
it off.
It's a damned shame, but it happens. It isn't like it hasn't been known for
a while. We all need to do our best to shut these ass holes down. If it
ain't you that they're screwing, it could be your mother or someone else you
care about. SCAMS are big business. Getting bigger by the day. Like shopping
for a car locally or an appliance or whatever, smart shopping can make a
difference. IF that item seems too good to be true, it probably is. There
are usually dozens of the same item on e-bay, so if you don't get it the
first time, there will be another. PATIENCE is a virtue.

VALUE/PRICE is another one. KNOW what the item "should" be going for. Know
what it sold for brand new - if possible. Check the price of one against the
other. Usually, there are big differences. Knowledge is power. It can save
you from a financial mistake. Also, IF you can NOT afford the item, then you
can't afford to lose the cash for it, if it is trash. IF it is broken, know
how to fix it, or pass it by. Chances are, you will need to fix something.

I'm not a professional by any means here, but these have all kept me in the
100% + range - buying and selling. The only negative I issued was for
someone who did a buy it now, then failed to follow through. I intend to try
to keep it that way.

Lou

"Mike Coslo" wrote in message
...
Lieutenant_Dan wrote:

Mr. Juan Lozano (XE2FLR),

You have committed fraud against Mrs. Thompson. She has tried every
avenue
possible to resolve the illegal reversal of payment that you initiated
against her. This reversal has caused undue finical and emotional
hardship
on this woman. I feel the need to send this OPEN letter to you letting
everyone know just what you did.


I thought everything on Ebay was on the up and up?


- Mike -