WoW Shelby Prices - Page 2

clayfoushee · #21 (**permalink**) 03-28-2004, 09:46 AM

Ron,

Why do they allow that, if they know it's the vehicle used for scams? It's called "sucker-fishin." It has no place on a site like e-bay.

computerworks · #22 (**permalink**) 03-28-2004, 09:48 AM

Clay.. I think it is just a matter of when someone reports the bogus listing. If no one call it in, it'll sit out there.

I know the few times I have sent a message into their fraud postbox, I got an answer almost immediately from a human (not an auto responder)...and, after they checked it out, the listing got pulled.

computerworks · #23 (**permalink**) 03-28-2004, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by clayfoushee

Ron,

Why do they allow that, if they know it's the vehicle used for scams? It's called "sucker-fishin." It has no place on a site like e-bay.

On the contrary... the same thing is in place at Barrett-Jackson. You can't bid unless you prove you are solvent to the auction house...plus you have to pay $150 for the pleasure of spending your money, whether you buy anything or not.

clayfoushee · #24 (**permalink**) 03-28-2004, 09:52 AM

Ron,

B-J is an entirely different venue. I didn't say it wasn't appropriate anywhere. You have to provide documentation to B-J, just as you do to a credit agency. It's appropriate there, but not on e-bay.

B-J also checks out the merchandise before they put it on the block.

And yes, I've had the same good experience as you with fraud reports. I've submitted 4 in the last month, and they've all been pulled relatively quickly.

Excaliber · #25 (**permalink**) 03-28-2004, 09:56 AM

Restricted bid on a vehicle selling for under $10K???
BIG RED FLAG.

$100K? OK, I can see the restricted bid thing being useful.

computerworks · #26 (**permalink**) 03-28-2004, 09:58 AM

Well, in a perfect world, I guess there are times that the pre-approved bidder program makes sense... it does give the seller the option to weed out the 'tire-kickers'

If you don't want to divulge your identity on a deal that uses it, i guess you walk.

Personally, on any eBay item that I have purchased in the past (of any significant $$$), I have always established a dialog with the seller before the auction closed..whenever possible, by phone.

To me, that one-on-one lets me neutralize any potential risk involved. I have walked from deals where the guy came off as a flake.

clayfoushee · #27 (**permalink**) 03-28-2004, 10:00 AM

I can see the restricted bid thing being useful, if the auction house has the ability to examine the merchandise before it is offered for sale, and if they are a legitimate business like B-J.

I don't think it's appropriate for a site to implicitly authorize personal info. being delivered to a felon in age of identity theft and internet fraud.

computerworks · #28 (**permalink**) 03-28-2004, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by clayfoushee

I don't think it's appropriate for a site to implicitly authorize personal info. being delivered to a felon in age of identity theft and internet fraud.

...that's what hotmail.com mail accounts are for.

clayfoushee · #29 (**permalink**) 03-28-2004, 10:05 AM

c'mon Ron......give me a break. You're usually perfectly sensible

clayfoushee · #30 (**permalink**) 03-28-2004, 10:08 AM

The problem I have with the e-bay "pre-authorized" format, you are REQUIRED to provide personal info to the seller, who may not be a seller at all.

Excaliber · #31 (**permalink**) 03-28-2004, 10:13 AM

My recent purchase of the ERA was in large part because I did talk to the seller. Who, as it turned out lived in and has family here in the Islands. I was able to "quiz" him subtly on details of island life. I also talked to his wife and his secretary, without revealing to much about myself.

Those phone conversations was the key to making the deal happen. Guess I had an "edge", he being a "local" and all.

computerworks · #32 (**permalink**) 03-28-2004, 10:15 AM

awright...seriously...

If a well-known, premium dealer puts up a prestige auction for a Diablo..or some six-figure exotic... and requires a pre-approved bidders list.. if you are seriously interested, you play by the rules or walk.

On the other hand, a $30k hotrod on a three-day auction, with no reserve and a start bid of $500... and an explanation about how the car was owned by his brother, who was eaten by his pit bull, after breaking his back skiing....and the car is in Belgium and he is in Portugal.

...and there is a pre-approved bidders list.... are you going to participate? ..or just walk away laughing?

clayfoushee · #33 (**permalink**) 03-28-2004, 10:23 AM

Ron,

Yes, most of us walk away laughing, but for those gullible enough to believe it might be real, they're already provided personal info. to a criminal.

I would think e-bay would close that loophole for PR purposes, if for no other reason. If I were a running a respectable business, and I became aware of a practice being used for fraudulent purposes, I'd shut it down in a nano-second.

It may be fine for B-J and businesses that truly have examined the merchandise being offered for sale, but it's not a good business practice on a site like e-bay. At least on the regular e-bay auction format, you have the choice as to whether you establish the dialog or not with the "seller", as opposed to the requirement, if you want to play.