Seems like I just nearly got fleeced on Evil-Bay !

Finding it hard to wait for Dan( Yard ) or Eric( Swamp ) to bring out another mid sized blade I looked on Evil-Bay for either a Howling Rat or Ratmandu.
Anyways I bid on a Howler but lost, then I got an e-mail saying that the winner had been rejected and as the second highest bidder I had won it.....I contacted Evil-Bay and it turns out it was a scam....lucky my wife smelled a fish, me being dumb and believing everything I'd probably have sent the cash !!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/doh.gif" alt="" />

That's why they call it "Evil bay" "Gay bay" and all those other insulting names. Glad you didn't get scammed.

you have to watch out on the bay
if it isnt a scam the product is usually overpriced, a knock off, or not the quallity discribed
for example these types of survival knives
they copy famous disign's
ka-bar
http://cgi.ebay.com/Tanto-Military-Style...1QQcmdZViewItem
reeve's green beret
http://cgi.ebay.com/Meyerco-Tactical-Sur...1QQcmdZViewItem
or tag it with military units
75th rangers
http://cgi.ebay.com/Army-RANGER-COMBAT-S...1QQcmdZViewItem
1st special forces
http://cgi.ebay.com/LARGE-11-Inch-GREEN-...1QQcmdZViewItem
navy seals
http://cgi.ebay.com/Survival-Knife-Lot-o...1QQcmdZViewItem

I could go on forever but bottom line evil-bay is full of crap

I actually do a lot of buying and some selling on ebay for MANY types of items and consider it a great tool and concept. I don't always like their fees, but that's another story and generally only applies to sellers.

There are many things sold on ebay that can't be found anywhere else - especially older, discontinued or collectible type stuff and also parts for stuff!
Many worthy knives would be on that list. I have never come across a knife store or even internet web stores with the type of variety that individuals can offer via ebay.

Guess what? - If you want a Ratmandu or Howler, there are only three realistic places to get one anymore.: Ebay, Bladeforums and Knifeforums! Bladeforums is much more active for the Busse family of knives than Knifeforums - although Knifeforums has lots of other good stuff as well.

But, as a buyer, the risks for purchasing via the forums is really about the same. The only thing better about the forums is that most of the forum members take some amount of pride in their business practices via the forums. I want to say that most forum members do the right thing and are all fair. But, I have to try to be open to the odd member who might not be one of the good guys.

It is good to know a little about the business and how it works whether you buy via ebay OR via the forums to help avoid getting scammed or otherwise making a bad purchase. Seller feedback on ebay is a HUGE tool. I always consider a seller's rating and will often read some of the feedback.
Similarly, number of posts makes me feel more comfortable about sending funds to somebody on the forums. I wouldn't buy a knife from somebody on the forums who only has 1 - 20 posts or so!

Ebay doesn't like it, but they "do" like for you to relist and pay more fees.

Technically, ebay says you can't do side deals. They will threaten to ban you from being a member. But, people do it and deals are often made that way to avoid more ebay relisting fees and to avoid waiting another week for an item to sell.

The catch is: A 2nd highest bidder does "NOT" have any obligations.

A seller can "Offer" an off the books side deal to a buyer (not O.K. per ebay, but it happens). But, the buyer doesn't have the same recourse of action via ability to leave negative feedback if needed.

Ebay is fine by me. I have bought "Hundreds" of items from ebay. Often at much better prices, better selections and more convenient than retail. But, you have to take responsibility for your own actions, purchases, bids, etc. And "ESPECIALLY" be carefull with side deals.

So, it is good to know what you are doing.


.

name.....link? So we can avoid scammers!!!!!

Ebay is full of CRAP - No Doubt, but your examples all seem like obvious pieces of crap to me.
They do qualify as knock-offs for the most part, but I am not sure if those examples would be scams as none are technically listed incorrectly or stating to be something they are not.
It would be a scam if something like the Meyerco was actually listed as "A Chris Reeve - Green Beret". That would be a scam - and B.S.
But, that is an actual Meyerco knife and Meyerco is a ligit knife company. Blackie Collins is a knife designer. But, Meyerco and Blackie Collins typically make and sell lower end junk.


A scam would be picture of Jesus burned into a piece of toast for $10,000. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

But, for those willing to pay, value is clearly a debateable topic.... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Most people would feel our $100 - $200 + knives are INSANE prices for knives.

To each their own....


But, bottom line is still that you need to know what you are doing. This includes knowing "Exactly" what you are bidding on.

If you are unsure, ask questions and expect good answers prior to bidding.
If someone falsifies info in a listing or a response to questions, THEN, you have recourse of action with Ebay.

But, be warned, Ebay's general policy is to provide a tool to do business, but you are on your own after that. They will ban people, but Ebay is known to be tough to deal with. You just generally can't get anyone to help you very easily.

Ebay makes millions! But, no doubt they profit MUCH by not having much customer support.

Again, generally, you are on your own. So, make "INFORMED" decisions when buying.

Read listings carefully,
Know what you are buying,
If unsure ask questions,
Consider feedback ratings!
Etc.

.

This was the e-mail that I sent to the so called seller....

Hiya,

We are still very interested in the Howling Rat, but can you tell me why it has been offered to us after someone else won it? We are very new to e-bay and still learning. Why do you need our full name, mailing address and ID? Can you not access our ID from the auction page of the Howling Rat? Sorry for the questions!

Thanks.

And this was the Abrupt response I got back, note they didn't answer any of our questions....

Let me know your shipping address exactly as requested (Street, City, State and Zip) so I can calculate exact shipping costs before I proceed and start the transaction !

What we found strange was that they e-mailed us on a account that we had not listed with e-bay ?
We contacted e-bay with their e-mail addy and e-bay said it was not logged with them and they could not trace it !!!

PM sent Pitman

There are a lot of fake email going around with ebay/paypal, becareful. Certain Internet Security software, such as Norton 360, will detect these fake sites/links, it's called phishing.

Firefox lets me know from time to time as well on "fake login" kind of stuff.

Good catch by your wife! I am glad that you did not lose anything.