HELP ME! Am I going to get EBAY scammed?

[paddleking]

I have been searching for an Airstream for a while now and found one on ebay : 2002 Bambi 19 for $10900 as the Buy it now price. The guy had a non-ebay email address. So I emailed him. We have been talking back and forth for about 3 days. He is saying that is the price delivered to my door. This has to be a scam, right? He said to do the transaction through Ebay so we are both covered. Is that true?

Has anybody bought an airstream through Ebay from an individual? The deal seems pretty good obviously.

He even emailed me the serial code number. Can I check to see if that is real?

Anything anybody can tell me would help. I really want a Travel Trailer and am on a budget of about 12 grand. I dont want to be so eiger I end up being punked by some arsehole.

Thanks.

[azflycaster]

Sounds like a scam, I don't see any 2002 19' Bambi's listed on ebay. When you say let ebay handle the transition, do you me use the buy it now option on the sale or is the seller talking about some other ebay service? Free delivery is typical of many ebay scams as well. I would be very careful...

[paddleking]

Yeah, he took the item offline. We have been emailing since. He gave me the ol' "Someone wanted it but hasnt called back". I am pretty skeptical. He said that I should register back on Ebay and then he will post it and then I can do a buy it now so the transaction can be covered through ebay. I guess that is why I thought he may be legit.

[azflycaster]

Sounds more legit then some, but I still have some doubts. It's too low a price plus the shipping thing just don't sound right.

[craftsman]

A SCAM! and a good way to lose all your money. Tell him you want to pick it up and pay for it when you inspect it and see what the response is.

[johnboy]

Walk away now. This is coming from an ebay member of 12 years. If you are sending them money you are making a mistake. I buy stuff on ebay all the time, $100 here or there no big deal. If the user has a good history there is no huge risk and in fact I've never been scammed.

I look at trailers all the time on ebay (in fact, I'm still looking for a new trailer). I'd never ever ever consider buying one if the owner didn't agree to nothing but pay when picked up or if they don't allow a pre-inspection.

Always talk to seller on the phone, preferrably a home phone. Ask them for the name on the title too.

Also, if you're not ready/prepared for surprises - never buy a trailer sight-unseen. There isn't a seller around that will tell you everything that is wrong with the trailer. There have been some that have whined after picking up a trailer without pre-inspection after it does not meet their expectations and I say "tough luck". You probably bought it because you thought you got a great deal but the fact is you got it for a low-price because others who did their homework did not bid it up.

There typically aren't too many "Great deals" on ebay because too many people see every item out there. Also don't forget that a lot of ebay deals close outside of ebay, even though it's against ebay rules (trust a rulebreaker on that one). Ebay has changed their fee-structure now to account for this I believe. Just about every trailer for sale out there is also "for sale locally", that was the case when I bought mine.

So I'll get off my soapbox now.
Good luck.
JB

[SilverCottage]

Originally Posted by paddleking

The guy had a non-ebay email address.

That's the first clue that he has hijacked someone's eBay account. This sure smells like a scam despite his attempt to make it sound legitimate.

[Over59]

Scam.... But it's your money. Hard to pass up a great deal and buy a trailer below wholesale.
The ad was likly removed because one of us reported it to ebay. I scan the airstreams several times a day and report any listings that look to be scams. Less than there were but they still pop up. They even have great pictures of the inside sometimes, right from the Airstream site. Keeps me out of trouble, almost.

[Pfredd]

Any time you see something like "My eBay e-mail doesn't work, so please e-mail me at xxxx@somepublicemail.com", you can be sure it's a scam of some sort.

Some people do this to try to avoid paying eBay the sales commission, which is "illegal" in eBay's book and can get the lister banned.

However, IMHO, most are just plain scams.

Any time you pay outside the eBay system, you have absolutely no recourse through eBay to try to recover your money should things go bad...

Dave

[moosetags]

First off, welcome to the Forums. We're glad to have you with us.

It sure sounds like a scam, but there is a way to find out for sure. Tell the seller that you are coming to get the Airstream with cash in hand, but no money will change hands until you see the unit. I expect that he will have some really stupid reason that you can't do this. If this is the case, run away. Keep us posted.

Brian

[schaapveld4]

I agree with moosetags

-Matt

[Isadora]

Sure sounds like a scam, has red lights all over it. I agree with Moosetags--not one penny until you actually have the thing in front of you.And have checked the title out thoroughly.

[doorgunner]

What Moosetags said!!
I've purchased my 3 airstreams with cash.Walk up with a grocery bag full of cash, carry it around with you while you inspect the trailer. You may be able to save a few $$.

But I'm more interested in your name "paddleking".
canoe or kayak? do ya make them? Own Werner?
anyway there's a thread on the "off topic "forum- Kayaks and Airstreams. Needs more pics!!

and welcome to the forum!

[paddleking]

Thanks for all the helpful, insightful responses.


I will definitely call his bluff and say I will come down and check it out first hand. Hell at worse I get a kick ass deal on an a Trailer and get an early jump on trying it out as I drive back.

I will keep all of you update with his response.

As far as the username goes.... Canoe all the way. I like to be able to carry my gear, dog and some beers. Dont own a Werner.. sorry mate.

But I did just take an amazing paddle down the John Day River in Oregon. You got to catch it while you can because it is un-dammed and drops fast. But it is the perfect canoe river.

Thanks again and hopefully I will be the owner of an Airstream and can ask more questions.

[GreatPumpkin]

100% SCAM - I guarantee it.

See this thread for clues on typical scammers tricks.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f348...ere-20119.html

[Melody Ranch]

With all the law enforcement folks on this site...how come no one came out with a comment on responding to an unknown EBAY type with a comment like...."I will show up with a bag of cash and we will deal." A young fella did just that here in Dallas last year. He was mugged, robbed and murderd by the EBAYer who told him to show up with cash and get a good deal.

[ArtStream]

Originally Posted by Melody Ranch

With all the law enforcement folks on this site...how come no one came out with a comment on responding to an unknown EBAY type with a comment like...."I will show up with a bag of cash and we will deal." A young fella did just that here in Dallas last year. He was mugged, robbed and murderd by the EBAYer who told him to show up with cash and get a good deal.

Wasn't he bidding on a funeral

[lewster]

Originally Posted by paddleking

Thanks for all the helpful, insightful responses.


I will definitely call his bluff and say I will come down and check it out first hand. Hell at worse I get a kick ass deal on an a Trailer and get an early jump on trying it out as I drive back.

I will keep all of you update with his response.

As far as the username goes.... Canoe all the way. I like to be able to carry my gear, dog and some beers. Dont own a Werner.. sorry mate.

But I did just take an amazing paddle down the John Day River in Oregon. You got to catch it while you can because it is un-dammed and drops fast. But it is the perfect canoe river.

Thanks again and hopefully I will be the owner of an Airstream and can ask more questions.

Hope you get the deal you are expecting. You have nothing to lose by attempting to see the rig. the proof will be in his response.

BTW, regular or C-2?

[doorgunner]

Originally Posted by Melody Ranch

With all the law enforcement folks on this site...how come no one came out with a comment on responding to an unknown EBAY type with a comment like...."I will show up with a bag of cash and we will deal." A young fella did just that here in Dallas last year. He was mugged, robbed and murderd by the EBAYer who told him to show up with cash and get a good deal.

Sorry this guy lost his life. When I carry a bag of cash around I'm always locked and loaded. and I'm not a law enforcement type of guy!