Discussion
I'm sure this has been discussed before, so feel free to redirect me.
I, like many others I'm sure, am in the habit of regularly searching eBay for classic cars. I've bought a few and sold a few through this platform, so understand how it works.
Again, like others, I am frequently frustrated by huge numbers (400+) of adverts flooded onto eBay by sellers identifying themselves with an @gmail.com address and location showing as "UK" or similar, often selling on behalf of someone and using other people's photos. We're all aware that they're a scam, as they all follow the same pattern with a 4-figure, random price and only one photo plus a slide with a weird-looking email address. You know the ones - those that appear when you sort by "newly listed".
What I don't understand, is what the scam is. What are they hoping to get from us? Anybody know?
(Genuine question - I'd love to understand how it works).
I, like many others I'm sure, am in the habit of regularly searching eBay for classic cars. I've bought a few and sold a few through this platform, so understand how it works.
Again, like others, I am frequently frustrated by huge numbers (400+) of adverts flooded onto eBay by sellers identifying themselves with an @gmail.com address and location showing as "UK" or similar, often selling on behalf of someone and using other people's photos. We're all aware that they're a scam, as they all follow the same pattern with a 4-figure, random price and only one photo plus a slide with a weird-looking email address. You know the ones - those that appear when you sort by "newly listed".
What I don't understand, is what the scam is. What are they hoping to get from us? Anybody know?
(Genuine question - I'd love to understand how it works).
There was a thread on this recently https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Presumably the scam is to get you to pay a deposit outside ebay then they disappear.
Presumably the scam is to get you to pay a deposit outside ebay then they disappear.
Riley Blue said:
It's probably the best known Ebay car selling scam and is monitored by a number of people outside Ebay, i.e. certain searches flag it up whenever it appears. It's always reported within minutes but is automated so very difficult to prevent.
It may be automated but it is not difficult to prevent - Some months back I spoke with the eBay Press Office about this and they are in total denial and this is the root of the problem.Gassing Station | Classic Cars and Yesterday's Heroes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff