Unbelievably cheap Fluke 17Bs on eBay? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: armandas
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 21, 2011, 07:00:53 am
content: Just check these out:http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180669801802Yeah, the seller has 0 feedback, but hopefully paypal would sort it out in case of a problem. Just picked up three.

author: metalphreak
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 21, 2011, 07:07:33 am
content: $8 forUPS Expressshipping from the UK to Australia...He's also listed 100 for sale (97 left).Smells a bit too fishy to me.

author: armandas
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 21, 2011, 07:15:53 am
content: It does indeed. I just emailed him asking about the shipping. But as I said, I'm willing to take chances, just because it's covered by paypal.Not even sure how efficient scammining on ebay is nowadays.

author: metalphreak
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 21, 2011, 07:29:33 am
content: Shipping could just be him being new to ebay? Maybe he just happened to come across a free box of meters and wants to flog them offPaypal protection is a bit of a joke, but if its a pretty clear cut case you should get your money back eventually.Let us know if it all goes well

author: torch
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 21, 2011, 08:31:53 am
content: Free shipping to Canada.Oh heck, I may regret this -- it sounds too good to be true -- but I suppose I can afford a $17 lesson if it comes to that.

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 21, 2011, 08:45:03 am
content: hm strange, he is in the UK but listing on the .co.uk website in dollars. hm very tempting

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 21, 2011, 08:50:20 am
content: Well I bought 2, maybe Dave would like to get one and do a tear down to check that is is genuine.If I was certain they are pukka I'd be doing some wheeling and dealing with all of my spare ebay cash right now but I'm not putting any stakes on that. Could be they are cheap replica's.

author: Kiriakos-GR
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 21, 2011, 09:21:02 am
content: Quote from: metalphreak on May 21, 2011, 07:29:33 amI will totally agree.... it would take more than 40 days to clear the case.

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 21, 2011, 09:38:29 am
content: well I run a separate account for eBay so I can take the little hurt of a wait, it won't impact my main finances

author: Mechatrommer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 21, 2011, 09:50:23 am
content: paypal protection is not a joke, in my case. but i suggest you read the protection t&c carefully, otherwise you'll end up with such a joke claim.

author: Zero999
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 21, 2011, 09:50:49 am
content: I'm tempted, there's safety in numbers, if we're all scammed they'll find it hard to ignore several complaints, a thread about it on a forum and possibly a video by Dave.I've not heard of the Fluke 17B F17B before. I wouldn't be surprised if Dave's done a review but I wasn't going to mess around searching so I did a Google.It appears to be a Chinese Fluke which explains the lower price but none as low as this seller, perhaps he's selling them direct from China?I'm a bit confused about the specification.http://www.aliexpress.com/product-gs/271095358-FLUKE-17B-F17B-Digital-Multimeter-Meter-NEW-6013-wholesalers.htmlGeneral Features :Multiple functions with Auto / Manal ranges.Large LCD display, 4,000 Counts update 3/secMain Measurements : Frequency, Temperature, AC/DC A-V-Ohm , capacitance, Diode & Continuity , duty cycleFrequency : 50Hz to 100KhzTemperature : -55C to 400CCapacitance : 0.01nF to 100uFAC Volts : 0.1mV to 1,000VDC Volts : 0.1mV to 1,000VAC Current : 0.1uA to 10ADC Current : 0.1UA to 10AResistance : 0.1 ohm to 40MohmDuty Cycle : 0.1% to 99.9%Data Hold FunctionBoth Auto range and Manual range SelectableOverrange protection for all rangesPolarity Indication : Indicates negative polarityOverflow IndicationSleep Mode / Auto Power off / Low Battery IndicationMajor Specifications :Frequency : 50 / 500 / 5K /50K / 100KHz , +/- 0.1% + 3Temperature : -55C to 400C , 2% to 9 % +/- 2CCapacitance : 50nF / 200nF / 2uF / 20uF / 200uF / 20mF , +/-2% +5DC Volt : 400mV / 4V / 40V / 400V / 1000V , +/-1.0% + 10AC Volt : 400mV / 4V / 40V / 400V / 1000V, +/- 3.0% + 3DC Current : 400uA / 4,000uA / 40mA / 400mA / 4A / 10A , +/- 1.5% + 3AC Current : 400uA / 4,000uA / 40mA / 400mA / 4A / 10A , +/- 1.5% + 3Resistance : 400 / 4K / 40K / 400K / 4M / 40M Ohm , +/- 0.5% + 3Duty Cycle : 0.1% to 99.9% , +/-1%Continuity Test with AlertDiode TestPower Supply : 2 x AA 1.5V BatteryDimension : 180 x 89 x 51.5mmAccessories : Test leads , Operation ManualWhat's the difference between the general features and major specifications?For example, the latter says capacitance up to 20mF and the former says capacitance to only 100uF.

author: Kiriakos-GR
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 21, 2011, 10:01:03 am
content: Quote from: Hero999 on May 21, 2011, 09:50:49 amInteresting theory at list , but if you have the energy, to start an private court house in the forum,for every seller who does a scam on eBay... it would be an true full time job..

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 21, 2011, 10:03:10 am
content: Quote from: Hero999 on May 21, 2011, 09:50:49 ammy thoughts also. Maybe he is trying to get a good feedback score fast but he clearly is not up to scratch on how to list if he is in the UK but selling in dollars.

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 21, 2011, 10:06:22 am
content: Quote from: Kiriakos-GR on May 21, 2011, 10:01:03 amHero's point is valid. Ebay / Paypal are independant while within the law. If a lot of people are complaining about a single listing they will bow to mass pressure, after all it is the seller that will have to pay up in the end. I got out of paying up when some idiot said he did not receive my item and started an eBay case. I curtly pointed out to them that he had a different paypal address to his ebay address and that his english was pretty bad so he best figure out what he was doing before buying. While I didn't win it went down as nobody's fault and for the sake of £2 ebay refunded him and left me alone

author: Kiriakos-GR
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 21, 2011, 10:10:21 am
content: Quote from: Mechatrommer on May 21, 2011, 09:50:23 amI had many cases ...In one of them I lost 150$In another , I had to pay registered shipping so to return the bad item and get refund.And because of that I lost the 40% from the total of the transaction.To all..If you got scammed , you need to pay registered shipping ,so to return the item.Have this in mind when you buy cheaply.

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 21, 2011, 10:20:32 am
content: if it is a scam he will be refunding and paying for shipping if he wants it back, thats how it should work

author: Kiriakos-GR
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 21, 2011, 10:26:32 am
content: Quote from: Simon on May 21, 2011, 10:20:32 amYou have my vote if you go for president, because today thinks works out the other way around,and we need some one with your ideas , so to change them back.

author: saturation
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 21, 2011, 10:35:04 am
content: There are many reviews of the 17b on eevblog, just search for them. Its a Fluke for Chinese consumption, there is also a 15 and 18b.https://www.eevblog.com/forum/index.php?topic=896.60http://www.flickr.com/photos/jonnobleuk/4417428149/#in/set-72157623456697907/The sell price for most eBay vendors is near $100, delivered. For this quoted on the OP price I would worry;They are stolen productsThey are counterfeitScamBut, for those looking for a low cost DMM with 1% DC accuracy and can risk it, please report back to us, and good luck!Quote from: Hero999 on May 21, 2011, 09:50:49 am

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 21, 2011, 10:37:55 am
content: will let you know. If they are "copies" any way of telling ?While we are on the subject of scammy meters please nobody buy a VC99, they are dreadful. Mine is temperamental to say the least and I cannot rely on the ohms function. If you must spend £30 on a meter get the AM220

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 21, 2011, 10:40:25 am
content: Quote from: Kiriakos-GR on May 21, 2011, 10:26:32 amHumbly at you service sirWell I just returned an item to a seller and he refunded my return postage without me asking. Obviously he was a good seller though and cared. I have paid for people to return items to me or told them to keep/them (applied to a couple of used items that I thought worked but apparently not)

author: Kiriakos-GR
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 21, 2011, 11:14:22 am
content: From the bottom of my hart , I wish you to get those HH , and everything to be as expected.I am aware that you are an honest person.

author: Mechatrommer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 21, 2011, 12:42:04 pm
content: Quote from: Kiriakos-GR on May 21, 2011, 10:10:21 amyes. the shipping is at your own cost, thats the devil of online business. thats why i dont trust too good to be true item, gotta be very carefull, esp with the seller's reputation. you may get your money back, but the time wasted and frustration is unspeakable. + the shipping loss as kiri said.

author: saturation
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 21, 2011, 01:52:52 pm
content: Hi Simon,I personally have no experience or have seen outright fake Fluke DMM; but the Flikr post has tear downs of the DMM, so you may be able to compare the guts when you get it. If they look identical, test it thoroughly to insure it lives up to its spec sheet. You'd have to make an educated guess to know whether it has any safety rating that you'd be able to risk or live with.Its common to outsource design and manufacture to many factories in China, with little regulation.Just as example, if a model or brand name is popular, dishonest folks can make excess numbers of a product beyond the original client order or take quality control rejects, then sell these excesses without the client knowing. So, for most purposes, these can be identical to the real thing just not authorized by the client. These are the worse case types of counterfeit because they are essentially identical; the only way to know is the serial numbers are not authorized; the only pitfall of these products is that they don't get any quality control or inspection that is typical of Fluke or any client's procedures.Quote from: Simon on May 21, 2011, 10:37:55 am

author: armandas
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 21, 2011, 05:19:21 pm
content: PayPal shows the payment as unclaimed and says:QuoteI guess the saying "If it looks too good to be true, then it probably is" stands unmoved yet againI feel like cancelling the payment and not wasting any more time with this.

author: Kiriakos-GR
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 21, 2011, 05:39:13 pm
content: Quote from: armandas on May 21, 2011, 05:19:21 pmIt could be that way, but you had helped all ready one unreliable source to do 18 sales .Its more wise to inform the others only when you have do first an complete and successful transaction.(getting the item in your hands )

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 21, 2011, 06:01:15 pm
content: I've cancelled mine. obviously something doggy, now let me see, what sort of feedback should I leave......

author: DaveW
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 21, 2011, 06:19:21 pm
content: It could be that this person is still on a personal paypal account which doesn't let you accept more than 5 payments per year-which if they've only signed up for ebay is possible. Not saying it isn't a scam, but not definite yet...

author: Kiriakos-GR
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 21, 2011, 06:22:26 pm
content: Quote from: Simon on May 21, 2011, 06:01:15 pmI would be worry more about of what feedback you will receive.The canceled transaction with out reason, could lead to problems.

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 21, 2011, 06:25:37 pm
content: Quote from: Kiriakos-GR on May 21, 2011, 06:22:26 pmA seller cannot leave negative feedback for a buyer (I with I could as a seller !)

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 21, 2011, 06:26:43 pm
content: Quote from: DaveW on May 21, 2011, 06:19:21 pmI think that is 5 credit card payments, paypal to paypal payments should be fine, something is not right.Price too good to be true, claims to be in the UK but lists in dollars and is sending with canadian post, now payment has an issue. not good

author: Zero999
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 21, 2011, 06:27:17 pm
content: I've not been able to find an answer to my question:Quote from: Hero999 on May 21, 2011, 09:50:49 amDoes anyone here know? I've seen a similar thing on many websites.I'm still temped to buy one but would certainly not buy any more than that.

author: armandas
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 21, 2011, 07:00:12 pm
content: Quote from: DaveW on May 21, 2011, 06:19:21 pmI'm still not sure this is a scam, but quite a few things are rather weird, even for a first time seller. If they ever answer my email, I'll try and get their phone number and have a quick chat. Not holding my breath though.

author: armandas
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 21, 2011, 07:06:01 pm
content: Quote from: Hero999 on May 21, 2011, 06:27:17 pmI have attached the manual for the Fluke 15B and 17B. You can find the real specs in there. There is no mention of 20mF range.

author: bilko
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 21, 2011, 07:11:39 pm
content: seller lists UK address but ships via USPSDoesn't add up either based in USA or UK which one ?Address detailsMyra KernBarrow-in-Furness, Cumbria LA97 3BC United Kingdom

author: Bored@Work
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 21, 2011, 07:21:56 pm
content: Quote from: yachtronics on May 21, 2011, 07:11:39 pmThe postcode for Barrow-in-Furness doesn't match.

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 21, 2011, 07:23:44 pm
content: maybe time he is reported, too many loose ends

author: Kiriakos-GR
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 21, 2011, 07:24:59 pm
content: Quote from: yachtronics on May 21, 2011, 07:11:39 pmIts a common practice to register them self's in UK , get dollars from Paypal , and the items comes from China (warehouse )

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 21, 2011, 07:29:48 pm
content: he is too cheap though even for a china seller

author: bilko
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 21, 2011, 07:30:40 pm
content: I agree, but shipping USPS is only possible from USAEven DealExtreme is shipping for over $90http://www.dealextreme.com/p/fluke-17b-2-6-lcd-digital-multimeter-meter-2-aa-included-28659

author: bilko
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 21, 2011, 07:36:32 pm
content: Quote from: Simon on May 21, 2011, 07:29:48 pmShe 'Myra'

author: Bored@Work
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 21, 2011, 07:41:33 pm
content: If you want to have some more head-scratching, do a whois on the domain uggfree.comThen do a whois on the domains pdam.info and tagg.info. And for good measure on cartieruk.com (claims to be a UK Cartier jewelery shop ...). Then compare the address details to a whois of channel-of-sports.comFor extra points, try to find the street. Oh, and "Mount Sterling".

author: tekati
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 21, 2011, 07:41:36 pm
content: Maybe ill commit to buy a few and just wait for them to contact me about payment!Then I can ask a few more questions and if nothing comes of it then nothing will be lost.

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 21, 2011, 07:52:22 pm
content: Quote from: tekati on May 21, 2011, 07:41:36 pmSame here, I have cancelled, if he asks for the money then maybe the goods do exist

author: tekati
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 21, 2011, 08:12:06 pm
content: I committed to 4. Figured if they are somehow legit then I just dropped 100.00 for 4 with shipping.I sent the seller an email asking if I can condense shipping costs before paying with PayPal. Lets see if that gets them to respond at least.If for some reason this person just happened upon these, its just too good of an opportunity to pass up.Who knows maybe it was in error and if they are a stand up entity they will stick to their commitment.

author: tekati
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 21, 2011, 08:25:09 pm
content: I guess this explains it all! Here is the email I just received from eBay regarding this very item.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------We're writing to let you know that this listing for an item you won or bid on is no longer available:180669801802 - FLUKE 17B F17B Digital Multimeter NEW w/carrying bagWe understand this may be disappointing, but occasionally we need to remove listings. In some cases, the item itself is fine, but was listed in a way that didn't follow eBay's guidelines.Here's what you can do next:-- If you already paid, received your item, and you're satisfied, please disregard this notice.-- If you won the item but haven't paid, don't pay. Since eBay removed the listing, you're no longer obligated to go through with the transaction.-- If you already paid for this item through eBay, and it's past the estimated delivery time, you can open a case in our Resolution Center. Click the link below, and select the "I haven't received it yet" option. This will guide you through the process of opening a case.http://resolutioncenter.ebay.comIf the seller offers you the item outside of eBay, we strongly discourage you from accepting the offer. These types of transactions are extremely risky and aren't covered by eBay buyer protection programs.If you didn't pay through eBay or PayPal, and:-- You paid by Western Union or MoneyGram, contact the company directly (Western Union 800-325-6000 or MoneyGram 800-926-9400).-- You paid by check, contact your bank to stop payment.Thanks,eBay

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 21, 2011, 08:28:52 pm
content: I just bought one of these for the fun of it. Smells very fishy to me so I have not paid yet. I asked the seller to confirm the amount owing, his/her UK address and why USPS is being stated in the auction. If I'm honest, I don't expect a reply.If I do get a response and it seems fishy, I will contact ebay and request they authenticate the seller for me.Has anyone considered that these units are not described as fully funtional ? They could be unserviceable duds, but hey I'm game for a laughThis'll give us something to talk about for a week or twoUPDATE...Awww....... I just received the ebay auction cancellation notice....if it smells fishy then it probably is fishy

author: kaptain_zero
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 21, 2011, 08:41:55 pm
content: Well, for the measly few $ I figured I could afford to loose it, if it came to that.Then I got the ebay cancellation notice so I went to PayPal to file a dispute but the transaction id was invalid. I did see that there was a check box to cancel my payment as it was unclaimed so I clicked on that and hopefully, that's all that will be required.Oh well.... I didn't need one, I just thought I'd replace my oldest cheap Chinese DMM with it if it was for real.RegardsChristian

author: Frangible
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 21, 2011, 09:05:30 pm
content: I did the same thing. It was too good to be true.

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 21, 2011, 09:47:42 pm
content: yea just received an email to say the listing is cancelled, I've already cancelled the unclaimed payment and the money is back in my account my guess at this point is that the meters never existed

author: torch
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 21, 2011, 09:51:11 pm
content: Quote from: tekati on May 21, 2011, 08:25:09 pmI just woke up to the same notice. Unfortunately, I already paid via paypal, although it's listed as "unclaimed" and the seller isn't registered with paypal. Does this mean I haven't paid yet for the purposes of:QuoteIn other words, should I cancel through Paypal or through eBay?Nevermind, I see the answer to my question was posted as I typed the question

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 21, 2011, 10:00:37 pm
content: just click on cancel

author: baljemmett
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 21, 2011, 10:22:58 pm
content: Quote from: torch on May 21, 2011, 09:51:11 pmIt seems unclaimed transactions can be recalled trivially, but now I'm wondering about other non-monetary details. Presumably eBay will have sent purchase notifications to the user under whose account the auction was listed; I seem to recall the shipping address is provided to PayPal rather than eBay (not entirely certain, though), but don't know if that's passed back to eBay or just included in the PayPal payment notification. Wonder if PayPal send such notices to unregistered e-mail addresses, come to think of it...Sounds like nobody should have lost money, but it might be a nice way for someone to obtain a few known-good names and addresses for whatever reason! (More domain registrations perhaps, per BoredAtWork's observation?)

author: torch
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 21, 2011, 10:44:21 pm
content: Quote from: baljemmett on May 21, 2011, 10:22:58 pmInteresting question about the physical addresses. Not sure if anything would have been passed to an unregistered paypal user or not. Something to think about in this age of rampant identity theft. As for the domain registration issue, I have my own and use disposable e-mail addresses based on that domain. As everything related to my e-mail server is under my exclusive control, I don't think it can be easily hijacked.

author: Bored@Work
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 22, 2011, 06:17:05 am
content: Quote from: baljemmett on May 21, 2011, 10:22:58 pmThe domains have been previously registered, some of them years ago. Some run dubious offerings, like cheap Cartier jewelery, or mobile phones ... What I wanted to point out was that you have apparently found some Chinese organized crime who are in the business of ripping of westerners for some time now. The gang was a little bit lazy, using similar or the same addresses:For example:Quotevs.QuoteDid you get the joke with "Mount Sterling"? They want to make a mount of money, preferable in Pound Sterling ...Of course there is neither a 9276 Balsam Cres in Barrow-in-Furness or in Mount Sterling.There isn't even a Mount Sterling in the US.Correction, there is, but the postal code is 40353. The postal code 40356 is Nicholasville in Kentucky, but not valid in the UK. The previously posted postcode for the UK didn't match Barrow-in-Furness.If you want to find more ripoff websites, google "9276 Balsam Cres", and combinations like "Myra Kern Barrow-in-Furness", "Myra Kern Kentucky" or try googling the Chinese phone number. You will find at least two dubious software companies, too. But let me suggest you don't try to dig to deep or take action. You are dealing with professional, organized crime, and they can get very ugly.I can only guess what went wrong with their eBay ripoff. Typically such criminals use hacked ebay accounts and hacked paypal accounts. They buy the information on black market websites. Again, we are talking about organized crime. Sometimes the information they buy is not good. Here it looks their paypal account information wasn't good, or they mixed something up.Let me end with a general suggestions. The idea that you can just try to buy from such a source without risk, and paypal will protect you is stupid and unethical. If the criminals are successful, in the end someone will have to pay the money.It might be paypal as part of their refund policy. But that money ultimately comes from the paypal users, too. It comes from the fees you pay paypal. The money is certainly not coming out of the pockets of the paypal owners. If paypal is capable of one thing, then doing the math. They will simply raise fees if they figure they had to pay more on average because of fraud then they considered in past calculations.Or the poor soul who's paypal account was hacked is left with the bill. If it would be your account you wouldn't find it funny. You wouldn't want to have the endless hassle following.Or it might be even you who is left with the bill. Paypal is famous for looking away if it helps paypal to avoid paying some.The only ones who don't care where the money comes from are the criminals.The best way is to stay away from these criminals as fare as possible, instead of testing the waters and trying to get as close as possible to them without getting burned.

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 22, 2011, 07:53:25 am
content: Boredatwork,Some very wise words indeed. I consider myself to have been a tad stupid yesterday.... engaging in an auction that was very obviously not quite right. I should have known better, but the potential Chinese OC connection was something I totally missed.Thanks again for raising our awareness of the potential presence organised crime on ebay.

author: Zero999
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 22, 2011, 09:45:37 am
content: Quote from: armandas on May 21, 2011, 07:06:01 pmThanks, I didn't see the manual in my Google search.I'm now glad I didn't put in a bid, let alone pay for it but had I done so, I would've accepted there would've been a risk it would be rubbish or I'd never had received it.

author: vis1-0n
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 22, 2011, 10:18:57 am
content: About 10-15 days ago I saw a similar listing for a 7" tft LCD screen for $12.99 with free shipping. I got very excited at the price, then I saw that there was no feedback score for the seller. And the this UK seller was offering free courier shipping to South Africa...Like others above I considered taking my chances with getting my money back from paypal. Wisdom and common sense prevailed, and I dare say it was the moral aspect that stopped me taking the chance. Do not abuse the system.

author: Mechatrommer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 22, 2011, 10:28:08 am
content: lesson, next time, be very careful with less than 10 feedback seller, esp too good to be true, esp 0 feedback, esp oversea where your government has 0 control over it. consider it as a rule of thumb while ebaying.i did msg the seller, i dont know how far he can hack me from there.

author: saturation
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 22, 2011, 11:04:37 am
content: B@W, most excellent detective work!

author: Kiriakos-GR
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 22, 2011, 11:06:56 am
content: Quote from: Mechatrommer on May 22, 2011, 10:28:08 amI believe that he must be in fear after reading your msg,due the fact that an Malaysian James bond , are trying to hack him too.. LOL

author: Kiriakos-GR
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 22, 2011, 11:10:26 am
content: Quote from: vis1-0n on May 22, 2011, 10:18:57 amYou have my vote on that ...

author: torch
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 22, 2011, 02:51:44 pm
content: Back around post number 4, I raised the issue this might be too good to be true, but I decided to to take a chance anyway. Why? Because (at the time) it appeared it was equally possible that this was legitimate. One common way for new sellers to build a good feedback rating on eBay is to offer some loss leaders for a while.$17 for a $100 meter? Just possible -- some quick research before I bid revealed that Fluke makes the same meter under a Craftsman label (the 81437) that Sears sells for $29, so Fluke obviously has some ability to move on the price. And the model has been around a while, some places no longer carry it, so they might be clearing out some overstock that an entrepreneur was able to snag before a surplus chain got them. It was just reasonable enough to make this appear legitimate. If this was a new, current, popular model then things would have been different.I do appreciate the lesson about digging into the domain name of the seller though, I'll remember this in the future.

author: baljemmett
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 22, 2011, 05:33:34 pm
content: Quote from: BoredAtWork on May 22, 2011, 06:17:05 amAh -- I missed the registration dates, but glanced at the (extremely suspicious) addresses and figured they were in the business of ripping people off, as you say. Hence wondering if they might make use of names, partial addresses, eBay/PayPal usernames etc. of recent 'suckers' in future dealings.You're quite right, of course, to point out the risks of dealing with this sort of scam operation. In this case perhaps it's sheer dumb luck that nobody looks to have ended up out of pocket -- had peoples' PayPal transactions actually gone through, things may well have been rather different.

author: metalphreak
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 23, 2011, 04:43:33 pm
content: There are good deals to be had on ebay sometimes, but in cases like this its usually something amiss

author: ziq8tsi
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 24, 2011, 06:10:41 pm
content: Quote from: BoredAtWork on May 22, 2011, 06:17:05 amThis seems rather unlikely to me. Registering an eBay account, or domain name, with a provably fake address is not so much lazy as stupid.Unprofessional anddisorganized. It only takes one person to query the address and the account will be suspended. Most likely well before PayPal actually release any funds.As you seem to be aware, a more professional method of eBay fraud is to take control of an existing but dormant account, with good feedback. Or to register your own account, have an expendable accomplice in the relevant country, and then sell lots of low value items successfully before you move on to the high value scam.Offering goods in quantity, well below market value, from an account with zero feedback, that can not receive funds, looks at least as likely to be idiocy, mistake, or hoax, as "ripoff".

author: torch
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 24, 2011, 07:21:16 pm
content: Quote from: ziq8tsi on May 24, 2011, 06:10:41 pmI've seen that before. A variation is a number of more expensive items. The tip-off there is to look closely at the dates and times: item listed at, say, noon. Sold by 12:05 (often to another new user who "coincidentally" also sells a number of items to the first identity, but it's harder to spot that now since eBay is hiding user IDs.) Positive feedback by 12:10. A crook can build a nice looking feedback number for several identities within a few days for nothing more than the cost of a few eBay transaction fees.