Gossen Metrahit 16i Did I get scammed by a dodgy ebay seller? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: noidea
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 16, 2017, 05:27:13 pm
content: Hi AllI purchased a used Gossen Metrahit 16i from ebay in the UK a few months ago and there were some snafu's with the delivery as the the person I was getting it sent to ended up being away for longer than they had planned and it could not be delivered and Royal Mail are saying it was returned to sender. So I have been in contact with the seller and keep getting some excuse that it sitting at Royal Mail in Bristol, whilst my UK contact is told it was RTS.Anyway I've just seen another Metrahit 16i listed by another seller at a significantly increased price and when I look at the photos on their listing I have a sneaking suspicion that it's the meter that I was sold.The first three photos are from the ebay listing of the meter I purchased, I know they are not as clear as the next six from the latest listing and are taken with different angles and lighting but I can't help seeing some similarities and after owning various multimeters over the years know that the patina of marks and scratches and dirt on the bumper that a meter develops over time is pretty much as unique as your fingerprints are.Does this look like the same meter and I've been scammed?

author: skarecrow
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 16, 2017, 05:33:14 pm
content: They definitely have all of the exact same scratches in the exact same places. I'd say the chances that they are not the same meter are greater than the chances of winning the Powerball two times in a row with the same numbers.Sent from my XT1565 using Tapatalk

author: ataradov
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 16, 2017, 05:36:21 pm
content: Yeah, it is the same meter. File a claim and get your money back.

author: skarecrow
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 16, 2017, 05:37:08 pm
content: You can even make out part of the calibration sticker through the holes in the rubber in the 3rd picture.Sent from my XT1565 using Tapatalk

author: Wytnucls
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 16, 2017, 05:41:37 pm
content: Same one for sure:

author: noidea
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 16, 2017, 05:49:29 pm
content: Wow I'm just about to go to bed and you guys are on to it, thanks for confirming my suspicionsThe cal sticker peeking through the holster and a few of the scratches were what made me suspicious at first.Unfortunately for me it's gone past the 30 day refund period from fleebay but at least I will get the satisfaction of leaving the scamming Ba$t4rd serious negative feedback, actually before then I might send him a please explain about how the same meter is now being listed by another seller.Maybe I should even ask the new seller a few questions as well about where he got it from?

author: skarecrow
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 16, 2017, 05:53:11 pm
content: It might not be too late to file a claim with paypal or your bank.Sent from my XT1565 using Tapatalk

author: CJay
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 16, 2017, 05:58:00 pm
content: Definitely file a claim ASAP but if you have the tracking reference Royal Mail are not known for lying about RTS, if they say it was then it was.

author: LazyJack
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 16, 2017, 06:01:01 pm
content: 30 days count from the time of (estimated) delivery. Are you out of this timeline too?

author: MK14
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 16, 2017, 06:05:06 pm
content: Being Devils Advocate. The other possibility that comes to mind, is that one or both of the sales listings, may have been a stock photograph and/or copied from pictures from elsewhere, such as other peoples ebay listings or something. Hence them looking similar/identical.But it could easily still be a scam and/or the pictures were genuine and you were scammed. Just giving you an alternative possibility.

author: fourtytwo42
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 16, 2017, 06:13:40 pm
content: Quote from: noidea on June 16, 2017, 05:27:13 pmShame I don't live nearer Bristol or I would be happy to go around and remind them that's not how we do business here in the UK, shame on the sc*m!Ebay are very evasive at refunds BUT just keep plugging away on there famous money back guarantee, good luck

author: PA0PBZ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 16, 2017, 06:14:21 pm
content: Quote from: MK14 on June 16, 2017, 06:05:06 pmThat's exactly what I was thinking... I the other seller also in the UK? Can you find any similarities between the two?

author: noidea
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 16, 2017, 06:33:57 pm
content: Unfortunately for me its over the 30 days delivery, but I've just escalated it to Ebay as I've been messaging the seller numerous times since and keep getting BS excuses like "its at royal mail in Bristol" or just no responses.The first three photos are from the seller as the wooden table top is a common background in a lot of his/her listings. The location was listed as Acton, London which is why I couldn't understand the "Bristol" excuse.http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Gossen-Metrawatt-Metra-Hit-16-l-Insulation-Tester-TRMS-Multimeter-/272601344127?hash=item3f784e687f%3Ag%3AUxgAAOSwOgdYycJB&nma=true&si=%252B7f44bbTGlQzAZwiPTD7%252BBlXFeE%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557The second said London as well but I haven't seen a lot of similarities in their listingshttp://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Gossen-Metrawatt-METRAHIT-161-Digital-Multimeter-With-Protective-Case/142405419043?_trksid=p2481888.c100675.m4236&_trkparms=aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20160908105057%26meid%3D081a992a6d4b4f38b4c761b84ac79c4b%26pid%3D100675%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D15%26sd%3D272601344127&_trkparms=pageci%253Ac2fa7585-52bd-11e7-b73b-74dbd180e514%257Cparentrq%253Ab210c73c15c0ab1c986acd47fffde6c3%257Ciid%253A1Based on the actions of the seller so far I am certain I've been scammed

author: retiredcaps
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 16, 2017, 07:10:50 pm
content: Quote from: MK14 on June 16, 2017, 06:05:06 pmModemhead, a member here, has his photos from his website taken and used the others, without permission, in their ebay listings. A calibration service provider on ebay has done this with his photos.

author: noidea
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 17, 2017, 02:43:16 pm
content: I messaged the seller of the second unit, they confirmed they took the photos in their listing but ignored the question about how long they had owned it.I'm still waiting on Ebay to respond, I contacted Ebay UK but they have handballed me to Ebay Australia who don't work on the weekends.I guess I'll be chalking this one up to experience.

author: MK14
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 17, 2017, 02:47:27 pm
content: Quote from: noidea on June 17, 2017, 02:43:16 pmI vaguely remember, that until you receive the goods, it doesn't start the 30 day period. BUT I'm NOT that knowledgeable about that part of ebay, and could very easily be mistaken.tl;drI think you still have a reasonable chance. E.g. The seller(s), may already have bad reports from others. Which if so, will help you a lot.

author: noidea
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 18, 2017, 04:27:34 am
content: There may be hope to get my money back at least as ebay said I've got 180 days from date of sale to file a claim with paypal so I'll see what happens.The second seller replied again and reckons he bought it in a lot at a bailiffs auction, who knows.

author: noidea
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 28, 2017, 02:51:57 pm
content: I raised a case with paypal and at first the response was that the seller had provided valid tracking information that the item had been shipped.I then politely pointed out that if they looked at the tracking information the numpty had provided it clearly stated it had been returned to senderEnd result, I got my money back and numpty boy losesUnfortunately the current seller wants twice what I paid originally and wont accept a low offer, so I in a way I still lose as I was looking forwards to having the meter. Oh well it's more money to put towards a U1461A

author: fourtytwo42
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 28, 2017, 03:07:30 pm
content: Quote from: noidea on June 28, 2017, 02:51:57 pmGood you got your money back but all that hassle and time wasted, it's also possible at the time there was another you have now missed that was only slightly more. I now avoid China on Ebay like the plague as a result of so many bad experiences but OMG I hope the UK doesn't get a similar reputation due to some bad guy's

author: skarecrow
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 28, 2017, 09:23:18 pm
content: Quote from: noidea on June 28, 2017, 02:51:57 pmTechnically it's still considered stolen property, isn't it? Since you got your money back it's no longer stolen from YOU though. Technically it's stolen from the original seller, unless he did, however, sell it to both of you. Whoever ends up with it can possibly be charged with receiving stolen property.Sent from my XT1565 using Tapatalk