New eBay FI scam?

[G B.]

Recently there have been several FI units offered for sale on eBay by new sellers in "Private Auctions". (In a Private Auction no one but the seller can see the names of all bidders.) These auctions usually offer the parts at fair, but not bargain, prices. Within a day or so eBay has been cancelling these auctions for some reason.

I can't figure out what's going on here. These auctions don't contain an e-mail address for you to contact, nor do they talk about paying through Western Union. However, I guess the scam could be launched by the seller when you hit the "Buy-It-Now" option and ask for payment instructions. The only clue I found that something is funny is the eBay notice that "this seller is registered in a different eBay system and may not speak English". This note appears on the e-mail form if you ask the seller a question through eBay.

Can anyone explain to me what is happening here? If these are scam auctions, how is eBay determining that? Thanks.

[G B.]

Payment terms

"Bank wire transfer, cash, local bank check"

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1963-Chevrolet-Corvette-Fuel-Injection-unit-64-61-66-62_W0QQitemZ4585524465QQcategoryZ39405QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[Mac Peppers]

Re: New eBay FI scam?

i've saw this in other items also, even cars. they copy the pictures and description of a legit previously listed item. they look completely legit, some even have good previous feedback, but if you ask a question about the item, the answer is in poor and broken english. probably a lot of good old american cash going out of the country.

[G B.]

Already gone

This particular auction was cancelled by the seller "because of an error in the listing" after one bid was received. Shortly afterward this brand new eBay seller, "dadsoldparts", became "not a registered user".

I had asked the seller to send me his name and phone number. He responded that his name was "Jason P.", but he didn't give me a phone number. He went on to say that his wife had listed the unit as a '63 (which it is) instead of a '65. He said he would relist the unit as a '65 in another auction. So far that hasn't happened.