ebay question...please help ASAP

14 years ago

My DH needs a mode of transportation since his was recently totaled...he found something on craigslist, but is it a scam?

The seller replied, and is wanting to sell through eBay via the business protection program. I've never heard of the business protection program, and have pasted some of her email here..."As I've told you at this moment I am in in(I deleted for her privacy)in a military base getting ready for Afghanistan. This means that I do a special training program and I am not allowed to get out of the unit or give calls whenever I want.The shipping won't be a problem because I can do it at no cost for you. You will receive the vehicle along with all the documents including title, bill of sale, full service records and more .Because it is a large transaction we will complete the deal only using an authorized third party like eBay, using their Business Purchase Protection Program.The payment will be handling by eBay and you will benefit of 5 days inspection time period (test drive) and the option to accept or reject the vehicle on my expense. If you are still interested just send me your full name and shipping address. I will forward your info and they will notify you about our deal."

Feedback would be appreciated...the price is VERY good, and we could really use a lucky break, but being scammed would truly hurt us financially. AGAIN...I stress ANY input will be valuable. I've always heard "if it's too good to be true, it is." But these are desperate times, so maybe the seller is legit?

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Comments (23)

yborgal
14 years ago
I'd be careful, though I'm not sure it's a scam. I certainly wouldn't buy a car this way.

Anyway, this was a notice posted on eBay:

04 November 2009 : 10:42AM EST

"Over the past year, the number of claims to eBayÂs Vehicle Purchase Protection program has decreased as more buyers take a proactive approach to safely buying a car. For the remaining claims that are received annually, it has become economically unviable to continue this insurance program coverage for car purchases. As such, any car purchases made after November 23, 2009 will no longer be covered by the Vehicle Purchase Protection program."

Makes me wonder.....
dilly_dally
14 years ago
Everything about that email screams SCAM.
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pris
14 years ago
I also detect a slight hint of unfamiliarity with English. Some of the phrasing is just a tad off. That also screams scam to me.
naughtykitty
14 years ago
My concern is similar to Pris. The language doesn't sound American. Normally, I would be forgiving of that, but someone on a military base should speak like a typical American. I would pay a little more from a reputable source than chance being ripped off. Good luck.
Chemocurl zn5b/6a Indiana
14 years ago
I'd leave Ebay out of it. Why wouldn't they want you to come see it and drive it and pay for it and be done with it? Were you just going to buy it sight unseen? I'd never buy a car that way. Can't you find anything else locally of interest? Have you checked the used car lots and looked in the classified ads?
socks
14 years ago
He can do the shipping at no cost? Huh? How?

I like what Naughtykitty said.

I would not do this. If you are going to make a mistake, let's have you err on the side of caution.
heather_on
14 years ago
Definitely a scam.......I hope you don't fall for it. Ebay, and Craigs List are in no way connected. If you go to the Answering Center on Ebay, the Miscellaneous category, you will see where this question is asked many times a day. The scammers are out there.
jannie
14 years ago
Sounds bad to me,too.
mariend
14 years ago
No I would not do it or release any information. My relatives friend in over there now, and he was not restricted in talking on the phone etc. In fact he emails my relative from over their now. Your seller appears to be a intelligence person --or wants you to think so. Your DH can do better thru a local dealer asking about program cars--just go in and explain what happened and most dealers will work with you. If you are near a military base, watch for deals thru your local paper, as many sell when they do get orders to another base.
Please don't get caught with what appears to be a scam.
carla35
14 years ago
Wouldn't a business purchase protection program benefit you - not them? I'm not seeing going this route would be a negative for you rather than a positive. Granted, if the service is no longer offered by ebay, it's a moot point. But, more or less they want to provide you with an insurance type plan if something goes wrong with your purchase - right?

Sounds better than to me than just buying it outright... Plus, if you pay through Paypal, you may have more protection there too...

I'm just saying it would be easier for them to just sell you the car and never see you again. I'm guessing going this route provides some extra benefit to you.

Be careful though, and if it sound too good to be true, it probably is.. but I don't know what "too good" is. Plus, I'm not sure I would ever fork out money for a car I don't physically have; I don't know what your arrangement would be.

By the way, my friend's brother serves in the military and there are many times for lengthy periods that they can not contact each other.
lydia1959
14 years ago
She will ship for free... but doesn't know where you live yet?? Ebay doesn't sell things for you unless you have a account there... what's her user ID? A 5 day test drive and then you can return at her expense? Sounds fishy to me.

I do agree that selling a car on ebay offers the seller and buyer some protection, but this sounds like a scam to me. It's too easy to make emails look like they are from eBay (or Paypal or wherever). I'd look elsewhere for a vehicle.
dilly_dally
14 years ago
Good grief. Why is anyone even debating this??? That email reeks 100% scam-a-rama. There is no point to even discuss on this. It. Is. A. Scam.

Case closed.

If you do not believe me then let me ask the OP..........Does the email say "I am in in ___ Great Falls, MT ___ in a military base getting ready for Afghanistan." when you fill in the blank? *Alexander Wilson*.

Further proof............Go ahead and respond to that email. I can practically guarantee the next one you get will be worded EXACTLY, word for word: "Hi,
Thanks for your e-mail. I will have eBay send you an email with the payment instructions.Please let me know when you receive it so we can make the final arrangements.
Regards !"

They use forms for letters and templates to send these things out. The reason this guy has time to run an eBay store and sell on CL yet "can't use the phone to call" is because he doesn't speak English!!! They run your response through BabelFish - maybe. That is why they won't converse with you on the phone. Think about it. Think.

Game?
dilly_dally
14 years ago
Did the first look like this?:

1st Email:

Hi,
I am selling this Honda Odyssey because my unit has been sent back to Afghanistan and don't want it get old in my backyard. The price is low because I need to sell it before Nov 30. It has no damage, no scratches or dents, no hidden defects. It is in immaculate condition, meticulously maintained and hasn't been involved in any accident.I do have the title , clear, under my name.The van has 62,000 miles, year 2007.
It is still available for sale if interested, price as stated in the ad $4,700. The van is in Great Falls, MT, in case it gets sold I will take care of shipping. Let me know if you are interested, email back.
Regards,
williamsburgjane
14 years ago
This looks like a scam to me too. I don't think Ebay and Craigs List are connected. Why didn't she advertise it on Ebay if thats who she wants to go thru? Also, She must really be getting a good price for the vehicle if she is paying the shipping.And as someone else said, Ebay did send out a message about the car protection plan being taken off vehicle sales. Shipping on any car isn't that cheap. I think you would be better to look around some more for a better deal. I'll keep my fingers crossed you find a much better and safer deal nearer home.
carla35
14 years ago
Well, it appears God has spoken... so please disregard my opinion since it is meaningless and it appears I am not allowed to have one according to God.

I think God said the case was closed and there was no point to discuss it... although obviously God is allowed to continue to post nonetheless...

Good luck finding a new car...

Chill out, God... I hope you don't treat people like this in real life.
dilly_dally
14 years ago
I am trying to help.

I would hate to see anyone ripped off.

There is no need for anyone to put doubts in the OP's mind to lead them to believe that this might be legit. Giving an "opinion" on the matter is very irresponsible. The entire email does not even make a lick of sense. No one would buy or sell a car that way.

Seek out the facts.

Here is a link that might be useful: The facts
golfergrrl
14 years ago
I've never heard of lmgtfy..... I love it.
dilly_dally
14 years ago
Thanks. Have fun with it!
dilly_dally
14 years ago
Thanks. Have fun with it!
dilly_dally
14 years ago
???? I don't know how that happened. :(

Sorry for the double.
dilly_dally
14 years ago
Before using Craigslist everybody should read all the FAQs they have listed.

YOU WILL FIND THIS WARNING:

Most of this stuff people should be able to figure out themselves. Don't go against common sense because "the offer was soooo good". Don't fall for hard luck stories about why they are selling so cheap. Don't send or receive money orders. Don't fill out forms they send you. And so on. And so on. Read the whole thing.

Here is a link that might be useful: CL fraud alert
houstonmom_gw
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks to all of you for your comments. The 1st words out of my mouth after my DH told me about this was "if it sounds too good to be true, it is".

FYI, at no point were we considering a purchase without seeing it in person!

The last email sent 10 hours ago by my DH asked additional VERY specific questions, and we have yet to receive a response.

Y'all are the best...I may be more of a lurker than a poster, but I'll tell ya this, when I'm stumped about something Google & the KT are my go to sources!!!
heather_on
14 years ago
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE Go onto ebay, and look at the User to User question and answer section, miscellaneous section. You will see this question asked at least once a day. IT IS A TOTAL SCAM!!!!!

Ebay warns you of this, Craigs List warns you of this. The two are not related. You will not be covered by Paypal. You will kiss your money goodbye and have nothing to show for it except tears.

ebay question...please help ASAP

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yborgal

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ebay question...please help ASAP

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