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From: keljo60
Date: 08-31-2006, 02:07 PM (1 of 31)
I've spent the better part of today chasing down fraudulent auctions for sewing machines on eBay and reporting them! Found someone else doing it too. There were Bernina, Husqvarna, Pfaff, Brother, Babylock, Singer Quantum, and Janome, all high priced embroidery machines ... and those are the ones that I found! I'm exhausted! But I was actually enjoying catching those creeps and reporting them! It was funny too because the auction would be there, I would send them a message asking about shipping, and the auction would disappear! I love eBay, and I've pretty lucky, but I also know to watch because it's definitely a "Buyer Beware" kind of place! 
Kelly
Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and good with ketchup! |
User: keljo60
Member since: 07-30-2006 Total posts: 154 
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From: Patty22
Date: 08-31-2006, 03:35 PM (2 of 31)
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Kelly, I report the Bernina ones almost everyday (that's the only area I look). I am amazed that they use the same pictures in the main listing. It bothers me that they use the identity of innocent eBayers and therefore I think they should be charged with identity theft! At first it was just the very expensive machines, now, I've seen a few from the older models. I keep thinking that every little bit helps (as far as notifying eBay), but some days I just wonder. My BIL said that the automobile section is notorious for fraudulent listings and he has reported those but they also keep popping back up. Evidently someone is making some "easy" money off these scams or these theives wouldn't find them worth the effort. Patty
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User: Patty22
Member since: 03-29-2006 Total posts: 1194 |
From: keljo60
Date: 08-31-2006, 04:16 PM (3 of 31)
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I only noticed it in the expensive models, the ones that would stand out if you really knew what to look for, but there are too many newby's on eBay who don't know what to watch for. I've never seen it to that extent, but then again, I've never actively looked for it either! Hopefully I made a dent, even if only a little one.
Kelly
Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and good with ketchup! |
User: keljo60
Member since: 07-30-2006 Total posts: 154
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From: wghmch
Date: 08-31-2006, 05:42 PM (4 of 31)
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The big fraud now is the use of "Industrial Strength" in the heading. These creeps are selling household machines that should bring $20-50 for $200-500, and they never seem to stop. If you want to see the worst of the con artists, do a search for "Industrial strength sewing machines" on the bay, and you won't know whether to laugh or cry. Bill Holman |
User: wghmch
Member since: 03-04-2003 Total posts: 249 |
From: lizzybugsmommy
Date: 09-01-2006, 12:38 AM (5 of 31)
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How do you report them I just found 2 6 needles for a very cheep price. These can not be real.
Catherine
http://www.photoworks.com/share/shareSignin.jsp?shareCode=A0E42A2C202&cp=ems_shr_a lb_pml&cb=PW Husbands gone fishing..... I've gone fabric shopping |
User: lizzybugsmommy
Member since: 05-20-2006 Total posts: 207 |
From: keljo60
Date: 09-01-2006, 09:23 AM (6 of 31)
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At the bottom of the auction screen is a link for the Security Center, on the next page make sure "report another problem" is clicked than click "report problem", next page click "listing violations" then "continue", next hi-lite "Fraudulent listings" then another window will have listings and you hi-lite "You suspect that a listing is fraudulent but you didn't bid" (doesn't matter if you bidded or not) then "continue", click "email us", and follow the instructions on the next screen. If you want to track what ones you have reported, click "Send a copy to my email address" and it will copy you.
Kelly
Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and good with ketchup! |
User: keljo60
Member since: 07-30-2006 Total posts: 154
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From: paroper
Date: 09-02-2006, 11:30 PM (7 of 31)
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My husband says it isn't just in sewing machines either..he says that it is really big in cameras and probably about everything expensive that you can imagine!
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: Kylnne2
Date: 09-03-2006, 10:44 PM (8 of 31)
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I agree with Bill about the fraud on machines advertised as "Industrial Strength". I have seen a model on ebay labeled as Industrial and it was an old metal head belt driven machine that I sold many years back and it was also very problematic in sewing normal household materials. I have also seen another on ebay that was advertised as very heavy duty and not an Industrial that was an older metal mechanical machine that was a goody that went for a very good price to the buyer. Who knows what repairs the machine might have needed because though it looked new I know that the machine was made in the early 1980's and the seller had several of this model up for auction. |
User: Kylnne2
Member since: 07-10-2004 Total posts: 629 |
From: seres
Date: 09-04-2006, 01:09 AM (9 of 31)
| Here is some info from the Ebay site http://reviews.ebay.com/SCAM-Auctions-Warning_W0QQugidZ10000000001594589?ssPageName=BUYG D:CAT:-1:SEARCH:1 |
User: seres
Member since: 08-06-2006 Total posts: 1 |
From: paroper
Date: 09-04-2006, 05:45 AM (10 of 31)
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I've been wanting to replace my old Kenmore machine that was ruined when Sears cleaned it. So...I check the listings every so often. It was marketed (new) in 1975. Quite often if I can find it it will be called "industrial" and go for anything starting at 100 or so. It was a wonderful machine but I don't want to pay that type of money for it. I have all the attachments and I keep thinking I'll luck out at a garage sale or thrift shop. I think these guys pay a good price for the machines and their parts, buy them, then take the machines and resell the parts and the machines stripped. It is hard to beat these guys out when a good machine comes up from another source.
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: Lise
Date: 09-04-2006, 08:51 AM (11 of 31)
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I'd love to know how all you smart people recognise a fraudulent offer on E-Bay. Is it just that you are very knowledgeable about current prices or are there other ways of telling ? Lise 
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User: Lise
Member since: 07-24-2000 Total posts: 231 
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From: keljo60
Date: 09-04-2006, 09:49 AM (12 of 31)
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Usually there's a pattern to the auctions. As in the case of the sewing machines, there is no reserve price and no shipping listed. The sellers had very low feedback scores and 100% positive. In the auction it gave a different email address and said to contact that address BEFORE bidding. When I would email the seller using eBay's "Ask the seller a question" link to inquire on the shipping charges, the auction would subsequently disappear!, but not always. If you do go into the link to ask a question, be sure to check the box that says to hide your email address and to send a copy to your email, this way the "seller" can't contact you, which is what they want to be able to do. I also went into the "sellers" other items for sell and there were a lot of different kinds of very high priced items all listed at about the same time. I also noticed that the "place" where the auction was in eBay was not the same as what the item was. Such as the sewing machines listed under sporting goods, or vitamins, or gardening supplies ... when I noticed that it was starting to get comical to me what these crooks would do! Kelly
Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and good with ketchup! |
User: keljo60
Member since: 07-30-2006 Total posts: 154
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From: lamx
Date: 09-05-2006, 09:15 AM (13 of 31)
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"I'd love to know how all you smart people recognise a fraudulent offer on E-Bay." The best (and possibly only) way is to be an informed consumer. If you are looking for an industrial machine, you should have done research and know what makes and models would suit your needs and a price range those machines sell in. That way, when you see an "Kenmore Industrial Sewing Machine" listed, you'll know that there is no such thing. It amazes me that these phony "industrial strength" machines routinely sell for over $200 while true industrial machines often sell for less. I picked up a Singer 111W155 compound feed machine a few months ago for under $40. Shipping added another $50 because the thing weighed over 70 lbs, but I still got a true industrial upholstery machine with a walking foot for under $90. The other thing you need to do is become very familiar with the workings of eBay. Then when you see a listing demanding that you e-mail BEFORE bidding, you will know something's fishy. I also steer clear of auctions that say the item is located in New Jersey, but the price is stated in British Pounds or Euros. As you learn the eBay tricks of the trade, those fraudulent auctions will jump out at you. Ed |
User: lamx
Member since: 05-04-2006 Total posts: 44 |
From: MaryW
Date: 09-05-2006, 10:10 AM (14 of 31)
Thank you for all these good tips about Ebay. I have the feeling I should have something posted on the site about this very topic. Would anyone like to volunteer to write up a full article on how Ebay works as far as selling sewing machines and what to watch for? If so, please email me privately at <email address removed for privacy> I will give you full credit for your work. 
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
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From: mommydionne
Date: 09-05-2006, 01:27 PM (15 of 31)
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Part of the deal with ebay is to ONLY use communication via their site, do not privately email etc and NEVER click on the link when you get an email, always open a new window and type the ebay address in and then go to my ebay, all messages should be there as well, If they are frauds they usually are not there. There has been a lot of "phishing" going on as of late, ie I received an angry ebay email from someone saying I was using thier user name. When I went to the ebay site and checked it out the person did not exist, ebay security said they were likely trying to get my password to use my user name, Nice turnabout eh? Having said that, most folks on ebay are very honest and are willing to give you all the shipping info etc.. My husband even bought a car and had it shipped to Nova Scotia from California without any problems. Jeanette
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User: mommydionne
Member since: 01-08-2004 Total posts: 838 
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From: AdvaP
Date: 09-06-2006, 12:30 AM (16 of 31)
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After reading all the posts, I still don't understand really how to figure out if the auction is good or bad. I had a good expriecne with buying a sewing machine on ebay. Adva Adva Price
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User: AdvaP
Member since: 10-15-2000 Total posts: 325 
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From: GoGoAndrea
Date: 09-29-2006, 03:21 PM (17 of 31)
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Fraudulent as in they list, get the money, and then don't send anything? Or send the wrong stuff? I've never heard of this going on but I'm glad I know now. With so many "Ebay Stores" who list "Buy It Now"s on there, (when I got my c/s) I kind of just used it like I use Travelocity ---- find out who has what for what price, then go directly to the merchant site and buy from there. As a experienced Ebayer, I'm glad I didn't fall into one of these traps! |
User: GoGoAndrea
Member since: 07-07-2006 Total posts: 43 |
From: paroper
Date: 09-29-2006, 05:54 PM (18 of 31)
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Mostly fraudulent because they never even saw what they are advertising and want your money up front...then of course, you never get it either.
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: MJADAA
Date: 10-03-2006, 11:24 AM (19 of 31)
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WE JUST BOUGHT A SINGER 401A FROM alcnational ON EBAY, IT WAS PACKAGED WITH EXTREME CARE ,ONLY TOOK TWO DAYS TO GET HERE AND INCLUDED EVERYTHING AS STATED SO IF ANYONE IS LOOKING ON EBAY I WOULD RECOMEND HIM. 
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User: MJADAA
Member since: 03-09-2006 Total posts: 22 |
From: wghmch
Date: 10-03-2006, 05:30 PM (20 of 31)
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"WE JUST BOUGHT A SINGER 401A FROM alcnational ON EBAY" Oh my, where do I start. If yours was item #270030885094, then you only paid 2 to 3 times what these machines are selling for everywhere, AND THEY ARE NOT "INDUSTRIAL STRENGTH"! This guy is one of the great frauds of ebay. Every machine he sells is "industrial strength." The collectors on the Yahoo Wefixit board have been screaming about this guy and a few others like him for the last year or two. He has sold a tremendous quantity of ordinary household machines as "industrial strength," and by the time that people realize they've been duped, it's too late to leave additional feedback. If you have any doubt, check how all of his auctions have the "industrial strength" catch phrase, and go to the Wefixit board and ask about him. I'm sorry to burst your bubble, but it would be terrible if someone else got taken in by the recommendation. Bill Holman |
User: wghmch
Member since: 03-04-2003 Total posts: 249 |
From: cneajna
Date: 10-04-2006, 12:55 AM (21 of 31)
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As Bill H mentioned there is a group of these types who regularly sell their machines at ridiculously inflated prices and outrageous claims to what they are capable of. I found another place where you can search for Ebay sellers and find out if they are ripping people off. The site is: www.Ripoffreport.com I have recently posted an update to a report I posted there earlier this year about one of these Ebay sellers who goes under the name of craigthecat. Sometimes with Ebay's small feedback limitations, you cannot really tell or get the full story on why someone was dissatisfied. Or.. as is sometimes the case, they are afraid of leaving negative feedback for fear of retaliation from the seller. I've seen many buyers who had great feedback get their rating trashed over one negative from a vindictive seller. It is extremely important not to allow ourselves to lapse into complacency over these people. If we can save even one person from being ripped off then we have done a good deed.
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User: cneajna
Member since: 08-31-2005 Total posts: 1 |
From: DachsieMom
Date: 10-04-2006, 10:06 AM (22 of 31)
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I bought a Designer I a couple years ago and love it. I was on eBay buying threads and needles, if I could get them a good price. Well, say the Designer I and Designer SE out there. Asked questions, put very low bids in on 1. Well, that opened the door. I got fraudulent emails from I don't know how many bogus email addresses about "second chance offers"...for 2-3 weeks. Some of these people hack in or something to eBay and get your emails address and attempt to get you to deal directly with them....which you know is a scam. Another thing you have to look out for is that when they sell the 3D Professional software for the Embroidery Designing...you need the dongle and they may not have it and the software can't be used without it. I love eBay for many things, but you have to be careful and you have to know your prices...some people will pay more than they have to...I won't. |
User: DachsieMom
Member since: 10-02-2006 Total posts: 7 |
From: MJADAA
Date: 10-04-2006, 02:27 PM (23 of 31)
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i wasn't looking for an industrial machine so thats not a problem ,i'm very happy with my purchase and where i am i couldn't have got the singer 401 any other way.I'm afraid with Ebay its a bit like buying a car you have to do your own research first on the item you want and decide what your willing to pay,then research who your are buying from and the postage costs.
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User: MJADAA
Member since: 03-09-2006 Total posts: 22 |
From: got2bjennyg
Date: 10-05-2006, 08:07 AM (24 of 31)
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Some of the EBay "industrial strength" sellers have been getting away from that term. It is being replaced by "Professional Grade", "Industrial Quality", "Commercial Grade/quality", and the like. The problem arises when they represent the item as more than a domestic sewing machine. We all know that if you sew very heavy materials on a regular and routine basis with these domestic machines, they are destine to have some part fail under the stress. It is nice to have a machine that can do that type of sewing ONCE IN A WHILE, but these misleading ads give a different impression. I am short so I appreciate a machine that can hem jeans a few times a year. For me the red flags that a seller is a "snake oil" salesman are: Misleading marketing terminology like "professional grade" or industrial strength", etc. applied to a household sewing machine. Stacks of quarters on the machine bed or under the foot and sewing tin cans and plastic cups- what is the point of that?! oh yeah to MISLEAD. Tons of photos of the machine sewing leather or other thick/heavy fabrics- again why so many photos unless you are trying to suggest that the machine is made to do that sort of stuff all the time? Other bizarre, meaningless terms like "industrial hook, jam proof shuttle, better than original specs, etc.." The circles on leather gimmick- claiming that only specially adjusted machines can do that- yeah right. Anyhow, these sellers may or may not have a good machine available in their listing, but personally, I just don't like their misleading tactics. On the other hand, there are people that do not have the time or inclination to spend their life going to garage sales and thrift stores, but want a vintage sewing machine. They would rather skip to the end and get one that is in good order with all the parts and ready to sew. For them time is money, so they are willing to pay for it. I see no crime in that. |
User: got2bjennyg
Member since: 10-03-2006 Total posts: 4 |
From: sewhappyrtr
Date: 10-07-2006, 11:05 AM (25 of 31)
| Hi, I too always wondered how someone know that the auction is not on the up and up. I like Longaberger baskets, and amazingly they sometimes sell for very cheap prices. So far we have had good luck on the auctions, but I wondered about the low pricing on some. I had an education here today reading about what to look for. Thanks to everyone who gets the word out. |
User: sewhappyrtr
Member since: 08-01-2006 Total posts: 43 |
From: Tom Land
Date: 10-08-2006, 12:07 AM (26 of 31)
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Good points Jenny. It also helps to use a little common sense. I recently had a customer bring in a "Brand new still in the Box" current top of the line machine. She had done the "Buy it now" thing for less than half the retail price. After I estimated the repair to be about $1600 (the manufacturer would not warrant the parts since it it had been purchased over the internet) she picked it up unrepaired. A few weeks later I got a call from San Antonio. The first buyer had put it back on e-bay for the price she had paid, advertising it as having a minor problem. The new buyer took it to her local dealer and after getting the same estimate I had given called me hoping I could help her get her money back (my estimate had been left with the machine). If something is being advertised at a ridiculusly low price. Something is probably wrong. Both the ladies thought they were going to get the deal of a lifetime. Instead the got a headache. I don't know who finally ended up losing the money. It may be out there again now. I don't know. By the way the original seller claimed to have 4 of these to sell. So there may have been a lot more horror stories I didn't hear about. Have fun or don't do it, Tom
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User: Tom Land
Member since: 09-21-2005 Total posts: 514 |
From: got2bjennyg
Date: 10-09-2006, 07:49 AM (27 of 31)
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Tom, I would suspect that sellers like that would soon have some negative feedback. I have gotten some good deals on items I've purchased on Ebay, but I did my research before hand, and tried to use as much common sense as possible. I would say that 99.9% of my Ebay purchases have worked out well for me. I did buy a sewing machine recently from Sears_Overstocks on Ebay. They were having some computer issues, and so there were some communication problems. But in the end, I got a really nice machine (19606) at a very good price. I have sold some machines on Ebay too. Both new and used. I always offer a full guarentee with them so that the bidder knows that if it isn't as listed- they can return it. I also try to list them honestly while still playing up the machine at least a little. JennyG |
User: got2bjennyg
Member since: 10-03-2006 Total posts: 4 |
From: Tom Land
Date: 10-09-2006, 01:02 PM (28 of 31)
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Right Jenny, I would venture a guess that like in all types of business 99% of the sellers out there are honest legitimate people but there will always be a few that want to take advantage of the unsuspecting. My mother told me many years ago that "Trustworthy people are trusting". Sad but true. It seems the more honest a person is the more vulnerable they are. Have fun or don't do it, Tom
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User: Tom Land
Member since: 09-21-2005 Total posts: 514 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 10-09-2006, 01:25 PM (29 of 31)
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Actually, Tom, there is a theory that is popular among the not so honest that it is easier to scam someone that is out to scam someone else. You know -- the guy out to make a quick buck or get off cheap will more likely fall for a scam than an honest person expecting to do an honest deal and pay a fair price. Just a thought. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: got2bjennyg
Date: 10-10-2006, 09:28 PM (30 of 31)
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This reminds me of a little story. When I was little, my grandparents had unusual wallpaper in their powder room. It had an off-white background with black lettering. (I thought it was newspaper until I was about 8 [grin] ). In reality it was Shakespearean quotes. One quote in particular stuck with me over the years. “Love all, trust few, do wrong to none.” JennyG |
User: got2bjennyg
Member since: 10-03-2006 Total posts: 4 |
From: Teri
Date: 10-22-2006, 09:26 AM (31 of 31)
I just had my first e-Bay problem as a buyer, I bought a Bernina 930 foot pedal to replace the one I dropped and smashed into pieces. It was correctly priced with a reserve and Buy It Now price of 129.00 plus S&H. I checked the guy's rating, 99% with almost 2000 sales in the past 3 years, however, I didn't check to see how recent his negative comments were, it turns out almost all his negative comments had occurred in the last 3 months. DON'T MAKE THIS SAME MISTAKE! When it didn't arrive after 10 days I e-mailed him, no reply, when on vacation for 2 weeks then e-mailed him again, no reply, called him, no reply. I then put a claim into e-Bay and Pay-pal and have found he is no longer selling any items and his bio has disappeared. We'll see what happens now.
Teri
"Where are we going, and why am I in this basket?" |
User: Teri
Member since: 09-14-2005 Total posts: 66 
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