Possible vendo 56 scam on ebay

[90grad]

All,

I found this machine on eBay and then, by chance, saw the same picture on another website.  This may be a scam.  The seller only accepts money orders/cashier's checks.  He also says his dad has had the machine for several years.  This machine has obviously been restored and the people who did it, www.gameroomantiques.com, have the SAME PICTURE on their website.  They are located in DC and this seller says he's from Maine.  I've already sent a notice to the guy who has bid, basically telling him to try to find out if this guy is legit as best he can and also told him about the other website.  The eBay # is 7201994007 and the link is:

Scam?

[Skeleton Man]

Looks like a scam to me.. the picture isn't of the actual machine according to the seller:

Quote

Q: Hi, is this the picture of the machine or one like it, and do you have more of the one you have. ken.   A: This is not the real picture but is the same machine in realy good shape it is missing the black 10 cent label same colors same model but mine isn't as shiny. I am new @ this and don't have a computer camera. It was my dads machine he had it in his office for as long as I can rember a good 30 years. Dad died last summer my mom is having trouble with her bills cause she lived on dads check and the machine makes her cry so she wants to sell it and I as her daughter am selling it for her cause she is 72 and never had a computer she put it in the paper for $1000 but it did not sell. She had my husband put it in her barn we put a sheet on it but the barn has no heat and the cold winter might break it.

[MoonDawg]

Does not look like a scam to me.  If I were close enough, I would bid on it and if I was high bidder would insist on paying with cash at time of pickup.
         May be a sleeper here

[davethebirdman]

I have to agree with Glenn.

If you insist on picking it up and paying at the time you can't go wrong. The only problem being no photo of actual machine.

The english is too good to be one of those East European scams. A friend of mine got stung for £130.00 yesterday on a I-pod where a genuine sellers account had been corrupted. She is thankful that she didn't fall for the PayPal scam and have her bank account cleared out.

Dave

[90grad]

I'm still skeptical.  I asked (politely) the seller why the picture was the same as on a restoration website and got no reply as of yet (sent this morning).  I agree picking it up is the only way.  But, not disclosing the machine pictured is not the one for sale is HUGE.  A good test would be to look at a map and find a town about an hour from the person and send a message saying you're from that town and you'd like to drive over and see it before you bid.

From someone who receives scams on a fairly regular basis.  And as someone who intercepts things to do with scams that sometimes reach the millions of $$$'s amounts.  The use of very correct and proper English is not a very good yardstick (or meter stick) in determining scam or not.  If you want to run a scam there are people that will sell the goods needed to make it very real appearing.  I see and personally receive offers that look better than something from legitimate sources.  Do not be afraid to forward such things to spoof@paypal.com, or notify eBay security, or the FBI cybercrimes unit.

[davethebirdman]

The FBI has a cybercrimes unit??? Wow.

Isn't it a shame that something like Ebay that was built on trust and free trade has got to the stage where everything that you consider buying you have to investigate first to ensure that you are not being ripped off.

The hardluck story, given as an excuse for selling is something I've seen a good few times but I would still venture a little further down the road before competely dismissing it.

Scammers are very proffesional. The Bogus sites that are set up are very clever. "Let's be careful out there."

Dave

[glassbottlesrule]

I'm voting scam.  The 1 feedback that is on a purchase and charging the flat rate shipping and saying nothing about pick-up just doesn't ring true to me.

[Creighton]

I'll vote extreme caution on this one. Don't think an eBay newbie would come up with "phillips6699" for an ID. Interesting to see if they respond to an onsight viewing. Great idea 90grad!!
Creighton

[davethebirdman]

Go on then

who's going to arrange for a viewing to see if this is just some poor newbie or yet another
fraudster out to get what they can. I'll e-mail asking about a buy it now price, payment etc and see what I get back.

Dave

[davethebirdman]

Looks like someone beat me to it...

Q: do you have a buy it now price Dec-03-05
 A: I don't have a buy it now price. I am new at this and just trying to sell the machine for my mother. I will ship it with Roadway frieght out of Bangor Maine to the winner.I did a little research and it would be cheaper if my husband brought it to Bangor for frieght.For all you people bidding what would be the best way to pack it so it arives in good shape? I also have a big old sign that reads coca cola but I don't have a computer camera and can't find the same sign on any site I saw alot of them but not the same and I would like to list that to. I looked on google for hours its green with white letters about 5 feet long 2 feet high any info would be helpfull?  

I don't know I'm still on the side of preceed but with caution.

Dave

[Kilroy]

It's a sad commentary on society we have become so jaded and suspicious, sadder it is necessary.

Ok, off the sopa box. I am tending to agre with Dave and others, proceed with caution, but it sounds legit. If I had the room, cash and time for another machine, I'd suggest to her getting pictures taken and developed on a CD, and email to interested bidders, or work on uploading from the CD.
 Her Ebay name sounds like she used her email address, which, at least in when I first joind, is the way Ebay defaults when you create an account.
Feh, trying to shake my cynicism, the season and all....

[dr galaga]

I think that it may be some newbie.  Part of the answer may be if someone asks if the picture in her other auction (toy truck) is the actual item.  If it is, then why can she take a picture of it, but not the machine. '>
It's up to $510.  I know I would like to see the unit before I bid on it.

[sodaworks]

I believe this is the real deal! Is there anyone here at SMC close to its Maine location? I would be very interested in buying this machine. '>

[90grad]

Wonder why she is taking Paypal on the toy truck and not the machine?

[davethebirdman]

Terry

isn't Joesquid in Maine???

Dave

[BrianB]

Yep, last I knew he was still part of a precommisioning unit stationed at Bath Iron Works near Brunswick. You should e-mail him!

[joesquid]

Sorry guys!!  I just saw this thread...wish I had seen it sooner.  Dexter is practically just up the road from me.  Been very busy with pre-comming my ship and trying to buy a house (plus Christmas coming up...kids...etc etc)  I leave on sea trials tomorrow to put my ship through her paces.  If I had known about thismachine I would have gladly gone to pay the gal a visit and take pics for all interested (including me '> )

If anyone sees anything else in this area and need someone to go take a look just give me a yell...I'll try to make time for you, promise!!