UK Ebay sale of Virpil Throttle CM3 - an item to be careful about

[Mr_sukebe]

As of today (15th July) there is a Virpil CM3 throttle for sale on Ebay UK. 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/325270077828?ViewItem=&item=325270077828

Can I please suggest that you exercise "caution" if you're considering buying it.

I won the bidding on this item yesterday.  However, I was a little concerned even before hitting the "bid", as the item included a stock image from Virpil's website and was listed as "new and unopened".  Sure, that's possible, but it did seem odd that someone would purchase a brand new throttle, pay over £400 for it and not even open the box.

As such, on winning the bid, I contacted the buyer to request that I pay cash on collection of the item, meaning that it would be possible for me to ask see what I was getting.

The seller in question refused several times.

I eventually asked for proof of ownership, e.g. photo of the unit, it's warranty card and box.  Seller then got stroppy and cancelled the order.

This morning, the seller has relisted the item.

Whilst I don't know for certain, this screams "scam" to me.  As such, I have reported the issue to Ebay and also the Police online anti-fraud unit.

 

 

[Mr_sukebe]

Update:

The Ebay listing above was pulled and has now been replaced with this one:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/325272113608

[Gumbie]

Not seeing the Issue here did you look at the Sellers History and see what kind of Feedback they have I get your concerns but I think your Reaching because your unsure I did some research for you and seller is legit,  some people just have extreme luck getting their hands on things but you should be fine.

And if your still uneasy if you purchase just Record you receiving the package and trying it out and your covered by Ebay buyer protection.

 

[Mr_sukebe]

If others are happy to purchase, that’s their call.

I’ve not stated that persons shouldn’t buy it, only recommended that some “due care” is exercised.

[agrasyuk]

On 7/15/2022 at 4:51 AM, Mr_sukebe said:

As such, on winning the bid, I contacted the buyer to request that I pay cash on collection of the item, meaning that it would be possible for me to ask see what I was getting.

It sounds like you genuinely do not understand just how flawed and scam-like your request looked.
If it would be me I would do exactly the same - cancel the auction on grounds that I wasn't paid. 

every lot has a description. if you receive something other than described or in a condition significantly different than described you can always submit a dispute. as buyer you will win the dispute 99.9% of the times. so I do not understand your reservation there.

[sirrah]

5 hours ago, agrasyuk said:

It sounds like you genuinely do not understand just how flawed and scam-like your request looked.
If it would be me I would do exactly the same - cancel the auction on grounds that I wasn't paid. 

every lot has a description. if you receive something other than described or in a condition significantly different than described you can always submit a dispute. as buyer you will win the dispute 99.9% of the times. so I do not understand your reservation there.

Perhaps I misunderstood the OP's post, but the way I read it, is that @Mr_sukebe suggested to the seller to pickup the item in person (and pay in cash). How's that "scam-like"? Completing a transaction face to face seems to me like the safest way to do business (unless you're in the drugs business maybe ). Must agree though about the cash part, as a seller I don't like to receive cash either (especially this much cash)..

 

However, I fully agree with @Mr_sukebe on the "proof of ownership" part. I would most definitely also ask for at least one picture before paying.. Is that too much effort for the seller, no problem, but then I won't purchase (at least not on Ebay).

Seems that in his new ad, he did actually put in some photo's. Makes the whole thing less dodgy imo (a lot of free advertisement/attention for him through this thread  )

[Mr_sukebe]

To clarify, my offer was that I collect in person, ie to verify the item, and whilst there, pay by either cash or PayPal, whichever the seller preferred.

I’m a little confused as how that could be considered inappropriate on my side, particularly as the item included collection as an option and free postage.  So I was actually going to save him £10-20 on postage if I collected.

Edited July 19, 2022 by Mr_sukebe

[Dogmanbird]

If ebay UK has the same rules as Aus ebay, they don't permit contact between buyer / seller outside of the ebay messaging system (unless it has to do with returns or warranty etc) or transactions outside of the ebay system (cash sales etc). Sharing contact details like addresses and phone numbers prior to the transaction gets users penalised.