F4 on ebay

**stevem** · Oct-02-2006, 9:32am

I realize these threads can get old, but if it saves some newcomers from losing a couple thousand, it's worth it. I'm amazed some of these auctions get past $1000.

Seller has zero feedback. I emailed the seller and he sent me 10 pics of a mint F4. They would have been convincing had I not seen them before on ebay. He offered to end the auction early at $2900, an unbelievably low price. Then, I asked for a phone number just to make sure it wasn't a scam. I got the predictable, angry accusations in poorly worded English that I was trying to scam him, mixed in with "hurry, buy-it-now" pressure tactics. He assured me I could sort it all out after he received payment.

Here's the pic I recognized. I believe it's the F4 that sold for over 10k a few months back.

<a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/Gibson-Style-F4-Mandolin_W0QQitemZ250033969103QQihZ015QQcategoryZ1 0179QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

" target="_blank">http://cgi.ebay.com/Gibson-....iewItem</a>

**stevem** · Oct-02-2006, 9:41am

It's still there; I just can't get the link to post correctly. The mandolincafe adds a "<br>" to the end of the site link automatically and I don't know how to get rid of it.

**Jim MacDaniel** · Oct-02-2006, 10:09am

Is auction # 250033969103 it?

**stevem** · Oct-02-2006, 11:08am

Originally Posted by (jimmacd @ Oct. 02 2006, 09:09)

Is auction # 250033969103 it?

Yes.

**Bob Denton** · Oct-02-2006, 11:34am

The pictures are gone from the auction??

**stevem** · Oct-02-2006, 11:52am

He never listed the pics. He just emails them to you on request.

Here's his reply to my request to call him:

???Now you want me to sing for you on the phone???don`t get me wrong...but I think you are kidding me...if you decide to buy it..I`ll contact a shipping company that provides tracking number and date,with these we can verify online the shipping process!After you receive and inspect the package,the company sends the money to me!It`s that okay???Let me know your toughts

**mrmando** · Oct-02-2006, 12:02pm

Exact same story here, except I haven't gotten any whiny or threatening responses to my request for a phone number. I've been bidding on this, but sure as heck wasn't going to pay for it without a phone call and some verification.

I did just successfully buy an electric viola from a zero-feedback seller who had changed his name after opening his eBay account. This created some initial anxiety but we got it worked out. Turns out the guy lives just across Puget Sound from me, so I took a ferry to go pick up the instrument. Cheaper than UPS.

Here is a link that should work. If you're looking at an item and you want to get a usable URL, click "Watch this item." The URL will change to one that you can copy & paste.

Guess I'll report this F4 clown to eBay. I have his e-mail offering the instrument for $2900 in an offline transaction, which should be enough to nail him.