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Thread: Problem seller on eBay

  1. #1
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Problem seller on eBay

    If you do a search on eBay using the keyword "mandolin" and then select Newly Listed you're going to see multiple selections of the same mandolins from a seller named "japanproduct". This appears to be a legitimate seller that has been compromised. A word to the wise. Amazingly enough the prices aren't real good.

    This is one. This is another listing the same item. There are plenty of others.

    I don't even think there is a way to report any of this as eBay has limited what can be reported.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
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  3. #2
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Problem seller on eBay

    I truly love the eBay makes you do the work to report their problems.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
    --J. Garber

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    Default Re: Problem seller on eBay

    Interestingly, this seller has a mandolin that I used to own that I'd love to have back. Unfortunately it has been marked up about $3000 - $3500 over what I'd consider to be a fair value for it. Seems ambitious. The mandolin market must be pretty hot in Japan. :-)

    -Chris

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    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Problem seller on eBay

    I doubt the seller has your mandolin but they do have the picture and info.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
    --J. Garber

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    Default Re: Problem seller on eBay

    I have to admit that Sumi is a pretty mandolin (from what we can see of it) . . . but $5,300 - Used?

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    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Problem seller on eBay

    Which listing? The same mandolin is listed 5 or 6 times.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
    --J. Garber

  9. #7
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Problem seller on eBay

    The Sumi appears to be down to two listings. Somebody must have bought the other 3 or 4 listings for the same item.

    https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fro..._odkw=mandolin
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
    --J. Garber

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    Registered User William Smith's Avatar
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    Default Re: Problem seller on eBay

    Yeah I seen that with that seller as I messaged one of them-the real guy or the trickster about something a week ago, I did get a reply and he wouldn't budge on price! STAY AWAY, at least till the scheme is gone. Buying from another Country can be sketchy anyway?

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    Default Re: Problem seller on eBay

    Quote Originally Posted by MikeEdgerton View Post
    I doubt the seller has your mandolin but they do have the picture and info.
    I do think that they - or someone - has the mandolin for sale (albeit it at a super inflated price), as I sold it through the 'cafe to an individual in Japan. Why it's listed multiple times with multiple sellers - and moreover, why ebay allows this - is another question altogether.

    I tried contacting one of the sellers and received no response, so I don't think I'll be getting it back any time soon. It's all very fishy in my opinion.

    Chris

  12. #10
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Problem seller on eBay

    I think that what you're missing is that it may not be up for sale at all. There are now three listings for the same mandolin. That doesn't mean any are legit, it points to it being just the opposite. Yes, your mandolin was for sale at some time in the past. Now it would appear that someone is using the pictures and descriptions to get someone to send them money. Three listings for the same instrument doesn't really exhibit a confidence that this isn't a scam. I still believe that a legitimate eBay account has been compromised.

    https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fro...dolin&_sacat=0
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
    --J. Garber

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    Default Re: Problem seller on eBay

    Mike - You may well be right. Regardless, there's certainly enough red flags that I would never consider buying anything from this seller.

    I suspect it is some sort of scam rather than a compromised account, though. I've been seeing these multiple listings from this seller for a long time now. I think it was well over a year ago when I first noticed my old mandolin listed in this way. If the account was compromised it has been going on for quite some time.

    Some of the patterns in this seller's feedback look very suspicious, too. Lots of identical feedback from the same "buyers" (on private transactions) to offset negative feedback.

    Ebay is very brackish waters these days!

    Chris

  14. #12
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Problem seller on eBay

    It has been for years and eBay doesn't make anything easy when you're trying to report it. They will always ere on the side of them making money and not the customer losing money.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
    --J. Garber

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    Registered User William Smith's Avatar
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    Default Re: Problem seller on eBay

    So if one was to buy from one of these sales and wasn't in on the know would one get their money back or would it be in the wind? My guess in the wind! Would ebay make it right?

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    Default Re: Problem seller on eBay

    I brought this up a while ago. BJEWELL had some good points about the shop.

    http://https://www.mandolincafe.com/...st-Man-on-eBay
    Chris from Tucson
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    Default Re: Problem seller on eBay

    Quote Originally Posted by William Smith View Post
    So if one was to buy from one of these sales and wasn't in on the know would one get their money back or would it be in the wind? My guess in the wind! Would ebay make it right?
    If you buy with Paypal or a credit card at the least you should be covered.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
    --J. Garber

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  19. #16
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Problem seller on eBay

    Quote Originally Posted by Chris Gray View Post
    I brought this up a while ago. BJEWELL had some good points about the shop.

    http://https://www.mandolincafe.com/...st-Man-on-eBay
    I don't know why your link won't work for me but this one will. It's a totally different seller isn't it?

    https://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/t...st-Man-on-eBay

    Just rechecked and these are two different selling accounts. I have no doubt there are big vintage sellers in Japan. I see these guys buying stacks of vintage guitars at the larger guitar shows. There are usually four or five different people acting as if they are separate buyers.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
    --J. Garber

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    Registered User William Smith's Avatar
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    Default Re: Problem seller on eBay

    The last guitar show I went was the November Philly show and there was indeed a huge Japanese presence there-when I seen them they were in a group really looking over an old Strat! They had a bunch of instruments in their booth but if I recall correctly I didn't see any out of the cases so pretty good chance they were buyers hitting up these shows around the Country waiting for the last show and than a go back on those silver wings!

  21. #18
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Problem seller on eBay

    Quote Originally Posted by William Smith View Post
    The last guitar show I went was the November Philly show and there was indeed a huge Japanese presence there-when I seen them they were in a group really looking over an old Strat! They had a bunch of instruments in their booth but if I recall correctly I didn't see any out of the cases so pretty good chance they were buyers hitting up these shows around the Country waiting for the last show and than a go back on those silver wings!
    Yeah, I was at that show. That was some pile of cases.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
    --J. Garber

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    Registered User Timbofood's Avatar
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    Default Re: Problem seller on eBay

    I’ve never bought any instruments from eBay and don’t really have any intention to, at least not without some real idea who and where they are.
    I have bought a LOT of smaller items (and some larger ones, I suppose) and only had one small issue on some pizza gizmos for the grill which the manufacturer addressed in record time!
    It’s getting weirder all the time there.
    Timothy F. Lewis
    "If brains was lard, that boy couldn't grease a very big skillet" J.D. Clampett

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    Default Re: Problem seller on eBay

    Quote Originally Posted by MikeEdgerton View Post
    I don't know why your link won't work for me but this one will. It's a totally different seller isn't it?

    https://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/t...st-Man-on-eBay

    Just rechecked and these are two different selling accounts. I have no doubt there are big vintage sellers in Japan. I see these guys buying stacks of vintage guitars at the larger guitar shows. There are usually four or five different people acting as if they are separate buyers.
    Some of the exact same instruments and photos are listed on both of these accounts ("japanproduct" and "far.east.man".) Similar seller feedback patterns as well.

    Chris

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    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Problem seller on eBay

    Quote Originally Posted by manjitsu View Post
    Some of the exact same instruments and photos are listed on both of these accounts ("japanproduct" and "far.east.man".) Similar seller feedback patterns as well.

    Chris

    Somehow that doesn't inspire confidence in me
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
    --J. Garber

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    Default Re: Problem seller on eBay

    Quote Originally Posted by MikeEdgerton View Post
    Yeah, I was at that show. That was some pile of cases.
    Wish I would've known! I was the one walking around "all day on Sat" with a small dog case cover strapped around me chest guarding it with my life as it held pure JOY of a mandolin!

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  28. #23
    Barn Cat Mandolins Bob Clark's Avatar
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    Default Re: Problem seller on eBay

    Quote Originally Posted by William Smith View Post
    Wish I would've known! I was the one walking around "all day on Sat" with a small dog case cover strapped around me chest guarding it with my life as it held pure JOY of a mandolin!
    If you two are going this year and post it here, I'd try to meet you there as well. We could have a small Cafe get-together at the Philly Guitar Show.
    Purr more, hiss less. Barn Cat Mandolins Photo Album

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  30. #24
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Problem seller on eBay

    As long as we don't have to actually hear each other talking that would be swell. I was with a friend trying to buy a 34 Martin. Good luck

    I've been looking through my pictures for a guy with a small dog case cover strapped to his chest. Nothing I can see.
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    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
    --J. Garber

  31. #25
    Registered User William Smith's Avatar
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    Default Re: Problem seller on eBay

    I was there mainly hanging in Charles Johnson's booth area where Larry Wexer was across and Dave Musslewhite's booth was down from them, but wandered around a few times looking and playing a bunch of old guitars. Since I came home with what I went there to pick up I made a vow to the wife I wouldn't buy nothing else-I didn't but she wouldn't of cared! It was a lot of fun, I'd like to go to the next one in Nov. but with the wife's work paying her to go to college don't know if I can swing it? Yet anyway.

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