Well, we all know to be cautious when it comes to online auctions, right? Obviously, auctions for A/V gear can run into some rather serious coin. I had this thought in an auction I participated in, having purchased a more expensive item, (laptop), than the seller had normally sold before. It was a red flag, but I proceeded, because he seemed straight up. Of course, I could have been wrong.
Here's an article on MSN,
The article highlights possibilities, and gives a few suggestions on protecting yourself. Worth a read for the avid auction participant.
A particularly interesting quote follows:
Wow, that's serious crime! Anyway, caveate empor. (Let the buyer beware)
Lex
Here's an article on MSN,
The article highlights possibilities, and gives a few suggestions on protecting yourself. Worth a read for the avid auction participant.
A particularly interesting quote follows:
Feedback distortion
It wasn't supposed to be this way, of course. The original idea was that consumers would band together and create an efficient market where they largely policed themselves. Feedback ratings were both a seller's best advertisement and a buyer's best shot at gauging whether a deal was worth the risk.
But those same ratings have allowed a few scam artists to succeed. One seller with a seven-year track record and thousands of positive feedback ratings cheated more than a hundred eBay bidders last month when he disappeared without sending them their goods. Authorities believe the seller made off with about $225,000, but some victims believe it could be as much as $400,000.
It wasn't supposed to be this way, of course. The original idea was that consumers would band together and create an efficient market where they largely policed themselves. Feedback ratings were both a seller's best advertisement and a buyer's best shot at gauging whether a deal was worth the risk.
But those same ratings have allowed a few scam artists to succeed. One seller with a seven-year track record and thousands of positive feedback ratings cheated more than a hundred eBay bidders last month when he disappeared without sending them their goods. Authorities believe the seller made off with about $225,000, but some victims believe it could be as much as $400,000.
Lex
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