Often times they just lift the pictures (and sometimes even the entire body of the text) from another legit listing. Probably have no clue what the item even is. Quickly realized that when one was dumb enough to lift watermarked images from a seller in Britain

But yeah, long shipping times allows them both enough time to get over any held fees, and to keep you from filing a dispute. Then, they empty the PayPal account, let it go negative when you finally file the dispute, and move on to a new one.

I did a bit of flagging a few weeks ago but then realized my efforts will be ineffective. These scammers probably have bots programmed to relist these under a new seller ID at the same rate of old IDs being removed. It might be better to just educate newcomers to watch out.

Impossible, for the most part, in my opinion. I built a several hundred paged website with that single intention - to help others avoid costly mistakes. The site has helped a lot of people, that I know for sure, but it does not reach everyone. That said, at least 14 that I now know of will be educated by now. Sad to see what levels of dishonesty some people will stoop to.

I have to agree with Randy, it will be nigh impossible to educate people to stay away from these scams. Too many are just scanning through looking at prices and not thinking about something being too good to be true. Its human nature I suppose, unfortunately. They don't want to be educated about these types of things, unless they get burned, then its Katy-bar-the-door.

I will take time to flag if I come across a scam listing, but once its reported that's it. I fully realize it is getting replaced as quick as its removed. I had no thoughts about it being a bot doing these, but knowing how savvy some programmers are, along with being unscrupulous, its not really surprising to learn.

And, if anyone hasn't visited Randy's website, linked in his signature, take time to do so. It is well worth reading as much as you will, the amount of information related to C&V restorations and making yourself a good, comfortable and reliable bike is remarkable. Its one of my go to references.

Bill

^ Just got through reading the first couple of pages of [MENTION=84826]randyjawa[/MENTION] 's work and I'm already hooked.

These scammers sure do not help one bit with the image that people have about the Chinese.
It's just such outright and bald faced crockery in their part, out in the open for all to see!......
Thing is, I doubt if the government over there would even care such things are happening......

This is why you don't buy from someone that has never shipped a bike before. Only way it works with those guys is if you can do local pick up.

Some sellers rely on ebay's shipping calculator and are clueless on the size of the bike it takes to ship a bike (and clueless on the packing as well). So ebay's calculated shipping is way off.

they flood amazon as well. I think they are looking to score credit card or payment info to add to database and get $ and try to go off the radar. Report them and avoid such nonsense. Its too good to be true

Like I said,
These jerks never quit:
MAVIC SSC 851 870 Groupset vintage groupe MODOLO SPIDEL ROLLS | eBay
It's even cheaper now!
Tried to report it to eBay so it goes away, but couldn't figure out yet how to do it.
I'd be so pissed off if I was the guy who is really selling that Mavic group!

It's $13 now. Except for wasted time, you'll get your money back with Paypal and or Ebay

I'm usually hunting on mobile, but I'll give both processes:

On mobile, this is how:

• Open the sale item
• In the top right-hand corner, tap the three-dot icon
• Choose Report This Item
• In the first dropdown choose: Listing Practices
• Second dropdown choose: Fraudulent Listing Activities
• Third dropdown choose: You suspect this listing is fraudulent
• Submit the feedback and get back to what you were doing

On desktop version, to the right of the shipping/payments/description tabs, you'll find the Report Item link; choose same categories as mobile. If you can't find the link, do what I do every time: CTRL+F (or Command+F) and search the page for "REPORT"

It only takes 15 seconds and saves someone else the grief. I'm sure this option is probably available in the desktop version, ma

PS - I don't know what's worse, these d-bags or the scammy buyers. I just fought off a second case in less than three months:

• Buyer buys your item
• eBay account is tied to one person, PayPal account another person, shipping address a 3rd person
• They hold your item for a couple of days/weeks, then email claiming "defect" and asking 30-40% refund and they'll go away, else report you and leave bad feedback, usually with totally BS claims
• For me, every time, the buyer is in the New England area and has East African or Middle Eastern names

I just had this happen again on a lot of iPhones I sold recently. My process for testing refurb electronics is more rigorous than any vendor whose products I refurb (Dell, Apple, HP etc.) and I don't send out "iffy" products.

I've found that, in most cases, adding a restocking fee to your auction and replying to tell them "please note there is a restocking fee, ship back the item in the EXACT condition it was received" leads to them closing the return request promptly, but ... still. FFS, it's annoying as hell.

I've started reporting buyers for abusing the returns system. I'm over it. It's straight-up hostile to buy and sell these days.

It is definitely whack-a-mole with these jokers.

I looked at one description, copied and pasted it into a google search, and found the language verbatim on another legitimate listing selling the arts for $250.