Ebay Warning
 

OK unless I'm seeing things there's 3 separate auctions going on ebay for the same Paramount S/N B7633

1. http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Schwinn-...d=p3286.c0.m14

2. http://cgi.ebay.com/Vinatge-Schwinn-...d=p3286.c0.m14

3. http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Schwinn-...d=p3286.c0.m14

Only one lists the serial number.... the yellow bars.

The other two don't, and are listed as different sizes (though same EXACT picture). I wonder if they thought they cancelled one auction after remeasuring. Not a clue... but yeah, I'd definitely use caution.

1 & 3 are the same bike. #2 is a different bike.

Yeah, that is a little troubling. I found this seller when I was searching for Melton frames. I also do not like the fact that every single description is the same. What does he do, repaint every single thing he touches? They also seem to be built up with whatever odd parts he had at the time. It all adds up to huckster behavior.

Yeah, leave these alone for sure.

All 3 auctions from the same guy. Weird...

I'm in Cleveland and he's in Cincinnati, a 4 hour drive. It's just a little too far to check out the bikes.

Yeah, I know. I am from Canton, so it's still far for me too. Everyone of his descriptions mentions chemically stripping and repainting the frame, that was the source of my comment.

Still, the Melton frame was tempting....

Look what the doofus did with the rear derailleur cable at the chain stay braze on. He used a brake housing bushing! Looks like crap. I wonder how professional this rebuild was??

Look at some of his feedback on sales: "bike was dented and I would not have bought it had I known"

Yeah, that was pretty funny. Plus the plastic zip tie...

Don't you love the first one with the Sugino crank, SR chainring and Campy dust cap? Well at least the dust cap is correct. :lol:

It's eclectically top notch....er sure...

Same guy who was trying to sell an unknown frame with Paramount decals off as a Paramount (he removed it when Stan reported it).

-Kurt

Someone with the facts in front of them shold report this to ebay. It is likely a violation of their rules. You could be helping several people avoid some real headaches.

Yes, it is a violation of their rules, however, nothing can be done until the sale is concluded and the defrauded buyer files a claim. Ebay used to reveal the identity of bidders during the auction, but they are now hidden by aliases, such that they cannot be contacted to alert them before they buy. The only time eBay will get involved while the auction is still active is in cases of trademark infringement, such as fake Gucci handbags and designer jeans. In those cases, eBay is liable for damages by the owner of the trademark for being a knowing conduit for a fraudalent transaction. When it comes to antiques and obsoleted products, they are not liable and simply do not care. To them, it's a case of caveat emptor.

At the risk of being thought a dolt, what's the problem with these exactly. P'mount number 1 has chrome rear dropouts. P'mount number 2 doesn't so, not the same bike. Melton frame looks right.

What am I missing?

From reading the posts, I think the problem is that #1 and #3 are the same bike offered twice. #2 is a different bike, so no problem.

Never mind, auction #1 was ended (early).

Auction #2 and #3 are up and active.

That's why I posted it because 2 of the bikes had the same S/N and both auctions had bids. Even the other bike had the same description but a different S/N. It just didn't look right. I figured I could save someone from getting scr*wed.

This new policy of Ebay's really gets my blood boiling for this very reason. Last time this joker listed a 'Paramount' I called him on it and he pulled the auction a day after offering me a very flimsy 'I called Waterford and they confirmed the serial number, so this is authentic'. Yeah - but he never listed the SN in his auction! Had it been the old days, I'd have contacted every bidder and let them know - I've done that in the case of obvious scam auctions in the past.

I presume that Ebay felt they had to protect sellers from the possibility of people trying to sabotage reputable auctions. Too bad it allows shady people like this to possibly pass a lemon along to someone without the required level of knowledge to avoid getting scammed...