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View Full Version : eBay Scam for '97 240sx


Shells
05-18-2006, 02:47 PM
Just wanted to alert anyone looking for a Kouki to an eBay scam. I'm sure most people would eventually figure it out before making the purchase, but who knows - people do get scammed alll the time. Anyway, here's a link to the eBay auction. I've already reported it, so hopefully it will be removed soon:

eBay Link (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ru=http%3A%2F%2Fsearch.ebay.com%3A80%2Fsearch%2Fse arch.dll%3Fcgiurl%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fcgi.ebay.co m%252Fws%252F%26fkr%3D1%26from%3DR8%26satitle%3D46 40556789%26category0%3D%26fvi%3D1&item=4640556789)

Basically, the same link is listed on autotrader as shown HERE (http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=201638056&dealer_id=57839613&car_year=1997&search_type=both&make=NISSAN&transmission=Manual&distance=0&model=240SX&address=85260&make2=sel_one&certified=&advanced=y&max_mileage=&max_price=&bkms=1147981746469&min_price=&end_year=2007&color=&start_year=1997&drive=&isp=y&engine=&doors=&fuel=&lang=en&cardist=1961).

The difference? Well, the eBay ad is listed for $5,000 LESS than the autotrader ad, for starters. The eBay seller also claims the car is in New Mexico, while the autotrader ad suggests the car is in Florida. The mileage is different too, I think. I emailed the eBay seller originally, as I was interested in this great deal. The seller responded with an email using broken english, which screams "foreign scammer", to me anyway. The email from the seller states she's currently in Tucson, AZ, but the car is in NM, and she'll need to ship the car, etc. I replied and since I'm in AZ myself, I offered to meet up and discuss the option of having the seller ship the car to herself in Tucson, then I would buy it and pick it up. I don't expect a reply back.

After my email, I went searching on autotrader (because I KNEW I had seen that car somewhere else before) and sure enough, there it was.

So, there it is for anyone looking to purchase. If the eBay seller is someone on the forums, sorry for foiling your plans. :(

CatchMyDrift03
05-18-2006, 03:13 PM
BRAVO!!! I believe i saw that same ad on ebay too, and i too remember seeing it somewhere else. But now you put two and two together for me. Thanks.

mrmephistopheles
05-18-2006, 04:02 PM
did you bother reporting it to eBay?

Shells
05-18-2006, 04:25 PM
Yea, I reported it.

I'm not sure if my report will be sufficient evidence as I suppose "technically" the eBay seller may be able to claim that the autotrader ad is the fraudulent listing and the eBay ad is legit. He or she could also claim the autotrader ad is outdated and the eBay seller purchased the 240 from the autotrader seller, then decided to sell the car on eBay for cheaper. There are other scenarios the seller could claim of course, those are just two off the top of my head.

Just wanted to make people aware in case:

A. The eBay ad isn't deleted.
B. The ad is deleted, but buyers have already been in contact with the seller about the item.
C. The seller relists the item under a new account.