Seller demanding western union

[joebuckley1]

I recently won an auction for a mac powerbook on the auction page it said that both cheque and postal orders were accpetable methods of payment he has now emailed me saying that the only acceptable method of payment is western union. The ebid helpdesk says to be weary of western union payments so i suggested that i send payment after receipt of goods two days ago as yet i have had on response below is a copy of the emails.
i was lead to believe a personal cheque was acceptable

>From: Antonio Rossi

>To: Joe Buckley
>Subject: Re: 15.2 inch powerbook auction
>Date: Tue, 5 Aug 2003 16:57:17 -0700 (PDT)
>
>Yes, that is the only way most apropiate with Western Union Company.
>
>Joe Buckley wrote:
>the payment method shown at the auction was cheque/postal order
>
>
>
>
> >From: Antonio Rossi
> >To: Joe Buckley
> >Subject: Re: 15.2 inch powerbook auction
> >Date: Tue, 5 Aug 2003 16:52:22 -0700 (PDT)
> >
> >I am not a UK citizen, i will not use pppay or escrow, is ti risky for me, thank you for your time.
> >
> >Antonio
> >
> >Joe Buckley wrote:
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >will you not accept pppay or escrow
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > >From: Antonio Rossi
> >
> > >To: Joe Buckley
> >
> > >Subject: Re: 15.2 inch powerbook auction
> >
> > >Date: Tue, 5 Aug 2003 16:25:29 -0700 (PDT)
> >
> > >
> >
> > >Delivery will take 5-7 business days.
> >
> > >
> >
> > >Joe Buckley wrote:
> >
> > >When shall I expect the package
> >
> > >
> >
> > > >From: Antonio Rossi
> >
> > >
> >
> > >
> >
> > > >To: Joe Buckley
> >
> > > >Subject: Re: 15.2 inch powerbook auction
> >
> > > >Date: Tue, 5 Aug 2003 16:11:58 -0700 (PDT)
> >
> > > >
> >
> > > >Unit will be shipped via UPS Worldwide Express, payment should be done via Western Union.
> >
> > > >
> >
> > > > Thanks,
> >
> > > > Antonio
> >
> > > >
> >
> > > >Joe Buckley wrote:
> >
> > > >
> >
> > > >What do you accept?
> >
> > > >
> >
> > > >
> >
> > > >
> >
> > > >
> >
> > > > >From: Antonio Rossi
> >
> > > > >To: Joe Buckley
> >
> > > > >Subject: Re: 15.2 inch powerbook auction
> >
> > > > >Date: Tue, 5 Aug 2003 05:22:49 -0700 (PDT)
> >
> > > > >
> >
> > > > > Hi, i am sorry for the delayed answer. Yes you win my auction, for Apple PowerBook.
> >
> > > > >
> >
> > > > > I am based in Spain, Madrid, i cannot accept paypal or personal cheque.
> >
> > > > >
> >
> > > > >Thanks,
> >
> > > > >Antonio
> >
> > > > >
> >
> > > > >
> >
> > > > >
> >
> > > > >Joe Buckley wrote:
> >
> > > > >I have just won your auction selling a 15.2 inch powerbook link below
> >
> > > > >
> >
> > > > >http://wrestler.ebid.co.uk/perl/obje...account-review
> >
> > > > >
> >
> > > > >Can you please send me your home address so i can post you a cheque.

[e_nviable]

Hi joe and welcome to ebid sorry you're having problems already :cry:

Did this seller state anywhere in his auction details that Western Union was the ONLY acceptable payment method :?: If he didn't, and the auction details said cheque/postal order, then I think you have a valid reason to back down from the purchase. The goal posts aren't supposed to be moved once the auction begins - unless both parties agree to it of course.

Not much help I know... but it's the best I can offer as I'm no legal eagle

I hope your stay with ebid improves by the hour and that you don't let this one transaction put you off.

e

[richyrooroll]

All I can say is NEVER EVER EVER pay for an expensive item with Western Union. You will never get your item and never see your money again.

If the seller will not accept any other payment methods then it is very likely to be a scam. BEWARE!!!

[lunarcatcat]

DON'T DO IT!!!

This is the same scam they are running on e bay.NEVER use western union you will never see your goods or Antonio for dust.
G & M should be notified as well.

[pebblebill]

SEE:
http://kamikaze.ebid.co.uk/html/gene...help_fraud.php

Most common online auction scams and ways to spot them

Transfers overseas (especially Western Union) - seller insists that you pay by wire transfer and your payment is safe because money will not be released without a password or ID code. This is not true! If they insist on a wire transfer it is almost certainly a Scam!

Will only provide you with a mobile, pager or voice messaging system.

Landline number is always engaged or 'please leave a message'.

Hotmail account or another third-party email address.

High priced auctioned item from a member with zero feedback.

Offers to complete the sale before the auction has finished - contact telephone number or email in the text of the auction.

Makes an excuse why they cannot use the Escrow Payment facilities.

IF IN DOUBT .... I always use www.pppay.com escrow payments and this has saved me on more than one occassion.

[parrotmad]

Why not ask Gary & Mark support@ebid.co.uk about Escrow, that's where a 3rd party receives the goods and the payment, and passes the goods on once the payment is cleared.

It costs a small amount, but with a high price item like that, it'll save a lot of bother, you can then be sure that you will either get the goods or the money back one way or the other.

[e_nviable]

hentooth - In one of his emails, Antonio says he can't/won't accept escrow ...... definitely something fishy here


e

[parrotmad]

That IS very dodgy Enviable, I didn't see that, I'll admit, I'm not keen on the idea of Escrow, simply because it'll take longer for the TX to come to an end, but if I sold something expensive and the buyer wanted Escrow, I'd fully understand why, and go along with it, so long as they paid the Escrow fee.

No skin of the sellers nose, just a few days longer to complete

[shaun67uk]

don`t part with your cash......and ask yourself why he`s selling on what is for the most part an english auction site...why he not using the other side.....surely lots of spanish bidders on there.......i never buy from overseas........its too risky..........all the scams seem to be through western union.........is his feedback plus?
look out for new members purchasing a number cheap items in order to gain a positive rating.......only judge a seller on sales not purchases.........another thing i do when buying a expensive item from the uk is check the post code of there address at www.streetmap.co.uk,there was once a seller selling a brand new top of the range laptop for less than a 3rd of its retail price.....this seemed a little odd so i email them saying that i would purchase privatly for cash......they gave me the address so i checked it out on streetmap.co.uk and it turned out to be wasteland.
i informed ebid and they banned them..
its also a good idea to email the seller of expensive goods b4 you bid and ask them if you may collect the goods in person.....even if you aren`t......if they say no.......don`t bid.

hope i aint bored you.....lol

shaun

[www-auctions]

Western Union has been a tool in many frauds. There can be no real reason why no other payment method is acceptable, but since WU has been thrust on you by this seller, you should now only make payment by Credit Card. That way, you can dispute any payment made and thereby get your money back if necessary. If the seller wont now accept that, I would stop right now and request a cancellation of the transaction.