Scams! LEGO Star Wars: Imperial Shuttle (10212) x2
OK. I'm an idiot - but I hope this can help others while I wait for eBay to get on the ball and take care of these fraudulent transactions.
One item, I won via an auction, [Removed by moderator]. The item location was listed as Frederick Michigan, United States. With Priority Mail shipping from USPS. However, exactly 3 days later I get shipping information that state its shipping via "Global Hauls", coming from Germany! Searching Global Hauls, it comes up as a scammers shipping site, that was just registered less than a year ago.
The second item (same product, different sellers), I was given a 'second chance offer' for the item I didn't win via the auction. This item location was listed as Coal Run, Ohio, United States. With Priority Mail shipping from USPS. However, again, exactly 3 days later I get shipping information that state its shipping via "Logistics-GFX", also coming from Germany! Searing Logistics-GFX, It also comes up as a suspect site that was registered less than 6 months ago.
Both sellers sent me a message with the same format and wording:
Hi, your item has been shipped. Tracking number *********. GFX Logistics courier service.Tracking details can be viewed via the direct link. ********** Link provided Here********* The parcel was sent as a gift. No additional fees for you! Have a nice day!
The other was the exact same wording, except shipping and tracking was via Global Hauls.
I'm thinking that others may have paid these guys via second chance offers and other fraudulent means via eBay.
I learned a valuable lesson, always look at the users country of origin before you trust the item is real and is actually in the US. I hope eBay figures this out asap, as I'm out a considerable amount of money with these two purchases.
couturehomecollection
·5 months agoSo glad you were smart enough to reach out to social media on X @macableguy
I’m so sorry this happened to you and so many others daily. You can be certain eBay has figured it out long ago. eBay is a "scammer's paradise" because the platform benefits from the high volume of transactions, collecting fees regardless of whether the specific sale was legitimate!
roccotacodad54
·5 months ago"Ignore eBay Apologists: Easily identified criticizing, blaming the victims of scams, being rude, and inflating helpulness votes in the eBay “community” forum. It’s a hobby for some with too much time on their hands?"
Do you mean the apologists that do their best to help? You know the ones that give advice that maybe the OP doesn't want to hear being "rude" for telling them the truth.
It could appear that some like to talk down to others, rude as well..................Pot calling the kettle.....LOL.....
annadryl
·5 months agoI've noticed another "hobby" where one posts only to complain about that "hobby".
msha3839
·5 months agoMe think Sigmund Freud would be suicidal dealing with couture…🧐..too many spiders in the skull..
soh.maryl
·5 months agoAm a little surprised that someone who finds eBay to be a scammer's paradise is still continuing to shop here.
macableguy
OP5 months agoI’ve been on eBay for 24 years. This is my first. I didn’t say it was a scammers paradise, I’m trying to alert others of what happened to me. Part of this was thru second chance offers and there could be other victims of these folks. That was my sole intent.
powell-collectibles
·5 months agoThe vast majority - maybe everyone - understands your intent, and it is appreciated. Absolutely, there are some watch-outs that are being added, which is great. But, not sure why some are grilling you - don't stress about that part.
soh.maryl
·5 months agoSorry -- but why are you "out a considerable amount of money"?
Have you never read eBay's Money Back Guarantee for buyers?
Capsule version: There was an estimated date of delivery in the listing. Once that date has passed by just one day, the buyer can open an item not received case with eBay and has 30 days after that EDD to do so.
Also, it does not apply to your situation, but eBay's MBG offers similar protection if/when the buyer DOES receive an item but it's not as described.
Have repeated this over and over endlessly here: The MBG offers good protection. ALL buyers, as well as ALL sellers need to read it, understand it and use it in a timely fashion.
macableguy
OP5 months agoBecause currently my bank account has been charged for these items. Knowing that it is a scam and they will try every trick in the book to take advantage of policies has my money in limbo. So, until the money is back in the bank, I’m out a considerable amount of money. And yes, I read the policy and I’ve called eBay (they called me back) and I conversed with eBay on X. And I have to wait until it’s ‘delivered’ by a fake delivery company. You’d think eBay would know if a delivery company is legit or not.
kathiec
·5 months agoHad you actually read the Money Back Guarantee you'd know it's never necessary to speak to someone at eBay. The MBG process is fully automated. You need to look on the listing for the estimated delivery dates. If the last estimated delivery date has passed, go to the item in your purchase history and select 'I didn't receive it' under More actions to open a case. The seller will have three business days to either refund or produce tracking showing delivery. If they don't, on the fourth day go back to the case and ask eBay to step. You'll then be refunded.
macableguy
OP5 months agoThe tracking is fraudulent. They are using a fake tracking site. I’m so glad that automated systems have worked for you. And I’m equally glad that you weren’t ever taken advantage of. I hope that continues for you in the future. I appreciate your responses. Have a pleasant evening.
jonathanbrightlight
·5 months agoDismissing the advice of those who are trying to help you will only lead to you being at greater risk of being victimized in the future.
eburtonlab
·5 months ago@macableguy
If the buyer actually receives something, the buyer can file a "not as described" return within thirty days for a full refund. In fact, any buyer on eBay can file a "not as described" return, provided the buyer is willing and able to return exactly what was received.
If tracking shows delivery but nothing arrives and the buyer can obtain some hard copy documentation (email is not good enough) that says that the package was not delivered to the buyer's address or documentation that shows the weight or size of the package cannot possibly correspond to the ordered item, or the shipping date precedes the order, then the buyer may be able to contact eBay via social media direct message, provide that documentation to eBay and get help with "false tracking".
https://x.com/askebay
https://www.facebook.com/ebay
https://www.instagram.com/ebayforsellers/
With "false tracking" if you go through a standard automated "item not received" case, on the other hand, you will lose the case because the seller can provide tracking that appears to show delivery. If you then appeal, you may have some additional options at that point. It appears that eBay has added a new appeal option regarding "delivery to another address", but I do not know how effective that is compared to contacting eBay via social media with documentation and explicitly mentioning "false tracking", which seems to work provided you can obtain the necessary documentation.
If you are unable to get help through eBay, you may have recourse through your payment method, though you should probably exhaust all your eBay options first since once you go through your payment method, eBay will no longer help with that transaction.
In general, you can avoid a lot of headaches by choosing to purchase only from established sellers that have recent and past positive feedback as a seller for selling items in the same category that you intend to buy. If someone is selling a dozen apple watches, but has no feedback, or only has feedback as a buyer, or only has feedback for selling dress patterns or fishing lures (actual examples I have seen), perhaps wait until they have a track record of positive feedback for selling electronics before you buy from them.
reallynicestamps
·5 months agoEBay is on your side.
Remember that term "fake tracking number scam" if the shipment shows delivered but has not been.
If eBay is unable to help you, you are also covered by the chargeback policy of the credit card you paid with.
You do have to allow time for the shipment to be delivered.
If you Refuse delivery eBay does not require the seller to refund anything.
Since this is apparently being sent from Germany, and Lego are made in Denmark, you will probably be paying Trump's Tariff when the shipment is delivered.
If you don't pay the Tariff, the shipper will not give you the shipment.
If you Refuse delivery eBay does not require the seller to refund anything.
What are the last estimated dates for delivery?
msha3839
·5 months agoLooks like OP didn’t pay with credit card..money was withdrawn from bank account…
macableguy
OP5 months agoIt was a credit card.
soh.maryl
·5 months agoAgain, per the MBG, buyer doesn't receive his purchase by the estimated delivery date. Buyer has 30 days after that purchase to open an item not received case. Takes just a few days to be refunded.
Or, buyer receives it, but not as described, buyer opens an item not as described case. No reply from seller? After 4 days, buyer returns to case and asks eBay to step in. Buyer will be refunded and will be told to keep the item in question.
Nothing is in "limbo". No need to call eBay, it's all automatic. Did you or did you not actually open a case or cases?
simba6
·5 months agoIf the item does not arrive, one day after the last given delivery date, you can file an item not received case.
However, if tracking shows delivered, it's the fake tracking number scam. DO NOT file an item not received case. You will lose .If that happens you have to file an item not as described case.
You do that in purchases click the I did not receive it button.